Do Bucs Have A Standout Assistant?
December 31st, 2016
Bucs linebackers coach Mark Duffner
A new NFL partnership could shine a spotlight on the Buccaneers’ coaching staff.
Joe’s shedding light on this today because Tampa Bay could have offseason coaching changes in a matter of days.
If Mike Smith leaves for a head-coaching gig, then who knows what could happen, though it’s likely Dirk Koetter would promote a coordinator from within to replace Smith. Logical choices would appear to be either defensive line coach Jay Hayes or linebackers coach Mark Duffner, who was a DC with the Bengals and at the college level.
This week, the NFL announced a new partnership with the East-West Shrine Game, a college all-star game for second-tier prospects. The deal means NFL assistants from many teams will be honored with a chance to coach through the Shrine Game week of preparation and on game day at Tropicana Field.
NFL clubs that do not qualify for the playoffs will nominate deserving assistants to coach in the game. A panel of NFL and Shrine Game officials will select two head coaches from that pool, who will then select their staffs for the game from the remaining nominees. In previous years, former NFL coaches have populated the Shrine Game coaching staffs. Head coaches for last year’s game were former Atlanta Falcons head coach June Jones and former NFL assistant Charlie Weis; in 2015, Shrine Game head coaches were Mike Singletary and Jim Zorn.
Joe’s interested to learn who the Bucs nominate to coach from their staff. That should indicate who has earned the deep love of Koetter and Smith.
December 31st, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Duffner is the man. But for all you John Ross in the first round people out there. He looks really frail against Bama. Give me a vet WR in free agency an I’ll be happy. So this who y’all been talking bout. Oh okay. Lil fella.
December 31st, 2016 at 4:38 pm
Jags hire…Greg Schiano! hehehehehehe
That would rock.
December 31st, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Greg Schiano let his ego get in his way. If he would have played LeGarrette Blount in 2012, we would have won 10 games instead of 7. How can you sit a talent like Blount on the bench and run him 41 times in 16 games? But you make a 5’9 220 lb rookie your Bell-Cow RB. And run him 319 times, it don’t make sense. We had Thunder and Lightning ( Alstott and Dunn, all over again). But Schiano only wanted Lightning, he didn’t want the Thunder. SMH
December 31st, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Joes: just got off the Pewter website. They are reporting that Luke Mcklechy (sp) is not starting tomorrow. What is the scoop on that one cos it’s huge?
December 31st, 2016 at 5:33 pm
Carolina is not trying to win this game, all the Bucs have to do it show up and the game is their’s.
December 31st, 2016 at 6:42 pm
Monken would be a good member of that staff as well. He could work with WR’s and QB’s and be a good influence on the all stars.
December 31st, 2016 at 6:48 pm
Duffner was a GREAT HC at Holy Cross in the late 1980’s
December 31st, 2016 at 6:57 pm
I guess I’m not really a fan of Mike Smith but I think Jay Hayes is a stud D Coordinator in waiting. I mean no disrespect to M Smith, I’m just not a fan of his. I’m secretly hoping the Jags hire M Smith but I doubt that happens.
December 31st, 2016 at 8:40 pm
Has out LB play this year been all that great?
December 31st, 2016 at 8:41 pm
Duffner? But Joe think’s one his pupils is a total loaf. How could this guy be an exceptional coach if his players aren’t even good?
I don’t share the same oponion of Joe, but thought it was an interesting point.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:43 pm
I hope Luke Mcklechy isn’t playing tomorrow. SMH.. unbelieveable!
December 31st, 2016 at 10:07 pm
Luke Mcklechy? I thought his name was Duke Kuechly.
December 31st, 2016 at 11:35 pm
Happy New Yr Nos, Bonzai, Lakeland, orlbucfan, SPBF, R.O. and lightningbuc!!!!!!!!
May Next yr be Better for our families And our football team. God Bless!
December 31st, 2016 at 11:36 pm
Dam it. Forgot to give props to Cmurda inc. My bad bro
December 31st, 2016 at 11:47 pm
And to the Joes, I hope the dividing line is somewhat mediated for the off-season / 2017 season.
December 31st, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Thanks for the Best Bucs site to go to on these here interwebs.
Happy New Year Joes!
January 1st, 2017 at 6:07 am
Happy New Year Big bro SB.
January 1st, 2017 at 4:36 pm
LOL at “who knows what could happen”.
Hayes is the designated successor. Why else would he take a lateral move from Cincy?