Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Lions
December 10th, 2017
Sage Ira is about as disgusted as most Bucs fans. He shares a neat nugget from Matthew Stafford, and plenty, plenty more.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
The Bucs suffered a blind-side hit before the game even started on Sunday, courtesy of a national report that suggested Dirk Koetter and Jameis Winston have a strained relationship.
Then the Bucs went out and virtually handed the Lions a 24-21 triumph that won’t help the relationship between Koetter and Tampa Bay’s disconsolate fan base.
Undermined by five giveaways, the Bucs assured themselves of a losing season after three months of hard knocks and soft defense.
There were some bright spots amid the darkness, but in the end the Lions took another step toward an NFC Wild Card berth while the Bucs slouched toward a division basement they have grown accustomed to.
* Let’s not kid ourselves, if there’s any truth to the NFL Network report, Koetter is toast. His relationship with Winston is the primary reason he was chosen to replace Lovie Smith in 2016. Now, it’s up to Winston to convince the Glazers that he still heartily endorses Koetter to steer this ghost ship. Koetter needed this report like he needs an impacted wisdom tooth.
* Winston did some good things out there, throwing for 285 yards and two scores, but his mistakes are killing this team. Two interceptions and a fumble are unacceptable, especially after Koetter reminded Winston during training camp that he’s the only player who can personally lose games for this franchise.
* One fine day, this takeaway column won’t contain an item ripping the pass rush. Today is not that day. All season long, the Lions have struggled to protect Matt Stafford. Yet the Bucs managed zero sacks and only three QB hits in 44 pass attempts. Many of Stafford’s 36 completions were far too easy as he enjoyed ample time to go through his progressions. You can only cover for so long.
* Remember that scene toward the end of “The Godfather” when Pacino tells Carlo, “You have to answer for Santino?” Well, Koetter now has to answer for Doug Martin and his cockeyed devotion to a guy who clearly isn’t going to be here in 2018. Meanwhile, Peyton Barber keeps running hard behind the same line and against the same defense. And Martin’s fumble hardly makes the decision to give him 10 first-half carries more palatable.
* Looking for some slivers of light? O.J. Howard grabbed his fifth TD catch of the season and Chris Godwin caught 5 of the 6 passes sent his way. Both rookies have exciting potential to be productive Bucs for a long time.
* Cameron Brate, who tops the Bucs with six TD receptions, was targeted only once. Still, it’s tough to quibble with 11 different targets catching at least one pass, including tackle Leonard Wester. Winston did a nice job spreading the ball around when he wasn’t coughing it up.
* Lavonte David isn’t getting much love from Pro Bowl voters and that 4-9 record won’t help his cause, but he’s playing at an elite level. Sunday’s effort — 14 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery — is typical of the way he has caused disruption for the past two months.
* Brent Grimes continues to be a veteran rock in a secondary that has been torched all too often. Grimes picked off a Stafford pass late in the second quarter, messing with Detroit’s game plan. “I went into the game going, ‘I’m not going to let Grimes wreck the game.’ I just got too aggressive,” Stafford said. A stud like Grimes usually makes quarterbacks pay dearly for their aggression.
* When I looked at the east-side stands behind the Lions bench, I couldn’t believe all the Detroit jerseys and gear. I know there are alot of Michigan transplants living in the Bay area, but all that blue was quite a distressing sight for Buc fans.
* Next up for the Bucs is a Monday night encounter with the Falcons. I’m intrigued by two big questions in that regard: The first is, how will the crowd respond to Jon Gruden on his Ring of Honor night? The second question, equally compelling, is will Mike Smith allow Grimes to shadow Julio Jones all over the field? If not, why not?
Ira Kaufman is the most beloved, revered and esteemed Buccaneers columnist in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also see Ira every football Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on FOX-13, Scott Smith’s Tailgate Sunday.
December 10th, 2017 at 8:28 pm
I would hope the fans give Gruden the respect he deserves.
December 10th, 2017 at 8:30 pm
jameis cost us the game again ,sad
December 10th, 2017 at 8:31 pm
Koetter was toast before the report. And yeah dirk, jameis is the only Player who can lose games for ya. Yourself and mike smith are 2 coaches who are losing games for ya!!! Embarrassing. You should be ashamed. Outcoached every week. You could have and should have made the game and throws easy for jameis, instead you set him up for failure. Ok enough speaking to dirk since he isnt listening, probably in the basement with lovie. That basement sure makes coaches stupid. Boooooooooo birds are back.
December 10th, 2017 at 8:31 pm
I wonder what Ira’s personal Take is on the rumors of Gruden rejoining the Bucs ? Joe(s).
December 10th, 2017 at 8:41 pm
So the coach is supposed to run only 5-10 yard passes cause that’s all the #1 overall pick can complete?
Gimme a break.
Koetter will take the fall for this but Jameis has played like dog poo all year Injury or. It. You think stafford was bitching about his throwing hand. Do you think stafford coach had to tell the media he had a booboo and that is reason he may play bad. What a joke.
Thought koetter called good game (except starting Martin was obvious mistake). Guys were open all over the field. Even short. They were open deep but that is no no as Jameis deep ball is a quacker
December 10th, 2017 at 8:42 pm
Jameis “America’s Turn Over Machine” (ATOM)
December 10th, 2017 at 8:43 pm
I think it’s a bit too presumptious to think Jameis Winston is a factor for who the new head coach is. I think Winston should worry about his own neck next year.
We saw RGIII basically run a Redskins HC out of town, only to fall out of graces equally fast soon after. If Jameis lied to the Glazers or they otherwise have any doubt about Jameis being for all 16 games next season, they will move on from him too. Their face of the franchise will not be a guy suspended for six games for suspected groping. And the Glazers are not about to clean house so they can right the ship yet keep the a guy who is the biggest question mark of all for next season. Unless this investigation on Jameis concludes by mid January, if the Glazers clean house, the also move on from Jameis. No new HC is going to come in and say “give me Winston” when he may be suspended in a crucial first year for a HC with his clock ticking.
December 10th, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Why is it that the Ian Rapaport’s of the world are always breaking news on the Bucs, instead of Joe and Ira? Don’t you guys hear these rumblings? Why is it you believe this unsourced report? –Joe If so, why not report on them? These national guys always scoop the local guys. How?
December 10th, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Jameis can be a solid average QB, elite is out of the question. He can limit mistakes working with a tough HC and QB coach, marriage with Koetter is headed for divorce and of course Koetter will pay the price but the new staff can no longer baby Winston and give him the C patch just because of his draft status, there has to be tough love and competition. Winston is not Tom Brady Or Aaron Rodgers to put the team on his back, you need a strong defense behind him and mistake free football to be competitive.
Ownership has a tough decision to make with Winstons investigation and contract coming up, as long as finding a HC and GM.
December 10th, 2017 at 8:58 pm
The reason the local media doesn’t break this kind of stuff is they don’t want to fall out of good graces by reporting it. They simply prop an agenda to keep the sources happy. Why make things up? And why do you believe Rapoport’s unsourced report? –Joe
There simply is not enough media competition in Tampa for genuine reporting. I was actually surprised to hear some tough questions in the post-game press conference. The media loves a good piling on.
Hoping for Gruden and Rex coming back to win a championship. I think Mr. Magoo is good enough to play the Brad Johnson role with the right coach.
December 10th, 2017 at 9:05 pm
It really seems that this team always has a way to give their opponent the Win… I am tired of the ongoing failures…. I was still placing confidence in Dirk Koetter but after starting Doug Martin today displays his ignorance to making the best of the team bright spots. After last week’s performance by Peyton Barber, giving this team its first 100 yard game from a running back, Dirk is foolish to start Martin again.
December 10th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
Gruden and Rex cannot coexist in one building.
December 10th, 2017 at 9:10 pm
Yeah Season. The media is now turning on Dirk. It’s all but over for him. The only optimism surrounding Dirk is now just a few straggling fans clinging to a 9-7 record that seems like ages ago at this point.
December 10th, 2017 at 9:20 pm
Irk should have pulled Famous and played Fitz who won 2 games for him. Sat Martin for Barber who ran for a 100 last week. And played Tandy all year for Conte and Ward for his play last season and he wouldn’t be 4 & 9. All you Clowns saying give him another season are only asking for more disappointment!!!! If he’s a NFL Coach I’m a Rocket Scientist!!!
December 10th, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Wonder who the source was for the report….Schiano?? lol
December 10th, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Here’s the sad part about this whole season: Come January …
New Head Coach
New Offensive Coordinator
New Defensive Coordinator
New Coaching Staff
New General Manager
Same team (with a few additions here and there)
Same owners
Same results next year
December 10th, 2017 at 9:33 pm
The bottom line is you’re not going to win many games when your QB fumbles and throws two picks. The defense is bad. That can be fixed. JW has been a turnover machine since college. This is nothing new. Is it correctable? Not sure. Three years in and it does not look like it. No way am I giving JW $20+ mill a year. No freaking way.
December 10th, 2017 at 9:36 pm
You just can’t keep turning the ball over and expect to win games.
Jameis Winston – NFL head coach killer
December 10th, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Defense Rules Says:
December 10th, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Here’s the sad part about this whole season: Come January …
New Head Coach
New Offensive Coordinator
New Defensive Coordinator
New Coaching Staff
New General Manager
Same team (with a few additions here and there)
Same owners
Same results next year
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Just think how many coordinators guys like David and McCoy have been through. I like Koetter as a coach, but I think he should relinquish play calling duty. We are just way too predictable, and are using a vertical passing game when our oline is sub par with our qb that has been hurt. Teams know when we are running the ball…..and gear up and stop it. We need to keep teams on their heels and keep ahead of the sticks by attacking a team’s defense. try passing to the rb out of the back field on first down for a chance instead of running it…or running in the red zone instead of throwing it. Keep the defenses guessing and play ahead of the sticks by attacking an opponents weakness and weakest defenders.
December 10th, 2017 at 10:09 pm
Yep lets blame it all on the 23 year old QB being coached a guy fired by Arizona State and a QB Coach whos claim to fame is Dan Lefervere. I mean with all that great experience and coaching history of success how could it now be all his fault? I mean it is not like on either one of those turnovers today he didnt have a WR not come back to the ball or had a TE getting grabbed 15 yards downfield. And of course he should have picked up that blitzing LB himself before making the throw. I mean why cant he do everything himself include coaching the defense. I mean come on Jameis you suck dude why cant you get a passrush?
December 10th, 2017 at 10:14 pm
Speaking for myself, I PRAY for the day there is a new GM and I don’t have to worry about the current one trading up to draft a very bad kicker in the second round. Or taking a gadget RB over a pro bowl one (Sims over Freeman) and pro bowl guards. Or getting below average return on investment on 90% of his free agent signings.
The last three GM’s are Bruce Allen, Mark Dominik and Jason Licht. While I agree the ownership has a lot to do with it all, at least a somewhat competent person in the role of team builder would make the team competitive (unlike the last decade).
December 10th, 2017 at 10:21 pm
You are what your record says you are. 4-9
December 10th, 2017 at 11:16 pm
I believe Rapoport’s unsourced report. He is well known as being a very accurate reporter. Never really given any reason to not trust he speaks the truth.
December 10th, 2017 at 11:41 pm
Laughing at all the idiots on my Twitter saying Jameis needs more time cause he’s young..
BUT..he will be 24 in 3 weeks..this is his 3rd year…the guy will never be elite or even above average! Those mistakes are ingrained..it’s already in his DNA..no coach can properly coach a QB that can only throw 10 yards down the field!
Wake up Jameis apologists..he will kill the career of whoever is next..you can put Bellicheat in and Jameis would still get him fired!!!
Draft Baker!!!!!
December 11th, 2017 at 12:02 am
Roy…well said…again..and again…all good points…
December 11th, 2017 at 12:14 am
@Life
“..you can put Bellicheat in and Jameis would still get him fired!!!”
Please! I can already see it happening. If Jameis is guilty as charged, the Bucs cut him loose. Belichick picks him off the scrap heap when no one else will touch him. He wins 2 Super Bowls for Belichick after Brady retires. Why do I think this? “If you throw into triple coverage again, I’m going to rip your arm off… “
December 11th, 2017 at 12:29 am
LOl @ bucs4821…Probably true..I think that’s why I want Patricia to also be considered for the HC job..
December 11th, 2017 at 12:34 am
@ndog. Exactly. Bajakian’s claim to fame is developing Lefervere. Seriously? This coaching staff is horrible. We all know that Mike Smith stinks but so does our special teams coach, O Line coach, Head Coach. We do need to clean house. I don’t care how many times the Glazers have fired coaches after 2 years, the effort this team displays is on the coaches. If you can see the coaching staff is incompetent, why waste time and keep them? I personally am in favor of keeping Licht. His free agency pickups and lack of pickups leaves something to be desired but his draft picks have been solid minus a kicker in the 2nd round.
December 11th, 2017 at 2:10 am
To those who said “ Winston cost us the game” , no, Winston kept us in the game. Lack of a pass rush for 10 years, over support for Doug Marting when undeserved, that’s what’s costing us games.
December 11th, 2017 at 4:24 am
Jameis continues to say, “I’ve got to do a better job”, but has yet to do a better job. It’s one thing to accept blame for a crappy team, but it’s quite another to accept blame for your own crappy play and not improve. It really makes me wonder if he can do better. At this point, I don’t think he can…
December 11th, 2017 at 6:17 am
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/2017-nfl-cheerleaders-best-week-slideshow-wp-003852404.html
At least we have one of the better cheerleader units in the NFL for week 14. So there is that.
December 11th, 2017 at 6:41 am
What’s worse than 4 and 9? Winston’s 2 and 8.
December 11th, 2017 at 6:49 am
To Ira, Why is it that you can’t believe how many Detroit jersey’s you saw behind their bench? You want Buc fans to pay good hard earned money to watch this train wreck, this is a bad football team, anyone can see that. What a sloppy game they played, the turn overs and a stupid penalties look like High school football.
December 11th, 2017 at 7:19 am
Dirk needs to go and Jameis needs discipline, taught and enforced. I would not be surprised at all to see Jameis pulled or benched in these last 3 games in a desperate attempt by Dirk to show who’s in charge. Too late dirk. Let the boys play. The next coach will show you what should have been done. If a quarterback’s feelings are so fragile he can’t be temporarily benched without a total melt down, I don’t want him on my team anyway. Stupid turnover after stupid turnover with no playing consequences is unacceptable.
December 11th, 2017 at 7:26 am
One stop and the Bucs win despite the turnovers. The problem yesterday and for most of these games we could have won is not making the key play at the key time on Defense, IMO.Team game. Go Bucs!
December 11th, 2017 at 9:05 am
Still waiting for ‘86, Joe, or any other FSU homers to explain to me how Winston’s turnovers in college won’t translate to the NFL….#firedirk #BringBackGruden…
December 11th, 2017 at 9:28 am
The turnover stat is the most telling stat in football. Go look at winning %’s when you turnover the ball. It goes down astronomically 2,3, 4 – you won’t win many games turning it over. It is fact. JW is a turnover machine and our record reflects that.
December 11th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
jw3 does not respect NFL defences and he keeps getting burned. I like him but too many times he is trying to force balls to well-covered targets.if somebody else is open, damn me13 take the easy throw
December 11th, 2017 at 2:52 pm
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In 7 healthy games, Jameis’ stats extrapolate to 4,885 yards, 32 TDs and 14 picks with a 90+ rating … Jameis, when healthy, has been fantastic … and I don’t think he has a problem with Dirk Koetter at all.
However, the TEAM is 4-9 wit its only wins against the horrible Giants, Jets, Phins and Bears … which means Koetter has been HORRIBLE and deserves to be fired.
To me, Jameis isn’t behind the report, nor is Licht or Gruden … it’s either a media-fueled report with no real basis or it’s a GLAZER-FAMILY fueled report to see how the public reacts to the news … my money is on the former but you never know.
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