“That Is A Ridiculous Play Call”
October 3rd, 2016
Koetter throws logic out the window.
The head-scratching, illogical decision of Bucs coach Dirk Koetter to punt midway through the fourth quarter last night with the ball in Denver territory has Bucs fans from Sarasota to Sebring to Spring Hill snorting coffee grounds today.
The play made no sense and Koetter’s explanation was equally mind-numbing. There is only one logical reason for it, and Joe will get to it shortly.
But it isn’t just the locals who wanted to shove their heads in a toilet bowl trying to figure out what in the world was going through Koetter’s mind at the time. No less than steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal picture-taking, video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame, took a two-by-four to Koetter for this stunt.
I think I like Dirk Koetter, and I hope this is just growing pains for him as a head coach. But what an awful call he made in the fourth quarter against Denver. With 7:30 left in the game, and trailing 27-7, and with a fourth-and-six at the Denver 46, Koetter chose to punt. That is a ridiculous play call. How do you assume you’ll get the ball three times in the last six minutes (max) of the game?
Joe is going to break this down in Koetter’s own words to demonstrate what a foolish move this was.
“I’d been watching our offense the whole game. I don’t know why anyone expected we could make it on 4th-and-7 if they’d been watching our offense the rest of the game. I sure didn’t expect us to.’’
What the hell was Koetter watching? On that very same possession, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, completed a 25-yard pass to Mike Evans to get into Denver territory.
Was Koetter so blinded by rage he never saw this play? He called the damn play! Then he says there was nothing the offense did to suggest they couldn’t gain seven yards? On the previous possession, Jameis connected with Cameron Brate for nine yards. But Koetter claims the offense couldn’t move the ball for seven yards? Give Joe a friggin’ break!
“I’m playing the percentages, guys.”
Koetter then needs new batteries for his calculator. He was hoping for a turnover to give the Bucs a short field — but wait, Koetter had no faith the offense could even gain seven yards so why on earth did he think the offense could convert a turnover into points?
So let’s play percentages as Koetter claims he did, shall we?
The Bucs have forced a grand total of two turnovers in four games. Joe added it up: Opponents through four games have had 47 possessions against the Bucs.
Percentages? Four percent of opponents’ possessions have ended in a Bucs takeaway. Yet there were four plays in the fourth quarter yesterday alone where the Bucs advanced the ball 10 yards or more.
So Koetter claims there was nothing to suggest the Bucs could gain seven yards? What game was he watching? Whatever calculator Koetter was using here, Joe hopes not to use the same one to do his taxes.
Simply put, by punting, Koetter quit on his team. There is no other way around it. Players look for coaches for answers, and instead of an answer, Koetter gave up on his own team.
Look, Joe likes Koetter and thinks he will eventually do a nice job here, but there is virtually zero defense for his dumb move to punt in Denver territory unless he wanted to tank the game.
The only logical explanation for this stunt, which Koetter did not speak to, is that he was sending a blunt message to Jameis. OK, fine, if that’s the case but why stop there? If you are going to sandbag a precious game that virtually kills any playoff hopes (making the playoffs after a 1-3 start is grim) then don’t stop there.
Chris Conte? Your dumb penalty helped cost us the game. We have lost with you. We can lose without you. Out the door you go.
Demar Dotson? You got worked over play after play. You are benched for Gosder Cherilus. Joe Hawley? You got ragdolled all second half. On the bench you go. Evan Smith, you are now starting at center.
Koetter better do something and damn quick to change the culture — instead of reinforcing the losing culture by giving up on your team — and hold guys accountable if he is going to throw away a season. You know why? Recent history suggests Team Glazer isn’t going to tolerate yet another playoff-less team in 2017, so Koetter better get things right for next year.
Helping throw a game away because Koetter was frustrated? No wonder Joel Glazer looked so peeved last night leaving the stadium.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:16 pm
I lost a ton of respect for Dirk yesterday. I had no issue with him being hired and I had no issue with him until that play, which raised an eyebrow. However the post game, blaming Jameis, who legitimately probably broke out of 10 would be sacks yesterday, after calling out Jameis and then publically admitting he quit on his team… I don’t even know what to say. That’s the most amteruish of amteur moves I’ve seen. It makes me greatly concerned for this team – a coach that lacks awareness to that degree should not be an NFL coach and that temperament is probably the reason he’s never been a head coach despite doing a great job as coordinator for many years. I hope Mike Smith pulls him aside and explains what it means to be head coach, but honestly I can’t believe anyone would need to tell him that. Extremely disappointed in Dirk, what he did was as unprofessional as it gets – and it’s not about the call, it’s about the reason for the call and calling out Winston publically after Dirk quit on his team. Like Jameis or not but he was still out there getting hit on every single player right to the end, there was no quit in him, unlike his head coach.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:20 pm
Also for Conte, he had 48 yards in penalties Sunday from 28 yards in PI calls, 5 for defensive holding, 15 for personal foul – he gave the Broncos four 1st downs. That was in addition to all the blown plays he gave up. He’s awful and he should be cut, period. He brings nothing to the team.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:21 pm
Love the coach Koetter hire BUT that call was bad and the clock management messup the week before equally bad. I thought the Lovie mistakes were gone but they still linger. Losing culture indeed 🙁
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:33 pm
This team has no mental toughness and Dirk is making things worse with how he’s handling the losing.
They all need to get together and have a “come to Jesus” meeting because they’re one more ass kicking from imploding and wasting an entire season.
Wasn’t expecting huge things this year but we can’t go backwards like this.
Seige this!
Go Sucs!!!
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:33 pm
I agree with all your suggestions in the final few paragraphs Joe. Someone got fired last year for being too stubborn to change things around.
The bottom line is GET IT FREAKIN’ DONE!!!!! The excuses are running real shallow right now.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:36 pm
The Bucs really haven’t had mental toughness since Gruden..
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:41 pm
The excuses already expired. Jameis Christ got his games. He was a #1 draft pick and not a #3. So he should be perfect by now right?
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Koetter admitted that he tends to be irrational after a loss.
JW enthusiasm level seems to be shrinking, can’t say I blame him, probably suffering from PTSD. Although, I must admit his suit game is on point. That tie from week 1 was hideous, glad someone hooked him up with a real tailor.
Well on the brighter side of things I think vhg3 and Brate have been playing very well.
The only beef I have with Koetter is that he should have benched conte yesterday and fired him today. Other than that it’s not the end of the world.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Good call or bad call. Hard to say. Winston probably would’ve just thrown it straight to Talib anayway. As far as I’m concerned the game was over after Winston threw that 2nd pic to Talib. This team has major issues and it runs deeper than a questionable 4th down play call when the game was already over, let’s be real here.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:45 pm
I am willing to be patient since Koetter is a rookie HC unlike incompetent Livie Smith. Free Pass Licht needs to step his game up. Our high-priced guard is mysteriously on IR and his track record in free agency is abysmal.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:46 pm
And the teflon jason gump gets no blame…
Everyone raise your jason licht ale cans
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:49 pm
I’m really just sick and tired of blaming people for a loss. I’m sure there’s lots of blame to go around, but I’m just so sick from the constant losing we’re absorbing that I don’t even want to take the time.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:49 pm
I like Winston and I like the direction we seem to be going BUT…..There is one thing that will almost guarantee you a loss in this league and that is turnovers. The Bucs were very much in control of the Rams game when with only two minutes left in the half Jameis throws a pick which leads to an easy TD to make it 20-17 before the half. Then another turnover and before you could blink it was 31-20. Fast forward to the Broncos: Same deal they scored we came right back to tie it at 7. Two turnovers later and it is all of a sudden 20-7 and an almost impossible rebound on that D. Common factor is Winston not protecting the ball. Others are to blame as well, but no one is more responsible then the one turning the ball over for easy TD’s.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Why was Koetter hired in the first place?..Only the Bucs ( life of a bottom feeder). This is a piss-poor franchise from top to bottom, straight up garbage. I would PISS on FREE tickets to a Buc game. I wouldn’t be caught dead at the RJ, watching these PATHETIC Bucs.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:50 pm
First time I have left a game early. As soon as I saw him punt I was like well if the coach is gonna give up then why the hell am I gonna stick around. I was ready to go down to the sidelines and give the coach an earful. My grandfather would have been pissed if he had saw a coach do that. I was definetely bummed out after seeing him throw the towel in. This team needs to definitely find a way to come together. Love ya Bucs but you are killin me. I want this team to show some heart. Go Bucs!
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:53 pm
With the 2nd pick in the 2017 draft, the Bucs select ?????????????
Only the Browns are worse.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:56 pm
Ph Fan- there is no way the Bucs are so much better than the Browns. Need to see a significant improvement to make that statement.
October 3rd, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Im glad glazers are pissed…
Time for a new GM
We should have completely taken out the trash. Fired both Lovie and jason gump (lovie hire).
And kept jon robinson
“Run!Forret Run!” Darcie Glazer
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Kobe so you are saying that Licht sould be able to turnover the entire roster with quality in just 3 seasons? In just 3 years he has replaced 16 starters. The ones he hasn’t replaced are McCoy who is always hurt, Dotson, LVD, Conte, MacDougal, Martin and VJAX. So let’s see where we totally suck, oh that’s right safety, a second wr, and no pass rush (our main weapon is always hurt). Now I am not saying he has been perfect but the areas we are weak he has not had the chance to replace YET!
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Will someone plz tell me why is Charles Sims starting? He’s screwed up 3 games back to back. He does DWTS through the holes as a result of 1 n done. This Rodgers guy often flies through the hole for positive yards. We spent a 3rd round on Charles Sim with the opportunity to select a proven Devonte Freeman from FSU, a championship team. What is the issue with our defense.? Had an opportunity to grab JPeppers and Dwight Freeney and ignored both only to c them ball as NFL seniors. Rookies and no names having a field day on our defense. Does anyone think we can beat Clemson? Or, does anyone think Clemson can beat us? Is it our players, coaches, or system?
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:04 pm
What did he do in 2016 draft and free agency and the resignings??
You know what happens with a total complete miss like that…it sets you back 2-3 years
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:16 pm
So you are going to judge a rookie draft class after four games? Who is being the fool here?
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:33 pm
Obviously Koetter had given up at that point. For the first time since the last days for Raheem I gave up after 3 quarters and turned it off. C’mon man we were not going to mount a miraculous comeback and score 3 TDs in the final 7 minutes. I do think that Glennon should have been in at that point as well. The game was over at that point and no need to get Jameis hurt during mop up time.
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:42 pm
When is our 4th round safety going to see the field? How long we wait?
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:46 pm
*yawn
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:53 pm
The guy on the radio is right. Jameis Winston has been awful. Until he learns to play better we ainy winning squat. Being the worst quarterback in the league is not getting it done.
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:54 pm
I dont know what to think anymore about this team. We change players, coaches, staff, uniforms but the 1 constant is the big pile of crap the team leaves in the stadiums on Sundays. Its depressing as hell. Stupid penalties, senseless turnovers. A defense that cant stop a rookie QB taking his first live snaps in a meaningful game, poor clock management, questionable play calls.
When will the madness stop?…
GO BUCS!?!
October 3rd, 2016 at 4:56 pm
The combination of Dirk and Jamie’s has been a colossal failure. It seems to me that they are in over their heads and don’t know how to fix it.
October 3rd, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Joe
ME, U and few other guys were on this board – pounding the rock for Jim Schwartz
..this offseason. He was… what we thought he was
So this is for the folks that think – a GOOD DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR – can’t turn a unit around in one offseason.
Sidebar: Please note Philly switched from a 3-4, to a 4-3
Past
2015 Philadelphia Eagles Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Bill Davis (3-4)
Points Against: 430 (26.9/g) 28th of 32
• Total Yards Defense Ranking: 30th
• Passing Ranking: 28
• Rushing Ranking: 32
• Turnovers Ranking: 10th
Offseason Notable (+/-) Defense
• March 9, 2016 Traded CB Byron Maxwell, LB Kiko Alonso and their 2016 first-round (No. 13) draft pick to Miami for their 2016 first-round (No. 8) draft pick.
Cut
• B DeMeco Ryans
• DE Brandon Bair
Free Agent Signings
• LB Nigel Bradham (2 years, $7 million)
• LB Stephen Tulloch (1 year, $3 million)
• CB Leodis McKelvin (2 years, $6.2 million)
• CB Ron Brooks (3 years, $5.5 million)
• S Rodney McLeod (5 years, $35 million)
Present
2016 Philadelphia Eagles Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Jim Schwartz (4-3)
Points Against: 27 (9.0/g) 1st of 32
• Total Yards Defense Ranking: 3rd
• Passing Ranking: 6th
• Rushing Ranking: 3rd
• Turnovers Ranking: 5th
October 3rd, 2016 at 5:16 pm
Every week it’s another excuse why we lost a game. Now it’s because our Head Coach gave up on the team? NO, it’s because our QB gave the other team 14 points – AGAIN! Dirk has a reason to be pissed at the offense and that reason is Jameis Winston. We would have lost this game even if we had gone for it on 4th and 6. It wasn’t like last week when the Rams were in a prevent defense at the end of the game. Denver was STILL coming after JW, and that is why we couldn’t score again. DK knew the situation wasn’t the same and Jameis had a chance to get a first down the play before and BLEW IT! Why give them the ball at mid field? What has JW done in 20 games that makes everyone think he is better than MG8? I STILL don’t see it. We could have gotten extra picks last year if we traded the #1 pick to another team. I am glad Lovie got fired for that bone-headed move. He NEVER had ANY faith that Glennon could get the job done. He brought in McClown and handed him the starting job instead of letting MG8 compete for the job, bone-headed again. Mike and Jameis are practically the same QB, stats PROVE IT! We are just wasting more time waiting to develop another QB when we ALREADY had one ready to play. Lovie didn’t even give MG8 a chance to compete for the job last year either. Maybe Lovie is a racist, who knows why? 29 TD’s and 15 INT’s is pretty good for someone that NEVER got to practice with the first team offense. I know it’s TOO LATE now but we could’ve used those picks.
October 3rd, 2016 at 5:37 pm
Anger is clearly not working, so Coach Koetter should try humor. It worked when Jeff Fisher used it against us, and it seems to be serving his team well now. Does anyone have a box full of touchdowns? I still don’t see why that’s funny, but whatever works!
October 3rd, 2016 at 5:40 pm
No. The only thing around here is a box full of BS.
October 3rd, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Be patient with Jameis – He’s learning, not seeing open receivers all the time…
If and when he learns to read the defenses better, the turnovers will turn into drives, time of possession and points. Keep perspective : Bucs opponents record so far is a combined 11-5. Yes , they should have beaten the Rams, but lost because of turnovers. Not having running game (Martin injury, Stocker injury) hurts a lot. They definitely need new safeties on defense, otherwise defense is much improved.
October 3rd, 2016 at 5:49 pm
18 games and Glennon was still learning too. A #3 draft pick that was thrown under the bus. 20 games in and Jameis is no better. Excuses are over just like they were for Glennon. In fact Jameis should be farther along.
October 3rd, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Gutless call indeed. Then again this guy kept calling dive plays for Charles Sims, to the chagrin of EVERYONE with two eyes.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:11 pm
I would prescribe that Coach Koetter adopt the philosophy of George Costanza: “if every instinct you have is wrong, then the opposite would have to be right”.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:12 pm
Hey luv
Im near philly half the year
They have the best front defensive line in the nfl
7 deep that can all play
His defense relys heavy on the front 4 with no blitzing
He knew all along what he had in philly.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:32 pm
So I hated the call to punt at that point. But hearing this makes me like Koetter more. That was a very Bill Parcels quote. Seriously, he isn’t wrong with the way the b team was playing we weren’t picking that up anyway. Much like playing Jameis the whole AZ game. He isn’t happy with his offenses execution and here is sending messages. Now if we could get a couple benchings as well. This season is going down the drain with injuries piling up. Time to start cleaning house and setting the tone for next season.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:34 pm
Big Stinky no offense but you’re a complete fool!
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Making plays on the percentages?!!! Dirk, is your head set hooked into the PFF headquarters?!! Thats not how a team comes through in the clutch and Koetter has shown bad crunch time coaching two weeks in a row.
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:44 pm
Bottom line. We knew the game was over and so did he. We weren’t digging out of that hole plain and simple. Although I do think he shot his logic completely in the foot when he had them back out there making themselves look like idiots on the last drive.
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Fun fact: Jameis was an all-pro week coming off his opening performance against the Falcons, apparently now according to the dolts in here he forgot how to play QB. I mean just a week ago he threw for 400 yards and 3 TDs, but as some dolt told me that was all garbage time stats, you know because garbage time includes getting the team to the 4 yard line as the game ends because you coach didn’t use his timeouts.
Anyone that knows anything about football and how good this Broncos team is knew what was coming. After the bye, the schedule gets easier, the running game should return with Martin, then suddenly Winston will again be the top young QB in the game and you dolts will be saying how amazing he is and how excited you are. Well except for the Jameis haters who will always bore you with your child level knowledge of the game.
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:48 pm
But…but…I thought that Coach Koetter’s candor was so refreshing?
October 3rd, 2016 at 9:21 pm
Let’s look for reasons to get rid of our good players again and help another team win a Championship. Other teams know how to develop talent and the Bucs never do. We get rid of talented players until we realize after a couple of years that oh it’s the head coach’a fault. The cycle has already started again. Some of you never liked Jamies and rooted for his failure ever since. I hate to break it to you guys, there is not much talent surrounding our quaterback. Without a running game what do u really expect. We have one legitimate threat and that’s Evans. I say he does pretty good for what he is working with. Build some talent around him and then judge.
October 3rd, 2016 at 10:20 pm
If there isn’t enough talent so how is it coach’s fault because he stated that our players suck? You basically are saying the same things as Koetter. Joe just doesnt want to accept the our savior recently has struggled.
October 4th, 2016 at 12:26 am
@Luv,
For the record I was a Schwartz rock pounder with you. I had all these 1 liners ready for when the Schwartz saved our defense. Instead we hired a guy that had 1 or 2 years of having a good defense. Schwartz does it every year. The swings and misses from the Glazers are so bad that I am subscribing to the “the Glazers want the team relocated, so they will continue to ensure failure” theory.
October 4th, 2016 at 5:29 am
Buc fans reaction if he goes for it and jamies gets hurt on that 4Th down play trying to make the most of last down.
Reaction by buc fans ; what the hell is kotter thinking why go for it and put qb at risk, coach must go dumb to go for it on fourth when we can’t move ball..””