Koetter: Running Game Could Be Better
September 19th, 2017
Talks running game.
Joe wants to clarify something surely some readers will catch when they listen to today’s “Ira Kaufman Podcast.”
One Joe thinks the way Jacquizz Rodgers ran Sunday against the Bears, Bucs fans should not worry about the absence of Doug Martin, that Rodgers did such a fine job that he could have been a No. 1 back the way he ran the ball against the Bears.
The “other Joe” thought Rodgers was, well, meh. To that Joe, Rodgers was who he is: a serviceable backup who couldn’t make the final 53-man roster of the bungling Bears last year. A guy winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter rescued off the street in a time of need.
Judging by Koetter’s words to dangerous Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV Channel 8 yesterday, Koetter isn’t ready to start pushing Rodgers’ name for a Pro Bowl selection.
In an exclusive sitdown with Lucas, Koetter thought the running game could have been better but the fault necessarily wasn’t all on the running backs.
“We left a lot out there,” Koetter said. “We left some detailed things out there that shows up on tape. I thought Jaquizz was solid; thought Peyton [Barber] did a nice job in the second half.
“There was more meat on the bone. There was more there to be had, had we done a little bit better job.”
Koetter wasn’t specific about why that meat was left on the bone but it maybe he thought the offensive line could have been better?
Earlier in the day, in his day-after presser, Koetter suggested someone whiffed on an assignment or a block that led to Charles Sims getting blown up behind the line of scrimmage on a dubious third-and-one call. Why Koetter chose Sims to tote the rock up the middle is a mystery to Joe.
You can see the full interview with Lucas in the WFLA-TV Channel 8 video below.
September 19th, 2017 at 10:09 am
Here’s the thing. For a game or two, 3.5 yards per carry like Quiz had Sunday may be no problem if in that period he gets the yards he needs. If you need one and get two, great. If you get three but only needed two, fine. Folks should not get wrapped around the axle on stats over one or two games. Look at Glennon. He completed 68% of his passes Sunday for over 300 yards and a TD. Looks pretty good. And what’s his record? Coming up, Dalvin Cook averaged more than 5 yards per carry for the Vikes, and his team lost.
September 19th, 2017 at 10:45 am
“Running Game Could Be Better”
It will be – instantly – when Doug Martin comes back from suspension 2 weeks from today…
September 19th, 2017 at 10:59 am
Considering the bears were up to game speed & we were not it was a good game hopefully we get things cleaned up because we face an elite defense next game.
September 19th, 2017 at 11:22 am
AP or one of the better rookies that were 3rd round on would have helped this
September 19th, 2017 at 11:29 am
The “other Jos” is correct: Rodgers was just “meh”. Rodgers has always been “meh”: a serviceable 2nd change-of-pace back with a low CoG.
The single biggest error in the running game was giving Simms the ball on 3rd & 1 when you had a fresh 238lb. battering ram on the sidelines.
That one is on you, Koetter. That was a major coaching error.
When Martin returns, so will the running game.
Jaquizz Rodgers is no Doug Martin. Per.i.od.
Remember the Good Old Days when *some* predicted Rodgers & Co. along with McWeapon would be so awesome the first 3 games that Martin would get cut?
September 19th, 2017 at 11:31 am
And note: the Bears rarely penetrated the LoS on running plays. That bodes well for the future and is a major difference from last season.
September 19th, 2017 at 11:52 am
Mr Goddell
Plz let DM play. I miss DM. Who said these scrubs as rbs was the way to go…. DM is 100% coming back
September 19th, 2017 at 11:55 am
Barber will have a breakout game in the dome
September 19th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
yeah…Rodgers was “meh”….I think when dirk mentions leaving meat on the bone he’s talking about not playing barber earlier and often….I think dirk was giving each rb a chance to see what they can do….
looks like barber has risen….
Rodgers stayed about the same…
sims hurt himself with not picking up the first down and fumbling….
I hope dirk pounds barber early and often to set up play action down field to djax..evans..godwin..brate..howard..and whoever else gets open….lol…GO BUCS!!!!
September 19th, 2017 at 12:52 pm
We still have time to trade for AP he’s not happy in NO.
September 19th, 2017 at 12:53 pm
DK needs to practice the heck out of the play where he lined up Jackson and Sims behind Fameis. It’s a great call but the players have to be ready for it. Here’s hoping he does it. Go Bucs!!
September 19th, 2017 at 12:54 pm
Cobra, re: Sims on 3rd and 1. I see this as more of a test. Koetter needs to make a tough decision in two weeks time and gave Sims a shot at being a complete back.
Agree, Rodgers was meh, but serviceable. This team NEEDS a power back.
September 19th, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Jacquizz was more than serviceable. Bears are good against the Run. And so are Vikings. If Rodgers had opened up against Dolphins, there’d be no discussion. He’s a #! back and he ran hard last week, getting tough yardage. Even is 1 yard TD was a tough run. I just wish they would have given him some dump-off passes or screens. He’s always been a great 3rd down back, so why not pass him the ball?
September 19th, 2017 at 3:30 pm
We should have gotten Dalvin Cook when we had the chance. Then there would be no issues with our running game.
September 19th, 2017 at 5:37 pm
Is it just me, or were there not people on here who were praising Belicheat for blitzing in the red zone when the game was not on the line (to confuse opposing teams researching their situation specific play calling). And now are these same people doubting Koetter for running with Sims on 3rd and 1? Seems like a brilliant strategy to me! Now other teams will have to game plan around whether our coach is going to call a pass or a run with our PASS CATCHING RB!
September 19th, 2017 at 9:30 pm
It was a sneak attack play. I agree w shanghaibuc and anything thot different probably doesn’t have a clue to play calling. Having said this a draw play w Sims from shotgun but the Sims call was right. I’m defending koetter