Dirk Koetter Will Help Blocking
May 2nd, 2015
“A lot of those things aren’t going to happen,” Lovie explained.
One doesn’t normally think of an offensive coordinator when it comes to trench warfare in the NFL.
But Bucs coach Lovie Smith is thinking that will be a big deal this year.
Joe remembers talking to former NFL quarterback and FOX NFL analyst Brady Quinn about the Bucs’ putrid offense last year under ill-suited coordinator Marcus Arroyo. Quinn explained to Joe that for a smooth offense to run, it has to be synchronized. That comes from the offensive coordinator and the Bucs didn’t have that with Arroyo, Quinn told Joe.
Along those lines, with possibly two rookies starting on the offensive line and certainly a rookie quarterback, Bucs coach Lovie Smith mentioned how new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will help improve the blocking.
“I think yes, no doubt,” Lovie said, “We’ve talked a lot about that, what Dirk and the rest of the group will bring to the table. There’s a lot of things we have to do, it’s not just about adding talent. I mean, the way we lost some games this past year, that’s why we’re kind of looking forward in the future. A lot of those things aren’t going to happen.
“I feel like we’re going to be a talented football team. We see what’s happening in our division and we feel like we’re gaining on them and again, it’s a new day. But to answer your question, Dirk will help us a lot with what we’re going to do on the offensive side of the ball.”
Look, it couldn’t be worse than last year. It just couldn’t. Watching the Bucs offense was such an eyerake Joe nearly lost his insatiable appetite for football.
The offense can only improve. Thankfully.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:11 am
And if I recall correctly, Licht didnt have his hands in the draft picks at all last year. Am I right or wrong?
This year, Licht is all over it and picking correctly.
Btw, I think we wouldve taken Landon Collins if the Giants hadnt traded up for him…..and Im sure they knew that. They paid us back for stepping infront of them for Dougie, lol. Its all good. Thats my girls team anyway.
And I KNOW NE wouldve taken Marpet….so we HAD to trade up.
Licht is helping us to right this ship!!!!
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:12 am
Oh, and having Dirk is HUGE! Im sure he had a lot to do with our picks too.
I just cant wait until the season starts….
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:14 am
3 of my favorite analyst are Brady Quin, Chris Simms and Trent Dilfer. I really like the way they talk about the ins and outs of QB play. Just goes to prove that you don’t have to be Joe Montana to talk with knowledge about the game.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:15 am
I thought the same thing re: Collins and the Giant payback.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:18 am
I will welcome ANY blocking help we can get.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:23 am
I’m happy the Giants jumped us if we were going to pick Collins….because we desperately need help on the Oline and that pick was essential.
Collins is great and would have been a good pick…but Smith is needed more.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:27 am
It baffles me why an learned football writer or even fan would be surprised that a highly competent OC would improve the blocking of an offensive unit.
What do you think he does, sit up in the clouds and just calls plays on Sunday.
Well, that was what Arroyo did, but not the rest of them.
They design the plays which also include blocking schemes. They can also select plays that favor blocking schemes which further protect the QB.
Good ones also don’t call the same running and passing play over and over because the play worked three plays before.
Geeeeze.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:29 am
I agree….reached a little but glad we got him. Hopefully we can address SS today, just not much there IMO. DE and WR or even more O line is BPA now.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:33 am
Btw, Pacquiao in the 5th or 6th……Mayweather is going down!
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:33 am
MadMax Says
And if I recall correctly, Licht didnt have his hands in the draft picks at all last year. Am I right or wrong?
He did, but not like he does this year.
When it came to free agency last year, Lovie gave him a list of positions and a few names he was interested in, and one name he wanted really badly (McCown). Licht went about filling that wishlist, but Lovie was a big part of the discussions along the way.
Gotta understand something here. Jason Licht was a rookie GM coming to a team where the Head Coach was considered by the owners and other staff as a huge hire. So Licht wanted to make Lovie happy. To do that, he consulted Lovie every step of the way.
But he was still the one who found the free agency talent (outside of McCown). He presented his ideas to Lovie, who agreed with them. Licht was also the one who decided to get rid of Revis and the offensive line.
When it came to last year’s draft, Lovie did indeed have most of the say-so. He knew the knock against him was offense, and as far as he knew, Tedford was going to build one. So Lovie and Licht both agreed to give Tedford the tools.
We know how it all worked out. Tedford never started the season and is gone.
But…the draft signings last year were not horrible ones. It was all offense (though the 3rd round pick was ill advised).
THIS YEAR
As soon as the head coach of the Falcons was fired, I said we needed to get Kirk as Offensive Coordinator. Very few agreed at first, but as the next week went on, more saw the advantage. Certainly the Bucs did. Lovie and Licht went after him and got him.
That was a genius move…because Dirk was perfect for either of the top two quarterbacks.
This free agency is all on Licht. Lovie has input, but Jason Licht has hinted that he is in complete control of the free agent signings. You may have noticed the trend of injury prone players he brought in. 12 of 14 have injury histories and the two without them are punters who probably will not make the team.
So far as the draft, quarterback was the priority. And if you are going QB, and don’t have a good line, its a recipe for disaster. So offensive line was a must.
Together, now that Licht has settled into his role, he and Lovie have done their research. It’s more of a team effort now.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:34 am
I get that you’re being optimistic Joe but Warhop still the OL coach though, Koetter had the OL problem with the Falcons too. His running game was dreadful with Atlanta last year. I really like the Donovan Smith selection but not sold on Marpet but lets see if our OL prospects develop this season. GO BUCS!
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:35 am
Good draft so far. We addressed our critical needs with players it seems like the Bucs have targeted. Don’t mind trading up 4 picks to get a guy the Bucs wanted. Year 2 much better than last year (RB and TE picks were highly questionable).
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:37 am
I’d like us to address the LB position in the 4th/5th.. Jake Ryan (Michigan) can play all 3 positions
WR in the 4th/5th.. Smelter(most talent imo), Crowder(KR), Diggs. or Hardy
Not sure any of those WR make it to the 5th though. Jake Ryan might though
With the drafting of two linemen in this draft I feel like the Bucs might think they blew it last year with Pamphile and Edwards.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:41 am
We’re all being optimistic I meant.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:45 am
I’d love to see another Lovie confidence poll about now….I am quite certain with the hiring of Koetter…..canning of McCown, Johnson, Collins and the drafting of Winston and two Oline….Lovie’s confidence has risen significantly.
I’m sure Joe will do one fairly soon….perhaps after the draft….
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:46 am
“I mean, the way we lost some games this past year, that’s why we’re kind of looking forward in the future. A lot of those things aren’t going to happen.”- Lovie Smith
Meaning we tanked 1/2 the season for Jameis.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:49 am
So you guys think that Lovie has nothing to do with the picks this year are crazy. Every guy that signed are cover 2 guys Every guy who walked away without signing was not a cover 2 guy. As far as the draft how can you go wrong with the number 1 QB the best left tackle left on the board and your future center.. How we forget that only Mike Evans paid dividends for the Bucs rookie class so he pretty much had his hands all over last years draft and free agency last year.
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:55 am
Great post Bonzai, thanks for clearing it up “)
May 2nd, 2015 at 9:57 am
Somebody needs to help. Warhop sure as hell didn’t.
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:01 am
The optimistic Buc1987 is slowly coming back again…
If I believe that they were tanking 1/2 the season. Which I do, because there was way too many missed tackles, that should never have been missed. Plus Koenan doesn’t suck THAT bad, but he did.
So I’m looking forward to a total turnaround this season in a weak division with a lighter schedule.
No Winston has nothing to do with it either. Although I have a feeling he’s going to prove me and a whole lot of others wrong. I think he might prove me wrong by being better than your typical rookie QB. He’ll throw his picks just like any other rookie QB, but there will be enough positive things in his game that will bring us the victory.
I’m excited for this season, I really am.
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:02 am
I know Lovie has his hands in this draft too….he’s the HC, so of course. I just think after last draft (other than the Evans pick) Licht is steering a little more in the driver’s seat. Its all good either way. Great draft so far by all!!!!
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:03 am
the article failed to mention the OL coach….odd….
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:08 am
I’ve been saying this since last year. Kotter hinted to this on his first call chat with the media. He said that he would “HIDE” our weaknesses. This has always been me response to the trade down crowd. Also a QB that’s a threat to get the ball out hot “to the right person” is also the key. If a defense knows that your QB will shine the ball and not find the open guy. They will just pin heir ears back and get in the backfield. Josh was so shell shocked from years of sacks that he was not effective. Glennon had the best chance to do this, but his two left feet didn’t help one bit. You don’t rush the Brady’s, Mannings, or Lucks because they won’t necessarily got to a check down, but find a receiver open down the field and make you pay for it.
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:08 am
Would be tempted to take La’el Collins with the first pick in the 7th round if he is still there. Unless he has been named a suspect. I have not heard but he would be a tremendous value if still on the board. Maybe worth a 7th round pick just for the rights to him if he is cleared?
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:21 am
@rayjay Last I heard Collins said he would refuse any contracts if he didn’t get taken in round 2 or 3, then re-enter the draft next season.
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:24 am
@Jfat
Thanks for the information.
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:26 am
im thinking winston will be mcnabb like, good enough to keep us from ever considering a new QB but enough interceptions to be hated by the fans (like romo is today)
May 2nd, 2015 at 10:27 am
Having a reaL OC will help Warhop. Work is a lot easier when your boss is competent and provides direction. There was a quote a while back from Licht that made it sound like Warhop had to do a bit more than he should in order to help Arroyo with the game plan, rather than just focusing on the line.
May 2nd, 2015 at 11:02 am
Thanks for your positive input and rosy predictions out here, Dan. You fit right in with the rest of the trolls and posers who post out here.
That’s the polite way of saying you sound like a jerk.
May 2nd, 2015 at 11:36 am
If we miss out on trey flowers because we traded up for marpet when we didn’t have to I’m going to be pissed.
May 2nd, 2015 at 11:53 am
Collins said if he wasnt selected yesterday he would refuse to sign with anybody and go into next years draft. No point in drafting the guy
May 2nd, 2015 at 11:54 am
Has anyone noticed all the new names on here?
May 2nd, 2015 at 11:55 am
@87 have u talked to Erik about ur jersey yet?
May 2nd, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Same Name as always here.
Good draft so far, Kotter should help our Oline with good first hand knowledge of attack plans against NFC South defenses.
Love the fresh blood into our trenches. Looking forward to seeing these rookies grow together.
Go Bucs!
May 2nd, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Positive comments,I f@$kin live it!!!
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:23 pm
@87,
Careful my friend. I am excited for this season myself; heck, Jameis is enough all by himself to be excited about – a FIRST FRANCHISED QB!!!! (And the fact you and I will not be going to jail for arson, lol) But, as Joe casually mentioned in this article, about 1/3 of the offense will be brand new rookies. That will provide a lot of WTF? moments, lol. But again, it will be so fun watching the “flashes” of greatness Jameis will provide!
May 2nd, 2015 at 1:55 pm
I trust Koetter will help make the OL a better unit than it was under Warhop last year, personally I am surprised that guy did not get pink slipped with Marcus Arroyo but I guess you can’t blame the coach for busts like Anthony Collins as that is on L&L…