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VIDEO: Buccaneers’ Bruce Arians Passes Coaching Torch to Todd Bowles

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(l-r) Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation and Glazer Vision Foundation owner/ president Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, newly named Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach and former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner and co-chair Joel Glazer, and senior football consultant Bruce Arians pose for a group photo after Thursday's press conference introducing Bowles as the new head coach at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The never ending news didn’t stop at One Buc Place. First, it was Tom Brady’s return from retirement, the re-signing of star wide receiver Chris Godwin, and multiple acquisitions to an already star-studded line up, one that fell one game short of reaching the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year. While players dominated the headlines, it was coaching news that rocked the NFL landscape this week.

On Wednesday night, Bruce Arians announced he was retiring after nearly 50 years coaching, three years in Tampa Bay, and slipping into a new front office role of Senior Football Consultant.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Senior Football Consultant Bruce Arians speaks during Thursday's press conference introducing Todd Bowles as the new Buccaneers head coach at One Buccaneer Placein Tampa, Florida. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Senior Football Consultant Bruce Arians speaks during Thursday’s press conference introducing Todd Bowles as the new Buccaneers head coach at One Buccaneer Placein Tampa, Florida. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

“When you know it’s time, it’s time,” Arians said. “I’m extremely excited about the future and what this means for me and my successor to take over, and to have a place where I can come back where I am welcome.”

Tom Brady (center, smiling) waits in the audience before Thursday's press conference introducing Todd Bowles as the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach at One Buccaneer Place. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

Tom Brady (center, smiling) waits in the audience before Thursday’s press conference introducing Todd Bowles as the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach at One Buccaneer Place. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

With multiple coaches, players including Tom Brady, and dozens of media in attendance, both Buccaneers Co-Chairman Joel Glazer and Jason Licht had nothing but praise for Arians for his on the field performance and off the field character as well and surprised him with the honor of being named to the Buccaneers Ring of Honor during the 2022-2023 season.

Arians, who has a track record of hiring minority coaches and creating an inclusive staff, along with General Manager Jason Licht and the Glazer Family, dubbed the current Defensive Coordinator as the 13th Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht speaks during Thursday's press conference introducing Todd Bowles as the new Buccaneers head coach at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht speaks during Thursday’s press conference introducing Todd Bowles as the new Buccaneers head coach at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

“I understood why he suggested Todd,” Licht said. “He could have picked a number of them, he could have said Byron [Leftwich] and I would have understood why. I knew that it would be an easy transition. It wasn’t an easy moment at the time he told me, we’ve been having some conversations and I can get a little emotional about all the great times we had together.”

Coach Arians won’t be leaving the building, just acting in a different role, and passing the torch to Bowles, who worked with Licht in Arizona in 2013. It was there they formed both a personal and professional bond.

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles speaks during Thursday's press conference at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles speaks during Thursday’s press conference at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa, Florida. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

“To have this opportunity is very humbling, but also very bittersweet because of Bruce,” Bowles said. “At the same time it is very exciting because we are turning the page and it’s a chance to move forward, and be a different team and a better team.”

For Bowles it’s a second chance at being a head coach in the NFL.

“It hardly ever happens, but I don’t really look at it like a second chance, because I’m in the same place and you’re around the same people,” he explained. “I was driving into work this morning and I was like, ‘Wow, I’m the Head Coach,’ but at the same time I have my same routine. “

April 4th marks the first day teams with new coaches can begin their offseason workouts. In addition, Bowles, his staff, and the front office will prepare for the NFL Draft with the first round on Thursday April 28th.

The Buccaneers 2022-2023 season is loaded with playoff teams like Green Bay, Kansas City, Dallas, San Francisco, Cincinnati, and the reigning Super Bowl Champion Los Angeles Rams.

Tampa Bay will also play the NFL’s first ever game in Germany when they travel to Munich for the league’s International Series.

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Todd Grasley is a sports reporter for Florida National News Tampa. | sports@floridanationalnews.com

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Lose to the Bills 27-24 in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs

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Jaguars vs. Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (13-5) lost to the Buffalo Bills (13-5) 27-24 at EverBank Stadium today in the AFC Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Jaguars finished with nine more victories than last season, but fans are still disappointed that the miracle season has come to an end.

On Jacksonville’s second drive of the game, QB Trevor Lawrence threw a pass intended for WR Parker Washington that was intercepted by Bills LB Shaq Thompson. A couple of plays later, Bills QB Josh Allen was tacked by Jaguars DE Josh Hines-Allen, and Allen went to the Bills’ blue tent to be evaluated for a concussion, but was cleared to return. On the fourth down, K Matt Prater kicked a 50 yard field goal to put the Bills on the board 3-0, which was the score at the end of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Trevor Lawrence completed a 3 yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Thomas Jr. and K Cam Little added the extra point, putting the Jaguars ahead 7-3. On the kickoff, the Jaguars benefited from a fumble by Bills RB Ray Davis that LB Devin Lloyd recovered. The Jaguars were on Buffalo’s 9 yard line when Trevor Lawrence tried to dive for a first down on 4th and 2, but came up a little short on the officials’ review. The Bills took possession and ended up scoring on Josh Allen’s two yard touchdown run, followed by Prater’s XP. The Jaguars managed to get into field goal position just before the half, but Cam Little missed a 54 yard field goal that hit the left upright, ending his streak of 20 consecutive field goals made, including a 67 yarder just last week which set the NFL outdoor record. The Bills were up 10-7 at halftime.

Matt Prater kicked a 47 yard field goal on the Bills’ first drive of the third quarter, extending their lead to 13-7. Cam Little redeemed himself with a 43 yard field goal on the Jaguars’ next drive, to narrow the Jags’ deficit to 13-10, which remained the score at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth, Trevor Lawrence found Parker Washington in the end zone for a 6 yard touchdown pass, and after Cam Little’s XP, the Jags were ahead 17-13. But Josh Allen’s 15 yard touchdown pass to TE Dalton Kincaid, followed by Matt Prater’s XP, put the Bills up 20-17. The Jags responded with a 14 yard Lawrence touchdown pass to RB Travis Etienne Jr., and a Little XP, to put the Jaguars ahead 24-20. Josh Allen ran into the end zone for another Bills touchdown, followed by Prater’s XP with just over a minute left in the game, putting the Bills up 27-24. Trevor Lawrence threw a pass that was intercepted by Bills S Cole Bishop, effectively ending the season for the Jaguars.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 207 passing yards and 3 TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 67 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 107 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 70,250.

Today marked the Jaguars’ 17th playoff game in history. With today’s loss, they are now 5-3 in the Wild Card round, and 4-2 at home in the playoffs. Jacksonville beat the Bills in the 1996 AFC Wild Card round to win their first playoff game in franchise history.

The AFC Divisional Playoff schedule will be announced after the completion of this weekend’s playoff games. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Topple the Titans 41-7

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Jaguars Topple the Titans (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) beat the Tennessee Titans (3-14) 41-7 at EverBank Stadium today. With today’s victory, Jacksonville won a 13th game for only the second time in franchise history. Head Coach Liam Coen also became the seventh first-year coach in NFL history to win at least 13 games.

The Titans were the first to score, as rookie QB Cam Ward ran 7 yards for a touchdown, followed by the extra point from K Joey Slye. Ward injured his right shoulder on that play and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, and was replaced by QB Brandon Allen. The Jaguars responded on their next drive, with a 23 yard touchdown pass from QB Trevor Lawrence to WR Parker Washington, followed by the XP from K Cam Little, to tie the game at 7-7, which remained the score at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, WR Brian Thomas Jr. left the game after a defensive pass interference, and was evaluated for a concussion. Fortunately, Thomas cleared concussion protocol and returned later in the game. On the next play, Lawrence completed a 7 yard touchdown pass to TE Brenton Strange, with Little providing the XP. The Titans next drive ended as S Antonio Johnson intercepted a Brandon Allen pass intended for WR Elic Ayomanor, returning it 59 yards for a touchdown, followed by Little’s XP, extending the Jaguars lead to 21-7. Lawrence added another TD pass for 5 yards to TE Quinton Morris, followed by Little’s XP. Little also added a 67 yard field goal as the clock expired heading into halftime, to put the Jaguars ahead 31-7. With those three points, Cam Little also broke the franchise record for most points in a season, which had previously been held by K Mike Hollis with 134 points in 1997.

Late in the third quarter, Cam Little added another field goal, this one for 52 yards, extending the Jaguars lead to 34-7, the only points scored in the quarter.

Early in the 4th quarter, Trevor Lawrence reached more than 4,000 passing yards for the season with a 23 yard pass to Parker Washington. The Jaguars replaced Lawrence with QB Nick Mullens for the remainder of the game, to ensure Trevor would be healthy for the playoffs. Midway through the quarter, Travis Etienne Jr. also surpassed 1400 scrimmage yards for the third season in his career. RB Bhayshul Tuten later added a 5 yard touchdown run, and Little kicked the XP, to put the Jaguars ahead 41-7. After the two minute warning, the Titans attempted, but missed, a 52 yard field goal by Joey Slye. The Jags then ran down the clock to secure their victory.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 255 passing yards and 3 TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 32 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 87 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 66,015.

Trevor Lawrence breaks the franchise record for total touchdowns in a single season. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

Trevor Lawrence also set the Jaguars franchise record for the most single season touchdowns with 38, breaking the previous record of 37 set by Blake Bortles in 2015. Since the beginning of the Jaguars win streak in week 11, Lawrence has led the league with 24 total touchdowns. Lawrence also moved into second place in passing yards in franchise history, exceeding Blake Bortles’ mark of 17,646 yards. First place is held by Mark Brunell with 25,698 yards.

The Jaguars will advance to the AFC Playoffs, which begin next weekend. The schedule will be announced after the completion of week 18 games. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.comfor more.

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Jacksonville

Jaguars Down the Jets 48-20 in Jacksonville

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) beat the New York Jets (3-11) 48-20 at EverBank Stadium today. Jets QB Brady Cook made the first start of his career. Cook was the first undrafted rookie QB to start for the Jets in 50 years.

On the first drive of the game, QB Trevor Lawrence found WR Brian Thomas Jr. in the end zone for a 4 yard touchdown pass, followed by the extra point from Cam Little, giving the Jaguars an early 7-0 lead. The Jaguars second drive ended with a 15 yard touchdown run by Lawrence, followed by another Little XP, to put the Jags up 14-0. But Brady Cook completed his first career TD pass to WR Adonai Mitchell for 9 yards, followed by the XP by K Nick Folk, to put the Jets on the board. At the end of the first quarter, the Jaguars were ahead 14-7.

Early in the second quarter, Trevor Lawrence completed a 16 yard touchdown pass to RB Bhayshul Tuten, and Little added the XP to put the Jags up 21-7. Several minutes later, Jets WR Isaiah Williams appeared to score a touchdown returning Logan Cooke’s punt, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty nullified that TD. Several plays later, the Jets settled for a 41 yard Nick Folk field goal, to narrow the Jets deficit to 21-10. Cam Little added a 33 yard field goal for the Jags shortly before the half, extending their lead to 24-10. Just two downs later, CB Montaric Brown intercepted a Brady Cook pass intended for Adonai Mitchell, and the Jags moved the ball down the field, with Lawrence ultimately hitting RB Travis Etienne Jr. in the end zone for a 20 yard touchdown pass, followed by Little’s XP. This completion put Trevor Lawrence ahead of David Garrard for third place on the Jaguars all-time franchise record for passing TDs with 90. The Jaguars went into halftime up 31-10.

Nick Folk kicked a 51 yard field goal on the Jets’ first drive of the third quarter. The Jaguars responded with another touchdown pass by Lawrence to Etienne, this one for 8 yards. After Little’s XP, the Jaguars led 38-13. This was Travis Etienne Jr.’s 30th touchdown of his career. Late in the third, Cam Little added a 22 yard field goal, which was the 50th of his career, making him the youngest player in NFL history to kick 50 field goals. The Jaguars were up 41-13 at the end of the third quarter.

The Jets scored early in the fourth on a 24 yard touchdown run by RB Isaiah Davis, followed by Folk’s XP, to make the score 41-20. Two plays later, the Jaguars added another Lawrence to Etienne touchdown pass, this time for 45 yards, followed by Little’s XP, extending their lead to 48-20. The Jaguars brought QB Nick Mullen in to relieve Lawrence soon after as a precautionary move. Midway through the fourth, the Jets were threatening to score, but Jags LB Ventrell Miller intercepted a Brady Cook pass intended for WR Allen Lazard in the end zone. Late in the fourth, Brady Cook was once again picked off, this time by S Antonio Johnson. The final score remained 48-20.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 330 passing yards and 5 TDs. Trevor Lawrence also led the Jaguars’ rushing with 51 yards and 1 TD. Travis Etienne Jr. was the leading receiver with 73 yards and 3 TDs. Today’s attendance was 60,815.

Trevor Lawrence reached 3,000 passing yards for the fourth time in his five year career. In Jaguars franchise history, only Mark Brunell has had more such seasons, with five.

The Jaguars have two games on the road against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 21 and the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 28, before returning home for the final game of the season against the Tennessee Titans. That game will be held either Jan. 3 or 4, but the date and time have not yet been confirmed. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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