Time To Call In A Consultant
October 15th, 2017
Slow starts can no longer be ignored.
If long-time readers of this here website remember, Joe once called upon the Bucs to hire a consultant (at the time, Joe suggested Marty Schottenheimer) to help figure out a glaring problem.
At the time, week in and week out, then-Bucs coach Raheem Morris consistently allowed a chunk of points in the first half, seeing his team down two-, three-, sometimes four-scores at halftime. To Morris’ credit, he usually figured out what was wrong, made adjustments, and regularly, his defense and team played much better in the second half of games.
Joe was convinced either Morris wasn’t preparing his team properly leading up to games, or he wasn’t recognizing what his opponents could do on film until he saw it in person, which was often too late. Joe wrote how a third-party like a Schottenheimer, as a consultant, should come in and give his input. It couldn’t have hurt.
It is hardly unusual for an NFL team to bring in outside consultants.
So now, after watching this debacle today of the Bucs once again starting slow, once again on the road, once again in a dome, once again to a lame team, this time spotting the Cardinals a 31-point lead, the pattern is too rich for Joe to ignore any longer.
As much as Joe likes and respects and admires winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter, Joe has to ask the same now as he did when Morris was coach: It is time for a third party (Chucky?) to come in as a consultant and find out why this team starts so slow so often?
It is because of the slow starts the Bucs find themselves in holes they can not dig out of. Today was a glaring example.
What can it hurt? Joe thinks Koetter is a reasonable man and might even look forward to input from a legitimate source. Thus far, now well into his second season as a head coach, too many times the Bucs have started out limply on offense and it has cost them. Last year it cost the Bucs a playoff berth.
It is very difficult for Joe to believe that a team with America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, DeSean Jackson, Mike Evans, Cam Brate and O.J. Howard so frequently cannot cobble together one or two scoring drives in an opening quarter.
Teams actually scoring in the first quarter drool over the weapons this Bucs team has. Yet a loaded offense can’t move the ball in the opening minutes?
If it takes a third party (Norv Turner?) to try to identify the issue, what harm is there? Joe hates to type this but it’s the elephant in the room: a smart, experienced coach/consultant very well could save good men their jobs.
Often, it takes a new set of eyes to see a problem that others can’t identify when it’s right in their faces.
There was a simple rule Joe learned in his first day of journalism class: “Never proof your own copy.”
It’s time for someone not currently employed by the Bucs to help proof the team’s offensive copy.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:28 pm
i 100% completely agree
October 15th, 2017 at 7:28 pm
gave up….5 wins this year, maybe, ,,,,,,,,,,,,, eh whatever
October 15th, 2017 at 7:29 pm
America’s Quarterback, Mr. Magoo, was exposed once again. He was beyond horrible. It seems like Koetter took him out to save face. Koetter left points on the board all day because they don’t have faith in their kicker. Blame Licht just as much as Winston and Koetter.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:29 pm
Didn’t we have a consultant in Butch Davis? Didn’t seem to work well
October 15th, 2017 at 7:29 pm
@Joe
And what if said consultant says to start fast, that the QB must throw accurate throws from the start of the game???????????????
October 15th, 2017 at 7:30 pm
At least Vinnie T. was only color blind. Not squinting like Mr. Magoo. Defense once again was a crap show.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Just start Fitzpatrick. See how that goes.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:30 pm
This loss is on the coaching staff. Play calling was awful in the first half and defense was totally unprepared. Fitz is not the starter so anyone thinking that is delusional.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:30 pm
This post is the definition of “beasting.”
October 15th, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Hey maybe we can get Butch Davis back.. It worked so well last time
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/7572191/tampa-bay-buccaneers-hire-butch-davis-special-assistant-coach-greg-schiano
October 15th, 2017 at 7:32 pm
I like Koetter, but he really needs someone to help with understand not to chase points. Down 24-0 late in the second, you take the FG 100 times out of 100. You do not allow Arizona the momentum of getting a stop. Second, you don’t go for 2 that early in the game. Like EVER. You take the 1 point. It’s almost laughable to go for 2 down 31-6. It’s actually embarrassing. By missing it, you not only look stupid, you lose momentum. I’m not saying it’s the reason we lost, but it sure didn’t help.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:32 pm
Joe-here is you answer. America’s QB is an overrated talent and, I can’t believe I am saying this, looks worse than journeyman Fitz
October 15th, 2017 at 7:33 pm
Why not fire him and start over like we always do
October 15th, 2017 at 7:33 pm
Buc50,, your wrong. What Fitz did with the offensive in the second half deserves the opportunity to start next Sunday. Jamison will be out anyway with a shoulder injury.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Are we playing for a 1st round pick?? This was embarrassing! I’m in Fargo ND and people were laughing at me for having a Bucs hat on at halftime..
October 15th, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Here is a novel thought: If Jameis struggles with deep balls (FYI, he didn’t in college — what does that tell you about Bajakian?), and there are some stats that suggest he really doesn’t, then why the hell continue to call for deep passes??? THAT is on the coach, not Jameis.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
great point Joe. its criminal how bad Koetter play calling is. I hope 11 asks for a trade. Bucs are officially an NFL dumpster fire.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Fitz did nothing to earn a start next week if Winston can go. He played against a defense that was trying to not get hurt. Oh and he threw two INTs and fumbled a snap.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Maybe its an inaccurate qb .What is Winston completion % in the 1st half?
October 15th, 2017 at 7:36 pm
I don’t see starting Fitz as delusional, he’s a proven NFL quarterback, he’s seen everything and knows what to do. Jameis needs to watch.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:37 pm
Mr. E Nigma, Jameis was only in for like a possession or 2 before he got hurt. How can you say that he was “exposed”?
October 15th, 2017 at 7:38 pm
FORGET ABOUT CONSULTANT!! WE NEED CHUCKY BACK AS HC!!! A F*!CKING 2 YARD STOP WITH OUR SECOND STRING QB IN THE ENDZONE WITH THEM PLAYING PRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UNLESS WE CAN GO DEEP INTO THE PLAYOFFS THIS YEAR, THROW CHUCKY WHATEVER HE WANTS. HE STILL LIVES IN THE AREA AND SAID HE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN GETTING BACK INTO COACHING.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:38 pm
Easy, we’re starting games trying not to lose rather than having any confidence whatsoever and playing to win. When playing catchup you have nothing to lose.
Winston’s inaccuracy IMHO is from trying to not throw interceptions rather than trusting his instincts. Likely a coaching decision.
Coaches who coach to “not lose” rarely win championships…or games.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Any other coach get 38 today. and why defer every kickoff and it never works? Most of our big plays come on play breakdowns. Not by design. Dirk is just a bad coach. 3 years and I’m still waiting on a goalline set. Every olineman we have is a runblocker and yet we lose TOP every game. His experiment at C fails every week and goes unaddressed.
Cant win with this dummy HC
October 15th, 2017 at 7:40 pm
Jameis got hurt on the second possession people!!! The next possession he came in, he had no one to throw to. Hell, they even showed it on TV. Who was open? Give me a freaking break people!!
October 15th, 2017 at 7:41 pm
I’m done with this coach. He costed us at least 2 games this year
October 15th, 2017 at 7:41 pm
Eric Dungey…..somehow someway
https://247sports.com/player/eric-dungey-37832
October 15th, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Why didnt we attack the middle intermidate pass zone? Didnt Dirk even watch the game on Monday Night? Our best reciever was Brate in that very zone and he wasnt even the go to guy on most of his catches. Dirk sucks so bad. He will never field a contender
October 15th, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Winston played three possessions and almost the whole first half. He looked terrible. Arizona dropped a gift interception as a bonus.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:44 pm
Blow it up. Start over.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Dirk is so clueless that he keeps putting Simms on the slot where he has done nothing….ever. He takes Doug out of the game before it gets started and he goes for a long shot every first posession each and every week when it fools nobody.
Dirk is overrated by a mile
October 15th, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Starting QB has to complete deep passes more. No matter what the play call previously , QB needs to be money on third down .Jameis is not playing as well
in this area as he did last year. Fitzgerald sustained drives and completed deep passes despite looking bad in preseason and made a blowout competitive.
Right now Hargreaves is overmatched by some of the elite receivers he has faced. He needs to play physical at the line and disrupt the route.Mike Smith needs to get him help with safety or linebacker also. No better example than fumble recovery on fitzgerald. where Vh3 made a tackle and LVD put the hammer on him.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Winston looked terrible cause Dirk has his first read looking towards Evans and Jackson on the sidelines which plays directly to the strenght of ARI.
Dirk is hurting the ability of this team with dumb gameplanning
October 15th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
I was really impressed with Fitzpatrick than I thought he would be. I thought we were totally done when he came in. That first pick was bad. The second was a stupid throw but that was awful play calling at our 1 yard line. And the fumble was yet again not a great snap by Ali.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:48 pm
“Winston played three possessions and almost the whole first half. He looked terrible. Arizona dropped a gift interception as a bonus.”
————-
Uh, he got hurt like 6 minutes into the game. There was no dropped interception because the play never happened (it was blown dead from a false start). Fitz, on the other hand, threw 2 picks that resulted in 14 points. He made the worst read possible at the goal line which was basically a pick 6. But yeah, let’s start him. I mean, let’s forget all about his career, which has been full of turnovers. Let’s also forget about his terrible win loss record. While we’re at it, lets forget about all the turnovers he made in the preseason for us as well. And let’s not even think about how terrible he looked most of training camp. I think we should cut Jameis, start Fitz, and give him a $100 Million contract. You have it all figured out. Thank you for your amazing football knowledge. I hope you can take Jason Licht’s job soon, because clearly you have it all figured out.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:48 pm
Maybe next year. No blame, the team is just not good.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:49 pm
I don’t think it’s winston it’s the play calling it’s predictable Koetter was great when he was just our OC but now he has to do more than just call plays he became predictable An plays not to lose games not trying to win them I love Winston I won’t lie best QB we ever had only one to start his career with back to back 4000 yards our offense picks up as the game goes because play calling gets better as game goes like Koetter has nothing to lose if we are losing in 4th so he brings out better not as predictable stufff it’s not the players on offense the D started to slow this game I hope Winston’s not hurt to bad
October 15th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
The pick at the 1 is all you need to see. Fitz saw weak coverage because the Cardinals knew they had the game. Once they tightened up, he went back to the QB we all know.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
Mr. Magoo still played almost the whole first half and looked terrible. Look at the drive charts. Fitzpatrick didn’t come in until 5:31 left in the second. Winston has been horrible this year. There is no defending it.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:52 pm
He didn’t in college. What where one foot in bounds counts? This is not college. At it is also well know it was win despite Jameis.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
“Mr. Magoo still played almost the whole first half and looked terrible. Look at the drive charts. Fitzpatrick didn’t come in until 5:31 left in the second. Winston has been horrible this year. There is no defending it.”
———
Did you watch the game? Have you watched one game this year? SMH
October 15th, 2017 at 7:54 pm
Fitz just did what Jameis could not get done this year. Get this offense more than 18 points!
October 15th, 2017 at 7:54 pm
I’m losing faith in Koetter, Smith, and now Winston. The accuracy issues and slow starts are three years old and it’s who these guys are.
October 15th, 2017 at 7:55 pm
it is the playing calling. Teams know what Koetter will do before Koetter knows. Raheem Morris was a better coach than Koetter.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Koetter tried to run it into the end zone twice on first and five with Quizz going straight up the middle!!!!! Of course he was stuffed both times. I think that was the beautiful Brate TD play. If you’re going to even try that you put in Doug you f#cki*g moron!!!!!
October 15th, 2017 at 8:01 pm
The fact that some of you clowns can still pin this on a guy who didn’t even play most of the game shows a sharp lack of IQ. Bucnut, just go root for your boy toy Mariota and stop being a Bucs fan. You’re ridiculous. How are you going ot put this on him when guys aren’t even open? My goodness youre a clown.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:02 pm
When a backup brings the spark that that the starter is supposed to bring we have a huge issue!!! Winston fan boys are just made and pulling at states when will we get wins ? The guy is a pro I don’t care how young if he doesn’t do his job better then his (backup) why is he here ?
October 15th, 2017 at 8:05 pm
“When a backup brings the spark that that the starter is supposed to bring we have a huge issue!!! ”
——–
Welcome to the NFL, since clearly this is your first game you’ve ever watched. You’ve never seen a team have the backup provide a spark before? It literally happens every single year!!! I know the losing sucks, and no one is more upset than me, but you really need to be logical. How much film do you think Arizona watched on Fitz? You don’t think that matters? Wake up!!!
October 15th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
Defensive coordinator is an ex head coach and the head coach is a long time offensive coordinator. If they have to bring in a consultant then it’s time to pack your bags and head to the unemployment line. Year 3 Winston looks like year 3 Winston and the defense is no matter than it was under lovie. You can’t use familiarity of the scheme excuse anymore not for the offense or defense.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
The season isn’t halfway through yet and my liver is hurting. Special shout out to crown royal and Coca Cola for getting me through these hard times. You guys are the real MVP.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
@ Hawaiian
Usually agree with many of your opiinions, but in 37 games the announcers
brought up Jameis has only scored a touchdown three times on his first posession
of the game.Sure penalties have stalled some drives,but as the leader of the
team he needs to execute on third down better and give his wide receivers a better chance to haul in deep balls.Sustaining drives is in the job description
and he isn’t doing enough of it in our losses.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:08 pm
There is nothing wrong with Jamies, its coaching. Jamies has been successful with every coach he has had. Even under Lovie he showed that he was Franchise QB. Koetter in his first year here as a OC didn’t have the responsibility as a head coach so he called better plays. He didn’t panic, and he didn’t chase points. Now that he is a head coach it has affected his play calling. He leaves points on the field, makes questionable decisions, gives up on the run too quickly. He is playing not to lose instead of playing to win. On the other side smith is doing the same thing, he is playing not to give up the big play and trying to protect his players. Just like a boxer if you keep worrying about the knockout punch your opponent will take it to the body and beat you that way. By now if you were such a great DC you would have addressed these problems. I’m disappointed in both these coaches because I expected better. These are the same coaches that ran up the scores on us in Atlanta. Why do coaches come to Tampa and act they forgot how to coach. Fitzgerald looked good tonight but he is not better than Winston, there was a reason he was available to be our backup. Let’s not forget he had 2 interceptions, if Jamies had done that you guys would be ready to trade him, oops you already are. I’m a little torn by this team right now, I know we can do great things but I’m not sure our coaches are up to the task. There is too much talent on this team offensively for us to be 2-3.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:08 pm
I like Dirk, but it is the playcalling…in that first qtr Jameis had no where to go, Doug had no where to go BECAUSE THE CARDINALS HAD GAME PLANNED WELL AND KOETTER had no play to counter it.
THEY DID NOT GAME PLAN FOR FITZ😲
October 15th, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Defense got gashed in the running game and passing game. Can ‘t say the gameplan was anywhere near successful.Adjustments have to be made.But we need points from the offense to stay in the game and this also needs to improve.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:14 pm
@Bob in Valrico,
I’m not saying Winston doesn’t need to improve. Far from it. He has a long way to go. But he is the answer, period. He has all the talent in the world. We all forget he’s 23 years old, and playing in a very difficult offense that has him chucking the ball down the field constantly. Most young QB’s get a very simple, dink and dunk type of offense. It’s not an excuse because he needs to get better, but it is a bit of an explanation. He’s on his third year, and based on that, he’s doing fine. Is it good enough? Obviously not. But he’s not a bad QB by any means.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:16 pm
Idahobucsfan1145543 Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 8:02 pm
When a backup brings the spark that that the starter is supposed to bring we have a huge issue!!! Winston fan boys are just made and pulling at states when will we get wins ? The guy is a pro I don’t care how young if he doesn’t do his job better then his (backup) why is he here ?
Close your eyes and imagine Winston was white.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:17 pm
It is 100% excuse. He is not on his 3rd offensive coordinator.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:23 pm
DBS Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 8:17 pm
It is 100% excuse. He is not on his 3rd offensive coordinator.
So He should be perfect?
October 15th, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Time to start thinking new QB…..is what it is….and I found one who can be drafted probably in the 2nd round…..Syracuse QB Dungey. Just do it!
October 15th, 2017 at 8:30 pm
He is not even close to a starter!
October 15th, 2017 at 8:36 pm
MadMax Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Time to start thinking new QB…..is what it is….and I found one who can be drafted probably in the 2nd round…..Syracuse QB Dungey. Just do it!
DBS Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 8:30 pm
He is not even close to a starter!
Find another team. He is here to stay.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:37 pm
AKA the bucs need a real offensive coordinator?
Probably. But how about the defense? They were down by 21 with a barely a quarter of football played and the offense had only been out there twice.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:39 pm
Winston was nothing more than another we got a trophy winner. But now let’s blame no receivers or weapons and coaches. Now that he has Coaches and weapons and can’t get the offense in gear it is still everybody else that is to blame. Or he is still to young and the rest of the BS. Like I said last week. Give any other QB D Jax and with in 2 weeks they will have no problem connecting with him.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:42 pm
Been here from day 1. not going anywhere. to bad sissy.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Some of your complaints are misguided this week. This one is not on Winston.
Shoulder was injured at 9:10 in the first quarter. I didn’t see any inaccurate throws on that series. Their first pass of the game was a deep shot to Evans which was an over throw but that’s a low % throw anyway. Second play Martin for 2 yds. Third was a strike to Brate for 15 to convert the 3rd down. Fourth play was Martin for 1yd run on 1st down. Fifth play 8 yd pass to Desean to put them at 3rd and 1. Winston got a little pressure and stepped up in the pocket and rolled right and threw it in the dirt to avoid a sack which was when he came down on his shoulder.
Second series started with a run for 0 yds and second play was a strike to Howard for a 1st down. Third play another strike to Brate for a 1st down. Fourth play was another run to Martin for 0 yds. Fifth play pitch to Martin for 2yds putting them in 3rd and 8. Sixth play was a false start by Evans putting them in 3rd and 13. Seventh play a pass to Sims for 8 yds and a punt.
Third drive and already down by 21. 1st pass thrown away due to coverage. 2nd pass took another deep shot but after a replay everyone looked covered. On 3rd and 10 Winston hit Brate in the chest with the ball and it was dropped at the 1st down line.
Fourth series Fitzpatrick entered the game with the team down 24-0.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Hawaiian Buc Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 8:14 pm
@Bob in Valrico,
I’m not saying Winston doesn’t need to improve. Far from it. He has a long way to go. But he is the answer, period. He has all the talent in the world. We all forget he’s 23 years old, and playing in a very difficult offense that has him chucking the ball down the field constantly. Most young QB’s get a very simple, dink and dunk type of offense. It’s not an excuse because he needs to get better, but it is a bit of an explanation. He’s on his third year, and based on that, he’s doing fine. Is it good enough? Obviously not. But he’s not a bad QB by any means.
Matt Ryan throws three interceptions in one game and it is never mentioned. Winston throws for two touchdowns, has a ball dropped for a touchdown with no interceptions, and the kicker misses three field goals. The only focus for many of the so call Buc fans is that Winston was not accurate enough. No sense arguing with these people because their concern is not Winston’s play; it is his colour. We have the talent; we do not have the coaching. Sorry Koetter, but the time has come. The Bucs should be undefeated. Time for McCoy to be a leader, or it is time to trade him. McCoy has to make others better on defense, or he has to make them be better.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:46 pm
DBS Says:
October 15th, 2017 at 8:42 pm
Been here from day 1. not going anywhere. to bad sissy.
My sissy is 9 inches long and I will drop it dead in your ass bitch.
October 15th, 2017 at 8:56 pm
It’s time to use action Jackson (11) as a decoy and start throwing to the receivers that did great last year. It’s almost like Dirk is trying to assuage Jackson’s ego when there’s 2 or three defenders around him. Look around, somebody has to be open like the Arizona’s receivers were all afternoon.
October 15th, 2017 at 9:29 pm
I agree with @joe…. time to bring someone in to look at things….no reason why we can’t score more points…GO BUCS!!!
October 15th, 2017 at 9:30 pm
Again. Bucs Fans are the worst lol. “Dumpster fire” “QB is Trash”, “Coach is the worst in NFL history”. When they get on track and start a winning streak I’m coming right back to this thread and I will post it on every article.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:01 pm
Joes… simply because Koetter is a reasonable man, I think you should use that phrase,”you never proof your own copy.” Maybe this will push Koetter and Smith over the edge and encourage them to bring in other minds.
Lucky for us the top of the division lost this weekend.
October 15th, 2017 at 10:18 pm
This is weird
The Giants haven’t won a game all year. However, no QB played as well against the Giants (very good defense) except Jameis Winston. Torched them for 300+ 3 tds 0 ints
I swear that game seemed like a jumping off point to a great season…now I’m no so sure anymore.
That damn Patriots game.
October 15th, 2017 at 11:07 pm
Best Joe article ever. Drinks for everyone.
October 16th, 2017 at 12:21 am
Somebody told me they saw Smiling faces..Schiano and Lovie Smith buying an enscribed fishing rod with the initials Dk on it. They also were buying an extra fishing chair with those initials. And now we present..the 3 stoggies! singin..Sittin on the Dock Of Tampa bay.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:32 am
Idk how many time I have to say it. Koetter needs to relinquish play calling duties to Monken. Back in 2015 when Koetter was only OC the offense was rolling and with less talent. Ever since Koetter has taken over as head coach, the offense has never really been able to get going consistently. I think all of it is too much for him to handle tbh. He can’t oversee to all the subtleties of the game as well as gameplan around the strengths of his franchise QB and oversee his progression. We need to build this offense around Jameis and set him up to succeed. And I feel that Koetters play calling has been distracted In trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. We can’t coach the Fameis out of Jameis…
October 16th, 2017 at 2:19 pm
this article is one of the best of your column–maybe someone (stick carriers) could ask koetter or licht about 3rd party evaluation–someone with no affiliation or future affilations with the Bucs