Lovie Pointing A Finger At Koetter?
October 6th, 2015
Who is Lovie referring to?
Yes, many Bucs fans and, of course, the blowhard haters (who are dancing with glee) are busting the chops of America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, for throwing away the game Sunday against the Stinking Panthers with his four picks.
However, if you read the words from the mouth of Bucs coach Lovie Smith, he seems to imply that the Bucs set up Jameis to fail to start both homes games, in which Jameis threw picks in each of his first attempts.
“I think it’s a little bit more complicated than that, believe me,” Lovie said Monday in his day-after presser. “We’re not trying to put our quarterback in a bad position.
“We made some bad decisions at the beginning of the game [in] the two games we’ve had here, but I just don’t think that will continue. It’s part of the process, it’s as simple as that. Jameis is a good football player. It’s just not all on Jameis, believe me. We say those turnovers [are to blame] and they had a lot to do with it, but there are other areas we need to improve also and we will.”
Well, the first time the Bucs had the ball in each game, the contest was not out of hand, so Lovie can’t say the Bucs were in a throw-only mode in order to catch up.
It sure smells like Lovie wasn’t fond of each play call that offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter made to start the game.
October 6th, 2015 at 5:16 am
Lovie is never to blame. Bill O’Brien says it like it is…Hopefully the Bucs get the right kicker and for once make a good decision
October 6th, 2015 at 5:26 am
No Joe, not a blowhard hater. Just a seasoned enough Bucs fan with a knowledge of our history of taking the wrong pick. Trent Dilfer, Vinny, Freeman now Winston. If I see one more Buc qb throw that frigging pass out in the flat…..staring down the receiver pick six one more time…. I’ll feel like Murray in Groundhog Day
October 6th, 2015 at 5:30 am
You can’t throw a floater in the flat…”simple as that”…Siberias QB hopefully learns more about ball security…this ain’t college….
October 6th, 2015 at 5:34 am
I was late to the game this Sunday (late night getting back from G-Ville, Go Gators!) so I can’t comment on the first series Sunday, but I did see the second series. I’ve been saying this since the Minnesota preseason game. Winston’s first throw of the game shouldn’t be coming on a crucial third down. You’re setting the kid up for failure. In the Minnesota game we ran the ball 5 or 6 times in row before throwing on third down. Against Tennessee, after a nice 5 yard run on first down, we ran again on second only to set up a third and 4 before we decided to throw. Koetter should’ve come out throwing with quick one step throws, just like Whisenhunt did with Mariota. Don’t let your rookie’s first throw of the game come on a crucial third down when the defense is keying against the pass. There’s plenty of time to establish the run. You don’t have to try and do it on the very first series. Our beginning of the game playcalling looks straight out of the Mike Shula playbook. Terrible.
October 6th, 2015 at 6:12 am
It sure smells like Lovie needs to figure it out, and beat the Jaguars.
October 6th, 2015 at 6:17 am
This is NOT about Koetter, Joe. The first 20 plays of the game are scripted and Lovie Smith knows what they are. Was the fumble Koetter’s falt as well? Winston didn’t really throw the four picks either, that was Dirk Koetter The offensive line was overwhelmed at times and receivers could not get open at times and “Lovie’s” call before halftime, not to go for a tpuchdown but a field goal, tells me all I need to know about where the problem belongs.
October 6th, 2015 at 6:19 am
Same old bs
If coach was so smart how come we keep loseing? Oh wait does this mean he has it all figured out how to win now?
October 6th, 2015 at 6:20 am
Ii’m taking Koetter over Lovie anyday.
October 6th, 2015 at 6:27 am
Sorry Joe, but that first interception (and all the others Sunday) was strictly on Jameis. Any decent college D-back could’ve picked that one off (he telegraphed it then floated it). Sitting there in the rain all I could think of was YGBSM. Our QB dug the team a 10-0 hole before the game was barely 3 mins old. Don’t blame Lovie, don’t blame, Koetter, don’t blame the defense, don’t blame the OLine … Blame Jameis Winston for that one and no one else.
And by the way, Lovie never said anything to indicate that Koetter was to blame. I get it: you don’t like Lovie. But it’s a low blow to read stuff into what someone says that isn’t there.
October 6th, 2015 at 6:38 am
Dilfer is a super bowl starting qb. SMH. You lost all credibility.
October 6th, 2015 at 6:45 am
I expect a home win this Sunday. Ryan Dellaire was on our team, and we didn’t find him a spot?
Lovie need to end the 670+ days since our last home win (hail Schiano).
October 6th, 2015 at 7:15 am
Textbook Lovie from his Chicago days. Fire a co-ordinator to buy himself more time. There’s a reason he’s on his 7th one in 11 years. It’ll be nice when our next head coach is actually offensive minded.
October 6th, 2015 at 7:18 am
Not happy with Winston’s play. His footwork and decision making are horrible. The pick six was a telegraphed floater. Another INT came with Winston shifting his weight onto his back foot and throwing a duck. Koetter did not coach Jameis to do play that way.
Jameis deserves to take some blame.
The matter of Brindza is on Licht and maybe Lovie if they collaborated on making the trade. George Johnson has been a bust so far. I have a milk carton with his face on it. Lovie is in love with M. Jenkins who couldn’t cover a roast and cheese with a slice of bread. Everyone other than the Bucs know Jenkins can’t play. Never could and never will. Yet, Lovie still insists on keeping Jenkins on the roster. Coaching staff, front office, back office and ownership all must shoulder responsibility.
The defense doesn’t hate losing enough using the excuse game-after-game that we are not executing our assignments and if we do our jobs then we can win. How many more losses will it be before the Bucs start doing their jobs? How many more losses before they hate losing?
The only good news is that these are fixable problems and the have 12 more chances to do their jobs and get one win.
October 6th, 2015 at 7:34 am
You’re spinning again, Joe. Jameis was responsible for 5 turnovers. That’s 4 terrible throws and another inexcusable fumbled snap. He’s not NFL ready and the Bucs are ruining him by playing him this early in his career while this team is so lacking in talent.
October 6th, 2015 at 7:36 am
In no way did Lovie blame Koetter…..as a matter of fact he said that Jameis had other recievers to throw to on those plays and made the wrong decision.
Nice try……it seems there is a continual effort to excuse Jameis’ mistakes….it’s eiither the play call….the reciever route….and now Koetter.
I’m OK with the mistakes….because I expected them and there will be more while Jameis develops…..but let’s call it like it is.
October 6th, 2015 at 7:39 am
Hey, I’m as big a Jameis fan as the next guy, and I’m talking bust or bench, or even doubting him, but holy hell. Jameis deserves the scrutiny hes getting after last week. Any QB that does that deserves it. Some of you act like that’s your child out there and can do no wrong. I’m also not saying the blame shouldn’t be spread, but the kid had a terrible game. Terrible. Some if not most of that is on him, and him alone
October 6th, 2015 at 7:45 am
Oops Forgot a pretty important word there. I’m *NOT talking bust or bench
October 6th, 2015 at 8:28 am
Is Lovie bashing his potential replacement (wishful thinking of Koetter being interim HC when the Bucs lose to the Jags) or is he simply propping up Koetter to be another shield to protect himself from the criticism???
October 6th, 2015 at 8:51 am
#siegethebillboards
October 6th, 2015 at 8:55 am
Lovie setup Jameis to fail before the season even started with 2 rookies, a broken down heartless mankins and a horrible center in EDS starting on the oline with no depth. Mediocre receiver core at best. Vjax is consistent evans will be fine just like Winston with real nfl coaching next year. Laughable Lovie is a joke. His track record of burning through offensive and defensive cordinators speaks for itself. Lovie has never taken responsibility for anything. The man is a bad coach and throws people under the bus with no conscience
October 6th, 2015 at 9:01 am
Don’t make it out like a personnel problem. Lovie better make Koetter look like the problem. He’s our interim coach in a few weeks.
October 6th, 2015 at 9:04 am
Sapp, STFU: Koetter could be Tampa’s interim HC next Monday if the Jags embarrass Lovie. The Fins set the tempo by firing their laughing stock coach Philbin; is Tampa next to pull a Del rio????
October 6th, 2015 at 9:12 am
Lovie is a big dummy, and a simpleton at that.
October 6th, 2015 at 9:23 am
There are some passes that JW simply can’t throw, doesn’t have the ability to throw. Take them out of the playbook. About the only pass he throws well is the slant or skinny post.
October 6th, 2015 at 9:31 am
Give the credit or blame for #3 is whoever made the decision to pick him #1 and start him game one. Despite flashes he plays pretty much the same as he always has but he’s facing much better and faster defenses. He’ll be fine – maybe even great – but it’s gonna take a few season.
Koetter’s not the problem. Hopefully the Brothers recognize how important Koetter is to the future of this team.
October 6th, 2015 at 9:44 am
I knew that pass was going to be picked and returned…so did everyone who watched the game! Jameis Winston, “America’s Turnover Machine”, telegraphed exactly where he was going with it. ANY decent CB knew that all they needed to do was sit back and read Jameis’s eyes!
If he is going to grow as a QB he has to learn to look off his receivers! This was the knock on him at FSU…he throws picks….why is anyone surprised the behavior has continued into the pros?
October 6th, 2015 at 9:44 am
He threw everyone under the bus,winston,brinzda,no! wait it was the rain. When are the press gonna ask him why the falcons and jets first yr coaches are being so successful?
October 6th, 2015 at 10:46 am
Jameis lovers also calling for Koetter to take over as interim HC may get an unpleasant surprise if that actually happens…I could certainly envision Koetter benching Winston and starting Glennon if he gets to call the shots. Think about it if your interim job depends on performance right now would you play the guy who may end up being better down the road (or not?) or the guy that has the better grasp on things now and might help your team win some games by not being reckless with the football? Time is usually not a luxury in the NFL when coaching opportunities are hard to come by.
October 6th, 2015 at 10:55 am
I predicted 28 int’s, it might be more.
October 6th, 2015 at 10:56 am
Who made horse sounds at press conferences this year? Winston and America Pharaoh.
October 6th, 2015 at 11:02 am
I don’t think he is talking about the OC. I think he is talking about the QB’s decision making and technique. He is making rookie mistakes.
October 6th, 2015 at 11:23 am
Joe,
He’s talking about America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston for the bad decisions at the start of the games…. not Koetter. Good try though
October 6th, 2015 at 11:41 am
Its no wonder we have never had a franchise QB in this town. The constant glee when Winston screws up is disturbing. Did everyone think Winston was going to be perfect in his rookie season? I know 4 interceptions in a game is terrible and we lost because of it. But give the guy a break, he is not the only one who screwed up yesterday. When the game was still close our field goal kicker missed two big field goals,to completely change the course of the game. The last time i looked this is a team game, every one is accountable including the coaching. Mariota is going to have games just like Winston just had, its going to happen, just hope all you haters go off on him like you do when Winston does!!!!
October 6th, 2015 at 11:47 am
Fire Lovie, make Koetter HC, put Glennon in as the starting QB and sIt Jameis down. Only then would I believe the Bucs would be moving in the right direction. JW’s time will come, but it is NOT now!
October 6th, 2015 at 11:55 am
Because of the success of Wilson, Flacco and Ryan the pressure to perform right away is much higher than 10 years ago. Gabbert, Weeden and Couch were benched and sent packing.
This is not the 70’s when rookies sat and learned and were given years to develop. If you are a top 5 pick, you have to show something good fast!
October 6th, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Ernest T Bass …I get your point about “fast”, but 4 games is hyper speed fast.
October 6th, 2015 at 1:01 pm
I am not worried about Winston, remember Manning threw 28 Ints and 26 TDs his rookie year. This happens with young QBs who know the game, have confidence, but just haven’t adjusted to the speed yet. Winston shows promise, but rookies are going to play like rookies.
The coaches need to start showing some urgency, they seem far to complacent with only three wins in twenty games. They need to push these players and strive for perfection, not say we are still growing after the twentieth game at the helm.
October 6th, 2015 at 1:02 pm
It doesn’t matter why we suck. I think there are numerous reasons for that but, ultimately, it falls on the coach’s hands anyway. If we were 4-0 and looking unbeatable, Lovie would be in for a raise and extension. Therefore, when we are 1-3 and staring in the face of another lost season, the responsibility falls on Lovie. I was all for the hire of Lovie. It brough a tear to my eyes thinking of the Golden Olden days. We are now 3-17 under Lovie Smith and those Bucs teams of yesteryear that would make great QBs look terrible are long gone. This team needs a brilliant young mind to jumpstart this team. Lovie has worn out his welcome and unless this team starts quickly showing some hope which doesn’t look likely, Lovie could be a Philbinesque early departure. I hope to see that surprising rebound because I like Lovie but I’m calling to fire him if we don’t beat Jax. I don’t even care if the game is close and we lose. He still should be canned. This team should be way ahead of Jax and statistically we are not.
October 6th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Winston needs to take off the helmet, park his butt on the bench, and watch the cannon Mike Glennon display superior footwork, accuracy, completion percentage and interception percentage (is that even a stat? Lol)
October 6th, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Nobody has mentioned the M Word, so I will. In only his third NFL game Marcus Mariota set a team record for passing yardage. Having said that, I think that in two years Winston will be better than him. The learning curve is different. A scrambler like Mariota does not have to learn as much about coverages and going to secondary receivers as a pocket passer does. Once Winston gets more experience will be a solid QB. He probably won’t be another Peyton Manning. But Manning had more interceptions than TD passes his rookie year and had a 56% completion percentage. Just wait, at the end of the season Winston will be not that far off from those numbers.
October 6th, 2015 at 2:01 pm
Wow. What a stretch. Lovie wasn’t blaming Koetter. That’s sensationalism. Lovie is simply saying that they all fell short, that it wasn’t just turnovers that blew the game.
In other words…they win as a team and they lose as a team.
Simple as that.
October 6th, 2015 at 2:04 pm
Drywaller Buc Says
“Winston needs to take off the helmet, park his butt on the bench, and watch the cannon Mike Glennon display superior footwork, accuracy…”
Have you EVER watched Glennon play?????
He has ZERO FOOTWORK, and his accuracy is so bad that he misses targets by so much that not even the defense can reach it at times. THAT’S why his picks are low.
The guy straight up sucks. He has reached his ceiling already.
October 6th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
I’m still behind Lovie Smith. Changing coaches so often is why we never get anywhere. The Glazers need to grow a pair and stand up to the fans.
October 6th, 2015 at 4:22 pm
Losing AGAIN to a team ranked last in almost every category will get the entire current regime fired. I am not a fan of change but ther is SOME talent on this team and none of them are showing up! So you hard core supporters are going to tell me at least on paper we dont have a better team then the Titans & Texans. It’s a sad day to be a Bucs fan!
October 6th, 2015 at 4:28 pm
Also Joe I appreciate your dedication to Winston but he is to blame for the two home loses! Giving the other team a 10 point lead before the D even gets on the field is game over.
October 7th, 2015 at 7:45 am
Come on Joe we know your a huge Winston apologist. When it is going to be his fault? See I knew this would be the outcome of him coming here. Just like at fsu it was never his fault either. Just everyone else’s. Give me a freaking break he sucks right now plain and simple!
October 7th, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Yeah, all the problems every other Buc QB has had WERE their own faults…but the problems kid fameis has been having are NOT kid fameis fault.
You guys need some serious help. This is what we – those of us that preferred Mariota – said would happen if you chose a QB that GOT his college team into trouble before he threw caution to the wind to try to get them OUT of the trouble he put them in.
He thinks he’s better than he is, after throwing picks and causing problems, he tended to come out and sling it in an effort to make up for the poor 1st half play – when things go wrong kid fameis doesn’t play within his offensive system.
That only works in college against ACC defenses.
We’ve already seen what happens with this kid when you assist him in shifting blame…the moron who decided to commit to a drop-back QB even though he knew he did NOT have the specific talent necessary to protect him – and wouldn’t have it for at least a couple of additional drafts.
Coaching staff is showing character flaws by sacrificing OTHER coaches to help the rookie save face – General Manager is a complete buffoon.