Aggressive?
February 2nd, 2018
Fourth-down strategy.
A lot of Bucs fans kvetch that Bucs coach Dirk Koetter is not aggressive enough when it comes to short-yardage situations.
A deep dive suggests Koetter is in the middle of the pack as far NFL coaches’ aggression.
Aaron Schatz of FootballOutsiders.com took a look at each NFL coach and what he did on fourth-and-two and fourth-and-one. The data shows Koetter was the No. 14 NFL coach when it came to going for it on fourth downs.
On face value this can be misleading. Who the hell is going for a fourth-and-two on their own-20? So Schatz took a look at fourth-down decisions when the ball was between the opposing 31- and 37-yard lines. In those situations, Koetter went for the first down 16.7 percent of the time, or once in six situations.
Sean Payton of the Saints, with a future Hall of Fame QB and two Pro Bowl running backs, a guy who is considered a risk-taker, decided to go for a first down in the same situation 25 percent of the time (2 of 8).
Mike Tomlin of the Steelers booted the ball all seven times he had a fourth down between opponents’ 31- and 37-yard lines.
February 2nd, 2018 at 7:31 am
I am very surprised Tomlin was so conservative. He was big last year on the 2-point conversion – most aggressive coach in the NFL in that category.
I would also think going for it on 4th down is heavily impacted by whether you are behind or ahead in the score and if you have a great defense. So many factors go into this, I think this is kind of a meaningless stat.
February 2nd, 2018 at 7:51 am
The man’s hands are tied. This is the same coach who realizes that it is safer to hand the ball off to quizz 78 times straight than let his QB try to make a play. but he’d be fired for doing so. hard to make it happen on fourth down.
Also, might trot out the field goal kicker a little more from 31-37 if we had a bit more stability there earlier in the year.
Go BUCS!!!!
February 2nd, 2018 at 8:15 am
Koetter is not good at situational football. He freezes up in games and cannot..will not make game adjustments. Teams see this and keep right on attacking his weak spots every Sunday. There is no course for this. He’s gonna have to figure it out or join his Buddies at the fishing hole after next season. I don’t think Fans are gonna tolerate another losing season. Its playoffs or Bust for him and his Road Dog..Mike Smith. Unless theres a miracle, I don’t think he gets there under his present way of thinking.
February 2nd, 2018 at 8:19 am
Has a lot to do with who your kicker is as well….Boswell for the Steelers had a pretty good year kicking
February 2nd, 2018 at 8:27 am
Same.
February 2nd, 2018 at 9:14 am
Dirk Diggler is horrible at situational play calling. He calls plays that are low percentage of completion. How many times the offense needed 1 to 2 yds and Winston could fall down and get it. Instead they call a sideline pass play that requires a pin point perfect throw and a circus catch in order to convert. Or the often run straight into the teeth of the defense which is beyond stupid. If I never saw a run play up the middle it would be to soon.
February 2nd, 2018 at 9:28 am
All statistics when trying to compare to others are mis-leading because all other things are not equal. Time left, score, TO’s, weather etc… In other words a meaningless statistic.
February 2nd, 2018 at 9:35 am
Here’s the reason licht traded up to draft a freaking kicker because dork loves kicking forks goals that much
February 2nd, 2018 at 9:43 am
Mike Johnson Says:
February 2nd, 2018 at 8:15 am
Koetter is not good at situational football.
^^BINGO^^
MTM Says:
February 2nd, 2018 at 9:14 am
Dirk Diggler is horrible at situational play calling.
^^BINGO^^
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 2nd, 2018 at 9:56 am
If you are behind by 20, it’s easy to go for it.
February 2nd, 2018 at 9:59 am
Like RO said score has a lot to do with it. Tomlin was probably leading in most of those situations.
February 2nd, 2018 at 10:32 am
When Dirk gets a legit OLine and dynamic running back to go along with Winston and his passing weapons – watch how much more aggressive he becomes with the play calling and situational decisions….
February 2nd, 2018 at 10:53 am
You have to go for it on 4th down when you’re down by 21 points.
February 2nd, 2018 at 12:15 pm
Joe, all of us fans know this is a make or break season for this coaching staff, I’d like to know if you think this staff even has a clue this is their last season, Dirk stays out of Senior Bowl week, he pick up that laziness from Loser Lovie, I mean really bro, you’re fighting for your life and what are you doing??? Hanging out with Swaggy and Drug Martin?? Not a good look or start to the 2018 season
February 2nd, 2018 at 12:18 pm
I wonder what percentage of the fourth down attempts came in just one game, against Arizona when we were way behind.
February 2nd, 2018 at 1:02 pm
He should get aggressive early in the game, instead of getting aggressive during the final minutes of a game, when you’re behind.
February 2nd, 2018 at 4:23 pm
Not one fan ever complained about Dirk as a play caller when he was in Atlanta, and he did a pretty damn good job when he was coaching under Lovie. The problem isn’t that he is a bad situational play caller, it’s that he is having issues mixing playcalling with head coaching and clock management. Anyone who has followed the man enough knows he can call plays with the best of them. His clock management and in game decisions have been questionable but execution by the players on offense early in the season was horrible.
Also, the entire team suffers from the leagues worst defense hanging them out to dry….but yeah lets blame the play caller. Dumb
February 2nd, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Dirk Koetter and his playcalling in Atlanta is what got him and Mike Smith ran out of town.
February 2nd, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Mike Mularkey was the guy who was the great playcaller in Atlanta, not Dirk Koetter.
February 2nd, 2018 at 10:38 pm
If we see another under performing season by the current Koetter staff…I got four words for you…Bruce Arians – Chuck Pagano.
After a year with their wives-families..These guys will be biting at the chomps to get back on the field & the good buddies would be a great fit for Tampa.
February 3rd, 2018 at 2:15 am
Dirk is the king of punting from the opponents 40 yards on 4th and 3 when the defense is completely worn out and not stopping anyone – he literally lost the Pats game and the Falcon’s game by doing this. Not sure why the 31-37 yard line was picked – in that situation you just kick the FG.
February 3rd, 2018 at 5:14 am
Jeez people, it is what Koetter did on 3rd down to lead to the 4th down situation…. Lakeland: Mularkey was fired in Nashville for being ineffective, shouldn’t the Glazers take a hint…..