“Why Would We Tell Chicago What We Are Doing?”
September 21st, 2018
No decision yet.
The question on who will be the Bucs starting quarterback a week from Sunday when the Bucs travel to Chicago was again brought up to Bucs coach Dirk Koetter today in his daily presser.
And while he had a few more words to say on the subject than earlier in the week when he simply punted on the question, Koetter offered zero insight or hint as to which quarterback that will be.
In short, Koetter said everything will work itself out.
“You can’t make a decision before it happens because you don’t know all of the variables, right?” Koetter said. “Things can change on Monday. Things can change tomorrow.
“As I told you before, there is no use worrying about decisions when we don’t have all of the information yet. It doesn’t make any difference when it happens. Think about it: Why would we tell Chicago what we are doing? When we need to know, we will know. It’s not going to be that big of a deal.”
The term “information” Koetter used seems to mean the Bucs first have to know what sort of condition America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, may be in. They must determine whether his arm has gathered any rust in the three-week layoff and/or if his accuracy has deteriorated.
Also, as Koetter said, who knows what happens before Jameis returns? That is all assuming, for example, backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t get hurt Monday night against the Steelers.
Joe is just going to guess no one outside the Bucs locker room will know with certainty which quarterback starts until just before kickoff of the Bears game.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Tuesday morning is going to be a great day for hit counts…
September 21st, 2018 at 3:51 pm
Winston certainly will not play in Chicago– most likely not again in 2018 unless there is an injury…
September 21st, 2018 at 3:56 pm
Winston will be back this season. There is no way Fitzpatrick continues to be this hot and this healthy for 14 more games. Not at 35 years old.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:57 pm
The people with crystal balls and ” inside knowledge ” will be all over this board.
September 21st, 2018 at 3:58 pm
This suspension may end up being the best thing that ever happened for Winston’s career. This is a teachable moment where Winston gets to see a cool veteran playing a very high level. Jameis is a sponge and WILL learn from this on many different levels.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:01 pm
Thank you Dirk, for giving what should be the most obvious answer. Every game situation with players is fluid, and ESPECIALLY at QB just so happens we are blessed to have 3.
1. You don’t know how healthy your QB wil be or if the one that hasn’t played in 3 wks is rusty..duuuuh!
September 21st, 2018 at 4:11 pm
If I had to guess they will roll with Fitz until he struggles.
There is a quote from Licht back in August basically saying they can’t commit to just giving Winston back the job; and he basically said something along the lines of “What if Fitz is playing at an extremely high level – you can’t just bench him if he’s lighting it up”
My prediction based on hypothetical:
Winston won’t start week 4 barring an injury to Fitz even if Fitz struggles Monday (unless he throws like 4 picks and absolutely bombs)
If Fitz plays mediocre ball the next 2 weeks and we go 1-1; then I’d say most likely staying with Fitz but possible Winston return after bye if they didn’t like the tape from Fitz. Anything better in terms of record/performance = Fitz is still starting after the bye.
If Fitz goes 0-2 Winston is the starter week 5 no doubt.
Rooting for the Fitzmagic to never stop obviously because that means we’re winning
September 21st, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Don’t announce the starter for week 4 until the Saturday before the game. Practice like both will play. Bears are on a need to know basis and they don’t need to know.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:20 pm
James Walker – For the Win! Best comment and insight on what is truly occurring right now at One Buc. Jameis is the real deal. Everyone getting ahead of themselves with Fitz maximizing his ability and leadership will eventually realize this is Jameis’ Team. Amazing opportunity for Jameis to not get dinged up, come back fresh, all while watching a veteran pro of the game ball out when the spotlight is on Fitz. Great learning opportunity for Young Famous Jameis.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:21 pm
I could see it either way honestly. People say Fitz will falter like he has before. I dont know if he really can. With the playcalling, and offensive line being how it is. I honestly feel like Ryan Leaf could come in here and look like Aaron Rodgers. He has never had these types of guys around him. Now that everyone is on the same page. Last year was a fluke with everyone being over confident. We definitely do better when everyone doesnt eat the Buc butter.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:35 pm
@Casey Morgan You’re crazy to think that.
@Lord Cornelius Week 5 is our bye, we play the Falcons Week 6. That is when I expect Jameis back as the starter.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:39 pm
When Koetter said, “its not going to be that big of a deal, you guys are making it a big deal” on the decision of who will start week 4, that told me all I need to know. He’s going with Fitzy.
FEAR THE BEARD!!
September 21st, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Wouldn’t it be funny if the plan was to play Winston at Chicago no matter how well Fitz played for the first 3 games, and no matter the W/L record. Koetter would have fooled us all, but more importantly, the Bears. Philly had their backup win the whole damn thing and they have no problem going back to Wentz. I know Wentz was hurt, not suspended, and he was an MVP candidate before the injury, but if the Bucs are as high on Winston as the Eagles are with Wentz, I wouldn’t be surprised if Winston starts at Chicago. Koetter isn’t going to let the outrage of the fan base dictate who he plays. You know the old coaches saying… if you listen to the fans, you end up sitting next to them. With all of that being said, my true opinion is that Winston starts after Fitz has a bad game. DJax said to ride the hot hand. A fan mutiny doesn’t mean $hit. A team mutiny means Koetter’s fired.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Moët tee needs to study the manner in which Belicheck handles these questions that only exist so the sports media can have have a controversy to exploit. It’s meant to sow discord in the locker room. The sports media is on its head seeing the Bucs beat the Saints and Eagles and they’ve all lost a ton of money betting against us.
For you Dirk, next time they ask: “How many times do I have to answer this? It’s week three, we are playing the Steelers. Fitz is our starter. Next question.”
September 21st, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Koetter- not Moët tee. Sorry guys.
September 21st, 2018 at 4:58 pm
James Walker- how old is Tom Brady? Why are we writing guys off at 36? Have you seen the speed targets he has to throw to?
Hell, Brady is talking about playing until he’s 45. Maybe a tall order, but who’s gonna tell him he can’t?
September 21st, 2018 at 5:01 pm
People love to overreact these days, last be the crazy slogans like fear the beard and Fitz magic and don’t realize how fickle it all is, you know who you are, your the same ones that will want to run him out of town if he has a bad stretch of games or oh well the magic has worn off let’s go with Winston. The guy has had an unbelievable 2 game stretch but honestly can’t believe people are acting like he’s some rookie taking the league by storm. If you know he’s not and know his history then you should already know at some point Winston will be back under center. I don’t care when that day comes if Fitz is playing above average. As soon as he looks like just another backup which is what he is, it’ll be time to get the hook and go back to his clipboard role for now it’s his show
September 21st, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Or, maybe the real conspiracy theory is that Koetter doesn’t want to get Fitz hurt against the Bears pass rush and Starts Winston. The after Winston gets hammered every other play, Koetter can go back to Fitz after the bye. I know it’s crazy and I don’t believe it, but I thought I’d throw it out there.
September 21st, 2018 at 5:02 pm
Why would anyone change QBs until there’s a drop off?
September 21st, 2018 at 5:04 pm
“@Lord Cornelius Week 5 is our bye, we play the Falcons Week 6. That is when I expect Jameis back as the starter.”
Yeah typo on my end – either way I meant our 5th game or week 6 however you want to look at it
September 21st, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Even better, Maybe Koetter told the team that Winston will start in Chicago no matter what, and told DJax to tell everyone he wants Fitz just to phuck with the Bears heads. Doubt it, but conspiracies abound! Lol
September 21st, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Scotty, because once Koetter tells Fitz he’s the starter until he has a bad game, Fitz’ll have a bad game. Fitz has played well over his career when he wasn’t “the man”. Once he was, the wheels fell off. Things do change, but if I were Koetter I wouldn’t have that conversation with Fitz. I’d just talk to Winston and he’d come down with a mysterious week to week injury that wouldn’t heal until Fitz played poorly. Oh boy, another conspiracy theory! Did someone see a tin foil hat around, I seemed to have misplaced it! Lol
September 21st, 2018 at 5:16 pm
The boogeyman says that Winston will start no matter what in week 4 no matter what Fitz does!!! Can you believe it, the fix is in!!!
…What do you mean the boogeyman doesn’t exist?
The boogeyman is real and loves Winston and hates Fitz and he’ll tank the team to make sure Winston plays, I know it’s true, so I’m going to do everything in my power (which is to make a bunch of posts saying the same thing) to defeat the boogeyman and his evil plan!
…What do you mean I’m fighting a battle against someone that doesn’t exist? You’re a national socalist.
September 21st, 2018 at 5:19 pm
OMG, if I hear one more article or talking head discussing the return of JW I think I’ll puke. Enough already. Let the coach determine when he returns. Stop the inane prognosticating.
September 21st, 2018 at 5:21 pm
@Lord Corn – once again I agree with your post 100%
September 21st, 2018 at 5:25 pm
As Teddy Kennedy said to Mary Jo Kopechne….”We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it”……….
September 21st, 2018 at 5:35 pm
For those interested this is probably the best analysis I’ve read concerning starting Fitx vs. Winston moving forward.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/jameis-winston-is-better-quarterback-than-ryan-fitzpatrick/
September 21st, 2018 at 6:03 pm
Play Winston again Chicago man or else Fitz goes on IR that defense is NASTY
September 21st, 2018 at 6:09 pm
@Rod Munch
Why would you start JW in week 4? He hasn’t practiced in 3 weeks and will probably be rusty. That’s the 2nd time I heard you talking about the Boogeyman. Time for your pill I think.
September 21st, 2018 at 6:23 pm
@Steven 2007…great article…everybody should read it…some people might finally get their head out of their ass and comprehend the situation…Can’t wait for the return of “tha Boss” to the playing field . GO BUCS!!
September 21st, 2018 at 6:24 pm
I’m sort of thinking Fitz may start in Chicago…especially if he wins Monday….but I wouldn’t bet on a win against that defense……multiple sacks and lots of pressure….
It would be terrible for Jameis to start that game and lose after Fitz went 3-0….
You have a very good reason to hold Winston until after the bye…..use it.
September 21st, 2018 at 6:35 pm
James Walker my thoughts exactly.
September 21st, 2018 at 6:40 pm
He won’t even dress for the Bears game Fools. Why waste a position on someone that has not practiced with the team. The only way he play his is if Fitzpatrick gets hurt Monday night
September 21st, 2018 at 7:16 pm
“no one outside the Bucs locker room will know with certainty which quarterback starts until just before kickoff of the Bears game.”
As it should be… Creates extra prep work for the Bears
September 21st, 2018 at 7:44 pm
BINGO Pickgrin, I agree with you. Why let the cat out of the bag early.
September 21st, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Remember, anointing anyone anything before they’ve earned it is the Lovie Smith way….Please don’t do that Koetter. If Jameis is better night and day, play him. If not, DON’T DO IT.
I live in New England. People trust the coach. They don’t care who they trade or cut or how many draft picks they give up. Doesn’t matter. They count on 10-12 wins every year.
1st overall, UDFA, or from Harvard, play the best man available, period.
September 21st, 2018 at 8:06 pm
Can’t wait until MNF to see how our offense plays. I hope Fitzpatrick is in the zone again. Gonna be a helluva game I bet. Wish I was going to the game for sure. Let’s go BUCS!
September 21st, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Ryan Fitzpatrick is already injured. Knee.
For all we know, it could get worse and Griffin might have to play during the game at some point.
If Ryan Fitzpatrick cannot play, we go back to Winston. Or are the haters going to claim Griffin is better?
September 21st, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Rod, I believe you meant “Nationalist Socialist”. Look it up…
September 21st, 2018 at 8:24 pm
Oh great, now we have “Haters” before anyone says anything…
September 21st, 2018 at 8:26 pm
As for me, I’d like to see Fitz go 3 for 3, then put Jameis in against the Bears,..see how he does.
September 21st, 2018 at 9:35 pm
If the Bucs were seriously standing behind Winston, they would make the statement-
Winston is our starter, our franchise QB, we stand behind him, and he’s part of the Buccaneer family.
I feel they may feel the sting of handling Doug Martin this way and it failing.
Even if they didn’t want to go as far as saying he’s long term- they could say he’s our starter, but if Ditz is playing lights out, we’re gonna ride it out w him.
Koetter’s indecisive headgames and lack of strength is why I don’t care for him as our head coach- same reason he calls plays conservatively.
He’s shifty
September 21st, 2018 at 10:10 pm
I like Koetter.
A lot.
September 21st, 2018 at 10:16 pm
Jim Says:
“Oh great, now we have “Haters” before anyone says anything…’
I detect sarcasm…….I don’t know why……..
JAMEIS WINSTON HATERS exist on this site in the comments section…
Or are you new?
SMFH.
September 21st, 2018 at 11:20 pm
Jim – A comment about the boogeyman isn’t exactly going for accuracy, that’s sort of the gimmick kiddo.
September 22nd, 2018 at 12:39 am
@ Slugglife You are comparing Fitzpatrick to Tom Brady with a straight face? This what is called a “Strawman Argument”.
September 22nd, 2018 at 4:47 am
Are they not the same age or damn close? Sounds like a legit comparison to me. I didn’t mention anything besides age. Not career stats, wins, rings, nothing except age.
Hope that clears it up.
September 22nd, 2018 at 7:10 am
Oh how many post will be on JBF when Mr. Winston returns and we again have short throws, over throws, wrong color jersey throws, back foot throws, 2 feet left or right throws, throws into double triple or quadruple coverage. I hope Mr. Winston is learning from how Mr. Fitzpatrick is using what the defense gives him. No way should Coach Kotter give up when Mr. Winston will start, why would he?
Go Bucs!
September 22nd, 2018 at 10:04 am
@Slugglife How many Superbowl rings does Fitzpatrick have? There is no comparison. Brady is GOAT, Fitzpatrick has had two good games and one winning season in 14 years.
September 22nd, 2018 at 10:05 am
Winston will return when Fitz gets hurt. Just that simple.
September 22nd, 2018 at 10:38 am
I’ve had my daily laughs
@ Rod Munch Love the boogeyman!
@ TBBF Love the Kennedy reference