Latest news with #TampaBayBuccaneers'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Todd Bowles Finally Answers A Burning Question
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Todd Bowles Finally Answers A Burning Question originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a recent episode of the Pewter Report Podcast, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles answered the question that has frustrated the fan base during his tenure with the team. That question is why the cornerbacks play so far off of the line of scrimmage. Advertisement The Buccaneers gave up 350 yards per game on average defensively last year. A large portion of those yards or on short or medium throws. The cornerbacks play so far off of the line of scrimmage that the underneath options last season were almost always available to their opponents. One of those reasons why this was the case could be the loss of cornerback Carlton Davis III before the 2024 season, losing him to the Detroit Lions. Davis has 11 interceptions and 84 pass deflections in his career, so those numbers are hard to replace. Another answer could be because of injuries that plagued the team last season in the secondary, such as stud safety Antoine Winfield Jr. He ended up only playing in 9 games last season. However, according to Bowles, this option is not something they would like to see. 'Honestly I do not,' Bowles said. 'That's something we're working through right now and that is not required by the staff. The communication that we have and the situations that these guys got to understand that they have to move up more and we've talked about it probably all year. I would like to see them up as well. I will see them up a lot more, there's only a few instances where you will see them back and I'm on the same page with you so I certainly understand.' Advertisement It does sound like this is something that will be changing for the team this upcoming season. Buccaneers fans will wait and see if this makes their defense return to an elite defensive unit by not allowing as much of a cushion moving forward. Todd Bowles recognizes the need for change, and undoubtedly, his answer will give the fan base some hope for this season. Related: Buccaneers Getting Attention As Genuine NFC Contender Related: Analyst Tips Buccaneers To Be 'Difficult' Proposition In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Florida football DL Joey Slackman earns rookie minicamp invite with Buccaneers
Former Florida football DL Joey Slackman earns rookie minicamp invite with Buccaneers Former Florida football defensive lineman Joey Slackman has earned an invitation to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' rookie minicamp, set for May 10-12, his training company, Peak Training System, announced this week. Slackman, a graduate transfer from the University of Pennsylvania, spent the 2024 season with the Gators. He appeared in nine games as part of Florida's defensive line rotation, logging tackles in five contests and adding a quarterback hurry in a win over the Ole Miss Rebels. At Penn, Slackman was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, earning second-team All-America honors from the AFCA and racking up 12.0 tackles for loss, four sacks and 50 total tackles. He also made a name for himself as one of the top interior defensive linemen in the FCS, finishing his Quakers career with a reputation for power, leverage and consistent disruption. Standing 6-foot-3.5-inches and weighing 300 pounds, Slackman blends size and intelligence with a multi-sport background–he was also a New York State wrestling champion in high school. The Long Island native will now attempt to impress Buccaneers coaches enough during minicamp to earn a training camp invitation or a shot at a roster spot. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Fox Sports
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Bucs hold inaugural 'She is Football Weekend' to increase NFL opportunities for women
More than 800 women filled a concourse inside Raymond James Stadium on the first Friday morning in March for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' inaugural "She is Football Weekend." They heard from Buccaneers co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, NFL executive Dasha Smith and various female leaders across many industries, participated in a full-day summit featuring small group breakout sessions, and watched a live recording of the "Calm Down with Erin & Charissa" podcast featuring NFL reporters Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs also joined them for an interview. The two-day event was the latest example of the Buccaneers' dedication to opening more doors and increasing opportunities for women in the NFL. The weekend highlighted women working in the community, showcased girls who play flag football, and helped provide them with valuable mentorship. Four years ago, Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar became the first female coaches on a team to win the Super Bowl when Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the Buccaneers beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9. The Glazer family has a goal to create the next generation of female leaders through the power of sports. They have a mission of developing 50,000 female leaders annually. The team's ultimate goal is to build off the success of its women's programming and continue strengthening its leadership position among female sports fans throughout the country. "We want women to be able to network with one another and to find a community together to empower themselves and create a greater network that would benefit them personally and professionally," Glazer Kassewitz told The Associated Press. "We have been doing women's events for years, so this is not new for us, but this event is something that we really wanted to become a tentpole event for the Buccaneers organization to show our commitment to the female community in Tampa Bay and beyond, both women and girls. Glazer Kassewitz, who along with her family launched the Buccaneers National Coaching Academy to create pathways for aspiring NFL coaches last year, pointed to a statistic that said 94% of women in executive positions played sports when they were younger. "Our goal for this event is to support keeping girls in sports because there is a connection between girls, sports and leadership," she said. "Supporting female leadership and the women in our community and championing the development of young girls into leaders is very important to my family." The weekend included a 5K run, walk and stroll on Saturday. More than 3,000 people participated. A market festival was held inside the team's training facility featuring women-owned businesses, and there were curated tours throughout the complex that gave young girls an opportunity to learn more about the roles available within a professional sports organization. Glazer Kassewitz joined one of the tours, engaged with the guests, asked questions, posed for pictures and highlighted for the girls several of the different jobs they could pursue in the future. "This pillar of empowering women and developing young girls into leaders has been something that the Glazer family has been doing for more than 10 years," said Kourtney Sanchez, chief impact officer for the Buccaneers. "Witnessing the incredible response to this inaugural event and feeling the energy here this weekend has reinforced the importance of this mission and reflected our continued commitment to keeping girls and women in the game." At the NFL Scouting Combine last month, the league held its ninth annual Women's Forum as part of its ongoing, league-wide commitment to inclusion. More than 250 opportunities have emerged for women in all levels of football since the forum's inception in 2017. Last season, the NFL had 15 full-time women coaches, a league record and most for any male professional sports league in the world. "We know that as a league, we can't reach our fullest potential without the success and hard work of our clubs uplifting their local communities," Smith said. "Thanks to organizations like the Buccaneers, the NFL can continue to advance the game of football and provide unique opportunities for all." Smith called the summit "truly inspiring" and pointed out how women from different backgrounds came together to collaborate and uplift each other. "I'm eager to see how these connections influence the game of football, impact the local Tampa community, and drive lasting momentum beyond the event, hopefully living on for years to come," Smith said. "She Is Football" weekend was such a hit that the Buccaneers have already announced the next one will be held March 6-7, 2026. Fans from other teams, including the divisional rival New Orleans Saints, showed their appreciation. Originally conceived as a locally focused event held around the celebration of International Women's Day, the weekend exceeded the organization's expectations, drawing interest from women across the country who traveled to Tampa for a chance to grow their networks, celebrate their shared love of sports, and possibly find career inspiration. "I was never at something like this where you could pick the brains of people that are in the positions that maybe someday, you want to be in, or ideas for positions that you want to create or build," said NFL Network reporter Sara Walsh, who moderated the event and served as a mentor. "It really would have opened your eyes." Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily . FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Tampa Bay Buccaneers recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
The Independent
20-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Buccaneers held inaugural 'She is Football Weekend' to increase opportunities for women in the NFL
More than 800 women filled a concourse inside Raymond James Stadium on the first Friday morning in March for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' inaugural 'She is Football Weekend.' They heard from Buccaneers co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, NFL executive Dasha Smith and various female leaders across many industries, participated in a full-day summit featuring small group breakout sessions, and watched a live recording of the 'Calm Down with Erin & Charissa' podcast featuring NFL reporters Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs also joined them for an interview. The two-day event was the latest example of the Buccaneers' dedication to opening more doors and increasing opportunities for women in the NFL. The weekend highlighted women working in the community, showcased girls who play flag football, and helped provide them with valuable mentorship. Four years ago, Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar became the first female coaches on a team to win the Super Bowl when Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the Buccaneers beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9. The Glazer family has a goal to create the next generation of female leaders through the power of sports. They have a mission of developing 50,000 female leaders annually. The team's ultimate goal is to build off the success of its women's programming and continue strengthening its leadership position among female sports fans throughout the country. 'We want women to be able to network with one another and to find a community together to empower themselves and create a greater network that would benefit them personally and professionally,' Glazer Kassewitz told The Associated Press. 'We have been doing women's events for years, so this is not new for us, but this event is something that we really wanted to become a tentpole event for the Buccaneers organization to show our commitment to the female community in Tampa Bay and beyond, both women and girls. Glazer Kassewitz, who along with her family launched the Buccaneers National Coaching Academy to create pathways for aspiring NFL coaches last year, pointed to a statistic that said 94% of women in executive positions played sports when they were younger. 'Our goal for this event is to support keeping girls in sports because there is a connection between girls, sports and leadership,' she said. 'Supporting female leadership and the women in our community and championing the development of young girls into leaders is very important to my family.' The weekend included a 5K run, walk and stroll on Saturday. More than 3,000 people participated. A market festival was held inside the team's training facility featuring women-owned businesses, and there were curated tours throughout the complex that gave young girls an opportunity to learn more about the roles available within a professional sports organization. Glazer Kassewitz joined one of the tours, engaged with the guests, asked questions, posed for pictures and highlighted for the girls several of the different jobs they could pursue in the future. 'This pillar of empowering women and developing young girls into leaders has been something that the Glazer family has been doing for more than 10 years,' said Kourtney Sanchez, chief impact officer for the Buccaneers. 'Witnessing the incredible response to this inaugural event and feeling the energy here this weekend has reinforced the importance of this mission and reflected our continued commitment to keeping girls and women in the game.' At the scouting combine last month, the NFL held its ninth annual Women's Forum as part of its ongoing, league-wide commitment to inclusion. More than 250 opportunities have emerged for women in all levels of football since the forum's inception in 2017. Last season, the NFL had 15 full-time women coaches, a league record and most for any male professional sports league in the world. 'We know that as a league, we can't reach our fullest potential without the success and hard work of our clubs uplifting their local communities,' Smith said. 'Thanks to organizations like the Buccaneers, the NFL can continue to advance the game of football and provide unique opportunities for all.' Smith called the summit 'truly inspiring' and pointed out how women from different backgrounds came together to collaborate and uplift each other. 'I'm eager to see how these connections influence the game of football, impact the local Tampa community, and drive lasting momentum beyond the event, hopefully living on for years to come,' Smith said. 'She Is Football' weekend was such a hit the Buccaneers already announced the next one will be held March 6-7, 2026. Fans from other teams, including the divisional rival New Orleans Saints, showed their appreciation. Originally conceived as a locally focused event held around the celebration of International Women's Day, the weekend exceeded the organization's expectations, drawing interest from women across the country who traveled to Tampa for a chance to grow their networks, celebrate their shared love of sports, and possibly find career inspiration. 'I was never at something like this where you could pick the brains of people that are in the positions that maybe someday you want to be in, or ideas for positions that you want to create or build,' said NFL Network reporter Sara Walsh, who moderated the event and served as a mentor. 'It really would have opened your eyes.' ___
New York Times
06-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Is Chris Godwin going to be the belle of the free agency ball?
When the free agency feeding frenzy begins, Chris Godwin is likely to be bombarded with offers from around the NFL. With Tee Higgins receiving the franchise tag from the Cincinnati Bengals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver has catapulted to the top of receiver shopping lists for several teams. He is ranked as the best receiver in The Athletic's top 150 free agent rankings and the No. 3 player overall on the board. Advertisement Godwin was leading the league with 50 receptions and heading for a career year before he suffered a season-ending ankle dislocation in Tampa Bay's Week 7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 29-year-old, who has spent all of his eight seasons with the Buccaneers, looks set to hit free agency for the first time. On the offensive free agency preview edition of 'The Athletic Football Show,' Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen discussed potential landing spots for Godwin should he hit the market. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on YouTube below or in 'The Athletic Football Show' feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Robert: Let's get to the somewhat underwhelming pool of big-ticket items in this free agent class. These are the guys who are going to get paid at the top of the market compared to other players available in this group. That starts with Chris Godwin for me. We just talked about how most of these receivers are at 30 (years old) or over 30 (years old). A lot of them are aging players. Godwin is still only 29 and coming off what had been a fantastic season before he suffered that dislocated ankle. For the most part with these guys, I want to know what you think of their market and where you think makes the most sense for them. Where would you like to see Godwin at the end of all this? Derrik: Godwin at this point, with some of the other free agents falling off the board, is kind of going to become the belle of the ball. He had what was maybe the best year of his career last year, or what was starting to before he had the dislocated ankle. Robert: What was that one year? Was that 2021 when he had that incredible year? Derrik: He was also fantastic that year (98 receptions for 1,103 receiving yards). This year was different because the yards after the catch were just different than they had ever been for him and he was already fantastic beforehand. Advertisement Robert: It was 2019 that he had that ridiculous season — 86 catches for over 1,300 yards (1,333 yards to be exact). Derrik: It's crazy that he had what was effectively a career year in 2019. And now we're five to six years later and he was having another one in a different style, with a different offense and a different quarterback. He is just the guy that I feel you will get exactly what you're paying for. Obviously, the injury ended his season, but I don't think that's like, 'Oh my God he's coming off an ACL, I don't know what I'm going to get,' type of injury. I think he'll probably be fine. Robert: He's done this before too. He got hurt in another contract year and was fine coming off of that. He has shown that he can bounce back from this sort of stuff. And again, I don't think it's overly devastating. Derrik: No, not at all. He makes sense for any team that needs a receiver who's a bit more physical and is going to give you something after the catch. He makes sense for teams like the Houston Texans. He also makes a lot of sense for the Los Angeles Rams. They might try to reshuffle their offensive line and I don't know what they're doing. But if they want to pay for a different receiver instead of Cooper Kupp, Godwin makes a lot of sense. There are some other teams that I'll talk about later and he does have some other destinations that he could go to. He is going to be number one on the market for receivers. Robert: Now I feel bad because I'm going to spoil it because this is the first team I had thought of regarding where he might make sense, and where he might land. The three teams I had said — two of them you already mentioned. He might make sense in Houston. They don't have a ton of money and they already restructured Nico Collins earlier this week, so we'll see if they do anything other than just cost-cutting stuff. But for the most part, their chips are in. They pushed them in last year. They can make Shaq Mason a post-June 1 cut, but that doesn't give them a lot of cap relief right now so they're playing on the margins here in a way they didn't have to a year ago. Advertisement The Rams also make total sense. If you want to drop somebody in that has a skill set that's analogous to what Kupp gives you but is a bit younger and a bit more dynamic, Godwin is exactly that. The one I would love to see because coming off of last year — a coach who knows how to use him, and you think about him connected with the other receivers in that offense and the other receiving options — is Jacksonville with Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr. and Liam Coen. That is something I could get behind because even though he's a slot option, he's a very different slot option than what Christian Kirk is. Derrik: I love that and that is not the one I had in mind, so you have not spoiled it, I'll have another one later. I would love him in Jacksonville because again there's proof of concept that he can do this very well at a high level in the Coen offense. He's a perfect fit to put next to Thomas Jr. too because they don't do any of the same things. Thomas Jr. is a big vertical threat, explosive and all that stuff. Godwin can do all the dirty work, so it's a perfect pairing to unlock both of them. Robert: The Rams do make sense, but I wonder if the Rams want to go in a slightly different direction? Derrik: That's kind of where I'm at with it too. Robert: Are they going to try to chase somebody more like Matthew Golden in the draft who gives you a bit more verticality to go with Puka Nacua? It's tempting to just do something that feels like a Kupp replacement, but maybe they want to go in a slightly different direction with their offense. The other two teams to me it's easy to picture how he fits there. Some people are probably going to look at receiver-needy teams that have a lot of cap space like the (New England) Patriots and they're going to try to put Godwin there. Is that something that you'd like to see? Or do you see Godwin more as a complementary piece in an offense that already has what feels like a true No. 1 receiver? Derrik: If I'm Godwin, even though the Patriots could pay me a bit more, I'm probably at the point where I just want to play for somebody who I feel can win sooner rather than later and I don't know if the Patriots can. I don't know if I love the fit so much with the Patriots because of that. But he's such a good player that if they did it, I'd be like, 'Ultimately this is fine.' However, I just don't know if that's the best use of resources for them. You can listen to full episodes of The Athletic Football Show for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube.
