Time To Punt Michael Koenen
November 10th, 2014
Joe’s one of those psycho Bucs fans who listens to all the player shows that air each weekday on WDAE-AM 620.
And earlier this season, Bucs special teams coach Kevin O’Dea joined Lovie Smith on the air to engage in some over-the-top raving about punter Michael Koenen.
So what the hell happened?
Simply stated: the Bucs have the worst punting stats in the NFL — last in yards per punt, last in net yards per punt. It’s not even close. Koenen cranked out another shoddy punting effort yesterday. How about that 23-yarder?
Joe’s no punting expert, but it’s clear Koenen is having a brutal season. It also seems as if the Bucs coaches got in his head to never allow a return after the touchdown to Devin Hester in Atlanta, yet Koenen seems incapable of drilling a decent punt of bounds or of making consistent directional kicks.
Rookie kicker Patrick Murray also is a punter. Joe thinks it would be great to give Murray a shot. You know, see if he can develop his skills.
Koenen is set to earn $3.25 million next season, money he’s never going to see.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:08 am
I mean, if he’s just going to boot it 20-30 yards, why not just throw it deep on those 4th downs. We might get the first down and what’s the worst that can happen, they intercept it at about the point where they would have gotten it anyway on the punt? They catch it, the receiver tackles him after the catch and we’ve lost nothing. Judging by how the ST line is holding up, I’d say it’s actually a safer play because there would be less of a chance of getting a kick/punt blocked and them getting the ball even closer to the end zone.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:08 am
Always loved the idea of Murray Punting.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:09 am
It so frustrating to give our opponents week in and week out the ball on the 40 yard line.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:11 am
I bet even at 51 years old, Randall Cunningham could punt better than that worthless assbag we have now!!
November 10th, 2014 at 9:12 am
I was certain last winter that Koenen would be replaced, or that least there would be some camp competition. Dereliction of duty on Licht’s part….
November 10th, 2014 at 9:15 am
No clue why this hasn’t been addressed yet. Joe, maybe the media should get after him at his presser today?
November 10th, 2014 at 9:15 am
There you go, another player this staff thinks is good, but is really bad…..wanna trust this group with another year????
November 10th, 2014 at 9:16 am
The one (and ONLY) bright spot on this team is Murray. Do you really want to take a chance of a ‘roughing the kicker’ penalty ending his season?
November 10th, 2014 at 9:18 am
Ironic that one of the best punters in the league is suddenly the worst. Wonder if it has anything to do with the coaching?…nah that’s impossible!
November 10th, 2014 at 9:21 am
Though Joe I don’t believe ever reported on this, the Tampa Bay Times early in the season said Koenen had been told not to punt as far, but to punt higher to force more fair catches. Lovie and his boys ruined this guy.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:23 am
Yet another overpaid turd on the Bucs roster. All thanks to inexperienced GM’s learning on the job. Way to go, Glazers!
November 10th, 2014 at 9:24 am
Joe
It has to be the coaching and their schemes. To many players have left here and done good and too many here have gotten worse. Only change is the coaching and their plans.
Something is rotten in the coaching ranks and it is showing all over the team.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:25 am
Murray is actually not that great 69% FGM
November 10th, 2014 at 9:27 am
He’s been consistently terrible. He’s been the worst player on a terrible team this season. He should have been gone a month ago.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:27 am
@OB – I feel like your addressing each post to Joe, even when it’s just a general comment on the team, is sort of an OCD thing. When I see it I picture Sheldon knocking on doors three times and saying the person’s name. Gives me a chuckle
November 10th, 2014 at 9:36 am
No team cuts punters mid season. We still should. Koenen’s play isn’t just disappointing, it’s embarrassing. 20 yard punts? PLURAL? Cut him today.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:37 am
Maybe he wants off this horrible team, his lousy punts look deliberate.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:39 am
This guy wants out of Tampa, that is the ONLY explanation.
November 10th, 2014 at 9:41 am
Give the guy a break….we wore him out with all the punts over the years…..I bet he could collect Worker’s Comp!!!
Time to can him and either give the job to Murray or bring in a rookie that deserves a shot!!!
November 10th, 2014 at 9:44 am
Between dumping his contract, VJax, Martin, and Gholdson this offseason we should be able to get a lot of quality depth across the board and hopefully draft really well.
November 10th, 2014 at 10:36 am
seriously bounce this guy…I can throw a rock and hit 12 school girls that can kick better than him…
November 10th, 2014 at 10:53 am
Coaching has sabotaged this team.. Seems to be the norm…
November 10th, 2014 at 10:55 am
Patrick in VA
Glad I could give you something to chuckle about, the way the Bucs are being run is a nightmare and to sadden your day, I will quit the Joe bit.
Thanks for the comment
November 10th, 2014 at 11:13 am
He is definitely contributing to the losing effort. I still can’t believe ASJ used the ball as a prop in such a close game.
November 10th, 2014 at 11:29 am
How he wasn’t a cap casualty prior to this season still befuddles me…
November 10th, 2014 at 11:30 am
Is Murray also going to hold for his field goal and extra points? Now that would be impressive to see.
November 10th, 2014 at 12:21 pm
Instead of dumping him for nothing – sit him. Nothing improves play faster than watching a backup take your job away with less talent and more effort. Why Lovie and his coordinators keep putting guys with substandard performance and effort is a mystery.
November 10th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Just pull some delivery man off the street, can’t do any worse. Also don’t want Murray punting. He finally seems to be settling in at kicker, don’t want to mess that up. How about putting ST coach under microscope for his unit’s horrible play this year!
November 10th, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Kevin O’Dea is worthless
November 10th, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Its mind boggling that a change hasn’t been made at punter. Lovie wants to win the field position battle and win with his defense. Yet, the special teams and defense are a mess. Go figure.
November 10th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
They could sign Kluwe, he isn’t on a team and was pretty good. Or anyone really…
November 10th, 2014 at 2:26 pm
I supported him going into this year. He seemed pretty good last year. Reliable. One of the best.
But this year he’s lost all strength on his punt kicks. At his price, it is no longer justifiable to keep him (well, past the end of season).
I don’t know if they can save money by cutting him now, but if they can they should bring in a rookie punter. Got nothing to lose at this point because he can do no worse. Get him some experience and maybe he’ll become good from now till end of season.
Those wanting him cut before the season were not right. If he played as good as he usually does, it would be a non issue. NOW they time is right.
November 10th, 2014 at 3:09 pm
I have felt the same about Koenen the past two years. There must be hundreds of unemployed punters on the street. Get rid of this dude.
November 10th, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Williams only played 3 complete seasons in 9 years, and he only broke 3,000 yards twice. He was NOT that good.
He’s just a part of bucs history.
November 10th, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Get rid of him and that massive contract. Bring in the Rookie who Dallas cut in the preseason, the kid Hornsey (won last years Ray Guy) had a 54 yard avg and 48net over a couple of games.