Koetter Discusses Public Bickering
October 25th, 2017
Explains dealing with unrest.
As Joe has written several times since the Bucs lost to the Bills, there is an insurrection smoldering in the Tampa Bay locker room fueled by the public blasts (directly or indirectly) by players at defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
This comes at a time when the defense is spiraling out of control. The Bucs have the third-worst defense in the NFL, third-worst in passing and dead-freaking last in both sacks and quarterback pressures.
When a skunky offense like the Buffalo Bills only needs three plays to march 75 yards to tie a game late in the fourth quarter – three plays! – you know there is a major malfunction somewhere.
In his weekly sitdown with dangerous Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV Channel 8, Koetter was asked how he hopes to quash the smoldering insurrection before it explodes into a full-blown defensive revolt.
“The tape doesn’t’ lie,” Koetter said. “We came in today, we go over the tape. We go over the grades and we go over the things that we need to fix. The fact of the matter is, all of these issues are things we have all brought on ourselves and are all things that, we have to correct them. It doesn’t matter what anybody says about them. It is all right there on tape.
“Everybody is frustrated when you don’t get the outcome that you want. Nobody is more frustrated about the outcome than I am. But at the same time, it is a team game. This is a ‘we’ game, not an ‘I’ game. People need to be careful pointing at fingers without looking at themselves.”
Well now. Unless Joe is totally misreading Koetter, he’s all but stating there is a valid reason T.J. Ward and Swaggy Baker aren’t playing more. Koetter is implying less-than-stellar play is the reason.
Shoot, Koetter constantly talks about getting his 11 best players on the field. If a guy isn’t playing, then Joe can only draw the conclusion, based on Koetter’s well-known saying, that others may be getting better results.
You can enjoy Koetter’s full interview with Lucas in the video below, courtesy of WFLA-TV Channel 8.
October 25th, 2017 at 5:32 am
“People need to be careful pointing fingers without looking at themselves.”
Coach just stating a fact as he sees it. But there’s a warning in there too that at least a couple players better pay attention to.
Notice any difference in the tone and focus of these 2 opposing quotes?
TJ Ward – “You have to ask Mike Smith and Dirk Koetter about that, but I’m at my wit’s end”.
Jameis Winston – “I’ve just got to play better… just got to play better overall. Precision, decisions, progressions – I feel great out there, but just got to play cleaner”
October 25th, 2017 at 5:41 am
I didn’t get that at all…I don’t think Coach K has a damn thing to do with Smitty’s Morphing Defense, who plays, when they rotate, when they blitz…is all on Smitty, I heard he was the best signing of the off season, well compared to the first 6 games of the 2015 season, I fail to see anything but regression, I’m not gonna call Smitty…Lazy, I dare say that his Scheme is weak, or that he’s trying to fit round players in a square peg and I will not advocate for a new Coaching Staff…for now but I will call out the Back-Stabber to find an edge rusher before the trade-deadline or the fat lady will begin to sing on this season! Take a knee, to keep America Free!!
October 25th, 2017 at 5:45 am
Excellent point Pickgrin. Jameis always holds himself accountable for the results, even more-so than he should sometimes. That’s a leader in my mind. Can’t say the same for some others on this team.
October 25th, 2017 at 5:57 am
And BigHogHaynes, “trying to fit round players in a square peg” is a very good observation in several instances, but it still comes down to lack of talent in the final analysis. And in terms of your last statement (“Take a knee, to keep America Free!!) do me a favor and watch this short video of a talk given about 20 years ago by Master Sergeant Roy Benevidez, a Medal of Honor recipient, in which he talks about Duty, Honor and Country. Then ask yourself if you think he’d agree with you. https://www.facebook.com/raiderfit/videos/1699621613390306/
(by-pass the Facebook sign-in by just selecting ‘Not Now’ at the start BTW).
October 25th, 2017 at 6:09 am
Speaking of playing time, and maybe this is a question for the Sage to answer tomorrow. Is the D-Line being less effective because GMC is playing much more, and less rested? GMC has played the 14th most snaps for any D-Lineman in the league, and most of the guys ahead of him are pass rushers, not interior guys. Last year GMC played 75% of snaps, this year he’s at 85%.
October 25th, 2017 at 6:09 am
its amazing the stupidity of the Buc Sheep
It’s not about sacks!!
Mike Smith scheme and Philosophy is 1 thing
STOP THE RUN!!
STOP THE RUN and make it 3rd and long. They might convert a few 3rds, but smutty is relying we will force them to punt
We stopped, Chicago, giants and even pats…we win
We let cook, Peterson and McCoy run wild…we lost
It’s all about can we stop the run on 1st and 2nd down
Smitty knows our front can’t sack anyone
Smith knows we don’t have dominate playmakers to will the defense but avg players that have to work together to clog holes and force punts together
We can avg 4 sacks per game but you actually think we can stop anybody with that run defense vs Arizona and buffalo
The run defense looked like it was on ice. Lol. It was a joke
STOP this sack bull what
“Our kwonie needs to learn how to tackle”
Kobe_Bucsfan
October 25th, 2017 at 6:12 am
Divided locker rooms never win.
October 25th, 2017 at 6:22 am
He can imply whatever he wants but the fact remains its stupid to say we have two starters at guard and 4 starting safeties. If he’s not playing up to standard of Chris freaking conte and the rookie then he shouldn’t be playing at all so it’s still Dirk fault. If you earn a starting spot it should be taken not shared. This is not college ball and the more i think about how stupid is the more unfit this coach seems. Great he developed Winston and we have an ok offense but it’s not like we wouldn’t have that without Dirk. He’s misrepresenting the stock carries big time.
October 25th, 2017 at 6:24 am
How many sacks can we get if our opponents are Handleing off to the rb on 1st and 2nd down gashing our run defense??
Smith knows we have average defensive players. If we can’t stop the run, he knows we can get blown out and look BAD AND LOOK COMPLETELY LOST
Smith knows our pass defense has to keep the opponent 1 dimensional
CANT STOP THE RUN….WE LOSE
Kobe_Bucsfan
October 25th, 2017 at 6:59 am
Defense Rules: it’s not about the flag or the anthem, if people could some how get to that part, if I were a player today it would be on one knee, right fist up, head bowed! ” if you gonna do it…do it big then” in the words of my Quarterback!! Now ask yourself how do you think that guy would feel about a 6 time draft dodging, 6 time bankrupt-filing, female gentile grabber being able to wiggle his worm ass in the WHITE HOUSE!! Take a Knee…Keep America Free!!
October 25th, 2017 at 7:10 am
If Dwight Freeny gets a sack Sunday with the Seahawks after sitting home all season Jason Licht should be on the hot seat.
October 25th, 2017 at 7:16 am
Seattle just signed Freeney last night. He could not have helped this pash rush at all? He has more probowls than most of our players have sacks this year. Even at his age, he is better than what we have seen every week.
smh
October 25th, 2017 at 7:20 am
The stickcarriers will be out in full force this Sunday coach. We’ve been doing our part it’s time for you and Mike Smith to do yours. If the fans care more than your players, it’s time to have a come to Jesus chat with each one of them.
October 25th, 2017 at 7:32 am
Here is my idea of the proper venue for this cause.All players that support
this cause should organize peaceful protests on Their day off or offseason.Ask for fan support in this effort.
But during the the national anthem is the wrong venue.
October 25th, 2017 at 7:49 am
I’m glad Koetter came out and said this…..it needed to be said.
…..and once again, it’s a TEAM game with WE not ME……and I personally think all ME guys should be released…..and I don’t give a damn how good they are because you cannot have divided locker room full of selfish players or paycheck players.
It’s sad to say this, but our 23 YEAR OLD QB should not be one setting great examples, it should go out to the veterans…..
BUT GMC is a sorry excuse for a leader (remember self-proclaimed himself a leader) and a captain.
No leaders of offense except our QB
October 25th, 2017 at 7:53 am
today’s the day we resigned Gerald to a huge contract a few years back
October 25th, 2017 at 8:01 am
This defense is definitely better talent wise across the board than what Morris, Schiano and Lovie had as far as talent is concerned. BUT in my opinion it remains the same if not WORSE then what we had along the DL… You will remember we had Bennett and McCoy together that combo is better than anything we are putting on the field right now… We need to draft DL and sign Free Agents next season enough is enough.
October 25th, 2017 at 8:04 am
dexterOHMAN Says:
October 25th, 2017 at 7:53 am
today’s the day we resigned Gerald to a huge contract a few years back
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Yeah, I remember……I was thinking to myself back then:
“well, he hasn’t really do anything consistently except be hurt and not on the field, but the potential is there so I guess it’s good”
Boy, were we wrong……we could drafted or signed a dozen free agent Defensive LIneman that were far more effective than the part-time player Mr GMC is now
October 25th, 2017 at 8:13 am
“performance related”! A-MEN!
And, it ain’t on ONE guy as some of you allude to.
T-E-A-M game!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 8:13 am
How could there possibly be a fractured locker room when the bucs are blessed with the greatest DT, Captain and pure leader the league has ever witnessed in cancer93
October 25th, 2017 at 8:14 am
This is what happens when you try to fix things And up grade we should have keep the players we had we need to put TJ Ward in there more he know how play use him and Justin Evans to get some pressure on the quarterback I don’t understand why pay all these players if got them sitting on bench Lot of this players do not
show up until the game is on .learn how to use them stop trying to change Game Winston .let the man run do what he does best you got guy trying to pay like somebody else he’s not
October 25th, 2017 at 8:19 am
Ramon Sanchez Says:
October 25th, 2017 at 8:14 am
This is what happens when you try to fix things And up grade we should have keep the players we had we need to put TJ Ward in there more he know how play use him and Justin Evans to get some pressure on the quarterback I don’t understand why pay all these players if got them sitting on bench Lot of this players do not
show up until the game is on .learn how to use them stop trying to change Game Winston .let the man run do what he does best you got guy trying to pay like somebody else he’s not
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
……your post is hard to read 🙁
October 25th, 2017 at 8:31 am
Ward JUST came back from injury. The injury that occurred right after we signed him. Man you guys have short memories. And that’s first. Second, he has shown NOTHING that separates him from our other safeties. He’s been burnt as many times as Conte, Tandy, and Evans. So, again, tell me HOW this guy is such an upgrade.
He finally is healthy or ONE game and suddenly he’s not getting enough playing time?! Man, STFU and play! Or, mentor your teammates. You know, something TEAM oriented!
October 25th, 2017 at 8:37 am
One game. If this team plays complimentary football for 4 full quarters they’ll be fine. I think it’s odd how both offense and defense is invisible most games then suddenly exploded in the second half to catch up. It’s hard to have confidence in the coach if you don’t have confidence in the players. He started out hard knocks saying this is by far the most talented team we’ve ever had. Fast forward 2-4 after 6 games so the weak pass rush and lack of coverage skills are simply excuses the media gives. If this is by far the most talented team then it’s coaching. The paycheck should be motivation enough for a lot of these guys but it’s not
October 25th, 2017 at 8:38 am
BigHogHaynes … Believe me, I’ve gotten what it’s about since Day 1 (which to me was the day that he so grossly demeaned & disrespected Senator John McCain’s service & sacrifice … The Senator & I flew at the same time over there & I had many friends who were shot down & ended up as POWs like Senator McCain did). Believe me, I get it. But what Master Sergeant Benevidez conveyed so eloquently IMO is that what the sacrifices of those men & women become meaningless if in the process of protesting anything … even a president … we diminish their sacrifice (and our nation) when we do things like burn flags (yes, I remember those days) or even kneel during the National Anthem. And from what I can see, in so doing, protesters didn’t take the ‘high road’ that someone I truly admire, Martin Luther King Jr, took. No, they take a lower road, and give the focus of those protests EXACTLY what he was looking for … attention on himself.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:01 am
Defense Rules
Enjoyed your last post a lot. As a Viet Vet myself I totally get your point. My son is in the Navy and informed me he will never watch another NFL game.
This really does hit people hard on both sides of the issue and what’s tough for me is that I see BOTH sides.
I get why you are upset and why my son is revolting against the NFL. But I also get why BigHog is upset with things as well.
I DO believe this. This could have been worked out! I think Goodell and the NFL would have come up with something…and they may still…that takes into consideration the players concerns yet also includes the fans.
That is made all the tougher by a loud mouth President who seems to love dancing on the divisions within in our country instead of trying to understand BOTH sides of an issue.
Bottom line for me is that while I understand tradtition and respect I did not volunteer to go to Vietnam to protect our flag or our Anthem. BTW our Anthem should have been America the Beautiful. I went to protect the principles and beliefs our country has represented. I went for my fellow Americans of ALL colors not to preserve the ability of ONE man to start a brouhaha that culminates in us forcing people to ignore their personal beliefs to stand for a SONG.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:05 am
@Kobe Liar
Funny that you think the guy that Just led the league in Solo tackles last season needs to work on tackling. Instead of realizing that he was just experiencing some rust.
That can happen when you don’t play live reps for practically 5 weeks.
As for your opinion of Mike Smiths philosophies, how many times has this defense failed to get off the field on 3rd and Long? Too many times.
I’d say Smith’s biggest issue right now apart from lack of pass rush ( which absolutely does matter ), is the predictability and softness of his play-calling.
All day long to throw + Soft Zones = Case Keenum, Geezer Carson Palmer, and Tyrod Taylor popping off.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:10 am
As for our team…it’s the NFL!!! How many consistently good teams are there?
The Patriots….Steelers? Packers? Seahawks? I’m sure I’m leaving out a couple but six teams out of 32? This has really become a flavor of the month league!!!
We are obviously not that flavor this month. But just like last year…we could turn it around.
At this point though…sadly I suspect more Buc fans are worried about the prospect of us continuing to be grouped with the bottom feeders.
I’m watching the rest of the year not so much thinking about our final record as to how we get there. Right now we are teetering on the edge of becoming the old Bucs. It’s one thing to field a great team…a good team…a mediocre team or a bad team. I think we all would like to see at least a good team.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:19 am
@StPeteBucsFan
I don’t think we are teetering, as much as more on the edge of breaking out!!!!! Don’t you get the feeling after seeing some flash from the offense last game that they appear to just about to “gel” as we said in the offseason???? And the Bill have a very, very good defense!!!!!!! I think we might start to see the offense carry this team for a string of games, much like the Defense did last year!!!!!
And as far as the “anthem protest” goes, it still makes no sense!!!!!! You think that the few that are protesting should come out like apollo creed in rocky IV!!!!!!! saying that the Flag, the Constitution and the Bill of rights as symbols and reasons why their should be “social justice” for everyone!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 9:22 am
I like StPete…
October 25th, 2017 at 9:24 am
Dirk is full of ch!t….I hope he looked himself in the mirror after screwing up so many times…
bad play calling…(minus the bills game)
poor clock management…
abandoning the run…
continuing to play the deep ball when it clearly isn’t winstons strength….
not using barber….
not telling his DC he has to try something new….
you have to lead by example dirk….time to put up or shut up…improve your coaching and watch the players improve their game….GO BUCS!!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 9:31 am
but it still comes down to lack of talent in the final analysis.
that’s BS!!!!….everybody on the team cant be a 1st round pick….you have to develop the players have…that’s what good teams do….it comes down to lack of coaching in the final analysis!!!…players don’t seem to get better…they either stay the same or regress….GO BUCS!!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 9:49 am
I hope everyone noticed that D Cord Mike Smith did not do his weekly Wednesday presser. You can bet your last dollar that the Bucs players did notice him not doing it. He is all but gone and the players know it. This will show itself when the Panthers come to town this Sunday and the Bucs D players quite yet again. This game has a big possibility of being a blow-out.
October 25th, 2017 at 9:49 am
Make that his weekly Tuesday presser
October 25th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Make that his weekly Tuesday presser, D Coord Mike Smith
October 25th, 2017 at 10:01 am
To most white men the protest will never make sense, it’s not your fight but it’s our country…OUR COUNTRY… We all believe in what we believe…I can’t stop you and we will not be stopped! Take a knee…keep America Free!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 10:01 am
So i voted ‘confident’ in the poll above, and I chose that because I have seen moderate adjustments on the offensive side of the ball. I saw some new twists, i.e. getting the ball to DJax in space & running Simms on 1st/2nd downs.
However, your team has lost 3 straight and I see nothing telling me it can’t be 4 watching this defense.
This is feeling “Lovie-esk” in that Mike Smith seems to be bashing his head on the table doing the same thing over and over, regardless of the outcome. I like the move of VH3 inside, good thats a start. But what about sending Lavonte in (at least) once a series. You’ve got to do something to generate pressure because it is exposing your secondary.
And if Kwon looks as timid as he did against Buffalo, you can’t play him, simple as that. If he needs reps, get him in intermittently… but he did NOT look good out there Sunday.
October 25th, 2017 at 10:03 am
… please, don’t bring that in here BigHog
October 25th, 2017 at 10:22 am
The protests are supposed to be about bringing attention to the social injustice. Don’t you think this has been accomplished after weeks of discussion? Continuing to kneel is not helping either side of the argument. Time to stop!
October 25th, 2017 at 10:29 am
I live in Atlanta, and I have lived here for 32 years. What Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith is going through now, is nothing compared to what they went through in Atlanta. They was lucky to get out of Atlanta in one piece, people was that pissed at them. There’s at least 10-15 sports talk stations here, and everyone of them was dogging them on a daily basis. Every sports blog was dogging them, especially the Falcoholic.
October 25th, 2017 at 10:34 am
Not 10-15 sports talk stations, but 10-15 different sports talk shows.
October 25th, 2017 at 10:44 am
YUep..you hit it spot on there Joe..When a team marches 3 plays and scores on you effortlessly, it just take ones heart and soul away. The local drug stores must luv Buc Fans,,they can’t keep enough Pepto Bismol on the shelves. Koetter loses this Sunday and the Boo birds cries will be insermountable! Looking closely at our schedule, I am NOT..optimistic. Now excuse me while I add more Pepto Bismol to my shopping list for the week. Its a HARD Life..being a Bucs fan. HARD!!!
October 25th, 2017 at 10:45 am
we can point fingers all day. the O bvisous answer to me is that this orginization, starting from the top, is in complete shambles. just like it has been for well over a decade now. The front office of this team just doesn’t know how to build this team into a contender. we simply don’t have the football minds. If I’m wrong then the process is taking way too long.
Maybe they start to figure it out and get back into the division race this Sunday…….But don’t blame a fan for not buying in when we have to struggle to continue rooting for a team that hasn’t even figured out how to kick field goals in over 5 years……… And we all know that is just the tip of the iceburg.
October 25th, 2017 at 10:57 am
Cam will put up 35 on this D.
October 25th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Kobe….You hit it dead on, the Bucs has no interest in getting pressure on the QB. They want run-stoppers on the D-Line, that’s why they re-signed Will Gholston. This is Gholston pass rushing grades from last season.
While most consider this the best year of Gholston’s career, some of the advanced metrics disagree. Pro Football Focus ranked Gholston just 90th among edge defenders last season. His pass rush grade was the fourth-lowest among players who received enough snaps to qualify.
October 25th, 2017 at 11:23 am
And this is what PFF had to say about Bradley McDougald.
“An undrafted free agent from the University of Kansas, McDougald has worked his way into a starting role with the Buccaneers,” PFF’s John Kosko wrote. “Not particularly great in any one area, McDougald is a solid all-around safety that isn’t a liability on the back end. The former Kansas Jayhawk has allowed just three touchdowns in his career, and has seen his allowed-catch percentage drop each season, despite seeing the most targets in his career in 2016. With five career interceptions and 13 pass breakups, McDougald is the type of free agent that will command a very affordable contract for above-average play.”
McDougald finished his 2016 campaign with 91 tackles (79 solo), three tackles for loss, two interceptions, 10 passes defensed overall, and one fumble recovery. McDougald is now an unrestricted free agent after one season and a one-year, $2.55 million contract. It’s still unknown if the Bucs will bring him back or part ways. One way or another, the Buccaneers will definitely need to upgrade the secondary either through the draft or free agency.
PFF is dead on, as usual. The Bucs are off like usual.
October 25th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
@LakeLand- Remember in the off-season we HAD to re-sign Gholston! His run-stuffing prowess was transcendent (Yes, that is sarcasm!).
McDougald would still be starting for this team and we wouldn’t have had to worry about malcontented, injury-prone players. AND, for less money!!!
As DB55 says, “but, what do I know?”!