Maurice Jones-Drew Shares “The Crazy Thing About Dirk Koetter”
January 9th, 2016
America’s Quarterback and Maurice Jones-Drew talk player influence
Before the season finale, when Tampa Bay was exposed as non-competitive against the Panthers, Joe asked America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, whether he was having growing input into the Bucs’ playcalling.
Jameis acknowledged that his influence grew slightly through the season — but more would come down the road.
“Sometimes, but I trust Coach Koetter with everything that I’ve got,” Jameis said, “that he’s going to put us in the right situation. Right now, as a rookie, my job is to go out there an execute what he tells me to do. Sometimes during the game, Coach Koetter might ask for a little feedback – what I might think, what I might like. Obviously on third downs, I have the opportunity to rank my plays. I guess my input would be – I’ll be able to get more input when I get older.”
And with that, Joe presents the telling words of Maurice Jones-Drew, the retired fire hyrdrant of a running back who played under Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. Jones-Drew spoke on SiriusXM NFL Radio about Koetter as a head coaching candidate.
Definitely listen to the audio below.
Jones-Drew talks about how Koetter has evolved into master at adapting and listening to players, and he understands the emotional side of the game and high-strung players. “The crazy thing about Dirk Koetter,” Jones-Drew said, is how much 56-year-old Koetter has grown in the past nine years.
There’s no question that a strength of Koetter is adapting and maximizing talent. The man has led three franchises to a top-10 offense — under three different defensive-leaning head coaches. Think about that.
The story goes in Atlanta that Koetter first met with Matt Ryan and told Ryan to teach him the offense he was using with the Falcons. Koetter’s goal was to learn it, and then study it, hone it and expand it, rather than simply installing his way out of the gate.
January 9th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Just another reason to get excited about Koetter.
Think of all the great coach/QB combos…Belicheat/Brady of course jump out but there have been others…Jimmy Johnson and Troy Aikman…the list is long.
It shouldn’t be hard to imagine a Koetter/Winston combo for another five years!
Again I think we are looking for a killer DC!!! I think Koetter is happy to let Licht do the looking as long as Koetter has veto power. Gotta hire somebody he can work with. Bajakian at OC….play calling to Bajakian..#3’s audibles…and Koetter can slowly delegate the playcalling duties.
January 9th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
I think Koetter is a great offensive mind, although he’s had some very questionable play calls a few different times in the red zone.
Joe, a few people have people have pointed out articles on scout.com and another site talking about Koetter time as a head coach at ASU. Basically he had some pretty violent players that were allowed to run wild, even fought to get them back on the field after they did some pretty bad things.
Is this anything you’ve heard about or looked into? We have an incredibly young team, and a few guys on offense with attitude problems (ME and ASJ). Do you think Koetter is enough of a disciplinarian to keep these guys in check and successfully run a team? Can he get them to play with discipline or will the penalties get even worse?
January 9th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
To Joe and all
Again I’ve tried googling and have yet to find a peep from #3!!!
Do any of you have any reaction from our QB?
If he’s truly been totally silent what do we make of it? Lots to speculate there!LOL
January 9th, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Koetter love out of nowhere.
Again, why does nobody else want him?
January 9th, 2016 at 12:29 pm
I think other NFL teams see the writing on the wall that he will be staying in Tampa in one capacity or the other.
January 9th, 2016 at 12:32 pm
Wtf are you talking about teams want to interview him and the Bucs aren’t responding
January 9th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
“Do you think Koetter is enough of a disciplinarian to keep these guys in check and successfully run a team? Can he get them to play with discipline or will the penalties get even worse?”
You know… Be glad that Jameis is on our team because if Koetter doesnt do it OUR QB will do.
January 9th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Ok, say Koetter does get the HC job. Who are the DC candidates? We wont entice a currently employed DC, so we look at college ranks or defensive assistants that worked under a top notch DC. What do you guys think?
January 9th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Nirobe, the Head coach needs to have the balls to handle his players. Some player accountability is necessary, but we really need a coach that can put his foot down and hold players accountable. Create that culture of discipline and accountability.
January 9th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Jim Schwartz needs a job. He ran a daily successful aggressive 4-3 scheme.
January 9th, 2016 at 12:53 pm
But I really want more info about Koetter at ASU and his ability to discipline / control players.
Joe? Anyone?
January 9th, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Really, what could JW say? Silence is best until the new HC is named. Then and only then will we hear from him.
January 9th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
@Newbucsfan
Really, what could JW say? Silence is best until the new HC is named
He could have said what GMC, LVD, and Kwon said…although they deleted their tweets. I suspect the Glazers got to them and reminded them of who signed their checks and their obligation to the team.
He could have said he’s sorry to see Lovie go…blamed it on the players and then started lobbying for Koetter.
He “could” have said a lot of things. His agent could have written a PC press release for him to tweet…he had a lot of ways to go.
Bottom line…we have yet to hear from the single most important person in this story.
January 9th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Just another signt of Jameis’ maturity…or taking good advice…..
Think of yourself in the workplace….your big boss gets fired and your immediate supervisor is up for the promotion…..you keep your mouth shut!!
And, have you noticed that all those who spoke out were on the defensive side?
January 9th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
All of those options you mentioned are bad ideas. He needs to be above the fray. Deleting posts? Going against what “management ” asks him to do? Listening to his agent over team management? Calling out his teammates? Not good options! He will speak once the coach has been named and then say some of the things you mentioned. It’s the right way to go!
January 9th, 2016 at 1:45 pm
NewBucsfan
It’s the right way to go!
I would not disagree with that at all NewBucsfan…it is the high road…remain classy…and I agree with you the smart thing to do.
I just find it peculiar that one of the most outspoken players on the team, somebody who had been calling his teammates out the past month, didn’t say anything. Not that he had to…not that it was the smart thing to do…just a bit suprising to me.
It just makes people wonder. The common thread behind all the players who did tweet was that they were defensive players and they SHOULD feel badly that THEY got their coach fired. Perhaps #3 and the offensive players are actually happy for this move?
January 9th, 2016 at 2:30 pm
.
“Perhaps #3 and the offensive players are actually happy for this move?”
Exactly! That could be another reason for the silence. I can’t imagine that LS laid back/no passion style was sitting very well with JW. Especially, if the reports are true that he squelched the pregame speech of the special teams player and then consequently everyone fell flat. Also, LS passive play calling instead of going for the jugular might have been a problem for JW. (Guess one could argue that some of that was on DK) We will probably really never know JWs true feelings , which is probably best for all concerned.
January 9th, 2016 at 2:39 pm
Hey all, off topic but don’t forget to vote for JW. (ROY and Clutch Play of the Year).😀
January 9th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Newbucsfan
We will probably really never know JWs true feelings , which is probably best for all concerned.
Agree 100% with that observation.
January 9th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
St. Pete
Im not trying to be a dcik here at all, but you were one of the most outspoken on here about having questions on Jameis’s maturity. Is it safe to say you have pulled a complete 180 on him?
I’m very happy how well things are going and as one the the extreme supporters Jameis had before the draft, even I’m extremely suprised at how smoothly he has entered the league. His commitment and enthusiasm for the game are evident. He will ba an authority on the field, sidelines, and in the locker room for years to come. I think by the start of next season Jameis will correct some of the attitude problems from a few of the other offensive players. We all know who they are. Evans, in my opinion, must remain a Buccaneer, the other ASJ, is expendable. Trade him or sit him for all I care, but Jameis will have more sway over these guys than any head coach ever would. No worries on my end with Koetter taking the helm. Biggest issue for me is and always will be the defense.
January 9th, 2016 at 4:39 pm
@I got what I wanted.
You’re not being a dick at all and it’s a totally fair question.
but you were one of the most outspoken on here about having questions on Jameis’s maturity. Is it safe to say you have pulled a complete 180 on him?
Indeed I was and indeed I have! 87 can provide corroboration for me.
During the draft debate there were two issues..on field and off field.
On field I was torn…I saw skill in both players and indeed I think both players will probably be successful. But skill aside there was never a doubt #3 was the better leader, more inspirational, and probably more in line with what the Bucs desperately need a change in culture.
While concerned about the legalities involved in the he said she said crap what really concerned me was the number of “juvenile” mistakes.
87 repeatedly assured me that Fameis was actually a good kid and we’d all see.
I have seen and since then have repeatedly told 87 that he was right.
So yes I’m now an excited and enthusiastic Fameis supporter. He has been a model citizen and excellent leader. He’s earned his second chance.
January 9th, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Everyone seems to forget that Dirk Koetter’s offense was in the top ten for turnovers. Turnovers and penalties were just as much at fault for the 6-10 season as the defense was. IMO Lovie Smith’s termination is a reflection of Dirk Koetter’s and all the Buccaneers coaches performance. I just finished reading the article on scout.com talking about Koetter’s time as a head coach at ASU. It is jaw-dropping and raises legitimate concerns with his ability to be a disciplinarian and successfully managing a team at this level? The article is so alarming in its defamation of character towards Koetter it could have a direct impact on him becoming a HC.
January 9th, 2016 at 10:24 pm
For all the offense he put up he never won spit with it. I rather have a offense that can score instead of putting up yards
January 10th, 2016 at 5:15 am
While I do think either Koetter leveraged his way into this, or his desire for a head coaching job made the Glazers put pressure on themselves to make…whatever move it is we think they’re about to make…
…Koetter is an interesting head coaching candidate. He clearly was on at least a couple of NFL teams radar – but if he’s so good at building top 10 defenses – why did Atlanta and Jacksonville ever let Koetter leave their buildings?
He’s an unproven commodity at the NFL level – and if he’s the head coach – he’s not going to have as much time on his hands on Sunday.
On another note – and even the Cullen is still hanging around – anyone else wonder if the Bucs were waiting to talk to Vance Johnson for their DC position?