Dirk Koetter Talks About DeSean Jackson The Returner
March 11th, 2017
DeSean Jackson has returned just three punts in the past two years for a total of -5 yards.
But NFL fans remember how prolific he used to be — and so does Dirk Koetter.
Speaking at One Buc Palace today as Jackson, new defensive tackle Chris Baker and safety J.J. Wilcox were introduced to the media, Koetter talked about Jackson’s explosiveness as not just a receiver but as a returner, too.
Koetter shared a story about how Jackson bolted past him on the sidelines in college when he was head coach of Arizona State and Jackson was at “Cal.”
Joe asked Jackson if he wanted to return punts again. In his first three seasons (2008-2010 with the Eagles), Jackson was a full-time returner and had five touchdowns in that role.
Jackson, 30, said he would do anything to help the Bucs win. Koetter was asked about whether Jackson would be a returner, but Koetter wasn’t as eager.
“A guy that’s done it like [Jackson] has in the past, you probably pick your spots with,” Koetter said. “It’s a long season. He already told you he was 47 years old.
“He’s proven in the past that when the time is right, he’s a guy you can count on to make plays. We got time to decide that. But you’re never going to have enough guys who can do that.”
It’ll be an interesting call for Koetter. Older players like Jackson earning gargantuan cash aren’t usually risked on special teams.
That written, Koetter is right about picking spots. If the Bucs don’t draft a special returner, then Joe would expect to see Jackson returning spots at critical times, maybe five or six times this season.
March 11th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
Yea I don’t want to see Desean returning kicks full time. Try to keep him as healthy as possible
March 11th, 2017 at 2:03 pm
I just watched some old LVD highlights. And I really hope we can go back to the old jersey that doesn’t look like an oversized alarm clock. How do we make that happen?
March 11th, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Totally off topic — could we get a 3rd rnd comp pick for Glenn on leaving?
March 11th, 2017 at 2:15 pm
There will be NO COMP pick for Glennon.
I like the pick your spots philosophy with Jackson. Can’t coach or play scared but common sense must prevail.
The nfl is doing everything it can to make special teams irrelevant with the wussified rule changes. both punt and kick returners are going to have less impact on games going forward thus not as big of a need.
March 11th, 2017 at 4:41 pm
No one can say definitively whether or not we will get a Comp pick for Glennon.
So far we have signed 3 outside Free Agents and lost 3 (Glennon, Shepard, Akeem Spence) In all likely hood we will “lose” McDougald as well. So as of now – if we stand pat with our free agent signings and McDougald signs elsewhere – we probably WOULD get a comp pick for Glennon.
March 11th, 2017 at 6:26 pm
Pick, signing our own free agents count as well so its not even close.
March 11th, 2017 at 8:16 pm
Pick your spots is 100% correct, wait until there’s a moment for him shine and see what he can do. Special teams is often more about blocking than anything else, but even if you get good blocking you still need to have the vision and quickness to do something – and he’s obviously proven he has those traits. Also when is the last time a big star got hurt on special teams? Ronde played special teams his entire career and never got hurt. Yes Ronde didn’t do much returning (I do believe he did return a few punts however) but as Dunn used to say, it’s knowing when to go down and making yourself small that protects you from those big hits.
March 11th, 2017 at 8:22 pm
I think it’s pretty doubtful the Bucs get a comp pick. It’s pretty much a mystery formula but has a lot to do with the contracts players get, and D Jackson and Bakers salaries basically wipe out Glennon and gang, and the Bucs aren’t done yet – at least I hope not since they need corners and safeties still and probably a center still. It seems very very unlikely the Bucs would get anything, and if they do it would maybe be a 7th rounder… maybe. If the Bucs didn’t sign anyone and let everyone walk they’d probably be in line for like a 4th rounder, I don’t think they’d get a 3rd rounder since Glennon’s deal is so short. That would be my guess anyways, but that’s all it is, is a guess. What could change that is if say someone gave Vincent Jackson a big deal for some reason and say someone gave Verner $5-mil a year since there are basically no corners out there, then maybe we’re back in the game looking at a 5th or 6th rounder. Also keep in mind that these picks are at the end of the round, so even if it’s a 4th rounder, that’s actually a 5th rounder.
March 11th, 2017 at 11:54 pm
Pickgrin, we spent more on Baker and Jackson than Glennon, Spence and Shepard got on thier deals. If it’s not more, it’s pretty even. No comp picks for us next season. The money basically cancels out. If we didn’t sign Jackson, we might have gotten a 4th or 5th. I’ll take Jackson over the pick.
March 12th, 2017 at 8:30 am
Nope, NO NO NO! Not as a returner!!! YOU DONT TAKE THAT RISK!
March 12th, 2017 at 9:22 am
MadMax, I agree. I hope he never returns a punt again.
March 12th, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Did tmax just post something without talking about our pro bowl DT that he met at the glory hole???? Are you OK bro?