Todd Monken Will Call Plays Next Week, Too
August 11th, 2018
Promise-keeper
Dirk Koetter was not barking signals to his quarterbacks on Thursday night in Miami. It was a fresh twist.
And today he talked about that plan for offensive coordinator Todd Monken to do it and what will happen next.
Koetter was a guest on SiriusXM NFL Radio and, of course, Joe was tuned in.
A career playcaller who’s been very successful at the craft, Koetter told hosts Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller that Thursday’s change was all part of a long-standing plan — and that ball will keep rolling forward next Saturday night in Tennessee.
“I mean, if you’re a playcaller, it’s one of the funnest things to do after all the other stuff that you go through,” Koetter said. “Todd and I have worked very closely together since our days in Jacksonville. And we talked about it in the offseason. And you know, I told him that was one thing that I would promise him: that I would let him be a walk-around coordinator and that we’d get him some playcalling experience and let me look at the game from a different angle. And I thought Todd did a great job the other night at calling it. You know, we’re going to do it again next week, too.”
Joe’s all for Monken getting the work in preseason — and Koetter getting time for more perspective on his team.
Also, you never know when a Jeff-Tedford-like health situation can arise, so it’s good to have a backup playcaller with some experience.
But this shouldn’t continue into the regular season. Koetter has three full seasons of experience with calling plays for this team and this offense. His job is to turn that into an advantage, not hand off the responsibility.
Also, while Monken did a good job, preseason playcalling is night-and-day different from the regular season. Joe’s not about to start playing cheerleader for preseason playcalling.
Regardless, Joe hopes Monken kicks ass next Saturday. Competition everywhere is always a good thing.
August 11th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
Ever year first time play callers have success
August 11th, 2018 at 7:01 pm
I’m not sure I would mind it continuing.
August 11th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
Here’s something to think about. It’s possible that two guys can do a job. And in some cases they do the job equally well.
This is true for more than just OC….QB may end up like that…Fameis has more talent…Fitz more experience and better decisions..but each of them can be successful with this team.
It’s going to be fun this season to watch these situations play out and questions get resolved.
August 11th, 2018 at 7:14 pm
We will see….I think some of our Red Zone problems are caused by the inability to run in the Zone…..it happened some Thurs night also…..
Monken did a good job…..and I wouldn’t mind if he kept calling plays….Our offense has under-performed in the Red Zone and early in games…..maybe we can turn that around.
August 11th, 2018 at 7:16 pm
Saturday we’ll face much better competition so if he can go down and score on the first two drives why not give him a shot? It’s not like Koetter is tearing up the scoreboards ijs
Joe- is Brad Seaton competing for the starting job or was he just a fill in? Cuz he looked better than any tackle we’ve had out there since Dotson’s pro bowl season. Lol.
August 11th, 2018 at 7:16 pm
I prefer the quicker shorter passing game of Monkin than the long developing constant downfield plays of Dirk – as there is a much higher success rate and less chance of getting the QB killed, and turnovers.
August 11th, 2018 at 7:16 pm
I absolutely loved the play calling.
Koetter is not bad, but Monken seems to have a gift for it.
August 11th, 2018 at 7:19 pm
The team philosophy is not limited to just the players. I’ve found that even the worst at what they do have some great ideas. If Koetter can keep an open mind instead of being a dictator he will not only learn but improve himself.
August 11th, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Monk didnt have OJ services last week
Monk is coming from the college spread short passing attack
Alot more efficient horizontal routes vs vertical deep low % pass plays
#KOBE&MONK BFF
August 11th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
change is good
August 11th, 2018 at 7:36 pm
Monk is the best thing for Jamies as it would allow him to get the ball our of his hands quickly as opposed to Dirk who wants to got 7 step drops every play. People think Jameis is best dropping deep and throwing those deep in breaking routes. While he good at that he is at his best when in a good grove which he can easily get into with the type of play calling that Monk does. The best examples of that are all the last minute drives he puts together when they are going hurry up and the other teams are taking away the deep stuff so Dirk called for shorter routes. The result is often a long successful drive for the offense. Monk should continue to call plays all year as that would be the correct thing to do, but it wont happen.
August 11th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Joe, why shouldn’t this continue into the regular season?
August 11th, 2018 at 7:52 pm
@Ndog
Beautifully stated
Hoping Monk gets the chance to call all preseason and calls all looks great. I also agree that Koetter is going to playcall the regular season, but Klueless is screwing himself because after the offense stalls under him which they no doubt will…
The media and fans will demand MONK to call plays
Jameis shotgun uptempto short passing attack = playoffs
August 11th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
I honestly believe either one of Koetter or Monken can do exceptionally well this year due to a vastly improved run game. Peyton Barber is in better shape than ever and is a headhunter, a man on a mission who will stop anyone who gets in his way. I truly believe we will see an amazing duo this year between Barber and Rojo. Rojo I also have a good feeling is going to silence all the doubters with a great roomie year after he has one big game, even if it takes a few games to have that big performance.
Can’t wait for some real games! Preseason is the ultimate tease…
August 11th, 2018 at 8:07 pm
DB55 wrote:
“Joe- is Brad Seaton competing for the starting job or was he just a fill in? Cuz he looked better than any tackle we’ve had out there since Dotson’s pro bowl season. Lol.”
I thought the same thing. While Miami isn’t great, their DE’s are very good and I don’t think I saw #60 Brad Seaton get beat in either the running game or the passing game. He played into the 3rd quarter and I thought he was really impressive.
August 11th, 2018 at 8:51 pm
I thought #60 did very well! And if the man don’t take a start g gig then he’ll, we have a good back up who can learn and play possibly very well for this team.. This team is going to get better peeps!
August 11th, 2018 at 9:02 pm
Pretty sure Monken will continue to call plays into the regular season of the success continues. They are playing poker down playing it not to show their hand
August 11th, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Joe acting like Koetter is a play calling godsend? Now that’s funny
August 11th, 2018 at 9:57 pm
Never been a big fan of dual-hatting HCs as the OC or DC. A few can make it work (Jon Gruden?) to a degree, but only if they have a very strong assistant on the other side (like Chucky had Monte Kiffin). Let Monken call the plays and see how it goes. If he fizzles, adjust accordingly.
August 12th, 2018 at 4:48 am
Good writing Joe, you hit the nail on the head. It’s a shame a lot of these posters don’t comprehend.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:35 am
Playcalling was a highlight of the game. The ball seamed to come out quicker for higher percentage plays.
August 12th, 2018 at 8:32 am
All I know is that is the first time I have seen our Offense come out of the gates and look that sharp. It usually takes several games into the season before our Offense operates with any smoothness. If that is due to Monken’s play calling, by all means, they should stick with it.
August 12th, 2018 at 9:13 am
With the dreadful redzone success this team has had under Koetter, stay with Monken. Tired of watching two runs up the middle in the redzone.
August 12th, 2018 at 9:46 am
I like an OC that isn’t the coach. They are more fearless. Plus they see the game from the box and have a better perspective than a guy on the sideline.
August 12th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Play calling one of the funnest thing to do. Even funner when the play goes for positive yards. Dirk says hey no fun standing here with nothing to do.
August 12th, 2018 at 10:07 am
stpetebucsfan nailed it.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:51 am
Defense Rules
Statistically, Grudens offenses weren’t much better , if at all, than Dungy’s.
August 12th, 2018 at 12:03 pm
I wonder in the regular season when our first offense goes against the scout team defense in practice, if the scout team corners play off 10 yards?
August 12th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
If Monken calling OC/QB plays takes the pressure off DK, i am all for it!! Looking forward to Saturday.
August 12th, 2018 at 2:40 pm
The truth is Koetter has struggled a bit with Playcalling since becoming HC. And that has caused him to struggle in other coaching areas like clock management / challenges / timeouts etc.
If Monken demonstrates the ability during preseason, why not give him a shot in the regular season?
I’m not ready to anoint him after 1 preseason game, but Koetters Playcalling became predictable at many times in 16 and 17. I lobbied to give Monken Playcalling suites in the off-season, since she’s suppose to be the real offensive coordinator now. Isn’t if fair to see if Maybe Monken can do better?
August 12th, 2018 at 3:25 pm
I don’t know? It actually sounds like a good deal. It will give Koetter some extra time to lean on Mike Smith and have some input on the defense. Like tightening up the cushion our DB’s are giving opposition wideouts. He’s need to wear both hats equally and oversight both coordinators. His job depends on it.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:36 pm
Let Monken continue calling plays you micromanaging idiot. Offensive Coordinators call plays. Be the head coach Dirk and advise as needed but let Monken do his job, because it may just save yours. Smdh
August 13th, 2018 at 9:56 am
Who knows, maybe Monken gives us a tactical advantage in our division where DCs have had 3 years to cue in on Koetter’s tendencies? The offense looked surprisingly crisp and efficient at the outset and throughout most of the game- there was good tempo too. Let this thing play out over the preseason and see where it takes us. It all has to be about winning games.