Dirk Koetter: “Jameis Should Be Here”
March 4th, 2017
Dirk Koetter speaks
Is there a better head coach in the NFL at serving up a reality check?
Doubtful.
Dirk Koetter is your man.
Speaking to Rick Neuheisel on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week, Koetter reflected on a question about the evolution and development of Matt Ryan, his former student, as compared to America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston.
Koetter went right to the resumé.
“I think the thing to remember about Jameis, when I got to Atlanta, Matt was already in Year 5. … Jameis Winston just turned 23. These guys that are here for the Combine this week, Jameis should be here,” Koetter said.
“He’s got 32 starts. He’s played almost every play for the last two years. Jameis is a winner and coached very well all the way up. But like anything else, like your job like my job, experience is the best teacher and, you know, Jameis just needs more time on task. We couldn’t ask for a guy that’s a better face of our franchise. Jason Licht, our GM, and I like to say.”
Koetter noted that the quarterbacks in the NFC Championship last season all had a ton of experience. And Koetter said the focus for Jameis this season is simply cutting turnovers — the one’s that aren’t his fault, per Koetter — and figuring out the fine balance of when to give up on plays.
Joe exhaled after hearing Koetter spit all that out.
Yes, Jameis just turned 23 and has proven to be driven, durable and talented. The Bucs life is good.
March 4th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
@joe
Can we get some kind of update on who the bucs have interviewed or are impressed with so far?
March 4th, 2017 at 2:39 pm
Oh he belongs here alright! And we need to get him some weapons and a little more protection.
March 4th, 2017 at 2:41 pm
According to what we do in FA and the draft, we better not forget RT! Glaring need! Center too.
March 4th, 2017 at 3:02 pm
MadMax, I’m with you on the RT & C. Bucs simply have to do a better job of protecting Jameis & giving him adequate time to make plays without running for his life all the time. Also need to improve our run game significantly, especially between the tackles. Love Donovan Smith & Ali Marpet, and Kevin Pamphile is growing on me (he had a good first yr). Still hoping that JR Sweezy make it back & can win a starting position. Would love to see us sign Matt Kalil as a FA, but that’s pretty doubtful (he did play some RT in college before switching to LT at USC).
March 4th, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Winston was still the youngest start QB in the league at the end of last season, just think about that. He’s just turned 23 and he’s already got two 4000 yard seasons under his belt, the first play to ever open his career that way, it’s really impressive.
March 4th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
George Kittle = sleeper
March 4th, 2017 at 3:19 pm
@Defense, if neither one is addressed in FA, Im good with spending one of our first 3 picks. I have a feeling FA will fix at least one though. Then spend a 4th on the other.
March 4th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
Kittle isnt a sleeper much longer….but man that Evan Engram, 4.43/4.42 and is a great blocker….just needs to gain more size. Could be a nice project for the trainers….could get to 240 with the right training and diet over a few years.
March 4th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
GOAT:
Bucs will not publicly disclose who they are talking to or who they are interested in. If you are following Joe on social media, he is putting out there what players the Bucs have/haven’t spoken with at key positions and this is coming from the players.
March 4th, 2017 at 3:43 pm
@joe
Ok thanks
March 4th, 2017 at 3:56 pm
I understand the injuries but am I the only one who wants and understands if we can get Ross and fournette how much our offense will be unstoppable. Sign garcon or Marshall and pencil us into playoffs
March 4th, 2017 at 4:04 pm
That athletic ability has to also translate into availability. Ross scares me.
And Fournette is a top 8 or better, so forget about that….well unless we trade up for him. Not a fan of that but he would be a hell of a player for us.
March 4th, 2017 at 4:08 pm
Joe a quick question…what should Tampa do if say 1 of the top 4 receivers AND Calvin Cook make it to pick #19?!
March 4th, 2017 at 4:14 pm
JOE-Have you seen Tony Pauline report from NFL that desean Jackson expected to sign with bucs?
March 4th, 2017 at 4:15 pm
Edit: TE Engram is 234lbs. I clicked some links with fake reporting….saying 214-225.
Yeah, Im ok with drafting him OR Kittle (who would be the greater value for our situation).
March 4th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
@MadMax
Very much agreed. Everyone keeps talking about a RB in the first but they realize that RB has to have blockers or he ain’t gonna get past the line of scrimmage. I said this the other day that Koetter and Licht both said they were happy with Demar Dotson. I started cracking up. I’m really hoping Benenoch can come in and be a good (great) player.
March 4th, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Bird
U haven’t read that right. It is an opinion that it would be hard for other teams to offer a better situation. I.e. Winston(big arm) weather and no state tax. Not that he is expected to sign with the bucs. Don’t get people hyped up on misinformation.
March 4th, 2017 at 5:15 pm
Hey mike Evans goat-
The title of article states” desean Jackson expected to sign with bucs. “That’s what I was commenting on… you and your misinformation comments. What are you a politician? Relax moron. I know he is a free agent and players can’t sign with anyone yet. Legal tampering starts the 7th.
March 4th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
MikeEvans,
Players interviewed at the Combine so far per WalterFootball.com
Michael Roberts, TE, Toledo (COM)
Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss (COM)
David Njoku, TE, Miami (COM)
Curtis Samuel, RB/WR, Ohio State (COM)
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC (COM)
Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE/3-4DE, Villanova (COM)
March 4th, 2017 at 5:26 pm
Obviously your a parrot bird and just repeat the headline of the article without reading it. Moron
March 4th, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Update: Add to the list
Caleb Brantley, DT/NT, Florida (COM)
March 4th, 2017 at 5:28 pm
Thanks mac
March 4th, 2017 at 5:31 pm
Just watched John Ross run a 4.22 in the 40 (looked like he pulled up limping). That’s an incredible time, about 2/10th of a sec faster than any other WR who’s run thus far.
March 4th, 2017 at 5:38 pm
@defence
A little late there huh? Lol
March 4th, 2017 at 5:39 pm
I’m sorry bird. Not my fault u can’t understand big people words. Lol
March 4th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
I really like Goodwin from Penn St. ran a 4.31, is 6’1 210 ran really good routes could be a great 2nd round after te howard in the 1st
March 4th, 2017 at 5:53 pm
Yes to Godwin.
March 4th, 2017 at 6:00 pm
I love what we are seeing in the combine today. Some more options at WR for the Bucs. After that 4.22 and seeing him weigh in at 190 lbs I wouldn’t mind John Ross. At that size he isn’t a whole lot smaller than McCaffrey or Cook. We all knew about Curtis Samuel already but Chris Godwin should now be on our radar too.
March 4th, 2017 at 6:24 pm
Glad to see a few guys – that I was pulling for – move up the draft Chart.
LUVMYBUCS Says: (Repost)
• February 13th, 2017 at 4:33 pm ←
@Pickgrin
If we speaking of about value in the 2nd – then we gotta be talking about HB Evan Engram. In terms of how you can use him in this offense – he would be a major commodity to Jameis
• January 14th, 2017 at 3:17 pm ←
@Stpetebucsfan
What – No Luv for either…
• Evan Engram, HB, Ole Miss
• George Kittle, TE, Iowa <-Tough Kid
• Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
March 4th, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Best way to help Jameis is to give him weapons. Sign some WRs in free agency like Brandon Marshall, Kenny Stills, or Robert Woods. Then draft the following players. My dream draft so of course it’ll never happen but anyways…
1st McCaffrey RB Stanford
2nd TJ Watt DE/OLB Wisconsin
3rd Zay Jones WR ECU
4th Jordan Leggett TE Clemson
5th Joe Mixon RB Oklahoma
6th Marquez White CB FSU
7th Ryan Switzer WR UNC
I wouldn’t draft a safety cause I would resign Mcdougle and sign Cyprien’s in free agency. Would also fill our O Line issues in free agency.
March 4th, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Leggett is my favorite TE in this draft. Would be fine taking him in the 3rd round. Just glad this draft is so deep at TE. In a normal year he wouldn’t make it out of the 2nd.
March 4th, 2017 at 6:35 pm
#Repost
February 21th, 2017 <-
Options
1st. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri
2nd. Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss
3rd. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
4th. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
5th. Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego St.
6th. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee
7th. Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
Or
1st. Taco Charlton, DE/DT, Michigan
2nd. Evan Engram, HB, Ole Miss
3rd. Cameron Sutton, CB/S, Tennessee
4th. Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
5th. Joe Mixon,RB, Oklahoma
6th. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee
7th. Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
Combine that with #Weapons4Winston
Example(s)
• Acquire (either): Brandon Marshall or Mike Wallace
• Sign: Marquise Goodwin or Markus Wheaton
• Draft: WR Zay Jones or Chris Godwin
• Draft: TE Evan Ingram
Option# 1
• WR Mike Evans | Russell Shepard
• WR Brandon Marshall | Zay Jones
• WR Marquise Goodwin | Adam Humphries
• TE Cameron Brate | Evan Ingram
Option# 2
• WR Mike Evans | Russell Shepard
• WR Mike Wallace | Chris Godwin
• WR Marquise Goodwin | Adam Humphries
• TE Cameron Brate | Evan Ingram
Starting to look like this would be some MAJOR upgrades for the offense.
March 4th, 2017 at 6:41 pm
@Luvmybucs after that blazing fast 40, and him showcasing buttery smooth routes and hands as a receiver, It’s very likely that Evan Ingram may have catapulted himself into the 1st round.
Also think that with Zay Jones Senior bowl domination, and an incredibly strong showing himself today, he’ll probably go in the 2nd round.
Gonna be honest, I wouldnt be the least bit mad if we come away from rounds 1 and 2 with those guys. They would both add 4.4 speed, size, and hands.
Today literally got me so freaking pumped for 2017!
March 4th, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Blake_bucsfan
Unfortunately – your right.
I was just telling my eldest son that – If need be I would draft HB Evan Ingram in the 1st. The kid is a matchup nightmare for slot corners & linebackers.
March 4th, 2017 at 6:57 pm
If we are bring in DeSean Jackson we should stay away from Ross. We need some speed but speed players get injured too often. Besides, the real goal is diversity of options. Would love to see someone else take Ross ahead of us and have one of the more realiable talents (Davis, Williams, Howard, etc…) fall to us.
March 4th, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Might have to revamp that a little.
1st. Evan Engram, HB, Ole Miss
2nd. Forrest Lamp, T/G/C, Western Kentucky
3rd. Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State
4th. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
5th. Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego St.
6th. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee
7th. Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
Note: Really like (DE/OLB) Haason Reddick, Temple – in the 2nd as well
March 4th, 2017 at 7:05 pm
3 needs weapons. If we can’t get it right in the draft… You have to go free agency. Imagine d jack and adding a oj Howard along with mike Evans?
Adam is okay and Brate is okay. Doug will be back with something to prove.
That is a dangerous offense.
March 4th, 2017 at 7:08 pm
Or
1st. Evan Engram, HB, Ole Miss
2nd. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina
3rd. Cameron Sutton, CB/S, Tennessee
4th. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
5th. Tarell Basham, DE, Ohio
6th. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee
7th. Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss
March 4th, 2017 at 7:26 pm
Well according to Bill Polian it takes four years to make a QB. I would argue Fameis slightly ahead of schedule then.
March 4th, 2017 at 7:38 pm
@luv
We should trade back from 19 to the early 2nd and pick up an extra 3rd. Then we can take Engram in the early 2nd and Chris Godwin at our original pick in the 2nd. Plus then we have 2 3rd round picks either move up or stay put and take 2 great players in this very deep draft. Let me know what you think. This is obviously assuming that we don’t like who is there at 19
March 4th, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Thanks for that interview list update mac. Ion know about anyone else but it is quite telling to me.
March 4th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
LUV- are you favoring Engram because you think Howard won’t be there? If Howard is there he has to be the pick if you take TE
March 4th, 2017 at 8:02 pm
Mike Evans GOAT
I can respect that.
But I don’t know if Engram – will even be there – at the Top of the 2nd now though.
The kid’s tape was already amazing – now with the meausreables confirmed. I don’t see how the kid makes it out of the 1st round.
March 4th, 2017 at 8:10 pm
JabooBuc
I think Engram is a better fit for the offense.
March 4th, 2017 at 8:33 pm
Jaboo I wouldn’t mind knowing exactly why you say that. I watched some ole miss and watch sone bama. To my eye Engram was more productive. That’s just me tho. I recall opening game him driving me crazy my Noles had no answer for the kid.
March 4th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
Am I right wit my thinking its his physical attributes???
March 4th, 2017 at 8:35 pm
The question is does OJ even like football? Big risk factor imo. I hope him and Ross are both drafted ahead of us. Ross is a 1 year wonder with both knees torn up and another serious injury. Way too young for all of that. Glad he ran that 4.22 so someone else gets that gamble. I think the Panthers are going to get him unless their top DE choice is gone. We need to sign 2 FA WRs and draft another 2.
March 4th, 2017 at 8:36 pm
I wonder which is the more flexible football player. That will tell the story.
March 4th, 2017 at 8:37 pm
I just don’t like how after running that fast he came up lame.
March 4th, 2017 at 8:42 pm
Imagine Jameis having a receiving core of ME13, Stills or Marshall, Zay Jones, Robert Woods, Hump, and Shep. Would give us plenty of talent and competition. Throw in Leggett and Brate at TE and McCaf, Mixon, and Peyton as our RBs and possibly Quizz as well. Unstoppable and all possible.
If Kendall Wright signs for cheap I would give him a shot as well. We have the potential to make or break Jameis this off-season. I have faith in Licht to get it right
Also, Forrest is a beast of an O Lineman but no way he makes it out of the 1st round
March 4th, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Engram will be a better pro than OJ imo
March 4th, 2017 at 8:46 pm
NOS- I like Howard because he is also a force in the running game. I like Engram but he is not the blocker Howard is. Also, Howardbis a complete mismatch all over the field, especially in the red zone
March 4th, 2017 at 9:11 pm
Right now based on who the Bucs are talking to it looks like we are targeting a TE, WR, and an Edge rusher. By the TEs they have spoken with it sure seems like the Bucs might be thinking TE in the first round. Still more time at the combine plus pro-days. I am curious about the top players they seem to have far less contact than some of the players projected for later rounds. My guess is that teams maybe feel like they have a better idea of what they are getting from the Mike Williams, Corey Davis, OJ Howard types. Surely if the team is looking at TE early and Howard is there they would take him.
March 4th, 2017 at 9:43 pm
This class is way to deep at TE to draft one in the 1st. Esp with bigger needs
March 4th, 2017 at 9:49 pm
MadMax Says
“Oh he belongs here alright! ”
I think he meant that Jameis should be at the combine, representing the team.
And he was right. Notice Tom Brady was at the combine?
He may not have been officially there with Patriots staff, but you can bet he was talking to certain players to help choose his offensive preferences to relay to his coach.
March 4th, 2017 at 9:52 pm
Luv says
“7th. Chad Kelly, QB, Ole Miss”
Any reason you like this particular QB?
March 4th, 2017 at 9:56 pm
FuNkYxMuNkEy Says
“Imagine Jameis having a receiving core of ME13, Stills or Marshall, Zay Jones, Robert Woods, Hump, and Shep. ”
You are forgetting Darell Walker, who they actually gave guaranteed mo ey to, so he will be on the final roster.
March 4th, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Bonsai
He meant that Jameis is so young that he should really be coming out this year not 2 years ago. Zay Jones is older than JW3 at 24 and JW3 just turned 23. It is a blessing because JW3 is younger than dak and a lot of people coming out this year and we will have him for a long time
March 4th, 2017 at 9:59 pm
Bonzai ^^^^^^
March 4th, 2017 at 10:13 pm
@funkymonkey look at who the Bucs have talked to so far one TE that has been projected as a first rounder for a little while now and another who seems to be moving up and could end up as a first round selection.
March 4th, 2017 at 10:18 pm
Mike Evans GOAT, I disagree.
March 4th, 2017 at 10:21 pm
These guys that are here for the Combine this week, Jameis should be here,” Koetter said.
March 4th, 2017 at 10:22 pm
He even went on to say, “We couldn’t ask for a guy that’s a better face of our franchise…”
March 4th, 2017 at 10:47 pm
Wouldn’t get too caught up in who they’ve spoken to right now USF. But if I were to formulate an opinion I say they are talking to potential later round draft picks because I’m not sure any of those dudes project as a round 1. By now I probably have most of the intel I need to make me feel comfortable about my potential first round choices. Look man y’all can disregard the elephant in the room all you want. You’ve had last years number1 draft pick say DC’s name publically,h3ll said we need him. Obviously these young men are talking about DC privately.You’ve had DC say he speaks with Fameis weekly and that share a desire to play with eachother. If you think that isn’t being taken into consideration you’re playing ya self.
March 4th, 2017 at 10:49 pm
I wish I could be around to see some of y’all faces draft night.
March 4th, 2017 at 10:50 pm
That’s why I told mac earlier thanks for that list. To me it was telling.
March 4th, 2017 at 10:52 pm
Also I believe that report about Djax coming is legit. The minute Josina Anderson made the tweet a story on bspn I said to myself I’m sure many players are tweeting who they would want to play with why is it chose Fameis tweet. Has to be miss to that. Welcome to Tampa Deshean.
March 4th, 2017 at 10:56 pm
@bonzai
Dirk even eluded to it in his press conference earlier this week. He said that JW3 should be here at this combine as a participant.
March 4th, 2017 at 10:58 pm
What Fameis wants Fameis will undoubtedly get.. Bank on it.
March 4th, 2017 at 11:04 pm
@FuNkYxMuNkEy This is an incredibly deep draft at a few positions. And the way the top TE’s were flying out there today, we’d be incredibly blessed to come away with O.J. or Engram in the 1st. And bro O.J. was a 4 year player who came back another year to further develop his all around game before entering the draft, I think that Howard most certainly loves the game.
O.J. being the more complete package, and Engram being a pure burner that you can deploy all around the field to create mismatches in the passing game,
All I know is that while O.J. didn’t have a stellar amount of production at bama, he showed up huge in all of their big games the last 2 years. And Nos even you gotta admit that a 6’6 251 pounder to run a 4.51 is super impressive, that’s faster than Mike Williams, hell, that’s Faster than Mike Evans. Howard is gonna be a stud at the next level dude.
March 4th, 2017 at 11:11 pm
@bonzai
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CLoFvEf2wTQ
5:35 – 5:50
March 4th, 2017 at 11:19 pm
@NosBos only problem with that is that Jameis is a 23 year old dude just like me, he’s our Qb not our GM. In the words of Koetter “Player’s Play, and Coaches Coach.” To finish that logic, GM’s Manage is the next step of that equation.
It’s JL’s show and he’s gonna draft the BPA. Be it a Rb, a Wide Out, a Top flight TE, DE, or Safety. This is shaking out to be one of the deepest drafts in years at those positions.
Me personally I’m banking on us getting one of those mismatch creating game-breakers at TE in the 1st.
March 4th, 2017 at 11:27 pm
Good Lawd Bonzai!
March 4th, 2017 at 11:34 pm
Seems weird that the saints have met with ALL of the top QBs at the combine?????
Bucs have met with
Engram te ole miss
Njoku te Miami
Marlon Mack rb usf
JuJu wr USC
Kpassagnon de Villanova
Caleb Brantley dt Florida
Curtis Samuels flex Ohio state
Micheal Roberts Te Toledo
March 4th, 2017 at 11:54 pm
Goat
“as a participant” meaning like Tom Brady was. Did you not see the stories about Brady participating in workouts?
March 4th, 2017 at 11:57 pm
Apparently I saw things on NFL Network that some of you missed. Because if you had seen the stories, you would have read the above completely differently.
March 4th, 2017 at 11:57 pm
Bonzai, no, what Dirk clearly meant was that at Jameis’ current age, he should just now be entering the Draft.
It’s 100 percent obvious if you use context clues.
March 5th, 2017 at 12:31 am
@ bonzai
Don’t read it. Watch it in the video I have linked above.
5:35-5:50 will tell u all u need to know
March 5th, 2017 at 12:40 am
@ bird
I truly am sorry. I apologize. It seems that this DJax to Tampa stuff is gonna be a real thing. Just read that DJax is flying to Tampa during the legal tampering period and $ isn’t an issue. He wants to play here and I think Dirk and Licht already know it. That why they are lookin hard at these TEs
March 5th, 2017 at 8:23 am
Yeah thanks Bonzai, I jumped the article headline w/o reading it first….im like that sometimes, thanks for reeling me in Bro…
March 5th, 2017 at 12:10 pm
lol Max btw.
March 5th, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Thanks Bonz I knew I was forgetting someone
March 5th, 2017 at 1:37 pm
Showing up huge in big games is a must but you can’t forget about the menial games either considering that’s the majority of our games
March 5th, 2017 at 7:56 pm
Whats up 87? I was still hitting the bottle in the early hours…one of my rare days off. 🙂 Man, Im so excited for our Bucs!!!!!