Not Broke; Don’t Break It
January 12th, 2016
Don’t break it.
In an interesting analogy, the offense of the Bucs is like fine china or a delicate glass vase. While not perfect, it’s a nice work of craftsmanship.
Problem is, the more it is handled, the better the chance of it shattering. That’s the description, in so many words, from Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.
Appearing on Sports Sunday with dangerous Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV, Channel 8, Cummings explained how Team Glazer, by running off Lovie Smith, took a chance that someone new, while trying to polish that piece of china or vase, just might drop it. Winston and the franchise-record-setting offense just might implode with the wrong coach, and Cummings believes Team Glazer is taking a helluva gamble.
“Because, look, first of all, I think Jameis Winston is a guy who is smart enough guy, savvy enough, I think he is strong-willed enough mentally to handle anything you can throw at him,” Cummings said. “I think the Bucs will be counting on that.
“However, we had a guy here a few years back you may remember in Josh Freeman. Everything looked pretty good. He was a 4,000-yard passer in a season, just like Jameis Winston did. [The Bucs] .500 at one point and all of a sudden they change coaches. Greg Schiano comes in and whether it had anything to do with coaching or not – my guess is no – for whatever reason, Josh Freeman went sideways.
“This thing could blow up in [Team Glazer’s] face. That’s the risk you take when you change the way this team is run. Now, that again leads me to the belief that Dirk Koetter is more than likely the candidate for this team. Here is the thing Dan, if it is not broke, don’t break it. Not: if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s not broken, don’t break it.
“Everything is working out on that side of the ball. You need a defensive coordinator. You need a couple of pieces on [the defensive] side of the ball. It doesn’t take that much to fix this team.”
Joe can’t disagree with any of this. Just look at the chart showing what happened to No. 1 overall quarterback picks with two coaches in their first two years. That should have given Team Glazer pause.
Look, Joe isn’t shedding any crocodile tears for Lovie (and his $10 million parachute). Outside of his handling of Jameis (which included hiring Koetter) and bringing in Jason Licht, Joe is hard-pressed to find anything that Lovie did right, though the Jameis/Koetter/Licht moves were and are highly significant.
It’s why Joe thought Lovie bought himself another year, even if the rest of Lovie’s moves looked like a man determined to score a comfortable early retirement.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
I do think Lovie had a great deal to do with Jameis early development….but I also believe that Jameis is past that to some degree…..Koetter is more of a key to Jameis than Lovie….and Jameis is more of a key than both of them.
I trust that Jameis will adjust to new coaching the same way he adjusted from College to the NFL….quite nicely.
The only way to brake Jameis is to take his weapons away….and his protection and I don’t think any GM or HC would do that.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:10 pm
I think the question is who is Licht for to become available? We have been sitting on our thumbs for 4 days now with no movement. It’s clear Licht has someone or maybe multiple people he wants a shot at.
I can easily see a scennario where we keep Koetter as OC (when he receives no Hc offers) and we hire a HC that could bring a big time defense to Tampa. Promote Koetter to Asst HC if it makes him feel better. But this ensures us a good Defense candidate and we keep the continuity on offense everyone so dramatically wants.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:12 pm
Who is licht waiting for***
January 12th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
QB-we have what looks to be our franchise in Jameis and, for now, a capable back up in Glennon.
RB-Doug Martin needs to be brought back at all costs. He is our bell cow and with Charles Sims as our situational guy, we have a strong dual threat back there.
WR-at best we need a slot receiver. Humpheries is decent and Murphy may not return. We could use the extra talent/depth. Also, Vincent Jackson hopefully returns, but a knee injury like that at his age will surely cost him a step. And Evans, while the Clayton comparisons are a bit overblown, didnt look like himself all year. This position needs to be addressed this spring.
TE-Austin Jenkins once again struggled to stay healthy. Luckily Cameron Brate looked more than capable in his absence. Who ever wants it more should start regardless of draft status. But with Jenkins history and Brates limited sample size, adressing this position wouldnt hurt.
OL-Ali Marpet was a true diamond in the rough, and reminds me of a young Davin Joseph. He has that raw power and grittiness. Joe Hawley was a real surprise, stabalizing our oline at center, and should definitly be re signed. Donovan Smith was decent, but if Tunsil or Stanley drop to us, I wouldnt be opposed to moving him to right, where we struggled last year. Also, Logan Mankins is close to retiring and another guard should be brought in. Although Kevin Pamphile did look pretty darn good there, way better than he ever looked at tackle. A couple additions would help solidify our most improved unit.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Taking a risk on another coach is no bigger than taking a risk on Lovie. Its possible but not probable that the new coach could be worse than 8-24. I think whoever it is will do much better. Jameis is no Freeman. Absolutely not worried about him. Losing Koeter would be a blow but I’m almost positive he’s not the only guy that will look great coaching Jameis.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:34 pm
I really think Lovie had nothing to do with Winston’s progress besides agreeing to draft him first. Lovis was fairly clueless in his specialty of fixing the defense. Now he was the QB whisperer.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:39 pm
Yes . Let’s just jump right now name a coach and do it WRONG again. For one we have no idea what for sure has been going on other than what we have heard. Licht is in charge and when the time comes we will find out. Winston is smart enough to handle himself and the offense. People better worry more about the defense. What will it be and who will be that coach?
January 12th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
DL-Jac Smith showed flashes but lacked concistency. So did Will Gholston to a lesser extent. We really need a true end that opponents have to game plan for. Someone that can stuff the run would also help, as our ends often got pushed out of their gap way too often. At tackle, Mccoy is a solid pass rusher, but didnt look like the all world face of the defense he was psid to be. Hopefully injuries wont slow him down this year. He could improve against the run. Spence looked like a good 1 tech, and was respectable against the run. Hopefully, Clunton Mcdonald returns. Assuming we stay in a 4-3 we look good at tackle.
LB-Mason Foster truly blossomed into the qb of our defense, an absolute steal in the fourth round. David started slow, but looked more comfortable as the season progressed. The guy can do it all, but is most effective as a pass rusher. Danny Lansanah was average, lacking the splash plays he made in 2014. This group looks good.
DB-Bring back Sterling Moore! He was by far our best corner. And hopefully with Lovie gone, Banks will come back. We could use his physicality. Verner looked lost, regardless what coverage was callex, and Jenkins should have been cut a year ago. We need a true shut down corner to anchor our secondary and take on number 1 receivers. Bradley Mcdougald and Chris Conte were okay, but we could use an upgrade. Major Wright was bad. So many missed tackles and blown coverages, he had more against the Rams thsn any defender should all year.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Saban?
January 12th, 2016 at 3:53 pm
The new coach will have the usual honeymoon….albeit not as long as others…perhaps a year….what is really important is that this coach have the charisma and PR skills to convey confidence and a vision for the future…..Lovie had the terrible record….but when you add his utter failure to inspire the team or fanbase….that spelled disaster.
The one good thing about Koetter is that he is likeable because he is a straight shooter….I think fans will give him the opportunity to succeed….whether he can or not…we really have no earthly idea.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Our franchise setting offense is being talked about like we were the 49ers of the late 80’s. Hopefully we are progressing, i believe we are and can be great but half the games this year the O was terrible and thats with one of the best rbs in the game. Jameis was terrible in those last 4 games and our offense was like 22nd in scoring. I think and hope Jameis is the guy and Lovie had to go. I think dirk is ok but whoever it is, the is alot left to do.
January 12th, 2016 at 3:53 pm
Bucs interviewed Koetter today per Rick Stroud. My guess is that means Saban is off the table and the Bucs will hire Dirk.
January 12th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
On another note, Big Dog says the Buc icons are upset by the Lovie firing. Understandable given their connection to Lovie. Derrick Brooks will be on the show tomorrow to give his perspective. The consistency argument seems to be the basis for all the negativity. I think if we finished 6-10 but won the final four, or four of five, Lovie would still be here.
January 12th, 2016 at 4:03 pm
largo buc…. what are you smoking? mason foster.. cmon man
January 12th, 2016 at 4:05 pm
Let them go pay their respects to him in his basement and watch him collect his 10 million.
January 12th, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Lovie drafted a safety every year he was in Chicago. He jettisoned our starting safeties last year and replaced them with lesser talent. I am pretty sure Banks and Verner were about to be shipped out as well if Lovie stayed. My hope is that a new and more creative defensive coordinator will be able to get more out of those two in a scheme that fits their strengths. I feared Lovie was just going to keep shuffling through guys trying to force his system. We need a lot of help on defense, but damn we should still have Barron, Revis and a few others. I think a capable DC may be able to make Banks and Verner more productive. I think this was part of the reason the Glazers and Licht felt a change was needed sooner rather than later.
January 12th, 2016 at 4:22 pm
At the very least he protected and defended Jameis.
January 12th, 2016 at 4:29 pm
No more college coaches. I’ve seen those experiments fail way too many times. For every 1 success there’s probably 5 or more failures.
January 12th, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Rotoworld is reporting Dirk formally interviewed for Bucs Head Coach position.
January 12th, 2016 at 4:43 pm
I agree with what Cummings said. But the Bucs can reconcile this with a good hire. Just more reasoning why they need to hire a real HC who has proven his worth…….I hope they surprise me since the Glazers never seem to get the guy they want and have a brutal history of HC hiring blunders.
January 12th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Blaa blaa…Get us a D coordinator and more on. Dirk is the boy. I want wins!
January 12th, 2016 at 6:00 pm
When you look at it….we can promote Koetter…..hire a DC who will hire DB coaches…and we are set…if we like. The coaching staff is largely in place. I am assuming the DC would keep Cullen & Nickerson….but not a guarantee.
January 12th, 2016 at 6:08 pm
It was reported on 620 wdae that Koetter was seen at the dept. of motor vehicles getting tags. Must be sticking around. Multiple people texted it in.
January 12th, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Getting tags…..that settles it then!!!
I do find it curious that Koetter is interviewed the day after the Natl Championship….perhaps it was……Koetter, unless Saban was interested.
January 12th, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Did Stroud report that the Koetter interview was TODAY? I thought he just reported that he has been interviewed.
Those who don’t want to give Lovie any credit for Jameis’s development or transition into the NFL aren’t taking into consideration all the poor choices he could have made. An example which many on these pages called for was to sit him the 1st year or half of the season and ease him into it. Lovie could have spoon fed him the offense and only allow short passes with 70% runs. Lovie & Koetter did the best thing and that’s let Jameis be Jameis.
January 12th, 2016 at 7:29 pm
Offense looked good, until the games mattered. Then they looked awful
January 12th, 2016 at 7:30 pm
If they hire a defensive minded coach, there will only be 3 players left on the D.
The entire thing will be gutted thanks to that bumbling baffoon that we just got rid of.
Actually any coach is going to gut that D….
Joe perhaps an article on who you think from the D will be gone with the new hire.
January 12th, 2016 at 7:34 pm
Stan…the only credit Lovie gets as far as Jameis goes is him sucking so bad the first year to get him.
Thee end.
January 12th, 2016 at 7:44 pm
Please no college coaches
January 12th, 2016 at 7:47 pm
If it is not broke, don’t break it. It’s broke, fix it.
January 12th, 2016 at 8:25 pm
We never got to see more than a glimpse of our true offense. Doug Martin and Sims were the ONLY consistent performers aside from #3.
Imagine…if ME hadn’t gone mental and lost his hands and his mind when it came to the refs..if ASJ hadn’t had health issues and his mental and hand issues…if Louis Murphy our #3 receiver…not flashy but a polished and DEPENDABLE set of hands…if we didn’t start the year with one of the two worst OL’s in the league only to rely on two rookies and reclamation projects to patch together an OL that turned out to be decent if not outright good.
IE…Koetter made the most with what he was handed…a rookie QB…an horrible OL…his most talented WR with hand and mental issues…his top TE fragile…his next best WR out for the final four games…his #3 WR a seasoned vet out for the year…I simply do not see how we take all of this for granted!!!
Give the freaking job to Koetter and let’s get ready for 2016.
January 12th, 2016 at 8:48 pm
St. Pete- Don’t forget the starting RT out for the season before it even starts. Along with replacing the Center mid-season.
January 13th, 2016 at 4:28 am
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it means the same thing…just funnier in that sarcastic southern way. Funny though if you think about it that “if it ain’t broke don’t break it” passes as clever or insightful because the “original” phrase has become kind of cliched. Just an observation
January 13th, 2016 at 7:29 am
I think the Bucs should hire Koetter unless they can get Saban. And the Bucs should know by tomorrow if Saban is interested. If not hire Koetter so he can get his defensive staff in place before all the good coaches are gone.