Dirk Koetter Punts Jeremy McNichols Question
September 1st, 2017
Rookie question
Man, Joe hasn’t seen Dirk Koetter have an uncomfortable moment like he had late tonight at a postgame news conference.
Koetter was hit with a very simple question about his rookie running back Jeremy McNichols, this year’s fifth-round pick. Here’s the exchange:
Reporter: Did Jeremy McNichols improve in his assignments and the way he approached the game and the way he played tonight?
Dirk Koetter: (Loud exhale while looking down) Uh, yeah, I mean uh, (exhale). I don’t know. I probably better take a look at the tape.
Ok. Joe’s not going to read too deeply into that. McNichols had 10 carries for 36 yards tonight against the Redskins. He didn’t fumble through the preseason and he had some flashes on special teams. Yes, coaches like to look at tape first before evaluating players.
However, McNichols’ struggles with protections and showing explosiveness with the football were under massive scrutiny on Hard Knocks. And they were real. McNichols talked about that after the game in the locker room and made no effort to sugarcoat or disagree with how he’s been portrayed.
And perhaps what looks extra bad for McNichols is the next question posed to Koetter about Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has had a bad preseason. Koetter perked up at that question and answered expressing great confidence in what Fitzpatrick brings to the table.
Yes, Joe thinks McNichols will make the 53-man roster ttomorrow. But Joe certainly wouldn’t bet $10.00 on it after seeing Koetter’s response tonight.
September 1st, 2017 at 12:07 am
As for the Fitzpatrick question. I wouldnt judge any quarterback playing behind our Back-up oline. Hot damn them boys are bad.
September 1st, 2017 at 12:11 am
I think he makes it. He flashed some things. The straight lines runs held him back a bit. Confused to say whether he was scared or good patients at times. Looked like he relied on blocking just a bit. Had some power runs. OK improvement from what I seen.
September 1st, 2017 at 12:12 am
Don’t really understand why our third stringers are THAT much than Washington…….
September 1st, 2017 at 12:15 am
we are crazy if we cut this kid.
jason is an okay scout. i worry about his grasp of the big picture.
September 1st, 2017 at 12:17 am
Remember when McNichols was going to make us all forget about Martin?
September 1st, 2017 at 12:22 am
I highly, highly doubt McNichols is on our team week 4. At the moment it’s Rodgers, Sims, Barber and McNichols by default but Martin will push him out easy. Let’s just be clear, it is beyond foolish to think McNichols would push out Martin. It’s asinine. We might even trade for depth or pickup someone who gets cut, to avoid having to give McNichols any touches
September 1st, 2017 at 12:40 am
and when asked about Auclair?..he said “he’ll have a career in the NFL”..to me, that meant not with the Bucs..
McNichols..it’s hard to read that one..I think it’ll be PS for him..
September 1st, 2017 at 2:23 am
McNichols will get cut and Doug will stay on or my name aint FEFE
September 1st, 2017 at 5:45 am
Our RBs are injury prone, JMc needs more time and reps, he’s buried behind 4 backs for practice reps, missed OTAs due to his shoulder surgery, it’s not uncommon for a rookie to struggle but they liked his talent for a reason to draft him, doubtful 4 weeks of training is enough to evaluate what he could do if given an opportunity….when one our backs goes down, and based on history one or more will fall, would you like some street free agent or a guy you invested time and resources, even the great David Johnson had to wait behind Chris Johnson his rookie yeah, and Bruce Arians and DK are very similar, former OCs that trust vets over rookies
September 1st, 2017 at 5:46 am
You can’t teach experience
September 1st, 2017 at 6:17 am
After whiffing on a weak block attempt that got Sefo sacked, I didn’t see McNichols again. I suspect that play pissed Koetter off and he pulled him again. Late round draft pick who hasn’t demonstrated he belongs in the NFL. I am not sure the Bucs are going to be that patient with him. He still looks to be the worst RB on the roster.
September 1st, 2017 at 6:27 am
I know it’s only preseason but our inability to score points is starting to worry me, I think we have the lowest points total in the league this preseason!
September 1st, 2017 at 6:59 am
All the RB from Tampa Catholi 1997 squad image better than this kid. ASK the commish. He hasn’t zero burst. Was you cut decision for the bucs
September 1st, 2017 at 6:59 am
*easy cut decision
September 1st, 2017 at 7:15 am
Wow he perked up while discussing Fitzpatrick! That’s definitely not a good sign for McNichols because Fitzpatrick looked horrible.
September 1st, 2017 at 7:17 am
Has Fitzpatrick had a good practice, people want to blame the back up line and players, but why dooes he looks the same sucky way on everything he does whether with the 1’s or not.
Usually the good veterans look like superstars when playing against the camp meats, not Fitz he looks lost, blame playcalling and other players all you want, but he hasn’t had a good or better week since he came over.
At least McNichols’ short comings arr fixable and he has some upside.
September 1st, 2017 at 7:17 am
Hence why Doug will be on the Bucs this season barring relapse or trade. You have a chance to see the light Joe, it’s not too late
September 1st, 2017 at 7:52 am
Hansborough over McNichols. I thought McNichols had amazing hands but I can’t remember seeing him catch a pass
September 1st, 2017 at 7:53 am
watched the game then the 40 min recast. At first blush, he ran well enough. He never had really anything, but he needs to understand when to burst. He has it, he is just very tentative. His confidence is obviously low. Two things, this is not Boise but he showed burst there. He is actually doing a decent job at getting through traffic, once clear, he needs to go. Second thing, not sure on the pass protection front. He did miss a cut block.. badly but Sefa missed him on a couple of slip outs that were pretty easy gains of yards.
I wonder if he is not back 100% from his shoulder surgery. If not physically, at least mentally. If he’s not I hope the Bucs find a way to kenny bell him for this season and get a fair look at him next year.
Now.. Honest sincere question. Which rookie has looked worse? Evans or McNichols? I isolated both of them last night.
Evans is reminding me of a tentative Sabby. I watched him several times, appear to recognize the hole but then jump into traffic. The only time he hit the hole was on 3rd and 1. Problem was his tackle was so poor even tho he made initial contact behind the line, the back had no issues picking up 2 yards and the first. I want my safety to try to stone the back there, not wrap his ankles.
I am hoping that his coverage skills are just so good he isn’t being tested so he can’t make plays on the ball, but every time the ball has went to his area it seems to be completed.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:01 am
So you don’t think Martin is coming back but you think McNichols makes the team? You guys get more and more ridiculous by every post haha. McNichols hasn’t done a damn thing to earn a spot on the roster. How anyone can think there is at least a 5% chance he makes the team is beyond me. Martin, Rodgers, Sims, and Barber will be your Tampa Bay Bucs RBs.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:15 am
FYI, for all those slamming McNichols, pass blocking is the hardest and usually the last skill for a rookie RB to learn. For all that remember, when Blount was a rookie, he didn’t play regularly until nearly halfway through the season because of his struggles in protection. Hansborough, on the other hand, has been in pro camps for three seasons now, it’s not hard to see why he is more adept at pro schemes and blitz pickup. He’s definitely not the better player, he’s the more experienced player.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:31 am
Look, lets face it, McNichols looks like a 5th round rookie RB. Nothing more, nothing less. It would be a great story if he can remain on the team and EVENTUALLY earn a more prominent role.
So far, best to worst:
Martin
Rodgers
Sims
Barber
McNichols/Hansborough
September 1st, 2017 at 8:43 am
Lamarcus, is McNichols a doctor?
September 1st, 2017 at 8:50 am
Does anyone know anything about Tion Green? Saw that guy run for the Lions yesterday he looked pretty good.
September 1st, 2017 at 8:59 am
It’s doubtful the Lions will keep 5 running backs and he looks way better than McNichols.
September 1st, 2017 at 9:05 am
Too bad, I had hopes for McNichols. He’s been a disappointment.
If he was a FA he’d be cut in a New York second…
September 1st, 2017 at 9:23 am
A doctor?
September 1st, 2017 at 9:28 am
Too bad some of the armchair GM’s here weren’t working for Miami two years ago.
Ajayi had a horrible rookie year…187 yards….3.5 average…then he blew up last year. Perhaps we would have snatched him when they cut him.
Clearly like Ajayi…like Peyton Barber…McWeapon needs a year of seasoning before we know his true ability.
The silver lining to the HK episodes and his poor preseason is that we might be able to sneak him past waivers and get him on the practice squad. That’s a twin challenge…did he look bad enough to avoid getting picked…and what needs develop for running backs on other teams. Nobody is going to snag him for a starting position so perhaps the Bucs take the gamble.
September 1st, 2017 at 9:56 am
Not looking good for McNichols right now. I don’t think he makes the team. He might flash in practice. But from what I can see, he does not do it in the game.
September 1st, 2017 at 10:04 am
@tnew very fair assessment on Evans. He’s got a lot of potential. Some of his breaks were so fluid and quick but he needs to wrap up and put his chest on people. Sabby’s angles were hilarious to watch, man I miss burning that guy. Anyhoo, Evans is to me is a faint copy of Talib as far as physical ability, but without the refined ball hawk instincts so he’s like every other DB in the league. He needs another year to settle in. I hope he never sees the field until then.
September 1st, 2017 at 10:19 am
Lamarcus – just curious because you posted about McNichols and his “patients.”
September 1st, 2017 at 10:32 am
Fool u know what I’m talking about. Lol
September 1st, 2017 at 10:35 am
I thought mcnichols did just OK. Again confused if it was him being tenative or showing good vision. I will get to see the full view game tomorrow. I had watched the game on facebook
September 1st, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Wait… I thought it was easy to find a good running back in later rounds? I don’t care what anyone says, if you want a good offense, you need to have both a good running and passing game.
September 1st, 2017 at 3:55 pm
McNichols will most likely make it through this round of cuts since Martin doesn’t count against the roster, but then he’ll probably get cut. He didn’t have a good preseason in the least, didn’t show much of anything in games and from Hard Knocks (yes creative editing I know) didn’t really seem to be picking up the playbook well. He can’t play right now in a game because he’d get Winston killed (although you can just run plays where he wouldn’t have to block).
Overall it’s a huge fall from Joe and gang saying he’s going to chase Martin out the door since he can do everything Martin can do AND do it better since he can also catch the ball. Also those stories about Charles Sims being chased out the door by McNichols, well…
Anywho he was a 5th rounder for a reason and I think it’s pretty obvious what that reason is now. With all that said being a slow learner doesn’t mean you can’t be an NFL talent – it just means you don’t pick up things very quickly. If he makes it through waivers to the practice squad and can sit there for a year then I think we see a totally different guy next year. But for this year, he can’t play, not anytime soon.
September 2nd, 2017 at 11:08 am
Dante Dye also cut over Bobo Wilson. Hard Knocks stars doesn’t equal talent.