Koetter Says He Likes Draft Influence
January 18th, 2016
Bucs GM Jason Licht
So what were Lovie Smith’s power plays during the NFL Draft? Well, a former Lovie colleague already weighed in on that.
But what about new head coach Dirk Koetter and the Bucs’ draft?
Koetter sat around with Joe and other media Friday, after being formally introduced as Bucs head coach. During the rather casual chat, Koetter referenced that he enjoyed the influential voice he had last year on the Bucs’ draft.
“He’s an open guy,” Koetter said of general manager Jason Licht. “I loved how he involved the coaches in the draft last year. Refreshing, to me. And then to see how he picked the players after we had ranked them. Again, refreshing as as a coach to see it that way.”
Per Koetter, dealing with Licht wasn’t just about being heard.
“One thing that impressed me right off the bat when I came here a year ago was how easily accessible Jason is,” Koetter said.
Yes, some GMs act like dictators, rarely taking seriously the evaluations of offensive coordinators and assistant coaches. Licht isn’t that way, and Joe expects no changes now that Licht is overlord of football operations.
That bodes well for blending with Koetter’s in-your-face, uncensored communication style. It also might make for plenty of tense moments, when Licht listens closely to Koetter but doesn’t follow his lead.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:13 am
I admit I wasn’t crazy about Licht when we first hired him, but he certainly has changed my mind. I think he’s done a great job, I also think most of the free agent misses were a combination of Lovies bad evaluations and bad scheme.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:15 am
I always thought that building consensus among multiple parties is the best way to handle the draft I can only clap my hands in favor of Licht, if he’s the kind of GM who doesn’t disregard other opinions around the building.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:15 am
Ex-player’s do not have a problem with the new coach, we have a problem with Jason Licht. Why didn’t he get fired, it’s was because he was smiling in coach Smith, face and stabbing him at the same time,only to keep his job. The player’s knew this and refused to play for this GM. The player’s knew coach Smith would be ok. Asked yourself how many times,did this GM talk about player’s, only jumping into his pool with his family on CBS or ESPN .Free agents will not come to this team because of this GM. Asked him who signed off on the free agents that came to this team .Jason Licht, is a snake,and a ESPN seeker, when thing are going good. Jason Licht, record was also 8 and whatever. Steven Smith,was correct,just asked the ex-players that showed up to support this GM.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:30 am
Licht wasnt fired, because licht didnt coach that horrendous, but expensive defense. As outlined in this article, Licht was a coaches GM. He took their advice and used it to draft the players that lovie and company wanted. If lovie can’t win with the player he wanted the. That is his own fault.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:30 am
Doc….are we being sarcastic or serious?……jason licht is a GM, he’s suppose to have a heavy hand in drafting players , evaluating talent, bringing in free agents etc. it was obvious by the players brought in they were all Lovie smith guys, and multiple people have said licht played a heavy hand in the draft more than Lovie. Players aren’t suppose to play for their GM, there suppose to play for themselves and their head coach, you never hear anybody say after a loss or bad game they let their GM down, however r you will hear players say they let their teammates and coach down. Jason Licht, Winston, and koetter are the best thing going for this team right now. Licht has had success everywhere he has been and he is already having success in his first 2 years in Tampa. Mike Evans, Charles Simms, ASJ if he gets healthy, Kevin pamphile, Winston, Smith, Marpet, Alexander, Hawley, Cherilis. How much more success does the guy need, he can draft that’s for damn sure, now let’s see what he can do for a third draft and with more control on free agency.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:37 am
Players are supposed to play for each other as well. A team that isn’t a team in the truest meaning of the word will never do anything good.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:43 am
As a GM are you not responsible to the owners first , or the coaching staff? Would you not tell the ownership the truth or sweeten it up to make the coaching staff have a favorable light on their occompishments. As I recall the coach brought in our GM, then the owners agreed with it. As hard as it would be to sweeten the results for the coach who brought you into the GM fraternity. But you are ultimately the person who has to evaluate your team, from practice squad, to the full roster, to the coaching staff, then report your views to the owners. I DO NOT feel our GM did anything improper in doing his job. I am excited that we have a GM who wants to do the best job for the team he is working for.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:53 am
Of all the many many justifiable reasons people bashed on Lovie one reason was he is loyal to a fault. I don’t think that is a problem with Licht. However, if you watched his presser, it was more than obvious he was loyal to Lovie and was genuinely grieving at the decision to fire him. He WAS loyal to Lovie, just not loyal to a fault.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:56 am
How many past and present player’s showed up for this side show. The word has spread around the league. Was Jameis present or Martin, this team should have signed martin a long time ago. The GM kept Martin, from the league rushing title,by instructing coaches’ not to play him. The Eagles proved that this is a player’s league.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:56 am
Hey Doc…
“Asked” yourself what college you graduated from and we will stay away at draft time.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:57 am
Jason Licht sucks.
January 18th, 2016 at 11:57 am
Doc…that has to be one of the most ludicrous things I’ve read on this site in a long, long long time. smdh
Congrats though….I’ve read some whoppers on here.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:02 pm
How many players showed up for GM??
You act like this is a common event around the NFL. Players standing up for their GM….WTH are you talking about?
Are you high? If so enjoy the buzz.
Unbelievable some of these fans. Get over it already Lovie sucks and he’s gone. Gone as in he’s not coming back anymore. He went 10-6 with the Bears and got FIRED. He won 8 games in 2 years with the Bucs and got fired. That should say enough.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:05 pm
WHAT?
January 18th, 2016 at 12:06 pm
What, is so ludicrous about the truth, answer the questions about Jason Licht,record. Joe was at the press conference and wrote about the absence of present and past player’s.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:08 pm
I suspect there will be many “cooks” in the draft war room kitchen……
This will likely be a heavy defensive draft…..look for Mike Smith to have a great deal of influence, and I suspect Koetter & Licht will give it to him.
I want some really tough players…not thugs….but thumpers.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Some of you missed your calling. You should have been politicians. Spin, spin, and twist everything into what you want it to be. It doesn’t make it so or factual. Then again just spin in it in a way that you’ve even convinced yourselves that it’s fact.
It’s quite comical actually.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
@Doc says … ‘The player’s knew this and refused to play for this GM.’
Players refused to play for their GM? Really? On what NFL team do the players play for their GM?
Jason Licht didn’t stab Lovie in the back … his defensive players did and so did some of his coaching staff. Lovie kind of shot himself in the foot too (many many times for that matter). Since many Bucs players went 8-24 under Lovie, doesn’t appear that they played for Lovie nor did they play for each other apparently. Doesn’t even look like they played for the check they were cashing after each game.
Might add that Jason Licht wasn’t the one responsible for the stupid penalties and undisciplined play. Too many excuses led to poor performance and a poor record. That’s not on Licht … that’s on Lovie.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
TBBF…yes and I suspect there will be many “kooks” on JBF.
Doc….do you actually think it’s a common event for players to stick up for their GM’s? I mean do you REALLY think this happens all the time.
If so run to google and come back to us with proof that this stuff happens all the time. You won”t find anything, because it doesn’t happen.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:16 pm
I guess the players didn’t like Dominick either.
I’m starting to believe that Doc might be DaQuan Bowers…..
January 18th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
I’m done with this debate.
Players won’t play for their GM?
O M Gawd. Just when I think I’ve read and seen it all on this site. Along comes this guy.
Can anyone remember something as ludicrous on the site as what you just read?
I mean think back pretty far….
January 18th, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Hang on. I just thought of one that compares to this. It took me awhile to wrap my head around these thoughts. So I had to find a whopper.
Buc1987 said back in 2014 that Lovie was tanking most of the season to get Winston. There I found one and it came from me, but perhaps I was just looking for a reason (excuse) for all the losing.
Okay be back later. I need to go comb through an encyclopedia or something just to get this guy’s thoughts out of my head. Phew.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
TROLL ALERT! Doc = Patriot’s fan
January 18th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
I’ll start showing love to Licht AFTER he fixes the defense, for now he is the manager of a 8-24 team with 3 home wins in 2 years.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
@Curse of Gruden
hmmm, you would think that all the fans would be busy cheering that the Pats O-line were diving at KC D-line’s knee’s!!! I would be surprised if anyone from the Chiefs D-line could walk without crutches today!!!
#End_the_Chop_Blocks!!!!!!
January 18th, 2016 at 12:41 pm
The comments section of this site can be very entertaining indeed. I always try to respect the many opinions I read around these here parts, but a few commenters seem to be living in a parallel reality of their own making.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Truth hurt,instead of beating up the writer provide a rebuttal with facts to prove me wrong. The record 08-24 speaks for itself, they both have the same record. The Gm is a back stabber and coach Smith was made the scape goat. Even with coach Smith, they were unable to sign the free agents that coach Smith,wanted,because they did not want to work for organization,that has cut black player’s for no reason.
January 18th, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Facts. I love facts. Here’s a fact for you. Lovie Smith was in control. It has been reported multiple times, here and elsewhere, that he enjoyed final say on almost every aspect of this football team. Licht, as the GM, acted more as an aid to the coach in charge than a figure of authority. Lovie certainly valued Licht’s opinion and he probably ended up listening to Licht often, which is a positive thing to say about the man.
What isn’t a fact is stating that Licht is a backstabber who got Lovie Smith fired. You want a rebuttal based on facts, but what facts are you providing in the matter at hand? I’d like to see concrete evidence that Licht is a backstabber, please.
January 18th, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Elle, base on your facts provided in your statement, coach Smith,had the final say in who the team drafted. So the draft picks were Coach Smith picks. GM Licht, would have been fired by any other team with a 08-24 record. Explain why he was not?
January 18th, 2016 at 1:22 pm
Because, obviously, the Glazers thought that Licht is a GM they can trust and who can help this franchise achieve bigger and better things. Only time will prove whether Licht is the outstanding GM who many think he is or not. He’ll have more control without Lovie, and now he has the chance to prove that he can turn this franchise around. He has lived football realities far, far superior to the one we have in Tampa. He has worked for some of the best organizations in any sport, and you simply can’t underestimate the experience he has gained while working under people who are generally regarded in high esteem throughout the NFL.
It’s true that his record is identical to Lovie’s, but the circumstances are different now and he has to be judged solely on what he’ll achieve from now onward. In two years, if the Buccaneers will find themselves stuck in the same mediocrity, I’ll be the first to say that Licht isn’t the answer either and that Koetter, Smith and the rest of the coaching staff represent yet another mistake. I’m not going to speak against anybody until I see this new team taking shape perform on a football field. How can you judge whether Licht and Koetter are any good if you don’t evaluate the facts that only a football field can provide?
Saying that Licht is a backstabber and should have been fired along with Lovie is more akin to trolling than anything else. I don’t know if you’re being serious or what. I sure hope you’re just messing around and having a good laugh.
January 18th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Elle, very good, response, I agree only time will tell. However 24 months is a very short time.
January 18th, 2016 at 1:32 pm
@Doc … ‘they were unable to sign the free agents that coach Smith,wanted,because they did not want to work for organization, that has cut black player’s for no reason.’
YGBSM! Took awhile to figure it out, but …
Doc is obviously TheKevin. A troll by any other name is still a troll.
January 18th, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Doc has no idea about the inner workings of an NFL front office.
January 18th, 2016 at 1:35 pm
@ Doc
“they did not want to work for organization,that has cut black player’s for no reason.”
Now we see your agenda!!!…First of all, you have to sign a black player in order to cut one….you have to hire a black coach in order to fire one….
Let me see….the Bucs benched a white QB to draft a Black one….]
Let me see….we cut Jennings…..couldn’t cut a white CB because we had none
We cut Bowers….we didn’t have any white Dline players to cut….but we re-signed him.
You are upset because the GM is white…now so is the HC & DC….now, I understand.
January 18th, 2016 at 1:41 pm
TBBF…woe is me the poor black man. Same old story. Even though the Bucs have had 3 black HC’s in the last 20 years when some teams have had none.
Some people make sh!t up because.
You didn’t know that this is 1968 and not 2016 did you? Okay well watch so more news it’s everywhere. Blacks are being mistreated all over the country. (sarcasm)
January 18th, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Hey Doc!!!
Licht is such a racist….his last two drafts……11 Blacks, 1 white, 1 Hawaiian
You are pitiful bringing up race where it is irrelevant….
Buc Lives Matter!!!
January 18th, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Hey Doc..
Licht the racist….
Oh yea…and Licht brought in those two white FAs over the last two years…..
Josh McCown & Chris Conte….
Oh wait….I think Lovie had something to do with that….or did Licht force them down his throat?
January 18th, 2016 at 2:01 pm
2 out of the last 3 Buc’s HC’s were black. Fact.
January 18th, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Just by invoking Steven A. Smith, I knew someone was gonna raise the race card. Lovie was a bad coach and talent evaluator, period, not to mention stubborn, no matter the color of his skin. His “white” predecessor got the same treatment for slightly better results. Enough with the hate, Lovie got 10 million as a parting gift.
January 18th, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Doc says – “Ex-player’s do not have a problem with the new coach, WE have a problem with Jason Licht.”
Doc, are YOU an ex-player, or did I read too much into this statement?
January 18th, 2016 at 2:31 pm
10 million dollar parting gift….where do I sign up?
January 18th, 2016 at 3:04 pm
My race is not the issue, ask Joe to check,with both present and past player’s for their comments both black and white. Some will comment and some want.
January 18th, 2016 at 3:09 pm
PelBuc…correct as soon as Stephen A-ss Smith was brought up it should have been a red flag.
Doc…no one’s going to ask that question, because it’s really NOT the 60’s anymore.
January 18th, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Pelbuc, you are right “Lovie got 10 million as a parting gift.”
January 18th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
First off, I am on high alert regarding racism. I always have, but one thing that I applaud in the bucs is their color blindness. (this doesn’t extend to the fans, I believe some of the resistance to Winston is flat out racism) I haven’t done the research but I heard a guest (not a caller) on one of the local shows that said Tampa was one of the most integrated clubs as far as players, (especially the QB position), front office (including scouting) and coaching staffs of any club in the league. That makes me proud.
I’m sorry Lovie isn’t the coach, for one reason. I was truly excited he was hired as coach. But his firing simply means we have sucked so bad under him. But lets be honest about the facts. Lovie came in with 100% roster control. It was one of the previsions to him coming to Tampa. He cut, as in got nothing in return, for Revis. How is that even possible? Just look at the outgoing players: Revis, Penn, Zuttah, Goldson, Barron, Swearinger…. and the incoming McCown, Collins, Jennings, Jenkins, Johnson, Johnson, Carter, Conte then you get the answer why he lost his job. This year Banks and Moore looked to be on the way out as well. I know I’ve missed a few, but it felt like last season, Lovie had more roster influence (coming out of the basement) than this. He should’ve been fired last year for not hiring a true offensive coordinator once Tedford had issues.
The screams of racism regarding this issue really peeves me. Racism is a serious issue that still plagues our country. We, as a society, have come a long ways, but every slight against a minority is not racism, and from someone who has experienced a fair amount of true racism in my life, it is insulting to make a claim of it. And oh by the way, he gets $10 mil to do nothing if he wants. just because a minority has a run of fruitless results doesn’t mean that they warrant more opportunity. There is a big part of me that wishes we had a black coach. There should be more black coaches in the nfl and more black GMs, but to have a black coach, just to have a black coach makes no sense. To get this, we can’t all yell racism every time a black coach is fired. I hope Derrick Brooks is one day the President or GM of the Bucs. Maybe after Licht? Not just because of his skin color, but because of the man that he is and his ties to the organization. If I was the Glazers, I would find out how to make him President of Football Operations. Maybe, he just doesn’t want it.
Also, Doc, to imply that Licht is racist is reckless. Everything that I saw indicated a man with a great deal of respect and remorse that things didn’t work out better for Lovie. He was visibly shaken on the day after the firing.
I also hope that you’re just trolling here and getting a great laugh at my expense. I really don’t want your comments to be sincere.
January 18th, 2016 at 4:06 pm
It warms me inside to learn the Licht was, indeed, the main guy in charge of draft picks. The Bucs are growing ripe with talent and it is all due to our drafts. If Licht can keep this going this team will definitely become a powerhouse.
Doc, this surely was a huge factor why Licht has to stay, despite a poor W-L record. He has a back for eying talent…….or has been the luckiest GM that ever lived.
As most of you cheer the Lovie firing make sure to thank you Lovie on his way out. He brought Light here and now he is ours. No Lovie, no Licht. Then when would we be? Smith was also smart enough to let Licht call the shots on draft day……. Lovie was given the power by the Glazers and he handed it to Licht. This is probably because Smith knew Licht had a background in scouting and it was a skill he possessed. Very smart of Lovie to utilize the strength of his GM. THANK YOU LOOOOOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!
January 18th, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Lol at this Doc fellow. Pretty weak trolling
January 18th, 2016 at 4:22 pm
Sorry for my dumb spell check. How I turn this thing off?
January 18th, 2016 at 4:28 pm
Oh yes….I have a dream.
January 18th, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Actually when you stand on a high hill and scream racism its usually you who is being rasict over the matter.
Lovie Smith is a perfect example. When he was fired, or even as he was being called out to be fired……the color of his skin never once entered my mind. I never viewed Lvie Smith as a black coach in the NFL. I have only ever viewed Lovie Smith as a man that was a head coach for the Bucs.
In my opinion anybody who brings race into a situation that is justifiable and understandable………we’ll, you are feeding racism and you are being the racist here.
Doc maybe you should try and see Lovie as a man and not only see the color of his skin.
January 18th, 2016 at 4:39 pm
I’m guessing that Doc isn’t a Chip Kelly fan😊
January 18th, 2016 at 4:47 pm
I hope we draft 1000 lbs worth of lineman this year. I firmly believe football is won in the trenches. Our D-line hasn’t been taken care of through the draft in….well it feels like forever. That’s why we can’t get pressure!!
January 18th, 2016 at 4:57 pm
Three big greasy 350 pound slobs. Nothing would make me happier then to see the Bucs bring in 3-4 cheeseburger devouring beefed up bruisers to help us punish our enemy’s. Go get em Licht and lets kick some azz!!!! GO BUCS
January 18th, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Hawaiian is technically not a race…
January 18th, 2016 at 5:36 pm
Please stab me in the back and give me 10 million.
January 18th, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Doc,go cry in the corner..Lovie sucks,do you think he crying like you he’s still owed 10mil.
January 18th, 2016 at 6:35 pm
The Bucs let Cullen go…and guess what? He’s white.
January 18th, 2016 at 7:22 pm
This has got to be a joke.
Licht is one of the top GM’s in football.
His number two just got hired to be a GM.
January 18th, 2016 at 7:46 pm
The sky is falling, we’re racist, the sky is falling, we are racist, the sky is falling. Pretty soon people stop listening. Capiche ?
January 18th, 2016 at 8:35 pm
I did not look at Lovie as a color, just that he fell short of what was expected when hired. I also admit that I’m happy that we have a head coach of the majority color.
January 18th, 2016 at 8:53 pm
The players that Lovie brought in to fit his system and let him down are the ones nervous now. They are the ones carping about Jason licht. They know they are gone. Doc may be one of them.
January 18th, 2016 at 10:46 pm
I believe Doc was the same guy who tried to do this same thing last year. Tried pulling the race card and got knocked down by Joe and went silent. Just somebody that wants attention cause he/she wasn’t hugged enough as a kid