Immediate Playoff Demands Of New Coach
January 14th, 2016
Bucs overlord of football operations Jason Licht
“We just decided that we couldn’t ask our fans to be patient anymore.” — Lovie Smith, early 2014.
“I think next year, the expectations are going to be set that we need to make the playoffs because we have the talent; we’re going to have the talent to do it.” — Jason Licht, Dec. 27, 2015.
“I think when you have eight wins in two years, three home wins in two years, I think they’ve been patient enough. It does take time, but I think while you’re building a good football team you can compete.” — Jason Licht, Jan. 7, 2015
Yes, the Buccaneers’ head coaching position is attractive one on the surface — young franchise quarterback + good-guy/sound-drafting GM + no state taxes + great facilities.
However, there will be extreme pressure to win immediately. That’s been the attitude of Jason Licht since he arrived (see free agency 2014). And after Lovie Smith’s firing, that’s clearly the attitude of Team Glazer.
That might not be so attractive. Life for a head coach surely will be more peaceful in Tennessee next season, likely in San Francisco, too.
Entering 2016, a new Bucs head coach inherits a good offensive line, that fiery franchise QB, and plenty of weapons if Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin are asked to return. Plus, there are a few star talents on defense, along with massive salary cap room and a full stable of draft picks.
Joe’s will go out on a limb and will say Bucs fans and management will expect at least an 8-8 season in 2016.
There will be very little wiggle room for a new coach, even if it’s a first-year head coach like Dirk Koetter.
January 14th, 2016 at 9:13 am
If we don’t make the playoffs next year just fire the coach!
Lets keep doing that until we win another Super Bowl.
The odds are it has to work sooner or later. Right?
Tampa is heading to the likes of St. Louis.
The Bucs are heading to the likes of Cleveland.
In five years look for the Glazers to move the team out of the country.
Lets keep firing coaches. We’ll hit the lotto soon. Just keep firing away. Petal to the Metal Baby!
January 14th, 2016 at 9:21 am
8-8 would be a good accomplishment against this schedule….it is much more difficult than last year.
I really do think we only need some good coaching on defense and a few pieces to fix this team…..we have the draft picks and we have the money…do we have the minds to make the right picks…in particular FA picks.
January 14th, 2016 at 9:25 am
I don’t know if playoffs are a must…but I think .500 or better is a must.
Thing is, if an offensive coach is hired (Koetter), he’s going to want more offensive talent. That makes for excitement during games, I suppose, but we won’t get anywhere in the playoffs without some sort of defense.
And if Koetter is considering who I THINK he is considering as DC…then I don’t expect the defense to improve very much.
January 14th, 2016 at 9:26 am
My vision is 8-8 the minimum requested !
As Joe saif during the season, we could have finished at 9-7 with a bit of talent and or luck on some plays, before Kwon Alexander suspension.
There is talent in the offense but also on the defense, GMC didn’t do so bad, Lavonte David had a very good season and Kwon Alexander improved all season long until his suspension.
So yes we need a better secondary and at least one real rush passer.
We also need more talent at WRs position.
So yes 8 – 8 minimum and then sky is the limit !
January 14th, 2016 at 9:31 am
Lets head to free agency and the draft before predicting the same old predictions.
Actually, lets get a new coach before ANY predictions. Because if we loose Koetter, you will have to make new predictions again.
Obviously, the fire Lovie crowd has to be LOVING this! lol
But hey what taaa heck! Here is my prediction:
8-8 with Koetter
2-14 without Koetter and a new coach in 2016
1-15 in 2017 with another new coach. But we get No. 1 pick to replace Winston in the future because he will follow Koetter to his new team after his contract expires.
Keep on firing… Are we having fun yet????
January 14th, 2016 at 9:32 am
I believe these are the real options of Bucs brass:
1. Nick Saban – would set up winning program, organizational structure
2. Josh McDaniels – intelligent offensive mind, championship pedigree as an asst
3. Dirk Koetter – continuity, chemistry w/ players & organization
January 14th, 2016 at 9:33 am
So, what are the needs to make the team great, player-wise?
Offense needs at least 2 above average WRs. Vincent Jackson is aging…still worth keeping but grooming a replacement would be wise. Mike Evans behavior is unpredictable. He has shown issues on the field, and let’s not forget his incident outside a nightclub a while back.
Logan may last one more year, so sometime within the next two years, we’ll need a replacement for him.
Defense needs are dline and secondary. We need 1-2 defensive ends. We need 1-2 corner backs. We need a solid safety who is fast.
Special Teams needs a great kick returner. Rainey was (mostly) mistake free, but he ran little out of the end zone. You don’t get TDs on ST without taking chances. Of course, in his case, I don’t believe he is capable of scoring on a return, so it is what it is. However, if we can find someone that is, we need to get him on the team.
Filling those holes would make the team deadly. But just to compete next year?
1 WR
1 steller DE
1 solid DE
1 solid Safety
More quality depth.
Minimum.
January 14th, 2016 at 9:34 am
Of course, the minimum above is on the assumption that Vincent Jackson will return.
January 14th, 2016 at 9:34 am
I think that is way too high for a minimum expectation!! First off The Bucs do not have a head coach of a defensive staff at this point!!! We have no idea of what kind of defense and how long the transition will be!!
Second, There are some that are counting on the fact the the record this year was 3 times better than the year before and are counting that the roster is 3 times better. But it was a really soft schedule, and even though the O-line looked a lot better, They need to look average for 2 years before we can judge it!!
I am just looking for a well coached team. no matter what the record turns out to be in 2016!! Especially if it is a first time head coach!!! Unless the coaches come in making ridiculous statements and promises!!!
Go Bucs!!!
January 14th, 2016 at 9:35 am
Kwon Alexander hurt us badly. I don’t believe it is coincidence that we lost badly when he was suspended.
January 14th, 2016 at 9:40 am
Tdtb
U sound stupid over here rooting for the team to be bad just because ur still butt hurt about loser lovie getting fired. U and I both know he wasn’t going to lead us anywhere. This team has talent. This Defense has talent. Lovie just refused to put them in the position to succeed. He was putting square pegs in a round hole. He could not optimize the talent that he had. It is not scheme over talent in this league. (Chip Kelly showed us that) Get over it. Lovies gone and the new coach will be better and u know it.
January 14th, 2016 at 9:41 am
Joe do Johnson and Koetter have any connections???
Ten. newspapers are predicting Johnson to be the new GM later today…
January 14th, 2016 at 9:45 am
Of course any new coach of the Bucs will be expected to make the playoffs ! This just confirms my theory that the Glazers are absolutely TERRIFIED that the Bucs will be selected to e on “Hard Knocks” and THAT is why they fired Lovie ! Think about it…. there are only 4 or 5 teams that don’t have an exemption… and two reasons to be exempt are: 1) teams that made the playoffs, and 2) teams that have a first year head coach ! Might explain the frequent HC changes at One Buc ???
January 14th, 2016 at 9:46 am
Considering the schedule I would go with 7 wins. And I would be okay with 6 wins *****IF***** This team actually looks competent and competible.
We got BLOWN THE EFFF OUT BY THE WORST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.
If we are competing, improving, not making boneheaded starts like Mike Jenkins and Tim Jennings. If we not are kneeling the ball to end the first half when there is over a minute left, we have good field position, and we are down in the scoreboard.
I can deal with 6 wins if our coach isnt obviously the biggest EFFING JOKE of a coach in my history of watching football
January 14th, 2016 at 9:50 am
As long as the new head coach is competent and isn’t confused with “in-game decisions” and doesn’t bullsh*t the fans all year with “simple as that”, he’ll be fine 🙂
January 14th, 2016 at 9:51 am
The TBBF plan:
Draft…..Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4…….DE, CB, CB, S (or 2 DEs CB, S) or (2 S, CB DE)
Positions totally depend on players available at the time of the pick.
Use the Glennon pick, Rounds 5, 6 & 6 to trade up……
We should then have 3 or 4 new starters on Defense
Retain Jaquis Smith, Howard Johnson, William Gholston, Spence, McDonald, Conte, Banks & Moore Retain all 3 starting LBs
Try to restructure Verner
Perhaps bring in a Kickoff specialist….(don’t shoot me, but even a Brindza who can punt, FG but certainly can boom the kickoffs. Carry 3 kickiers
Offense
Try to restructure Vjax
Sign Martin
Keep 3 TEs ASJ Brate, Stocker (Perhaps add a FA TE)
FA…..2 WR/ one KR/PR with speed, Young Olineman upgrade….Upgrade the FB positon to include a short yardage back, receiver RB
Many of the remaining players could be upgraded through remaining FA money (we have plenty to make improvements)
January 14th, 2016 at 9:53 am
Realist- agreed that a lot of what should count is how well they play in games. Incompetent Lovie Smith never had his team ready to compete. He probably handed out juice and cookies during a bible study in the locker room 20minutes before kickoff.
If Koetter has this team competing at a high level week in and week out that will translate to improvement more than a couple of lucky wins over terrible football teams.
January 14th, 2016 at 9:56 am
Read between the lines of Licht’s comment about talent
The owners believe talent sufficient to appease the fans and should have easily been a .500 team given this year’s soft schedule. Maybe Licht felt the same way too.
I’m convinced Lovie didn’t have the right answers about staff and scheme going in to next season.
January 14th, 2016 at 10:24 am
Maybe I’m overly optimistic, but I see this team having 8-8/9-7 talent…but then again I thought basically the same thing of the team Schiano left for Lovie (though there was more defensive talent and less on the offensive side…reversed now). It just reminds me of the 49’ers situation when Harbaugh took over for Singletary. A lot of the pieces have pretty much been there for the past three years, but it needs the right coach to make it all come together now.
January 14th, 2016 at 10:25 am
I whole heartedly don’t agree… Have y’all seen next seasons schedule?! The powderpuff days are done… We went 6-10 against teams on our level, and yall acting like it’s sweet as Polatka honey at one buc place?!
Dude licht is sweating and he knew like I know one more season from Lovie’s the players would’ve revolted after being 4-12 vs this years schedule. That’s what got Lovie fired… The Titans put up how much? Backup qbs did whaaaat?
Listen Licht and the Glazers must spend every cent to improve this squad ASAP
And honestly we can’t be married to lavonte or GMC they both tissue paper soft… GMC physically and lavonte mentally… Dude we need new blood and to accept that both GMC AND LAVONTE ARE ROLE PLAYERS!!!
Kwon leads this defense…
January 14th, 2016 at 10:27 am
And I’m like I bet none of these posters even know where Polatka is?! And I’m from NY. And get mine sent every two months
January 14th, 2016 at 10:30 am
@HarlemBuc: You’re going to fit in great around here, lol…or rather, smh.
January 14th, 2016 at 10:34 am
What is with all the whining about the schedule?
Nobody really knows how hard next year’s schedule will be because it’s the NFL or the No Freaking Logic League as Chris Thomas used to say.
This is not Nick Saban’s ball where you line up 80% of the time against teams whose first string isn’t even as talented as your third and you totally dominate them in numbers and talent.
Nope it’s a league where Philadelphia can get CRUSHED by two horrid teams..us and Detroit and then turn around and win against the SB Champs!!!
When I looked at this year’s schedule I thought…oooh that murderers row in the middle..Philly..Indy..and Dallas…we won two of the three I thought we’d lose.
It’s the NFL…schedules are really pretty balanced at the start…then who knows which team will lose a QB..Dallas…or have something else that blows them up.
Schedule? What Schedule…..I want ten wins and a playoff appearance at minimum! Our talent is NOT that far off. EVERY team has holes to fill.
January 14th, 2016 at 10:37 am
Pitatic… Bro, I’m in NY… I’m telling you it’s not looking good nationally plus I know football… SMH alllllllll you want but post reasons
January 14th, 2016 at 10:39 am
Again @ piratic plus I been here for awhile, I was the guy who was first saying if we got jameis I’d be able to read about my team because he makes us relevant
January 14th, 2016 at 10:40 am
StPete- we agree about the schedule difficulty. You never know which team is going to show up each year unless you are in the AFC East and Tom Brady is playing.
Glazers and Licht hopefully aren’t looking for excuses. They want to compete and that is what I expect regardless of who we play. Incompetent Lovie Smith’s teams couldn’t compete.
January 14th, 2016 at 10:44 am
At spbf, you’re a gem as a poster on Joe and a fan but look at that schedule… The parity bug has come to bite us in the a$$ … Licht and koetter plus a new mindset can get us to 7-9 next season but it won’t be easy… We need Muhammad Wilkerson, we need a young ball hawk at both CB and safety, and an open the field receiver… This is honestly the biggest bucs offseason ever… We have a few of the pieces but this offseason says whether we’ll jump the shark or get eaten by it…
January 14th, 2016 at 10:46 am
Nope! 1st year will get a pass….always does. Just dont be so friggin horrible with the D! We were shammed and scammed by lovie. So lets just make sure theres improvement in scheme to fit the talent and of course DISCIPLINE in the players!
Focus on DB/DE the first 2 rounds and I think we’ll be on our way…another offensive lineman in the 3rd (or another crafty trade back into the 2nd for him).
January 14th, 2016 at 10:49 am
I agree with the sentiment that this team played below it’s talent level. The near-record breaking amount of penalties and poor in-game coaching was evidence to support that. However, this team does need to improve it’s roster in major areas before any coach would have any real success with the Bucs.
If I’m Licht I:
1) Hire Koetter: Keep him and Jameis together. Players love and respect him. He knows his stuff offensively.
2) Sign Free Agents:
WR – Travis Benjamin would be the perfect speedster our offense needs to blow the top off of defenses. He is also a special teams asset with his kick/punt return abilities and won’t cost the team top dollar.
DB – Bucs need to sign 2 of these 3 corners: Janoris Jenkins, Josh Norman, Trumaine Johnson.
DE – Muhammed Wilkerson is a pipe dream, but JPP is not. I would sign him (messed up hand and all). He will play better next year with his custom glove and you won’t have to pay him top dollar.
Re-sign:
Doug Martin
Jacq Smith
Sterling Moore
Trade:
ASJ for a 3rd or 4th.
Draft:
1st – (DE) Deforest Buckner
2nd – (TE) OJ Howard (if he’s not already gone)
3rd – (S) Vonn Bell (from Ohio St.)
That’s just what I would do. LOL
January 14th, 2016 at 11:13 am
Fire tdtb2015 now! Are we having fun yet????
January 14th, 2016 at 11:13 am
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 18m18 minutes ago
Buccaneers director of player personnel Jon Robinson and Titans just agreed in principle to a general manager deal, per sources.
January 14th, 2016 at 11:57 am
It’s not Polatka, it’s Palatka.
January 14th, 2016 at 12:49 pm
I definitely think we need 1 very good DE.many teams have a great pass rusher but also a good run stopper on the other side. ie. simeon and chidi
ahanatu.as for the secondary we have players on the team that didn’t get a fair chance because lovie brought mike Jenkins,tim Jennings,major Wright
and chris conte who had injury problems throughout his career.at least one safety and one cornerwill be needed, I would like Banks and tandy get another look back there,hopefully in a new and better scheme.But I would draft mostly defense.I didn’t hear much from danny lansanna this year so I am thinking another good linebacker this year.
January 14th, 2016 at 1:27 pm
37 good one… Spell check didn’t help me lol
January 14th, 2016 at 1:45 pm
I don’t know why the subject of schedule keeps coming up. The schedule is what it is. You cannot predict teams’ success. Our schedule was “soft” last year because of how the season shook out, not because we were gifted a bunch of bad football teams.
This team would’ve been 7-9 or 8-8 if not for a whole bunch of meat-head plays, including both coaches and players and this despite the injuries and suspension. (PLEASE, CAN WE START PUTTING RESPONSIBILITY ON PLAYERS TOO FOR A CHANGE?!)
So, “NO”, I don’t feel like 8-8 is too much to ask of the new HC. It better be or as tdtb2015 stated, we’ll be the Cleveland Browns south.