Don’t Do It, Dirk.
January 7th, 2017
Trent Dilfer checks in
Winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter mentioned he is considering giving up playcalling duties during his Monday State of the Bucs Address.
This scares former Bucs quarterback Trent Dilfer who is a big fan of Koetter’s playcalling. (Scares Joe, too!)
To hear Dilfer speak, this is a lost art in the NFL and Koetter would be wise not to give up these duties, unless he sees a rising star either on his staff currently or someone that can come in t call plays as well as he does or better.
This is what Dilfer explained this week on WDAE-AM 620 on the “Ron and J.P. Show.”
“Yeah, I saw that and it gave me pause,” Dilfer said. “Now listen, if [Koetter] thinks it is best for the team, why are we to question? He said it was his favorite part [of the game] so he is obviously not taking this lightly, so let’s start right there. He makes the decision so he will think through it completely.
“Now I will say this about playcalling: It is a gift. It is the secret sauce of offensive football. … If I [had to list] the top five things in winning football games, playcalling would be in those top five.
“Now great playcallers sometimes recognize guys who have the potential to be great playcallers. So he may see somebody on his staff or elsewhere that he is saying, ‘Wait a minute. This guy could be really, really, really good one day.’ So [Koetter] may try to extend the leash a little and let this guy be a playcaller because he may, one day, be better than [Koetter]. I think that is the conversation coach is having if they are making these decisions which I think are paramount to the success of the organization.”
Now this is interesting to Joe. Dilfer may be on to something.
Koetter also was asked if there was someone on the staff that was capable of being the playcaller for America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Koetter replied, “More than one.”
That suggested offensive coordinator Todd Monken or quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian could assume these duties.
January 7th, 2017 at 7:51 am
I suspect Koetter’s concern is that if Mike Smith leaves, a guy who was basically the Head Coach of the defense, he will need to spend more time in overseeing the defense, too.
Mike Smith was a luxury that allowed Koetter to be the offensive guy, with a lot of the burden of Head Coach delegated to MS.
The Gruden/Kiffin relationship was similar.
So I can understand where he’s coming from.
But as a fan, I prefer Koetter calling the plays. It had to be frustrating to have so few weapons as the season went on, and he still did a credible job.
January 7th, 2017 at 8:28 am
Fans don’t always understand play calling, a good OC runs plays to set up others. Also people complain about the screen passes to Hump in the last game but a good OC knows if you are having success with a play keep calling it until they can stop you. The problem with our offense is we had a lot of injuries and still need more speedy talent.
January 7th, 2017 at 8:31 am
Koetter needs to continue to call plays and develop this offense. Especially with the new weapons he should have, Hope he can find a way to work with Jameis more.
January 7th, 2017 at 8:50 am
Now now now little Joey……….
Don’t be scared………..if Dirk does do it and the bucs lose…..you, me, and all bucs fans will be used to it…..use to losing
BUT
If the bucs do even BETTER…..then quite possibly, the bucs struck gold in the offense and may in turn HELP the offensive players mentally as well.
January 7th, 2017 at 10:06 am
@Dilfer … ““Now I will say this about playcalling: It is a gift.” Agree with Trent 100% … play-calling is more art than science. Some HCs have the knack (like Sean Payton); most don’t. Dirk Koetter definitely does, but tend to think that him doing the play-calling will depend on the DC situation next year. If (when?) Smitty leaves, I think Dirk’s HC duties will become more demanding (time-wise). Calling plays might be hard in that situation, at least for the 1st year. In any event, have full confidence that Dirk Koetter will make the best decision for the Bucs.
January 7th, 2017 at 10:26 am
@DR
Agree with your take but have an additional thought. I think we all agree that Smitty gave Koetter a lot more breathing room than an average DC…he was in effect assistant HC…as someone mentioned a successful relationship similar to Gruden/Kiffin.
So to me the other part of the equation is it’s not just somebody to provide more time to DK by picking up the playcalling…perhaps he could keep the playcalling and find somebody to pick up more of the administrative stuff…asst HC duties.
I think this is all good whatever he does. Shows and intensely DK is thinking of EVERY angle….time management is obviously critical in every endeavor so I completely understand why he would at least explore every opportunity to improve.
January 7th, 2017 at 10:28 am
Basically he already said it’s so he can manage players better in-game. To me that means Jameis. He saw him regress (only slightly and in spurts) and also act immaturely and a bit out of control at times and he wasn’t there as the direct guiding hand he was in the previous year. I’m sure he’ll figure out another way to accomplish that without necessarily giving up playcalling duties. He probably also is grading himself harshly for some of his own playcalling errors this season. That’s just good leadership and what good Managers who have the drive to improve do.
January 7th, 2017 at 11:08 am
As koetter expressed last season, an OC can be tentative and not call “his” game because he is not the HC.
For the first time in koetter’s career he can call his own shots. Call a game however he wants without getting his butt chewed out by a HC. Personally i think it is too soon for koetter to give up his playcalling. He said if he dis give it up, it would be for good. I think he should first continue to work on balancing his Playcalling and HC responsibilties. A lot of coaches can do it. No reason for koetter to panic and give it up after just 1 season.
I do respect the hell out of koetter for saying this though. He admits playcalling is his favorite part of football, but he would give it up if it meant a better chance for success for the team. That is the type of guy you want leading the team. Selfless. A true team player.
January 7th, 2017 at 11:41 am
With such a young Q.B., playcaller, and Q.B. need to put their heads together between series to get on the same page. That doesn’t happen anymore with Koetter having to coach the whole game. There’s been a disconnect there, it showed this year. It also hurts the dynamic of your coaching staff. How’s Monkin or whoever going to get reconized without playcalling duties. Give it up Dirk, you’re not always the smartest guy in the room. Your job now as H.C., is to find the next better you!
January 7th, 2017 at 1:00 pm
@warren
This is what I wanted to see as I was reading the comments . Who really understands what is actually happening . Dirk is a quarterback guru / offensive coordinator with the capability of being a head coach . To me he knows that his job only goes as far as Jaboo takes him . So b4 he reliquishes his head coaching job he better find someone to run the offense so he can get Jaboo to where he needs to be … People Dont be worry this happens all the 🕙.