“We Chose To Suck” II
October 13th, 2018
Red zone issues discussed.
Last year the Bucs moved the ball between the 20s about as well as any team in the NFL.
But when the Bucs entered the red zone, that red color may as well have been a stop sign. The Bucs stunk in the red zone.
Back in May, Bucs offensive coordinator Todd Monken had a more blunt term for it.
“We chose to suck,” Monken said several times.
Well, last night Bucs coach Dirk Koetter made his weekly appearance on “Late Hits” co-hosted by Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio. There, Marvez asked a general red zone question about what makes for a good red zone offense.
Koetter wasn’t as colorful as Monken but he basically said his experience is, don’t shoot yourself in the foot.
“I think the big part of the battle is not beating yourself,” Koetter said. “Not making mistakes yourself whether you are turning it over in the red zone, whether it is penalties in the red zone that set you back, whether it is missed opportunities — dropped passes or missed throws.
“I think more than anything else, when you look at the big picture — I’m not talking about a single game but a four-game breakdown or a 16-game breakdown — I think it is self-inflicted errors.”
So the remedy to fix a red zone offense is simple:
Don’t fumble. Don’t throw a pick. Make your blocks. Catch the ball. Don’t hold, don’t jump offsides.
Joe might just take this a step further and suggest that’s the cure for an offense as a whole, not just the red zone.
Professor Derrick Brooks talks about studying “foundational tape,” approaching an elite Atlanta passing game, “stance, alignment assignment” and more with JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman in TAMPA TWO, presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating.
October 13th, 2018 at 8:11 am
Oh wow, be still my heart. An article about the Bucs’ OFFENSE & why it’s struggled in the Red Zone.
@Joe … “So the remedy to fix a red zone offense is simple: Don’t fumble. Don’t throw a pick. Make your blocks. Catch the ball. Don’t hold, don’t jump offsides.”
Just as an aside though Joe, I noticed that neither you NOR Dirk mentioned that “Smitty needs to call better plays in the Red Zone” in your lists. I tell ya, favoritism is running amok.
?? As Joe made clear in this post. Dirk was not asked about his own red zone woes. He was asked about red zone offense in general.–Joe
October 13th, 2018 at 8:15 am
great observation ,Joe
I am pretty sure you meant false starts. I would add no delay of game penalties. Get the play off and execute it properly and be patient if things break down, make the scramble drill your friend. This is a time for sustained blocks. And open some holes for our running game.
October 13th, 2018 at 8:32 am
Looking forward to bucs stomping the dirty birds.
Loving the site again now that it focuses on the entire team and not just one player !
October 13th, 2018 at 8:33 am
Jameis needs to pump fake more
October 13th, 2018 at 8:46 am
@Pryda
Looking off his receiver,would be equally effective.
October 13th, 2018 at 9:07 am
The Falcons OC Steve Sarkisian stinks just as bad, calling plays in the Red Zone. This game will be a contest between two poorly coached teams.
October 13th, 2018 at 9:16 am
But the Falcons red zone woes are on the road
85% at home
28% on the road
It seems like a combination of Matt Ryan stinking the field on the road
Steve Sarkisian knowing that he sucks on the road
Sark calling conservative plays in the red zone, on the road
October 13th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Penalties are killers period and some teams (like the Bucs at times) seem to have certain players like Benenoch and others on the OL that likes to make procedural errors.
October 13th, 2018 at 9:37 am
Bob in Valrico Says:
October 13th, 2018 at 8:46 am
@Pryda
Looking off his receiver,would be equally effective.
—————————————————————————————————————-
You beat me to it, good job!
Don’t stare at one receiver, and throw into double coverage, but rather throw it to the open man.
tickrdr
October 13th, 2018 at 9:59 am
poor blocking and untimely penalties seem to doom this team in the red zone way too often
October 13th, 2018 at 10:03 am
Guys, this has been the same old song and dance for years. Every year the Bucs tend to explode in the red zone. Stacking penalties on a single down is a common occurrence. Every year we hear “self inflicted wounds” how about what is the coaching staff doing to correct these “self inflicted wounds”?
October 13th, 2018 at 10:22 am
I just read the Jags signed OT Erick Flowers from the Giants. WTF Licht, where are you? Probably binging in another wr or QB for a work out. You just don’t get it & probably never will.
October 13th, 2018 at 10:37 am
Awwwww, I’m listening to all the guys chirping how Winston will turn this whole thing around. Red zone? Piece of cake for JW. All is good in Bucville!
October 13th, 2018 at 11:01 am
You gotta either think Koetter is right or a..fool for not firing Smitty. Either way, I respect his right to..stand on the plank with Smitty and go down with the ship.
Here’s tippin my cup to yas there Dirk.
October 13th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
If Godwin didn’t drop Two
We would be 3-1
Oh that’s right it was Fitz who threw the ball
Yep woes do fall back on the QB
JUST DONT FORGET THAT
NO EXCUSES
October 13th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Quote sounds like this website now. GO MIGHTY BUCS and bring one home for our Bucs Brethren in the Great Bend/Panhandle!
October 14th, 2018 at 7:26 am
Defense Rules Says:
Just as an aside though Joe, I noticed that neither you NOR Dirk mentioned that “Smitty needs to call better plays in the Red Zone” in your lists. I tell ya, favoritism is running amok.
?? As Joe made clear in this post. Dirk was not asked about his own red zone woes. He was asked about red zone offense in general.–Joe
Is it just me, or did both of these guys completely overlook the fact that “Smitty,” as Defensive Coordinator, has nothing to do with Red Zone Offense?