Todd Monken Goes Off!
December 15th, 2017
Epic defense.
The normally soft-spoken, guarded Bucs’ offensive coordinator came out this morning with both barrels blazing.
It was Todd Monken off the top rope!
In one of the more memorable press conferences Joe can recall from a Bucs coach, Monken, in his weekly presser, took the lectern at One Buc Palace. After declining to speak to an opening question, he went off on a beautiful rant about the recent NFL Network report from Ian Rapoport that there is a strained relationship between America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and Bucs coach Dirk Koetter.
In no uncertain terms, Monken declared the report not just cattle feces, but noted if there wasn’t some level of frustration between Jameis and Koetter at some point, then he’d be worried.
“I want to talk a little bit about what we have had to deal with in terms of talking about relationships, OK?” Monken said. “I have been here almost two years. From a coach-player relationship, I have never seen anything close to what is being talked about between our head coach and our quarterback. Not one thing.
“What I want people to understand is this: The majority of players I have ever coached in my life, at some point in our relationship it has been strained. Fact. If you ask any player I have coached, ‘Have you had a strained relationship?’ You bet. Best man in my wedding was my roommate in college. You don’t think we have had strains in our relationship at times? My wife of 26 years, that I wouldn’t be who I am today without her, that we haven’t had times in our life where we’ve had strains in our relationships? And all of a sudden it becomes news? That all of a sudden that there is a strain? You know what the strain is? The frustration of being 4-9. That’s a frustration — when you put everything into it.
“What you’ve got is a quarterback that is very competitive. A guy that wants to be great and has had a frustrating year. Probably some things on and off the field. And a head coach that does an unbelievable job coaching our players and our quarterback. And that becomes news? Holy cow! Newsflash: We’ve got a strain in our relationship.
“There is not one person that can’t say that that’s ever happened before. [Rapoport’s report] is a flat-out joke that that even becomes news!”
Monken had much, much more to say but in a sense, it was a more colorful version of what Joe wrote Thursday morning. Friction between a coach and QB is the norm in the NFL.
Just on Monken’s outburst alone, this man needs to be kept (promoted?) no matter what changes may or may not happen to the coaching staff this offseason.
Joe strongly recommends clicking on the link above to watch the full diatribe.
December 15th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
One more year…..and OH….why not come out and admit the roster is far from complete say WE Are Rebuilding !….
December 15th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
Mic drop
December 15th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
“Just on Monken’s outburst alone, this man needs to be kept (promoted?) no matter what changes may or may not happen to the coaching staff this offseason.” Maybe he should get fired up and demand play calling from Dirk instead of reporters. Gone with Dirk…later
December 15th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
hmmmmm, its like some unknown entity is trying to get the whole coaching staff fired!!!!!! One bad year and they all must go because they don’t run the tampa2!!!!!!!! The mafia is making moves!!!!!!! And their propaganda will continue!!!!!!!
Fix the “real” problems, the lines!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
December 15th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Realist:
Not sure you realize how deep this “mafia” runs in the NFL. In very, very, *high* circles.
December 15th, 2017 at 12:25 pm
I am sure that Moken will be disciplined by cancer93 and team glazer for showing passion. maybe if the defensive captains played with some passion they would not come out flat so often and get blown-out so frequently.
moken is right though. nothing to see here. Jameis is the future and only hope the bucs have of defeating the losing culture. defeating the losing culture and the glazer clowns will be jameis greatest accomplishment.
December 15th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Continuing to ask the questions perpetuates this story…..making it a valid story when it is clearly not…..there is no proof except the standard (sources close to the team)….
Every QB, and player for that matter, who has an ounce of passion will get frustrated and some of that would naturally be with the coach & vice-versa.
It is a non-story…..but keep it up and it will end up being one.
I agree that our problem lies with the trenches and it needs to be seriously addressed, now.
Koetter should be retained for another year…..not so sure about Smith, but if Koetter want’s to stake his coaching future on him….then let it be.
December 15th, 2017 at 12:31 pm
it’s the choir boy curse started by the failed dungy regime and rejuvenated with Dominick. bucs don’t want enthusiastic passionate winners they want emotionless choirboys that don’t stir the pot and accept losing. the proof is in the results and permanent residency in the basement.
now, if you are crybaby looking for attention see cancer93 than it’s not considered passion it’s considered an audition for a Kleenex endorsement.
can’t wait to see all the camera time the soft one gets monday… he will not be happy with gruden being the center of attention we all know how he pouts when its not all about him
December 15th, 2017 at 12:34 pm
Not sure you realize how deep this “mafia” runs in the NFL. In very, very, *high* circles.
it goes high enough to ensure that a ignorant one dimensional unqualified coach with a career losing playoff record got enshrined in the hall of fame rendering a once great honor meaningless.
It’s a disgrace dungy was enshrined ahead of a true legend and deserving candidate tom flores.
December 15th, 2017 at 12:36 pm
tmax…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
December 15th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Maybe he should demand the play calling duties
December 15th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
How did Dungy get in the HALL? HE EARNED IT!! While every Sunday your belly was aching from hate, Father Dungy was steady chopping wood. This ALL/WORLD COACHING STAFF is the problem, Ciach K was a one hit wonder with LOVIE’S TEAM …..and he (K) won’t be a winner in Tampa ever again! STOP THE SENSELESS HATE! TRUMP GOT YOU TALKING OUT OF POCKET! FALL BACK AND TAKE A KNEE! KEEP AMERICA FREE!
December 15th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Monken appears to have more fire and is far more aggressive than Koetter…..Koetter seams timid with his playcalling…..and what ever happened to the big “mf” stick?……and the “badass” team….?
Willing to give Koetter more time…but think he should delegate starting with the playcalling.
December 15th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Rode the back of one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever breathed.
December 15th, 2017 at 1:00 pm
Maybe he should ‘demand’ the play calling duties? Idiots abound on this site.
December 15th, 2017 at 1:04 pm
“How did Dungy get in the HALL?
Rode the back of one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever breathed.”
BINGO !
December 15th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
Reminds me of a tough talking highway patrolman/mall cop about to be canned. Atta boy, Skunken!
December 15th, 2017 at 1:19 pm
I LOVED that press conference. How often do you see a coach say it like it is like that?
On offense, the only coaches I would replace are the RB and OL coaches.
Defense? Keep the LB coach…and replace the rest.
December 15th, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Joe Says:
December 15th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
How did Dungy get in the HALL?
Rode the back of one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever breathed.
________________
Who you talking about – Dilfer or King?
December 15th, 2017 at 1:22 pm
@lightningbuc
He’s talking about Manning.
But I disagree with Joe. I think Dungy earned his way there personally. He turned this franchise around.
December 15th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
He might as well have yelled PLAYOFFS? PLAYOFFS?
December 15th, 2017 at 2:01 pm
What a Minute the BUCS have a OC what the heck does he DO?
December 15th, 2017 at 2:06 pm
Yeah!!!!
You tell em!
I’ll say it again……Koetter stays and Mike Smith goes
December 15th, 2017 at 2:21 pm
Wait first he said there wasn’t anything close to a strained relationship and then he says that all relationships get strained and would be surprised if there wasn’t a strain between them and it shouldn’t be news. First denies it then admits to it. Ok coach.
December 15th, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Monken and Koetter arent “strained”
They are full blown constipated!
And our offense shiws the symptoms.
Jameis bad decision making is gonna get them both fired.
And sooner or later, Jameis will make such a bad decision- that the team will be forced to move on without him.
And we will probably have a decent defense by then, and a crappy draft pick.
Draft an intelligence first QB this year, with the first pick.
Jameis has high trade value now. May not be true later.
Keep them both around for a year. If Jameis suddenly” gets it”, trade the rookie.
If not- trade Jameis.
Might as well keep the entire offensive staff. Replace entire defensive staff.
Get another back. Team with Peyton Barber.
Honestly- Id trade Jameis straight up for Kirk Cousins right now- and bet he could run this offense well enogh to become a playoff team.
Ive been a big Winston supporter- but hes still making the same bad decisions he made in college- on and off the field
December 15th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
@Joseph Momma…. exactly what I thought. He’s full of it.
December 15th, 2017 at 2:35 pm
BucsAnthem, would take that bet but not allowed to (anymore). IF Mike Smith goes, so will Dirk Koetter (it’s called loyalty). But neither of them will go. Glazers don’t want the coaching carousel any more than most of us do (it’s bad for business obviously). My guess is that Mike Smith was onboard the Bucs train by the Glazers not just to be the DC. He’s probably forgotten more about being a head coach than Dirk Koetter will pick up in the next 5 years. Smitty is Dirk Koetter’s ‘mentor’ and ‘sounding board’ … every new head coach needs one.
Nothing wrong with Smitty that several quality player upgrades wouldn’t fix. And nothing wrong with Dirk Koetter that giving up the OC hat & hiring a dedicated OC wouldn’t fix. And nothing wrong with Jason Licht as GM that a good firing wouldn’t fix.
December 15th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Capt Tim
Doesn’t that very issue- still making bad decisions- is on Koetter. He was annoited to coach it out Jw? To me it’s means Koetter is not totally doing job. Coaching
December 15th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Absolutely DO NOT KEEP THIS GUY. Are you nuts Joe? He’s got Offensive Coordinator in the title and that offense is pure garbage. Just cause the guy can spout off doesn’t make him a good coach. Dadgum I thought you were smart at the football 🙂
December 15th, 2017 at 2:42 pm
Let’s face it…both Joe and Monken are correct about all player coach relationships going through strained periods. 4-9 is officially a STRAINED period!!!!
It’s not the actual relationship between #3 and DK that concerns me…it’s what is happening behind the scenes with Jameis “people”. Who PLANTED this story and what was their motivation. That’s far more important than #3 and DK’s relationship which is probably pretty normal for a 4-9 year.
I’d like to know who is gunning for what behind the scenes. Perhaps just a head start on the blame game?
December 15th, 2017 at 2:44 pm
One question hanging over all of this…why didn’t Jameis tell the Buc’s about the Uber incident? For more than a year!!! That’s just strange.
Did that hurt the relationship or trust from Licht and Koetter?
December 15th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Joe Says:
December 15th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
How did Dungy get in the HALL?
Rode the back of one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever breathed.
^^^ WHA?! The guy turned the worst franchise in sports HISTORY around, developed a defensive system that now is a staple in every defensive scheme from peewee to pros AND the coaching tree has very good coaches in it (you could say Mike Smith as being HOF worthy) and goes very deep. Dungy left a huge mark on the NFL in so many way. The SB win was the cherry on top of a VERY WORTHY HOF nod. Can’t believe what Joe wrote. How does that guy get creds to write that crap?!
December 15th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Sorry, but the facts seem to support Sam Wyche as the coach who turned things around. He’s the one who brought in Hardy Nickerson (IMO, the *true* turning point), as well as the first pieces of the eventual Super Bowl team. Nickerson was a passionate player/coach who *demanded* a winning attitude.
Sam’s last year as coach was the first year, in almost 15, that the Bucs did NOT have double-digit loses.
AND, he did all that with Culverhouse as the owner.
Dungy and Gruden added to the pot, but the pot and fire were provided by Wyche.
December 15th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
@Hawk I’ve heard this idiotic point before.
December 15th, 2017 at 2:58 pm
With elite trenches this team will be on its way! Without? It’ll be more coaching changes year after year.
December 15th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Wyche also started his last season at 5-dash-2 but ended it at 7-dash-9 losing 7 of the last 9 games…
December 15th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
“Defense Rules Says:
December 15th, 2017 at 2:35 pm
BucsAnthem, would take that bet but not allowed to (anymore). IF Mike Smith goes, so will Dirk Koetter (it’s called loyalty). But neither of them will go. Glazers don’t want the coaching carousel any more than most of us do (it’s bad for business obviously). My guess is that Mike Smith was onboard the Bucs train by the Glazers not just to be the DC. He’s probably forgotten more about being a head coach than Dirk Koetter will pick up in the next 5 years. Smitty is Dirk Koetter’s ‘mentor’ and ‘sounding board’ … every new head coach needs one.
Nothing wrong with Smitty that several quality player upgrades wouldn’t fix. And nothing wrong with Dirk Koetter that giving up the OC hat & hiring a dedicated OC wouldn’t fix. And nothing wrong with Jason Licht as GM that a good firing wouldn’t fix.”
————————————————————————————-
Very good points
December 15th, 2017 at 3:26 pm
Pickgrin said, “Wyche also started his last season at 5-dash-2 but ended it at 7-dash-9 losing 7 of the last 9 games…”.
Even though Wyche had lost the team’s respect, he had (through Nickerson, Sapp, and Brooks) changed the mentality of this franchise.
It was time for him to go, but the team was not the same after that. They believed they could win.
And losing the last few games of the season may not be good, but there are plenty of teams who did that, and still went into the playoffs. Your record is still your record, regardless of how soon or late you win/lose.
December 15th, 2017 at 3:26 pm
Lamarcus,
If you watched “Hard Knocks”, you could hear Koetter Repeatedly yellng at Jameis for Bad decisions.
I just dont know how you coach a player, to not throw the ball up for grabs when pressured.
Im sure, as talented as he is, thats hes stllbeen hearingbthat since Pee Wee football.
99.999999 percent of humanity arent capable of playing QB in the NFL. Its a unique balance of athletic talent, concentration, fearlessness, Leadership, and decision making.
Jameis checks all the boxes- until that last one.
But he misses bad on that one, and its gonna hold him back from ever achieving greatness
Time to recognize it, and act on it.
The longer we wait, the futher it will set us back
December 15th, 2017 at 3:29 pm
Dungy wasted the prime years of 2 all time great teams. Had all world D with the bucs for years, (thanks Monte!) and the leagues top O for the years after, (thanks Manning!) and only managed 1 super bowl appearance. If he is so brilliant, how come he couldn’t get the bucs over the top. Always losing the same way. And if he is such a defensive genius, single handedly crafting the tampa 2 D, as some say. Why could he never assemble any kind of respectable D in Indy? Most overated coach around. No way deserving of HOF. Especially with guys like Flores and Jimmy Johnson not there yet.
December 15th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
WINNING takes all the strain away. HEll yes there is Strain at Buc One place. And after Monday night..there will be more Strain. I just want to see DC Pressbox Smitty roam the sidelines once…Just once with his troops. Its easy to give orders away..from the battle. Your Infantrymen need you on the battelfield Smitty!!!
December 15th, 2017 at 3:54 pm
Yup…Mic Drop.
December 15th, 2017 at 3:56 pm
Rappapud is an attention whore. Joes, this should be your last article about it. Stop giving it attention, it’s what the bastage craves!
December 15th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
promoted? because of a passionate outburst?
No thank you. How about the regression of MIke Evans and D-Jax?
How about the predictability of the scheme?
How about the regression of Jameis? (maybe give him a pass since he’s been injured most of the season)
how about a real OC that calls the plays and has a creative scheme. Let Dirk stick to coaching the WHOLE team, and figuring out how to use his timeouts.
December 15th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Some things never change. When JW got in all the trouble at FSU, his father said someone should’ve been babysitting him. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2060610-jameis-winstons-father-wants-fsu-to-have-somebody-around-his-son-247
Jimbo Fisher told him to STFU after he threw a fit on the sidelines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzAUPMLsfyc
December 15th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
Is this an “on field” or “off field” problem with coach and QB? If it’s mainly an “on field” problem, then Monken is right, otherwise he’s pitifully wrong. This either has to do with play calling, handling his injury to the media and his length of bench time, or lastly maybe getting dressed down by the coach on HK. I really don’t believe the last one because Coach K is essentially his HC, OC and QB Coach in one. There is going to be honest assessment of 3’s play that may not always be flattering. And nothing Coach K said was inflammatory. 3 can single handedly lose games for the team with his bad decisions. The biggest problem is going to be if 3 doesn’t support the play calling. If he no longer buys in, that’s essentially the problem. But, if 3 were as smart as 18, then he could complain. But, I’m pretty sure he’s not going to be calling his own plays any time soon.
If he can’t handle the criticism along with the praise, then like Joe said – we need a new QB.
Maybe a revamped OL and DL might generate some more wins and hide some of the imperfections. I don’t think there is too many OC and QBs that always see eye to eye. Case in point, Brady and Josh McDaniels. It happens when things aren’t going as expected and I’m sure it happens more than we realize. Rapoport is making this news because of the horrible season, Bucs being pre-season darlings, and a coach and QB who have underwhelmed.
But, Coach K’s play calling through most of the season has been head scratching at times. I don’t know how anyone can say that if he were just the OC he would be better off. You don’t suck as a play caller because you’re a HC. You either suck or you don’t. Now, which does he suck at more? HC or OC? One of those titles has to go.
December 15th, 2017 at 5:36 pm
Don’t downgrade him cause he does everything right
December 15th, 2017 at 8:01 pm
Clashes between the coach and his star QB is one thing. Going around and whispering about it to a highly regarded sports reporter is something else entirely. Let’s not confuse the two…
December 16th, 2017 at 2:16 am
not sure how we got on the Dungy tangent here, but the man was a product of his talent and I don’t think anybody can say with a straight face that his teams regularly played up to or above their talent levels. when he had no peyton manning in Tampa, he fielded some of the most pathetic offenses of his era. when he left the bucs and their 5 potential\actual HOF defenders behind, his Colts defenses were rarely even above average – mostly they resembled Lovie’s bucs defenses. And in the midst of all those generational talents for over a decade, how many playoff games did he win?
December 16th, 2017 at 9:11 am
As far as Dungy goes, you guys act like his coaching had nothing to do with turning around this franchise and any coach could have did that. That’s crazy as hell.
December 16th, 2017 at 10:07 am
Pick6
“a product of his talent”
Talent still has to be coached.. People seem to forget how Moribund this franchise was in those days.
Koetter likes to talk about culture change, Dungy and McKay actually did it. Changed the culture of the WORST FRANCHISE IN ALL OF SPORTS. EVER. No easy feat by any stretch.
He did get a rookie QB with marginal skills to the NFC Championship game, and If Bert Emanuels catch was a catch in the game (instead of months later), I fully believe we win that game and probably the Superbowl as well. 1999’s Defense was even better than 2002’s.
Really surprised to see Joe on the maxipad bandwagon re: Dungy. Really surprised.
To those who say he “wasted” good teams. Without him there wouldn’t have been good teams to waste.
December 16th, 2017 at 10:11 am
Forgot to mention the outstanding coaching staff he put together..No Tony, No Monte or any of the other great coaches that helped turn this team around.
And they did it all working out of double wides down by the airport.
December 16th, 2017 at 10:57 am
Joe. What requires moderation in my post.. Hard to use or enjoy this site sometimes. Sheesh..
December 16th, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Joseph Mamma Says
“Wait first he said there wasn’t anything close to a strained relationship and then he says that all relationships get strained and would be surprised if there wasn’t a strain between them and it shouldn’t be news. First denies it then admits to it. Ok coach.”
No. He did not admit to it. He said it was not strained, but then he spoke in general terms about everyone in life.
Actually watch the video.