Not Much Deep
August 18th, 2016
Back in March, Dirk Koetter talked about what a priority it would be to improve the deep ball of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
He stated he wanted more production and better chemistry between Mike Evans and Jameis.
Today is Aug. 18, but so far, Joe isn’t seeing much evidence of improvement. It’s very early, but Joe has to call it straight.
At practice against the Jags yesterday, Jameis’ deep ball certainly wasn’t a focus when lined up against a different color jersey. Perhaps Jameis took other options within the offense. (You can review much of the practice happenings here in Joe’s notes.) During the preseason opener in Philadelphia, one deep shot to Evans was incomplete (though it sparked a great insight into Evans).
A seasoned Bucs observer Joe knows well was in Jacksonville at practice and noted to Joe that the Bucs really are limiting work on the deep ball in training camp. And that wasn’t the first time Joe has been approached with that take.
Perhaps Dirk Koetter wants to stay away from “contested catches,” the kind that can get guys hurt. Does Vincent Jackson really need to jump for a 50-50 ball in practice? No. Or maybe Koetter doesn’t want to show the good stuff in his playbook.
This is all something to monitor as training camp and preseason marches ahead. The Bucs have exactly nine days left before the third preseason game, the final look at the starters before opening day. That’s plenty of time for Koetter let Jameis launch deep balls and get some rhythm and timing down.
August 18th, 2016 at 10:15 am
Keep that deep ball I’ll take a 9 route over it any day.
August 18th, 2016 at 10:18 am
Need to practice the lowest percentage highest reward passes if you expect it to work in games. Don’t like this at all.
August 18th, 2016 at 10:28 am
The deep ball needs time…maybe Koetter thinks the O-line needs to jell a bit more before going deep.
August 18th, 2016 at 10:32 am
The deep ball is always there. But you gotta have receivers who got heart, who will go skywalk, who will bring in the ball no matter what. Bucs gotta keep’em honest and throw that long deep ball every once in a while. Lord knows. Jameis has got the arm for it. Gun it!!
August 18th, 2016 at 10:32 am
I think we will see improvement from every aspect of the passing game. First time Evans and Humphries have had a WR coach plus I never bet against Winston when the lights are on especially now that he will not have to overcompensate for the incompetent one. The long ball will be there when needed. I am more concerned with speed at wr than the long ball.
August 18th, 2016 at 10:43 am
Bucs completing a deep throw. That’s funny.
August 18th, 2016 at 10:56 am
I agree with Nole.
Never been a big fan of the deep ball, go for the high percentage passes and just keeping chugging down the field. deep balls are all or nothing and usually are a waste of a down
August 18th, 2016 at 11:18 am
Jolly Bucs Fan
you have to take shots down the field to keep defenses honest remember just because Lovie never made a single in game adjustment it does not mean that other teams do not make adjustments. To win consistently you have to be good all three phases of the game and diverse offensively and defensively.
August 18th, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Can we force Nole on Sat to fix the “Bucc” on Sunday somehow?? It’s effing infuriating. How about if I came on FSU boards as a relatively new fan calling myself “Semin” because I just like that abbreviation of the team name better?
August 18th, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Get the deep ball perfected cuz I want to win games like they do at East Mississippi Community College. Ya heard?!?!
August 18th, 2016 at 9:16 pm
There will be some long passes completed by the Bucs this season. Bell?