Time For Koetter To Shine
July 4th, 2018
Challenge.
Right now Joe cannot decide whether to chug a bottle of Jack Daniels or just see how many glasses of Tanqueray and Schweppes (with a twist of lime) Joe can guzzle before blacking out.
The Bucs must find a way to beat either the NFC South champions Saints in their crib, or the world champion Eagles or the AFC North champion Steelers at home. With Ryan Fitzpatrick no less.
Who has ice?
If the Bucs go 0-3, they have a 2.9 percent chance of making the playoffs. Fitzpatrick is 1-8 lifetime against these three teams. And the Saints, Eagles and Steelers represent the toughest opening three weeks to a schedule in the Super Bowl era.
Good morning!
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com is trying to put a smiley face on this looming trainwreck of an opening month typing that this presents an opportunity for Bucs coach Dirk Koetter to show he can coach with the best of them.
The suspension is an opportunity for Koetter to show he can overcome a major obstacle and showcase a roster built by Licht with a lot of star power. There are potential weaknesses in the secondary and along the offensive line, but winning a few games without Winston would prove this is not a depth chart to be trifled with.
Of course, as Rosenthal adds, if the Bucs implode and are out of the playoffs by the end of September (starting 0-4 would do that), it very well could be curtains for Koetter in Tampa Bay.
As doomed as the Bucs look to be in September, Joe likes the idea of Koetter coaching up the squad to rally and make up for the absence of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
July 4th, 2018 at 12:04 am
Getting some late night Rays Marlins extra innings writing done I see.
Koetters play calling has to be better in 2018. No excuses. Don’t coach to not get fired…….Coach to win
July 4th, 2018 at 12:09 am
Also before the gasbag anti Winston crowd gets here. Jameis has played well during his first 3 seasons with the Bucs. Defiantly some ups and downs but here are 3 huge factors that have been holding him and the Bucs back. Once we get these chains taken off Jameis the Bucs will fly.
1- Dirk Koetters conservative vanilla playcalling (passing game lacks rhythm and a variety of short to intermediate play) PS- Watch the Saints Dirk.
2- No Running Game
3- 0 Defense
July 4th, 2018 at 12:23 am
It doesn’t seem to me that Fitzpatrick has ever had this much offensive talent around him in his career, to include the 1 and 8 stuff I keep reading. If we can assume that this defense is improved over last year to say middle of the pack, and that we have a legitimate running game, then it’s not much of a reach to be optimistic that we come out the other end of the suspension with at least one win, and maybe two.
July 4th, 2018 at 12:36 am
No excuses no Winston no problem. Any given Sunday. Everyone is beatable which is why everyone loses games. It doesn’t matter who they are playing. My hope is these guys get excited about but games because if they freakout and exaggerate as if a game is too big to win like our fans and media does then why even bother being a fan of the bucs, if your afraid of a roster or a big name lol it’s just weak-minded. No reason they can’t win one or two of those “big games”
July 4th, 2018 at 12:38 am
I believe in Coach Koetter and his staff. They will coach up the team, and the entire Buccaneers roster will respond. The Bucs are a team not just one player. Have faith , despite all the past. Negativity begets more negativity.
July 4th, 2018 at 12:49 am
Keotter can make a name for himself stealing the MNF game.
And JW returning and wins. Actually make them all look like geniuses.
July 4th, 2018 at 1:24 am
Like what you guys said in the Sage’s podcast. If Fitz is on a roll how does Koetter justify putting Jameis back in when he’s finished with his suspension. It would take a huge set of gonads to trust Jameis to save your job at that point. And if we are 0-3 then why not play Griffin or Allen to see what they can offer in realtime game conditions. The week Jameis is supposed to come back (the 4th against Bears) will be a short week for him to practice since our Monday night game against the Steelers. No way he’ll be ready in a few days. He’ll perform just like Freeman did after one week practice with Minnesota. Jameis, if at all, will probably be available after our 5th week bye.
July 4th, 2018 at 5:54 am
I think the Bucs are going to beat up on the Aints. I know I keep saying that but Smitty will have them dialed. The D line is going to feast. Sean the cheater will throw his clipboard down at least 3 times. He’s going to whine to the refs all game. I see the Bucs going 2-1 after week 3. Either way I think Koetter gets a mulligan here because of Jameis. I doubt the Glazers want to replace Derp. They’re tired of the coaching carousel.
July 4th, 2018 at 6:11 am
@Rosenthal … “There are potential weaknesses in the secondary and along the offensive line, but winning a few games without Winston would prove this is not a depth chart to be trifled with.” Sounds like Rosenthal knows more about the Bucs than most of the talking heads.
July 4th, 2018 at 6:20 am
“Even with only total of 4 wins, Klueless and Gump will be back next year. We are the Cincinnati Bengals of the South. Klueless is Marvin Lewis 2.0……..Glazers like Dumb and Dumber and……
FANS DONT MATTER!”
Kobe Faker
July 4th, 2018 at 6:43 am
I get frustrated because I feel like Jameis dosnt have any control over the offense like dirk won’t let him audible out of a bad play an change it to a better play I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way u want to see Winston have more control over his offense an change the play at the los if he needs to An to stop thinking he can complete every pass no matter what once he does this he will take the next step
July 4th, 2018 at 6:43 am
Well it would be the first time he has shined if he does it now. So far neither he nor this staff have shown they have IT, he certainly hasn’t shown he has HC stuff yet…Yet…Now not saddled with America’s Choir Boy – the turnover specialist – he actually has a great opportunity. We shall see. Go Fitz. Fitzmagic? or Fitztragic?
July 4th, 2018 at 6:59 am
So many toys to play with. Koetter and Smith will show the world where they belong this season.
July 4th, 2018 at 7:23 am
This articles accurately points out facts and stats, but something to keep in mind are the teams and situations are never the same, and often not even similar. Right off the top is the Saints are without their bellcow RB, and the Bucs have siphoned on some pieces of the Philly D and have a much improved D themselves. So let’s just play the games.
July 4th, 2018 at 7:36 am
ANYTHING BUT GIN!!! BLAHH!!
July 4th, 2018 at 7:58 am
We can sneak in a win in one of those first 3. Most likely at NO. Beat the bears in weak 4 and end Sept at 2-2.
July 4th, 2018 at 8:00 am
No team is unbeatable. The Saints, fleagles, and Steelers, should all be nervous, but they won’t. They will all take the Bucs too lightly. Hopefully, they will pay for it. With or without Jameis, this is a dangerous team. Nice balance of talent on both sides of the ball, and a nice blend of youth and experience. No matter what what the record is in September, I expect the Bucs to be contenders in December. Aaand, free agency isn’t over. Adversity builds character and helps a team to bond. I believe these guys will work even harder to compensate for the loss of Winston.
July 4th, 2018 at 8:32 am
DR, I thought the same thing.
Koetter, Hasn’t really shown that he can coach with the big boys to this point. He hasn’t thus far, what makes us believe he can now…And Smitty fugetaboudit! I hope I am wrong.
Run-block time!
July 4th, 2018 at 9:09 am
My hope is that the players unify and say enough is enough. I don’t give a damn that Winston screwed us all, I don’t care if Elmer Fud is quarterbacking!!! We are going to win regardless of Koetter, Smith or Licht! We are going to do whatever it takes to win for each other!!! A band of brothers against whomever steps on the field with different color jerseys than ours!!! Go Bucs! Gotta Believe Man, Gotta Believe.
July 4th, 2018 at 9:44 am
this coach just isn’t a leader He’s a coordinator and it shows
July 4th, 2018 at 9:49 am
It will have to be up to the players to shine that’s my hope , I hope I am wrong but I know I am not
July 4th, 2018 at 9:55 am
I have friends that are saying JW is done in tampa and I am ok with it either way but I think we need to sign a qb and soon in case this isn’t over ,and i do not know why but something tells me there is more to come regarding JW
July 4th, 2018 at 1:06 pm
I for one think it will be interesting to see how the Bucs react to life without Jameis Winston in the building for three weeks. Since the Bucs drafted
Winston, it has been nothing but the usual at worst neutral positive coach and player speak. We’ve read Joe declare Winston America’s QB. In the interests of team unity, his teammates never decry his brain farts that result in needless fumbles and interceptions and rightfully so. At the same time, we hear Winston endlessly repeating how he has to work to get better and while there are some improvements the turnovers keep coming. We hear much the same from Dirk Koetter again in the interests of team unity. The contradictions have to grate on the nerves of any thinking human being and the players, being grown adults, certainly fit that description.
Only the pundits who are not a part of the Bucs try drilling down to reach the heart of the matter and answer the questions regarding Winston and the Bucs. If Winston is the face of the franchise what happens if the Bucs go 3-0 or even 2-1 without him and led by journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick? Given the array of offensive weapons available, the upgrades to the defensive line, and what is hopefully an upgraded secondary that’s certainly possible. What happens then? Does Koetter go with the hot hand and sit the face of the franchise?
July 4th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Great hypothetical there RickinFtMyers. I know what I would do!!! I like to win! What would you do????
July 4th, 2018 at 3:18 pm
I’m not expecting many if any blowout losses for the Bucs. Close competitive games will be a step closer in the right direction to turning around the Bucs and their fans happiness of winning. Nailbiters are what’s coming. The Bucs will win some of those games.
July 4th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Rickin I hope we have that problem . great post
July 4th, 2018 at 4:29 pm
Remmber on hardknocks when JW went down the line in the locker room with his fist bump saying I got your back .he cant say that anymore and frankly I think the players are tired of Mr Rah Rah with no results
July 5th, 2018 at 11:01 am
Dirk needs to start drinking heavily. Looks like he picked the wrong time to stop sniffing glue.