Accountability IV
January 12th, 2018
Tossed for unit’s poor performance.
It’s beginning to make Joe wonder.
Now yesterday, in a move that seemed really under the radar, the Miami Dolphins threw running backs coach Danny Barrett out the door for the team’s poor performance, even though they traded away their workhorse back Jay Ajayi.
A quick look at NFL.com shows the Dolphins averaged 86.8 yards a game on the ground, No. 29 in the NFL in 2017. Just out of curiosity, Joe decided to jot down some of the worst running teams in the NFL last year, and what those teams seem to be doing about it.
No. 22 Colts: Head coach fired.
No. 23 Seahawks: Offensive coordinator fired.
No. 24 Los Angeles Chargers: No changes.
No. 25 Raiders: Head coach fired.
No. 26 New York Giants: Head coach fired.
No. 27 Bucs: No change.
No. 28 Redskins: No change.
No. 29 Dolphins: Running backs coach fired.
No. 30 Cardinals: Head coach retired.
No. 31 Bengals: Hired new offensive line coach.
No. 32 Lions: Head coach fired.
As you can see, most teams, when a unit is terribly under-performing, changes are made to try to improve. Now Joe’s not advocating Bucs running backs coach Tim Spencer be run. It was clear this season the problem with the Bucs running game was this unyielding yet misguided loyalty to Doug Martin. Hopefully, reason and common sense prevail in the coming months with that.
But what Joe is getting at is the Bucs had a horrendous pass defense (NFL worst), a pathetic third-down defense (NFL worst), and sparked a wave of irritable bowel syndrome throughout the Tampa Bay area the way the edge rush gave opposing quarterbacks so much time they could finish their 900-number calls (NFL worst).
Joe read the following from Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald in writing about Barrett’s demise.
… [Miami] expects to soon interview former Denver Broncos running backs coach Eric Studesville, The Herald has confirmed. The Sporting News first reported Miami’s interest in Studesville.
Studesville’s availability is what moved Dolphins coach Adam Gase to consider releasing Barrett because he wants a coach that could upgrade the staff.
Yet it seems despite that horrid Bucs defense last year, which Joe believes was the root cause of the 5-11 season, everything is good at One Buc Palace now. No upgrades needed on defense. All is under control.
Status woe.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:04 am
Tim Spencer is a very good rB coach….he just needs a real NFL work horse
January 12th, 2018 at 8:06 am
Someone please fire the defensive quality control coach, so Joe can finally be happy
January 12th, 2018 at 8:16 am
6-10 here we come, if we’re lucky.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:18 am
A good coach can find a role for the players he has instead of wishing he had someone else and making excuses for his lack of coaching ability.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:20 am
Studesville
Who wouldn’t want that guy. Great name. What a stud
January 12th, 2018 at 8:23 am
That list is kind of a reach. Look I’m all for shaking up the coaching staff, but all of those move were made in very different scenarios bad on length of tenure and expectations. To try and say all those moves are related to success running the ball is irresponsible.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:33 am
Whoever is advocating that Doug Martin tote the rock should be fired. I agree that the stable is empty and there is a dearth of talent at the RB position on this team.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:41 am
The D has been the problem for awhile and there is one self proclaimed leader on that defense. But hey as long as McCoy gets his All-Pro votes he’s happy.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:45 am
Theres gona be plenty more accountability articles if you cover them all, because most teams hold coaches accountable. I guess the glazers were chucky or bust. It appears the coaching staff(if thats what they wana call themselves) is going to let go of a bunch of overpaid and underperforming players but when it comes to them… all good. This coaching staff came to florida for vacation so they wont cut it short on their own account.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:47 am
Mike Alstott
January 12th, 2018 at 8:54 am
Joe:
It is obvious that the Glazer stooges are sending a message to the GM and coaching staff, win next year or all of you will be fired…including the GM.
No assistant coach is going to work for a lame duck regime.
So the glazers are tossing in the towel next year and saying we are going to sit in the cellar next year, then clean house with no financial penalty.
So your columns need to center around who might be available for 2019 for coach and GM…cause if you think that Licht is some how going to find his FA mojo juice and Smittyis going to all of sudden find a way tomove his defense from the bottom to the middle of the pack…good luck.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:55 am
Even the G’Boyz can see the roster is full of TALENT HOLES….hell…they having been throwing money down the sheet hole on Licht’s FA recommendations every off season as long as Licht has been here….
The only coach I’d like to see replaced is the special teams coach….need to spice up that part of the game…
and Oh Yeah…I am in the camp of trading down in 1st round for addition picks…..
see
TALENT HOLES in the roster
January 12th, 2018 at 8:56 am
Hire – Craig Kuligowski’s as the Defensive Line Coach
Craig Kuligowski’s defensive linemen picked in the first two rounds of the draft since 2009. The full list since then:
• 2009: Ziggy Hood || 32nd overall to the Steelers
• 2011: Aldon Smith|| seventh overall to the 49ers
• 2013: Sheldon Richardson || 13th overall to the Jets
• 2014: Kony Ealy ||60th overall to the Panthers
• 2015: Shane Ray || 23rd overall to the Broncos
• 2015: Markus Golden || 58th overall to the Patriots
• 2016: Harris || 22nd overall to the Dolphins
Others
• Brian Smith
• Jacquies Smith
• Michael Sam
• C.J. Mosley
Note: That’s a striking list of talent at one position group for any school. Even Alabama, which recruits more trench talent than just about anyone, has only had three second-rounders and one first-rounder (Marcell Dareus in 2011) in that stretch.
January 12th, 2018 at 8:56 am
Sad Buc Franchise. Koetter probably told Mike Smith, You go when I go. Won’t be long Koetter. If koetter were truly smart, he would have kicked his mentor out with the 5-11 record. Loyalty will prove his undoing.
January 12th, 2018 at 9:03 am
Well the Browns retained a head coach that managed the “imperfect season”, so things could be far worse. I personally don’t have an issue with the Bucs keeping their current coaching staff IF ownership feels this season was a fluke and that the current staff is as good or better than anyone else who was available (and willing to join the Bucs). Next year seens like a “prove it!” year anyways, so if the team underperforms again there will likely be a whole new front office that can bring in the coaches they want.
January 12th, 2018 at 9:03 am
Also note: Mizzou’s DE Marcell Frazier has noticeably regressed since his departure.
Though he will still be drafted in the 1st three rounds. And the job he’s done turning around the Canes defensive line in one season – is insane.
January 12th, 2018 at 9:11 am
My Miami Hurricanes….have a HUGE roster, as do all college teams….much easier to plug holes and play….
that said I’m in the camp of expanding rosters to 60 in the NFL….everyone eligible game day….and still keep the practice squad as is now
January 12th, 2018 at 9:29 am
Here’s another comment that makes sense: We should hire Lovie Smith as a consultant then do the opposite of what he recommends.
January 12th, 2018 at 9:43 am
I don’t care anything about what the dolphins do because they are nobody just like us. Yes these teams made changes but not all because of the run game
Take Detroit for instance when is the last time they had a 1000 yard rusher. They haven’t had an inconsistent Doug Martin type of back so all this talk about the run game is overrated. There are teams worse at the run game with better records. Just so happens that out coach sucks and telegraph’s his run game using 4 damn running backs every year. Stupid is as stupid does, instead of letting these guys compete at every position dude is out here letting guys share starting roles lol year how excited can you get knowing even if your the best you won’t be a full time starter because the coach likes to play every player equally
January 12th, 2018 at 10:02 am
you guys can debate all this nonsense about who should stay who should be paid and who should go away to the cows come home that being said with the least desirable location in the nfl to play and the worst owners in entire league nothing will change. bucs future holds zero hope and nothing but a permanent residency in the basement. glazers clowns are spreadsheet owners with ZERO football acumen and ZERO desire to field a quality on field product. It’s not negativity when it is reality and backed up by 16 years without a meaningful win.
January 12th, 2018 at 10:08 am
It’s very simple, you get what you tolerate…
January 12th, 2018 at 10:16 am
Tune in for tomorrow’s episode – Accountability V – where Joe shares the juicy details of how the Packers firing of their head groundskeeper came seemingly out of nowhere. Also, the breakdown on why the Dallas Cowboys cafeteria manager firing was such a no-brainer. “Her meatloaf was the worst” quipped Guard Zack Martin.
Details of these and other significant moves around the league in tomorrow’s episode – along with the obligatory and obviously related standing question – Why are the Buccaneers defensive coaches still employed?
January 12th, 2018 at 10:30 am
Hard to find quality staff willing to work here when ownership already kneecapped the head coaches job security…
January 12th, 2018 at 10:31 am
So every time we see a coach fired, we’re going to get an Accountability article? lol
At least it’s letting us know who is available.
January 12th, 2018 at 10:32 am
lol, Pickgrin.
January 12th, 2018 at 10:48 am
I actually like these accountability write-ups..it makes me realise how bad we are going to be next season..
If Joe doesn’t have any articles up, then he’ll hear complaints on how boring the off-season is with nothing to read!..
Keep bringing them up!!! I get madder at the Bucs each day!
January 12th, 2018 at 11:10 am
Lifeofabucfan is the type of poster these articles hurt. They see the dolphins fire a running back coach and they think the bucs season will be toast because they havent fired anyone. Some of you are so funny
January 12th, 2018 at 11:17 am
What’s funny is these guys getting fired – are all getting new jobs for the most part as other teams view them as upgrades lol.
Tom Cable may end up in Dallas doing the same thing he was fired for…
On Denver radio they were wanting to hire the Seahawks guy now that he’s free…thinking he’d be a major upgrade.
I’m not sure how this fits in the JBF world view of “accountability” – but to me it paints a picture of people making change for the sake of change – until it’s proven they hired a better candidate..
January 12th, 2018 at 11:18 am
Since we can’t even get a guy who lives here to coach the team, our options seem limited.
Dirk is our only hope.
January 12th, 2018 at 11:31 am
tmaxcon Says:
January 12th, 2018 at 10:02 am
you guys can debate all this nonsense about who should stay who should be paid and who should go away to the cows come home that being said with the least desirable location in the nfl to play and the worst owners in entire league nothing will change. bucs future holds zero hope and nothing but a permanent residency in the basement. glazers clowns are spreadsheet owners with ZERO football acumen and ZERO desire to field a quality on field product. It’s not negativity when it is reality and backed up by 16 years without a meaningful win.
Exactly on point brother, couldn’t have said it better myself. The three a$$ clowns know as the Glazers, have ZERO clue on what it takes to build a contending/championship team. Like you said it is evident “by the 16 years without a meaningful win.”
January 12th, 2018 at 11:54 am
LifeOfABucFan Says:
January 12th, 2018 at 10:48 am
I actually like these accountability write-ups..it makes me realise how bad we are going to be next season..
If Joe doesn’t have any articles up, then he’ll hear complaints on how boring the off-season is with nothing to read!..
Keep bringing them up!!! I get madder at the Bucs each day!
I too like these articles for the same reasons. Keep up the good work Joe, it just keeps showing how much of a collective group of dumb a$$es the Glazers really are. While most of the rest of the NFL makes moves to make their teams better, the Bucs look like a monkey f@#king a football! The Bucs lack of moves/status quo directive reminds me of when we had Josh McClown in the game against the Panthers when he fumbled the ball, picked it up and threw an interception. That’s what I equate the Bucs front office/coaching staff, to that play. LOL
January 12th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Pewterpirate..there’s another accountability V coming up! Bills just fired some coaches!!
In the meantime…Bucs have..hmmmm…well nothing to report..lol..
January 12th, 2018 at 12:12 pm
LifeOfABucFan Says:
January 12th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Pewterpirate..there’s another accountability V coming up! Bills just fired some coaches!!
In the meantime…Bucs have..hmmmm…well nothing to report..lol..
Not true LifeOfABucFan, I’m sure they’ll be reporting real soon how they have resigned Chris Baker, Doug Martin, and T.J. Ward. And also given an extension to the entire coaching staff. You know, things that will continue to make this a great team/franchise! LOL
January 12th, 2018 at 12:24 pm
@pewterpirate LMAO!!!!!!!!!
January 12th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
All it is is a game of position coach musical chairs every off-season.
Let’s not forget, the players play the game.
January 12th, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Joe,
I have to ask if it is the coaching and not the talent. How is it that when clearly all the talent is injured this team’s defense played better?
Sometimes, like I believe this last year we got players that wouldn’t play the system and wanted to freelance. They believed they knew better than the coaches. As a former defensive coach myself, I know that you can put players in place to make the plays, but they still have to make the plays.
Now having said that, I do believe maybe a change at DL coach is warranted. WE have the same rush moves used by all the players with no stunting or really good hand work done. OL’s know where we are lining up and rushing from every play. That isn’t all on the DC when the DL coach isn’t teaching the players things.
I do think that our coaches put too much faith in certain players. That ends up hanging them out to dry when said player doesn’t perform to the needs of the team.
Just my 2 cents worth.
January 12th, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Maybe the problem isn’t coaching, maybe our GM hasn’t provided the necessary depth to win in this league.
Joe, if media outlets spent every waking moment demanding one if you were fired because someone just has to get fired, it would get old.
The fact is that in this league, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Doesn’t mean you carpet bomb the building
January 12th, 2018 at 2:11 pm
When will we read about accountability for the players?
January 12th, 2018 at 4:03 pm
ftfy (fixed that for you), Joe.