Flipping The Record
August 31st, 2016
Health = wins, Bucs coach says.
Last year the Bucs defense was a wretched lot.
Nothing personified how ugly Lovie Smith’s defense was more than getting pistol-whipped by the likes of Case Keenum. Against a team with its mind focused on “California Dreaming.” On national TV no less!
Sure, some (especially the Lovie apologists) point to Kwon Alexander’s four-game suspension for chugging a banned energy drink (that’s the public story) as the root cause of the collapse. Never mind, though, that Lovie knew about the looming suspension since training camp (when Kwon was popped) and still had no answer despite 12 weeks to prepare.
And Team Glazer took notice.
Out the door Lovie went but Dirk Koetter, who guided the offense to franchise-record levels with a rookie quarterback, stayed.
So what is the secret to Koetter flipping the record from last year, from 6-10 to 10-6, which would put the Bucs squarely in the middle of a playoff chase? Stay healthy, Koetter said yesterday.
“I think the most important thing in any team that has a turnaround one way or another is still injuries,” Koetter said. “When you’ve got 53 guys, every team is fighting health once Week 1 starts. And for the most part, teams that do well in this league stay pretty healthy; they stay with consistent lineups. There’s a few exceptions to that, but I think health is the most important thing.”
Koetter’s quote explains a lot.
So one fairly wonders why Koetter is so intent on keeping guys out of the Florida sun. Why Koetter holds so many guys — specifically, key starters — out of practices and preseason games. Why Koetter seems so driven to save the fuel of players.
There is your answer right there: Injuries. Koetter believes they equate to losses. So this explains some of the madness to Koetter’s methods.
Shoot, Joe even heard Koetter half-jokingly kvetch about Jameis signing autographs and talking to fans after practices because he is standing in the midday Florida sun too long.
August 31st, 2016 at 12:41 pm
so far i have loved everything about koetter however it’s a fine line from saving / protecting players and coaching scared. i hope he has the right balance for success obviously what was being done previously failed.
August 31st, 2016 at 12:41 pm
I watched Kotter’s presser yesterday.
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I like the guy allot and hope he is successful. Except for a high priced and invisible lineman with a mysterious injury, Dirk has been a straight shooter with the local mic & pen club and with the fans.
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I also noticed in many interviews, mostly with guys on defense that were here last year. They make comments like “The coaching is way better, than last year” or some variation of that.
I still don’t want to drink the Kool Aid, I have to remind myself that was Cleveland we spanked and it was Pre-Season to boot. BUt i have to admit I feel pretty good about the Bucs this year.
Ask me again how I feel in three weeks……all might change by then 😛
August 31st, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Music at practice is cancelled. 😂😂😂💀💀💀
August 31st, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Injuries are one of the bizarre elements of Football (or any sport)…….You have your players like Brett Favre, Rhonde Barber & Joe Thomas who don’t miss snaps & then you have players who have a litany of injuries from year to year. What explains a Cal Ripken vs a Mark Texiera?…..is is luck?….is it conditioning (I think not)…..many very well conditioned players are injured. I think there are probably only a few things that you can do to prevent injuries like warming up and using proper technique.
It really bothers me to hear fans call players soft because they get injured….if anyone thinks Doug Martin or Adrian Peterson are soft…..speak up now!!!
I wish Koetter success when it comes to avoiding injury for his players…..but, I think wishing him luck would work just as well!!!
August 31st, 2016 at 1:27 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo avoids injury several ways……Pablo runs fast from other women’s husbands and boyfriends…….Pablo doesn’t pick up anyone with an adam’s apple…..Pablo does multiple stretching exercises with his elongated arc every time Pablo gets a chance. Pablo has yet to fall off a hot Pasco County roof or to pull a groin or hamstring while table dancing.”
August 31st, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Let it rain.. let it rain.. let it rain, fits my mood perfectly, a pond across the street already. No more pirate ship stuck on a sandbar.
August 31st, 2016 at 1:42 pm
TheShaz Says
“Except for a high priced and invisible lineman with a mysterious injury”
Remember, there are laws governing the release of medical information. These laws apply to NFL GM’s and coaches, too. Maybe Sweezy hasn’t given anyone permission to discuss his injury.
August 31st, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Yep, it was all LOVIE’S fault!
August 31st, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Pablo, I understand that the older we each get, the more important stretching is. Thanks for reminding us.
August 31st, 2016 at 2:01 pm
BigHog, do you just cut & paste your old, old, old messages over and over?
August 31st, 2016 at 2:42 pm
DB you mean no more JB?
August 31st, 2016 at 2:53 pm
@Haynes
Question for you, are you a Bucs fan? Or are you a Lovie Smith fan?
See, I’m a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coaches come and go. Players come and go. I may have rooted for particular players and liked certain coaches, but, once they go, I don’t attack my own team over it.
At the end of the day, it’s always about the Tampa Bay Bucs. If it isn’t for you, I’m sure there’s some Illini site just begging for new fans.
August 31st, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Love and Warrick Dunn
very well said sir. big hog is a lovie fan not a bucs fan. he proves it daily.
http://www.fightingillini.com
August 31st, 2016 at 3:17 pm
It’s obvious to me and everyone that frequents this site that tmax is not a fan of jameis but instead loves that #8 kid for some reason…
…Wait for it…
August 31st, 2016 at 3:24 pm
Old Time Buc Says:
August 31st, 2016 at 2:42 pm
DB you mean no more JB.
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If JB is the reporter that was dancing yesterday then yes. Koetter is a funny guy.
August 31st, 2016 at 3:55 pm
FIRETHECANNONS
great job you figured me out. I can’t help myself I am kind of like the QB in Blue Crush who went slumming with the hotel maid I have a thing for bad back up qb…
all glennon has to do i s play well and angry guys like me will be forced to shutup. however that has not been the case. i do find all the creative excuses why it’s never glennon’s fault life is so unfair.
August 31st, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Glennon has not played well because Glennon panics when he feels pressure…Jameis hangs in there and isn’t afraid to trust his arm…..I think Schiano helped to ruin Glennon….
Glennon could eventually be good but hasn’t really shown it so far.
If I were Minnesota, I’d wait for QBs to be cut so there would be some options without giving up a draft pick.
August 31st, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Good to hear a coach say injuries matter. Tired of the mantra that it doesn’t impact the game cause it’s next man up. Well the next man is a second stringer and by definition, not as good as the injured man that is recovering.
August 31st, 2016 at 4:41 pm
Tmax
it’s a fine line from saving / protecting players and coaching scared.
While I take your point I’m not sure the line is that fine or that it even exists in this case.
I absolutely agree that after 4 years of the most horrible playinbg not to lose conservative coaching it will be a disaster if Koetter coaches scared.
But I look at the game plans, his play calling, his use of his talent far more than his protecction of players. If his players look gassed compared to competition or play soft then we can worry. I haven’t seen any hinst of this during the preseason.
Overall I couldn’t be more pleased with this team going into the final game of the preseason.
August 31st, 2016 at 5:53 pm
Something tells me Koetter is wary of the Bucs training facilities, MRSA is scaring him. Something tells me Lichts phone is burning up with offers from Dallas, Minnesota and others for the services of Mike “the Cannon” Glennon. Something tells me Josh Freeman is haunting the slumber of Koetter. Something tells me I should finish this 12 pack and start another. Something tells me why the hell not…………..