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The Bucs had more walk-through practices in 2025 than any other season under head coach Todd Bowles. The reason? Injuries, according to Bowles. There is no doubt that Tampa Bay was among the most injured teams in the league this past season.
Yet the Buccaneers wound up having more walk-through practices during the second half of the season when the roster was actually getting healthier. That may have a role in poor execution on offense and defense for the team down the stretch.
During the team’s 6-2 start, the Bucs had just four walk-through practices – all on Wednesdays to start the work week.
Wednesday 9/17 – prior to the Jets gameWednesday 10/1 – prior to the Seahawks game Wednesday 10/8 – prior to the 49ers game Wednesday 10/22 – prior to the Saints game
Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
But after Bowles gave his team the entire week off during the bye week, Tampa Bay had even more walk-through practices down the stretch that could have played a role in poor execution, coverage lapses, taking poor angles and mental mistakes during the team’s 2-7 collapse. After the bye, the Bucs had seven walk-through practices and then didn’t practice at all on Thursday, December 25, which was Christmas, prior to the Dolphins game.
Wednesday 11/12 – prior to the Bills game Wednesday 11/19 – prior to the Rams game Wednesday 11/26 – prior to the Cardinals game Wednesday 12/3 – prior to the Saints game Monday 12/8 – prior to the Falcons game Tuesday 12/9 – prior to the Falcons game Tuesday 12/30 – prior to the Panthers game
No practice on Thursday 12/25 – prior to the Dolphins game
Essentially, the Bucs practiced full speed just twice – on Thursdays and Fridays, although Friday is usually a lighter practice day in terms of physical exertion. And when the team did practice on Thursdays and Fridays there were rarely full-speed reps for fear of players getting injured.
As a result, Tampa Bay simply wasn’t fully prepared to play on Sundays, especially over the second half of the season, and the team’s record seemed to reflect that. At least that’s what some players think.
Not Having A Full Week Of Practice Irked Some Bucs Players
One Bucs veteran defender, who did not want to go on the record, told Pewter Report that Todd Bowles had more walk-through practices this year than in any other season he had been in Tampa Bay. He noted that Bowles is a cerebral coach that put too much stock into mental reps with too many walk-through practices.
Another player, who also didn’t want to go on the record, believes that led to players not taking proper angles, having coverage busts or not getting to proper landmarks in coverage in time because the defense didn’t practice enough at full speed during the year.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: USA Today
Bucs outside linebacker Yaya Diaby did go on the record with Pewter Report and said that the walk-through practices were detrimental to the team and that needs to change going forward.
“Yeah, we had more walk-throughs this year than any other year,” Diaby said. “I’m not going to lie. I’m a straight-forward guy. That’s one of the things I do want to talk to Coach Bowles about, especially with me possibly being a captain next year. Just letting him know that has to change. We need to prepare the right way. We have to prepare to win. I know injuries are a big thing in this league, but being ready for a game is just as important as anything else.
“Me, I love practice. This whole year, the practices that we’ve had that we’ve actually run through, I take it super serious. His point is to have mental reps, and I understand the mental reps. But at the same time, football is a physical game. You have to be in it. You can’t just walk through everything. I feel like that’s the next step, especially with me being here three years and seeing what we’ve done good and what we’ve done bad. That’s the next step.”
The Bucs were considered to be a soft team, especially on defense. That’s the ultimate insult to any football team or player.
But until the Bucs truly harden themselves with competitive, full-speed practices, Tampa Bay will continue to lack the necessary mental and physical toughness to be among the league’s best teams.
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