Dirk Koetter Says He Won’t Fire Mike Smith
October 1st, 2018
The guy responsible for fixing the brutal 2017 Buccaneers defense is the same guy who will be responsible for repairing the awful 2018 Bucs defense.
That was the message from Dirk Koetter this afternoon at One Buc Palace.
The head coach will not be firing Mike Smith, at least not now.
Sad times for Bucs fans when you’re gambling on a defensive coordinator who already has failed mightily — with a head coach who repeatedly has said that he doesn’t get involved much in the defense, in part, because he doesn’t want to screw it up.
Oddly, Koetter didn’t endorse Smith; he sort of just said firing Smith won’t fix anything.
“For those people who think snapping your fingers and changing your coordinator a quarter of the way through the season, ok, what would you do after that?” Koetter said. “If we fired Mike Smith, what would the next move be, alright?”
Koetter added coaches just need to figure out the defensive failures that were widespread and not isolated to Smith in any way whatsoever.
Koetter also emphasized that this is business and his personal relationship with Smith has zero to do with football decisions.
Joe understands business a little bit and thinks Koetter is overlooking the value of a shakeup in the face of rampant failure. Also, Joe doesn’t buy the “what do you do after that” line.
First, after what happened to Jeff Tedford, Joe sure hopes Team Glazer demands that Koetter’s staff has a detailed contingency and cross-training plan for every key coach.
Second, Koetter easily could defrock Smith and still keep him on staff. No need to fire him, just find him a new role. The man is a former NFL Coach of the Year. Find his strength and use it. Third, this Bucs team is in its third year in the same system. There’s no question that linebackers coach Mark Duffner could handle the job and give it some new life.
Lastly, Koetter should realize by now — along with all Bucs fans and those paying attention — that Smith is not his Super Bowl defensive coordinator. And it is still all about winning the big trophy.
Making the move on Smith now likely would help Koetter learn more about his team and his staff, a key step in scoring the ultimate prize.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:08 pm
trade the marshmallow McCoy and all karma will be solved….
October 1st, 2018 at 3:08 pm
What would be the next move??? Upgrade Buckner… get a room, Koetter. Quit protecting your butt buddy
October 1st, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Dirk and co. Last season in Tampa. Take that to the bank.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:08 pm
This just sealed Koetter’s & Lichts fate…
October 1st, 2018 at 3:10 pm
he needed to send a message-fire smith
he sent a message-you players can do whatever you want, I won’t be here next year.
at least we draft a top 10 DB!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Start talk’n draft Joe….
Maybe even possible GM & HC candidates…
October 1st, 2018 at 3:14 pm
Did not like this presser at all. He looks like a dead man walking. Some of his statements were pretty ominous. Not a good look to give your players. He wont be back next year, his buddy will be his downfall.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:15 pm
So, when the end comes, Mike Smith is taking Dirk Koetter down to the bottom of Buccaneer Cove.
BAIL FASTER!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:16 pm
So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can’t plant me in your penthouse
I’m going back to my plough
Back to the howling old owl in the woods
Hunting the horny-back toad
Oh I’ve finally decided my future lies
Beyond the yellow brick road
— Elton John 1973
Goodbye Dirk Koetter!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Meaning The Glazers just want the profits. Teams know what they have to
do against us. I’m almost finished. This franchise is NOT serious about a championship..about being at the top. They will be Deeyham lucky to finish 8-8.
I now beleive the Glazers have the mindset to let the season play out. Dirk finishes below 500 and he’s gone. If finishing below 500 means Smith is gone? Then so be it. Once again Buc Nation..Its the SOB’S (same ole Bucs)
October 1st, 2018 at 3:17 pm
I think we’ve seen the ceiling for this Koetter-Smith duo. The Falcons during their tenure. I don’t think they can be better than they were then.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Joe. Have you checked Duffs records while at Maryland?
His defense was the worst in college. Promoting him would be a mistake
October 1st, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Wow, sooooo Koetter’s answer is “let’s just do nothing and keep status quo”??? Are you freaken kiddin me??? This defensive scheme is a total crap-show!!! Koetter is gonna go down with his sinking ship. Too proud to make a change. I seriously think anyone on his staff could do what Smith has done.
Failure to make an OBVIOUS needed change in your staff should be grounds for termination in my book. This defensive scheme as sucked a$$ for 3 years man!!! How many hints do you need to make a change?? GEEEEEEZ!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Damn,
I thought we had something there with Koetter. I guess we are going to have to sit back and watch ANOTHER slow motion trainwreck. What a shame.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:18 pm
Just get Mike Smith, GMC and Kwon out of here. I can’t stand these guys any more. They are absolute bums!!!
Did you see these idiots on the field yesterday! Absolutely helpless. How can you be a leader and be clueless on game day. Get rid of all the bums leading this crapshow and start over with a new identity………..and yes I realize we are stuck with these pathetic leaders for the meantime.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:20 pm
So he says everyone on the team and field should be fired, and now he isnt even firing the coordinator of the worst d in the league 2 years running. Same one who forgot to game plan for a 2nd year qb. Wow. So now Dirks words ring hollow. Dirk should have been fired after least season too. Here we go again.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:20 pm
The new motto
“smoke the rock”
October 1st, 2018 at 3:20 pm
This is the last season of this crap fest. Bye Bye Dirk. Bye bye Licht.
Cue Bill Paxton…
Game over man, game over.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:20 pm
If he keeps Smith then he will be walking with him at the end of the and we will have yet again another new HC.
The Defense needs a change.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Fire Schiano!!!
Oh wait…
October 1st, 2018 at 3:20 pm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers_season#/media/File:Tampabaybucsrock.JPG
October 1st, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Hey if Dirk wants to hold onto M.Smith then the only option is to can the two of them.
If this team continues to play like this we may be looking at a interim HC in November.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Gotta believe this is the kiss of the death for Koetter…unless something miraculous happens.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Koetter is done. His love of his friends is killing him. Good news is we have talent. Now we just need a coach that knows how to get the most out of it. Anyone think Saban would like another shot at the NFL?
October 1st, 2018 at 3:22 pm
Joe, couldn’t agree more with all of your points. Add another, if you change coordinators, advancing one of the backfield coaches, and after several games the D doesn’t pick up the pace, then you can rightfully say it wasn’t Smitty. But until then, you just can’t ignore the obvious. Dirk says he doesn’t pay much attention to the D. Then how the hell do you know it’s not the coaching?
October 1st, 2018 at 3:24 pm
Mike Smith has to have serious dirt on Koetter. It is the only explanation at this point.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:25 pm
Bill Parcells had a losing record in college. Different game.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:26 pm
Man… It’s going to be a long two weeks. The terrible taste of yesterday will linger for us fans. Koetter is jumping on the grenade and the biggest game of his coaching career is coming up in Atlanta. If this staff is truly capable of steering this team around the corner then a win in Atlanta is a MUST. Would love to be a fly on the wall at OBP to see if Koetter will put the pressure on Smith to get things right. Or will they just go down together holding hands.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:27 pm
something completely changed in the last week.
coach doesn’t care, team doesn’t care. it’s like every man for himself???
what gives?
October 1st, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Just watched the Presser. Dirk is just not accepting how God-awful this defense is. He’s disconnected from reality.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Mr. Koetter…you sir, might as well hand in your own resignation with those comments…what do you do next?! find ANYONE to replace him! Jack Del Rio ring any bells? Unbelievable!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:30 pm
Excuse me, I should have said how God-awful this defensive scheme is. Talent is there – perhaps not elite, but not so bad as to get man-handled the way we did yesterday.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:30 pm
Yeah Duffner would be a HARD no for me!!
Now we get to wait another 3 years to REBUILD yet again.
I mean hopefully Vita and the 3 new DBs along with Justin Evans and Kendall Beckwith will help ease the transition pains, but everyone else can go IMO.
I like what JPP has done and Nassib looks like he could work out, but LVD, Kwon, GMC, Gholston, Conte, Grimes, and the backups like Elliot etc are garbage.
I can’t believe that we had our LBs covering Allen Robinson on that TD play.
I mean I seriously couldn’t believe my eyes.
Maybe Cichy will work out too, but it will be under a different DC.
NO WAY we look back on this year and see anything different than Mike Smith needing to go!! PERIOD
And my confidence in Koetter is now a big fat 0%
October 1st, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Dungy wouldn’t fire Mike Shula either… then he was fired.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Licht says Dirk , I have let go Mike Go , Done Deal !!!
This isn’t Dirks call anymore , that time has passed !!!
I will and I think many should boycott all games until Mike is removed from the campus of One Buc Place ………… I don’t think the Glazers allow this through the bye week !!
I boycott all things Bucs until the D is in the top 10 or M Smith is Gone !!! I guess Koetter is saying coaches don’t make difference and clearly that’s his outlook towards Mike which is nepotistic and pathetic !!!!
F You Dirk !!! I spent two vacation days and 2500.00 to support your B S Nepotistic ways with the WORST D in the league . Who gives these sports coaches this entitlement that would never ever be afforded in the private sector
. F You Again to Dirk and his la la land outlook and Licht and Glazers for enabling it !!! Not another dime you Jack Clowns !!! You don’t Deserve It !!!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:31 pm
I picked a terrible time to quit drinkin
October 1st, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Already said this, but fire Dirk, promote Mike Smith to head coach, get a real DC and then let Monken run the offense without interference. Mike Smith is a proven head coach, and a disaster as a DC, so fix the problem.
Of course none of this will happen, but it’s what should happen. If Dirk isn’t the OC, then he brings absolutely nothing to the table, so why keep him around? So fix the issue, this can all be done without needing to rebuild the team or do anything drastic. Been saying the same thing for a year and a half now, Dirk isn’t HC material and it drags down the entire team.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:32 pm
If Koetter won’t fire Smith then F… this mother F..ing season we are toast!! Done F…ing finished! This lame ass coach was VERY fortunate to get one more year after the S..t fest of last year and this is what we get??? I say F….YOU!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:32 pm
2500.00 this past weekend
October 1st, 2018 at 3:32 pm
With that said, koetter just drove a nail into his own coffin. He will also be gone at the end of this season, given they don’t make the playoffs. I’m preparing myself for a major rebuild year next year 🙁
October 1st, 2018 at 3:34 pm
Any Way we can buy Monte Kiffin back?
I would give him the keys to the Kingdom right about now.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:34 pm
Then why should I waste another Sunday watching this garbage.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:34 pm
Unbelievable to say we need to fix something that’s 3 years in the making and something they’ve said 3 years in a row. Actually firing Smith is the only way to save your job.
So let me get this right you had the entire off-season to fix last year’s crappy defense and the result was they made it worse with better players and the answer is to take a bye week midseason and do what should have been done in the off-season? Whoa buying that nonsense? Bye Dirk bye licht bye Smith it’s over you ain’t winning with a defense like that sorry, it’s to easy to shut your offense down especially after 3 years you can’t fix your run game…..stick a fork in it baby it’s done
October 1st, 2018 at 3:35 pm
After a Game like that how do you keep your DC
Oh bad game they happen
Dirk obviously knows what the fans want he should know what he needs
His Defense has great DT DE and the ELITE DT
And can’t get to a reject QB
Please
Y’all Draft is coming I guess
Bucs fans can look forward to picking early
October 1st, 2018 at 3:35 pm
@Dirk Koetter .. “For those people who think snapping your fingers and changing your coordinator a quarter of the way through the season, ok, what would you do after that?” Koetter said. “If we fired Mike Smith, what would the next move be, alright?”
Dirk is a lot more level-headed than most JBFers for sure. Coaching MAY be a problem, BUT it’s not even close to being the ONLY problem. This defense especially is poorly constructed & Dirk Koetter knows that. The ONLY way this team wins is if the Bucs defense puts up tons of points (like we did in the first 2 games?). Compare this defense with ANY of the even average defenses in the league and it’ll come up woefully short every time. Coaching can make up for a few weaknesses if they’re REALLY GOOD, but that’s about it. It still takes talent & time … experience. This Bucs defense has been nothing but musical chairs all season (and yes BucBoi, for many years before that). Of course, if I was Smitty, I’d beg to be fired.
@Joe … “There’s no question that linebackers coach Mark Duffner could handle the job and give it some new life.” I don’t necessarily disagree with you Joe, but you know that to be true how? Duffner has never coached an NFL defense before to my knowledge, just position groups.
And BTW, the LB position group is DEFINITELY under-achieving right now. In the 4 games, LVD’s doing the best (26 tackles in 268 defensive snaps). Kwon’s not even average in the center (18 tackles in 268 def snaps), Taylor is woefully under-performing (3 tackles in 87 def snaps). Is that the SCHEME & coaching, or is that just downright bad playing? Did I mention that our 4 opponents rushed a total of 90 times for 349 yds?
October 1st, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Cant wait to see Julio Jones torch his former coaches AGAIN…
October 1st, 2018 at 3:37 pm
THREE years of Mike Smith is enough, Bucs fans especially should NOT have to endure this. We had one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. WE watched it every Sunday for 4-5 years.
Now we have to watch this puke every Sunday.
It’s like we’re being punished or something.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:38 pm
If Koetter doesn’t want to fire Mike Smith he might not make it to the end of the season.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:38 pm
Agree with Isaac. Either Licht or the Glazers need to step in a take action at this point. Dirk says there were so many things wrong with the D yesterday – not any one thing. So what do you do? Nothing!!!!! Take no decisive action and hope things will work themselves out. Come on man! At least try something different.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:40 pm
At the season’s end, Licht, Koetter and Smith will all be gone. Koetter loyalty to Smith cost him his job; he should have made the change in February. Licht has too many draft misses in round 1-2 to survive.
No doubt about it…..
October 1st, 2018 at 3:41 pm
@Joe … “Joe understands business a little bit and thinks Koetter is overlooking the value of a shakeup in the face of rampant failure.” Sometimes the situation leaves you little choice but to pull the pin on the grenade & throw it. Hopefully Koetter has a good throwing arm if he does that, because he’s surrounded by doo-doo and the back-splash could really stink.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:41 pm
One of my favorite pastimes is to go back into the jbf archives and read comments where I’m being told I’m stupid bc I said Dotson is garbage and so is the UPGRADED online (except JPP).
Even better is when I say something, I’m told I’m wrong, then 3 months later everyone is saying what I said months ago.
The moment this org chose McIceCream over Schiano they sealed their fate. They let go of a hard-nose old school football coach for a DT Diva.
And honestly no offense but every time I hear Mike Smith speak he reminds me of Bruce Jenner pre-op. And when I say no offense I mean I’d rather have rupaul as my DC.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Hire Derrick Brooks off the street to come in mid-season, there is no way Brooks in 2 weeks couldn’t have a defense up and running that is better than this disaster.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:44 pm
Kiss your pass good bye Koetter.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:45 pm
It’s one thing if it’s an “outlier” type game, this isn’t an outlier.
Here comes the insanity cliche:
The very definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over whilst expecting different results.
I sure hope this defense doesn’t sink this season……AGAIN!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:45 pm
If Dirk will not fire his Road-Dog Smitty, then take him down with the ship. Seriously guys, take a look at our schedule. How many games do you actually see this defense pulling us thru? Watch Baker Mayfield light us up!!! And you know Brees ain’t losin to us twice. Under our current leadership, we will be lucky..Deyham lucky to win 8 games..if that.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:45 pm
@donuts … “At the season’s end, Licht, Koetter and Smith will all be gone. Koetter loyalty to Smith cost him his job.” Agree they’ll ALL most likely be gone donuts, but Koetter’s loyalty to Smitty has nothing to do with it. The Glazer Boyz AND Licht are in charge of personnel (and that includes assistant coaches). People keep saying ‘Koetter needs to fire Smith” but that’s BS. Licht, as General Manager, needs to stop hiding and letting everyone else take the hits for HIS choices and responsibilities.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:46 pm
It’s a Bucs life…. Those two first games had me doubting my decision of selling my Season tix, now I can sit back and watch RedZone all day!!! My beer has never been colder!!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:49 pm
No Accountability. Can’t hold the players accountable if the coaching staff isn’t. It’s actually sad.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:52 pm
Koetter — If you do not fire Mike Smith you will most certainly go down with this sinking ship!
October 1st, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Very simple fix here. Fire them both immediately. And trade Winston for a case of crab legs. Then start actually assembling a championship defense. I sure do miss the old days. Still a Bucs fan, but these are hard times.
October 1st, 2018 at 3:58 pm
“If we fired Mike Smith, what would the next move be, alright?
Spoken like a true pansy….
No matter what you do it can’t be any worse…..
October 1st, 2018 at 3:58 pm
I hope they all fail epically what they did yesterday was a complete embarrassment to football and they all should been fired at least mike and dirk when this season is over hopefully a new coach a defense of coach who can call more one play over and over a GM how can actually draft good and a little love from the owners for there fans
October 1st, 2018 at 4:00 pm
I always voted little confidence in koetter on your jbf poll but it has now gone down to no confidence. He is mentally weak at the head coaching position and is in WAY over his head right now.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:00 pm
Greg Says:
History repeating itself.
A new regime in 2019. GM, too?
What promised to be an interesting season just went down the crapper.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:01 pm
Dungy did fire Mike Shula…and replaced him twice. Three coordinators Dungy wanted: Bruce Arians, Norb Turner, Tom Moore.
buc hostory would have been different if he was able to get one of them.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:01 pm
Well, I’m guessing the next move would be to hand over the keys to someone who doesn’t have a long history of tape and tendencies that is so predictable. Someone who is going to call defensive plays aggressively. Ya know… pretty much what has happened for the offense this year.
Would love to hear what exactly the d-line coach said or did to get replaced. Must have been pretty egregious given DK’s loyalty to his staff and players.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:02 pm
2018 – The Bucs are on a record setting pace for all-time worst defense
2017 – Worst passing defense in the league
If you’re the Glazers and you digest these two facts you have to ask:
1. Why did we not change DC after we had the worst passing defense in the league?
2. Why did we think if we kept doing the same thing we’ll get different results?
3. Who made these decision?
Mike Smith is out. That’s a given. But he should have been out after last year. Why Dirk and Licht stayed with Smith is the quandary. If you don’t make a change things will stay the same. The fact that neither the GM or HC is a strong enough leader to make a change SHOULD ABSOLUTELY GET THEM FIRED.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:02 pm
As much as I agree that Mike Smith needs to go, Koetter is right. They would only promote from within and run the exact same defense. May as well wait until the season is over, I guess.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:04 pm
“A liquor captain never abandons a sinking sh!t ship”
Jim Lahey
October 1st, 2018 at 4:04 pm
Mark Duffner and Buckner are not good options at all.
Mark Duffner sucks a a DC. Buckner has never called plays.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:05 pm
This is a train wreck. It’s now clear that Dork and company should have been let go of last year. I guess the Glazers are going to SD it back and let this play out as I suppose they said they would. Then again they aren’t stupid or blind. I would think that they themselves are or at least SHOULD BE embarrassed enough to step in and do the right thing.
And what about the GM? where is he in this? Doesn’t he care about his job and his reputation? Can’t he do anything about this? His future is tied to this as well, is it not? It’s CLEAR that it’s now a dumpster 🔥!
Another commentor has it right in that it was “every man for themselves”. That’s exactly what it was… Covering with linebackers? WTF? YEAH 8
October 1st, 2018 at 4:06 pm
Bonzai…so you’re done with 11-5 then?
October 1st, 2018 at 4:06 pm
Tgh
I guessing he said gmc is garbage and should be traded.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:06 pm
We’re just going to have to hope Mike Smith turns things around. I won’t root against him. I root for the team and that means I want whoever is in there to do better. If that’s Mike Smith, so be it.
But I’ve been making hte point that firing him in the season would do no good. No time to install a new defense and no one on hte team is good enough to replace him.
However…I would love them to hired Brooks to help make things better.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:07 pm
I can send some money from argentina for the billboard “fire smithy”
Just let me know.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:09 pm
No Bonzai…..Not if the team continues to perform like this. If that happens Dirk needs to be gone mid-season.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:09 pm
Just watched Dork’s presser.
This man is not a HC. Teams are reflections of their HC. Should have let Smitty go, and showed us he had a least one testicle. Nope.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:09 pm
Why in the world would we wait until the end of the season? We are one game out of first in the division. This has to happen this week. Fire them both tonight!! It is the only chance Licht has of keeping his own job. Maybe Cowher wants to give it a go, Del Rio is available, Buckner can take over the DC job, if he sucks, he is an easy fire at the end of the year. Monken has done a good job with the play calling until this weekend, I swear that Koetter took back over the play calling this week. It was eerily similar to last years play calls, nothing like the first 3 weeks this year. This is simple to me, Glazers aren’t on the hook for that much. Everyone wanted these two fired last year, remember all the ridiculous Gruden talk (hated that choice, myself) but loved getting the idea of firing Pete and Repeat. THIS SEASON IS NOT LOST YET, unless you keep dumb and dumber but why do that to your fans.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:09 pm
I think Koetter going to face a fire your friend or lose your job moment.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:10 pm
Smiths scheme is definitely predictable and the players we need to count on don’t show up to be counted on. David, kwon, Mccoy and the secondary coaches are great disappontments at best. This team has been nothing but great talkers for the last ten years and say all the right things at the beginning of the season, but never back it up during the season. Lavonte and Kwon don’t have enough butt to really be effective as NFL linebackers and they have shown that year after year. It’s time to stop the talk and walk the walk.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:10 pm
What would I do? Promote coach Bukner! He seems to know the game better than Smith!
October 1st, 2018 at 4:11 pm
This is why the Bucs should resign Fitz and trade Winston. Its going to be hard to add the necessary pieces on defense when you are paying your middling QB 100 million dollars.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:12 pm
Just so we are clear the team still can dig themselves out of this.
I just don’t know if this embarrassment if enough to recover from…….It feels like nobody on the team cares. Not the coaches not the players.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:14 pm
But 1987, if you’re talking to me I had predicted 10~6 with a playoff berth. But now….. Maybe not so sure after what we all witnessed. My heart is broken man. I don’t see how they comeback from that without change and Litter just said he’s not changing anything so, without changed the answer is yes. I’ve changed my mind…. Sad and increased to say the least
October 1st, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Just like he was scared to go for it against Pittsburgh, he was scared to start the best QB yesterday, he is scared to fire the only person he knows that coaches defense. This is who he is folks.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Koetter has sealed his FATE!!!!! What u wait to fire him after we give up 56 to the Falcons after two weeks to prepare?????
Then we miss the payoffs by that one game???
NSYNC and the crew singing BYE BYE BYE
October 1st, 2018 at 4:15 pm
He’s going to be hoisted on his own petard here. I can’t beli be this guy is going to burn this season over friendship.
Based on this I’m not sure they shouldn’t fire Koetter just to get at Smith.
Or Licht should take it away from Koetter altogether and fire him anyway. Tell Dirk, up to him whether he stays too.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:15 pm
GMC on pace for 16 tackles this season.
16 tackles
Infusion of D Line talent has resulted in this performance.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Bonzai- Buckner has never called plays and will be 10 times the Coordinator Mike Smith is. Also he will rule that locker room because he will still whoop someones ass in there if they don’t want to fall in line.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:18 pm
So koetter is going to walk the plank with Smith at seasons end . Unbelievable ! I can’t hardly believe Licht or the Glazers refuse to take control here . You would think the excitement in the community during the first two weeks of the season would have had the Glazers see what a little winning could do , it has been a while ! I can hardly believe they will stand by and let this sh*t show continue !
October 1st, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Buc1987 Says
“Bonzai…so you’re done with 11-5 then?”
No! I’m going to believe until it is impossible. IF we hit 6 losses, then I’ll gie up on that one.
Until then, I’m sticking with it.
You never know…many teams come out of the bye week and do well. I believe we’ll win a streak of games at some point. After Atlanta, the games get a little easier.
No excuses for the Bears game, but 2-2 is what most of use hoped for before the bye week, so I’m not freaking yet. The last two games looked horrible…but the first two still happened.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:20 pm
We win, Glazers make money
We suck, Glazers make money
October 1st, 2018 at 4:20 pm
fricken fire sale at this point.
GMC
JW
D Jax
M Evans
JPP
anyone of value- just put a big yard sale sign out front!!
October 1st, 2018 at 4:23 pm
I can’t believe I thought we had a shot of making the Playoffs this year. Now I realize the only reason we are not 0-4 is because of how good Fitzy was playing the first 2 games. There still is not enough talent on this team to be a contender, all we have is a good receiving corps. It’s either that or the coaches are worse than I thought. We should have never gotten rid of Schiano, at least the defense was playing pretty good. We just needed an OC and some stability at QB. Now it looks like we are going to be looking for a new HC next year and probably a new GM too. I can’t believe how bad this team is right now. We might not win another game this year except for the 49ers game. I bet even Cleveland beats us the way we are playing. It’s hard to even watch the games as bad as they looked yesterday. I guess we are going to have to start rebuilding again next year and that sucks.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:23 pm
I feel sorry for season ticket holders. You have already paid for your seats only to know that you will be watching the 32nd ranked defense play…again…week after week…with no improvements in sight.
I somehow win after only spending $200 for Sunday Ticket here in Canada. Why don’t I feel lucky for only getting fleeced that amount?
October 1st, 2018 at 4:26 pm
@jjbucfan
He won’t rule the locker room if he cannot call plays…and Mike Smith isn’t That bad at calling plays…sort of. Well, he’s better than someone who has never done it. And he’s a better DC than Duffner.
Some believe the Bears game was so bad because the players wanted Winston back. They may like Fitz as a teammate, and they were behind him when Winston could not be there, but that doesn’t mean they want him instead of him.
Here’s what I really believe: Grimes is rusty but will get better. Davis, Stewart, Vea and Rojo will get better with experience. The offensive line may come out better from the bye week. They were lights out the first two games, so we know they have it in them. Winston may not break the same records as Fitz (400+ 3 times in a row), but he will do better overall.
I also believe the sacks will come more often from here on out.
And finally, I believe we will go 11-5. I doubt anyone else agrees on that last one, but until it is impossible, I will believe.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:27 pm
@Robert
Go away.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:28 pm
I knew he wouldnt do what needs to be done. The man would rather be fired than be mean to his bestie. Another wasted season for Bucs fans. I look forward to seeing who the new HC will be after the season.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:28 pm
I predicted 8-8 for the season. With this current Defense, we will not get there.
With the 1st thru say the 5th pick (somewheres in there) in the 2019 NFL Draft, The TB Bucs select………….
October 1st, 2018 at 4:28 pm
I always said he was a good coach and it just takers time to build things lets stick with them.
He’s done if he wont fire Mike Smith he is out!
That was a joke yesterday and I have a feeling we are going to see a lot more of the same BS..
October 1st, 2018 at 4:28 pm
The Bears could have threw 8 touchdowns on us…And that’s not even an exaggeration. The defense gave up. The scheme wasn’t adjusted and that’s all on coaching and play calling. Koetter sunk his ship with that comment. He just tied himself to Smith
October 1st, 2018 at 4:29 pm
Anyone who made a prediction of 9-7, 10-6 or 11-5…don’t just give up. We are at .500. Better than most national people predicted.
Heck, some media predicted 3-13!
Hang in there. Being a fan is a faith-based effort.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:30 pm
@bonzai – lick my smegma
October 1st, 2018 at 4:31 pm
I’ve been a fan since the beginning. 1976. These days are as bad as the 80s. I have back Dirk until now. CLEAN HOUSE
October 1st, 2018 at 4:32 pm
OMG HE FIRED FITZ for WINSTON!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 4:33 pm
I quarterback that young we should of blitzed way more than we did
October 1st, 2018 at 4:34 pm
The only thing you can invision now is 30 points being put up against us. Then the offense trying to keep up.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:37 pm
If he won’t fire Smith then he needs to be FIRED! Cut Koetter! Booooo what a crock. I can’t wait to attend the next game a pass out paper grocery bags to Bucs fans.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Opposing offensive coordinators are several steps ahead of Mike Smith. They easily got their quick back in routes with one of our LB several times and completely exposed the LB. Also throw in a trips formation or cross our zones and we go all keystone cops. This bye is sorely needed!
October 1st, 2018 at 4:41 pm
Dirk just fired himself and the rest of his staff come Black Monday at the end of the season.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:41 pm
Jameis will win a few games the Bucs shouldn’t win. Maybe a fluke victory and 6-10 is the best we can hope for. If they fire Jason Licht and Koetter the clown shoe.. then that’s a winning season.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:41 pm
They found their scapegoat…Jerel Worthy has been released. 🙄
October 1st, 2018 at 4:42 pm
DR
this defense aint poorly constructed….lol…..smitty has 4 former 1st rounders along the dline…..he has proven depth behind that……2 of our 3 LB’s are former PBers……the secondary has 3 second round picks…..
the players are fine….the coaching is horrible……
and im glad you mentioned the LB’s….kwon and LVD are yet another example of a defensive player regressing under smitty…..first it was gholston, then VHG, then spence now kwon and LVD…..i guess we can assume j.evans will regress next…..
dirk’s loyalty to smitty will cost lots of folks their job at OPB……and for dirk and smitty, that will be their last job in the NFL…..back to coaching QB’s in college and writing books…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Dirk just fired himself and the rest of his staff come Black Monday at the end of this season.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:46 pm
The mistake is not today it was in the off season thinking Smith could actually fix this train wreck. Stubbornness just flat stubbornness, and that is going to cost him his dream job. Unreal.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:48 pm
and what type of answer is that…….
the next step would be promote buckner to DC and tell him improve the defense by any means…..
then you tell the coaches and players that smitty has been fired and that BS wont happen again this year and if it does heads will roll again…..
dirk needs to grow a pair and be a leader of men and not a leader of an offensive scheme…..i don’t see how a coach can get promoted to HC without knowing or wanting to give input regarding the defensive gameplan…..that’s zero accountability……that incompetence
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 4:49 pm
I think Mike over complicates this defense reason for all of the missed assignments. Just blitz more and play man. Punch WRs in the mouth at the line of scrimmage. Try something other then what you are currently doing Mike! As a season ticket holder since 2013 and traveling over 300 miles for the games I’m about done with this team just because of the inept decision making. How many times does this defenseive coach need to embarrass us as fans? I don’t support mediocrity.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:51 pm
ndog
exactly!!!!!
the mistake was keeping them hoping they would figure it out…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Good thing it’s not Dirk’s call
October 1st, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Tired…
Mediocrity would be an upgrade
October 1st, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Any idea on who our new HC will be? I wouldn’t mind someone like a Teryl Austin or a Vic Fangio. Hopefully they’d consider keeping Monken as the OC.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Just look at that photo of Dirk, I said it weeks ago the first time I saw that picture, but is that a photo of a guy that is the head coach of a football team? No, that’s the picture of a guy who is a goof and who should have never gotten the job. Is the guy in that picture a guy who commands respect? No, he’s an emo dork who won’t make a tough decision. The same guy who punts from the Steelers 36 in a shootout, is the same guy who doesn’t have the guts to fire his buddy no matter how terrible his buddy is. Also does that picture look like a guy who cares if he’s fired? I mean he gets paid either way and I can see Dirk loving to take a paid vacation for a while. Dirk isn’t head coaching material, and that has been evident since he quit on the team in his first year when we played Denver at home. Which further shows why Lovie should have never been fired – Dirk is capped as an OC and he did a great job in that role, yet the lynch mob ran Lovie out of town before Dirk had a chance to get to year 2 with Jameis and this offense. Instead we have a guy now who is way in over his head and whose best decision in two years was to give up the play calling, which is the only reason he got the job. The guy shouldn’t be a head coach, they should fire him, right now, and give the job to Mike Smith so long as he promises to have nothing to do with play calling on offense or defense (and obviously you need to get a new DC).
October 1st, 2018 at 4:53 pm
I’m going to go on record and say this is Koetter’s demise – his loyalty to Mike Smith will be his failure and ultimately lead to him being fired by Jason Licht.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:54 pm
Heck, some media predicted 3-13!
that’s still on the table buddy…..mitch trubisky just had an career day vs smitty….let that sink in for a minute…..mitch trubisky!!!!!!!……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 4:55 pm
I see some people say promote Buckner.. but why? What has he proven? Before the season started I was told by majority of fans that this guy is going to be a game changer coach.. we’re now 4 games in and the Dline still allows all the time in the world for the QB to throw the ball, and thats with a revamped Dline personel. So why are we as fans anointing Buckner for no reason?
October 1st, 2018 at 4:56 pm
It really wasn’t their day that’s for sure. The problem I have is this D (since the Super Bowl players left) has been blown out for EVERY coach since Kiffin. Are we going to look back next year after getting rid of Smith who is like what the fifth defensive coordinator since Kiffin? There Comes a time when players HAVE to be held responsible. McCoy had to make me laugh when his uniform was still beach white while giving a pep talk to D players who look like they went through a meat grinder.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:59 pm
At least the sh!tty defensive play has given us Bucs fans something to unite on.
October 1st, 2018 at 4:59 pm
If the Buccaneers decide to let go of personnel 1by1 it would Probably be in this order:
#1…..Smitty
#2…..Koetter
#3…..Licht
Could it be by keeping Smith till the last possible moment Koetter keeps a buffer between him and his own demise..at least for a while?
October 1st, 2018 at 5:00 pm
pepsi – I agree with you on Buckner, but not for the reason you said, but because he has zero experience as a defensive coordinator, so who is to say he can step into that job, something (as far as I know) he’s never done before, sit in the booth, and call a good game? If you make a move like that you have to do in the offseason to give the guy a chance, right now if you throw Buckner into that position you’re basically saying welcome to the unemployment line by week 17.
Now if everyone is going to get fired anyways, then what do you have to lose – but you’re not giving him much of a chance to pull anything off.
How about instead we make a trade to the Falcons for Raheem Morris and Keith Tandy for Mike Smith and a tuna sandwich?
October 1st, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Fire them both. Promote Monken.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:02 pm
Is there a suspicion that Dirk was back calling the offense plays in the Bears game ???.
Looked particularly morbid and predictable, unlike the first two
games when we played with a lot more venom and went for the jugular !.
The team has had the passion sucked out of them, opponent knows whats coming on both sides of the ball, terrible coaching
and painful to watch.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:02 pm
I guess I am the only one who thinks Licht is worth a crap. I think Jason has done very well. My feeling is that this D staff (except for Buckner, maybe) is incompetent. I do think Koetter’s loyalty to Smitty will get him run.
I still like Licht.
Anyone who wants JW gone has lost their ever-lovin mind. He is going to be fine.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:03 pm
If your friends with any prominent realtors, tell them you have a bunch of good leads for them.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:03 pm
Well Dirk…I guess you’ll be holding his hand as you both walk the plank.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:04 pm
Aceofaerospace – Yeah that’s a great idea, do the same thing the Bucs did with Dirk, take a successful OC, and rip them away from the only thing they do well to make them a head coach so their time is spilt so many ways they then in turn don’t do anything well.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Pepsi,
Because he has more balls than most of the guys on D and the hope was it would motivate them and bring out their talent like Rod Marinelli. Not to mention his experience! Trubisky could have ordered a beer and drank it while in the pocket yesterday. The trenches in the NFL are all about the Alpha male! You don’t need to be the smartest but you do need to be the strongest fastest and meanest.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:05 pm
@Pistol Pete:
I’m surprised any DL has any tackles at all, because the Bucs pass D is so pathetic who needs to run?
October 1st, 2018 at 5:05 pm
C’MON JOE…..DO A DIRK KOETTER CONFIDENCE POLL !!!!
(And Winston poll too)
October 1st, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Great … so today we learned not only are we without OJ Howard for a few weeks, we get to watch another season of horrific D play. Great day for Bucs fans….
October 1st, 2018 at 5:08 pm
LOL! you People are the reason other NFL fans think were the laughing stock. Two weeks ago it was party time and playoff bound. Two weeks later you want to fire everyone. SMH! Worst fan base in the country by far and Joe is the fearless leader. Joe if your so smart why not coach instead of just talking out both sides of your mouth.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Rod Munch Says:
October 1st, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Just look at that photo of Dirk, I said it weeks ago the first time I saw that picture, but is that a photo of a guy that is the head coach of a football team? No, that’s the picture of a guy who is a goof and who should have never gotten the job. Is the guy in that picture a guy who commands respect? No, he’s an emo dork who won’t make a tough decision. The same guy who punts from the Steelers 36 in a shootout, is the same guy who doesn’t have the guts to fire his buddy no matter how terrible his buddy is. Also does that picture look like a guy who cares if he’s fired? I mean he gets paid either way and I can see Dirk loving to take a paid vacation for a while. Dirk isn’t head coaching material, and that has been evident since he quit on the team in his first year when we played Denver at home. Which further shows why Lovie should have never been fired – Dirk is capped as an OC and he did a great job in that role, yet the lynch mob ran Lovie out of town before Dirk had a chance to get to year 2 with Jameis and this offense. Instead we have a guy now who is way in over his head and whose best decision in two years was to give up the play calling, which is the only reason he got the job. The guy shouldn’t be a head coach, they should fire him, right now
***************************************************************
bro, i couldn’t have said it better!!!!!!!!!…..so much truth and facts in that post, only a damn fool and smitty nut hugger would try to debate you(cough cough DR & realist)
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Bears were playing 8 in coverage most of the day. Not a dime package but worked for them none the less.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:09 pm
So what happened to that defense last Monday that held the Steelers scoreless in the second half of the game?
Where was that defense yesterday? Where was the play calling? the communication?
This is a Jekyl and hyde team.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Like Joe, I’m terribly disappointed. Glazers need to intervene. We have ample evidence. When you say no one did anything right, who’s responsible for teaching guys how to do things right.
We were out-schemed–out coached.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Stravenite – I don’t know that Dirk was calling plays directly, but certainly at halftime of the Steelers game the offense seemed to come out very different, they started the Dirk special of running up the gut for no gain on 1st down over and over again, something that hadn’t been done prior to that. After the game Dirk said they MUST run the ball more, despite having no success running the ball. This game they come out looking very much like Dirk’s offense. Dirk meanwhile claims he’s not calling plays, but I think Monken is getting the riot act from Dirk on NOT running the ball, despite that being exactly the reason the Bucs had success early. Dirk plays by the 1955 head coaching manual which says you show people how much of a man you are by running straight up the gut and you don’t pull off any off that commie stuff like pretending to throw when you run – and that wasn’t there in early. So either Dirk has inserted himself directly into the script, or is giving Monken orders during the game, or Monken was just a couple week wonder who got really really lucky by calling a couple of great games before reverting into a Dirk clone.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:12 pm
folks talking about no to buckner because of experience….well, you got to start somewhere…..give him a chance…..it wont get any worse….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 5:15 pm
The “Curse of Kiffin” still haunts the Bucs. It has been the same for 10+ years. No pass rush, can’t stop the run, and can’t stop the pass. The Glazers need to sell the team to a ownership that with a winning mindset, rather than a group of brothers living in the shadow of their dead father.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Call the defense “Smith-magic” cause he makes the defense disappear. Smith has been mastering this for years with the bucs.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:17 pm
Smith isn’t the one leaving people wide open he’s not the one that can’t get off a block he’s not missing tackles and taking bad angles. I think that’s koetter’s point.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:18 pm
Bonzai- I completely disagree with you about Buckner-he played for a long time in this league, that alone makes him more qualified than Sh*tty Smitty.
However, I completely agree with about Robert the Troll, LOL
October 1st, 2018 at 5:18 pm
All of this is FAR bigger than Koetter or Smith. This is bad ownership. It is the only constant.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:18 pm
As a coach (or employer) you can teach players (or employees) to do something but you can’t teach them the want or motivation to do something right. This team for the last 10 years has been soft mentally and physically. Hard to argue that right? I’m going to call it the Dexter Jackson course! Not the good Dexter Jackson but the second round WR pick who was scared to get on the football field.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Good point made earlier in posting. The Falcons fired both Smith and Koetter long ago and have been elite until recently.
If Licht or Koetter won’t move on Smith, the Glazer’s will move on them after another debacle of a season.
Oct 1, 2-2 record and season circling the drain.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Soft players and failed second round picks since then
October 1st, 2018 at 5:19 pm
The bye week gives them 2 weeks to heal up.
McCoy should be more effective, hopefully Allen is back, Vea will be part of rotation, Whitehead should be back- if they beat Atlanta, most of you will do a 180.
Jameis needs to be sharp and Monken needs to go back to being aggressive with receivers.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:20 pm
I’m pretty sure the Glazers are giving Dirk the rope to either hang himself, or to pull himself out of this nosedive. I think we know the outcome already, but at this point what’s the point of forcing a change when you’re already planning on firing everyone in a few months anyways? Might as well let them play it out and see how it goes. Also if the offense can score 30+ a week, and keep in mind the Bears are one of the best defenses in football, then the Bucs should have a chance, even with awful Mike Smith there.
From Mike Smith’s standpoint, you do what Dungy always said, simplify everything to the basics, and run those basics over and over and over again until everyone knows them inside and out, then run them some more. If Mike Smith had any sense he’d bring in Derrick Brooks right now (although I’m not sure Brooks would want his name attached to this mess) and let him provide input in everything, from players to play calling.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:20 pm
How can this organization not make a good decision..EVER!
Fire the Glaziers, they’re bringing this team down. I dont care how nice they are, if they wanna have daiquiris with Mike Smith on the beach because they’re scared to pull the trigger then go ahead, sell the team to so.eone competent and passionate about this game, you HACKS!
October 1st, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Koetter is a pansy and knows his days are numbered. Just reason pro football talk that jameis is starting week 6. And koetter said you have to go with winston he will be the quarterback of the bucs long after I will be the coach. So you are just giving up and saying you are going to get fired. So you know you are horrible and in over your head. So why not do the players and fans a favor and quit. How can you be a head coach and not even believe in yourself. How are players suppose to rally around you. What a joke of a coach. Wait forever for the season. Now it’s already a 1/4 gone and we need to start already looking at the draft available free agents. And are new entire coaching staff and front office. Then get to hear next year when we are struggling it will take the new coaching staff awhile to get there players and implement there system. As we watch more first year coaches go to the playoffs. We just got blown out by a first year coach. They are 3-1 and there quarterback until yesterday had more picks then td. Only had two in three games. But somehow they can badly outcoach are coaching staff. Why are we the team that looks so unprepared every game. Like we have no clue what offense or defense is going to be ran against us. But every team we play has the most perfect game plan of the year against us. Watch next week the bears will scor 10-17 points. I would guarantee that Trubisky doesn’t match his 6 tds against us in any two game stretch the rest of the year. You can even take his two best games over the whole season and two games won’t match the 6 he had on us. I bet Prescott can’t wait to play is so he can get his first game over 250 yards passing in two years.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:24 pm
813bucboi – For Buckner I think you put him in a lose/lose. He has very little to work with at DB and he’d still be running THIS defensive scheme – so it would all come down to what plays he calls. I mean sure, that can make a difference, but taking a guy from the sideline, and putting them in the booth, when apparently he has no experience there (none that I’ve seen from looking at his bio anyways), and trying to do it during a bye week, that’s a lot to ask. Not saying he can’t do it, and if they had done it during the offseason I’d be totally for it, but that’s a tough in-season transition.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:24 pm
THE BUC’S RELEASE JEREL WORTHY, CREATING A ROSTER SPOT. I HAVE IT FROM A FRIEND, WHO’S NEIGHBOR’S FREQUENT’S A PUB WHERE THE BARTENDERS MOTHER’S GETS HER NAILS DONE BY THE COUSIN OF THE GUY RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEAN TOWELS, SAYS MIKE SMITH WILL PHYSICALLY JOIN THE D TO TRY TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:25 pm
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE CHANCE TWINS?
SLIM AND FAT
October 1st, 2018 at 5:31 pm
Wow, shows you how broken and easily crushed we Bucs fans are. @ weeks ago you all were dancing in the streets, now it’s “fire everybody?” People need to realize that teams can and regularly do have bad games immediately after good ones and vice versa. I agree as Bucs fans, we see a lot more of the bad, but personally, I’m not giving up on 2018 yet. Jameis likes to go to Atlanta and play lights out. He does that in two weeks, you’ll all be happy again, so I think it’s a bit early at 2 and 2, to be freaking out so dramatically.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:31 pm
What about this expensive explosive offense? What did they do yesterday?
It’s fire Mike Smith, fire Mike Smith
And this one dimensional pathetic offense gets a free pass
60 yards rushing, 10 points (7 during garbage time)
Three 3 and out
7 of the first 8 drives ended in punts or turnovers
The Bucs offense was pathetic against a Bears defense that Aaron Rodgers dropped 21 points on in 6 minutes, hobbling on one leg
I’m not buying this fire Mike Smith BS
Mike Smith is just another scapegoat
Last season it was Jay Hayes and Doug Martin
October 1st, 2018 at 5:33 pm
rod
I agree that he’ll be in a lose lose situation…..you win….lol….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 5:34 pm
Smith isn’t the one leaving people wide open he’s not the one that can’t get off a block he’s not missing tackles and taking bad angles. I think that’s koetter’s point.
————-
If we were talking about 1 game here. Then you/he would have a valid argument. But considering this is the same crap defense we’ve had for 3 years now… with a ALOT of different players that havent panned out, at some point you have got to realize how silly it is not to put the blame on the coach where it belongs.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:36 pm
It’s obvious that Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter are responsible for this mess
It’s so clear a blind person can see it
But some refuse to accept the truth
October 1st, 2018 at 5:37 pm
Been saying for 2 years how garbage a gm licht is and get ripped on here for not knowing anything, well the proof in the record, im a bucs fan and wouldnt be on this site if not like all yall but enough is enough w licht and his BS personnel moves, buckner IS NOT the answer, NO OTHER team in NFL or college wanted him, he signed w a lame duck franchise, watch vea’s play sunday, he looked like a hs DT, it was bad, thats flat coaching or lack of it, anyways, id trade djax now get a high pick rd 2, trade GMC maybe a 3, but kwon can walk, keep JPP, a few others, retool OL, but licht is a dunderhead & team is poorly constructed
October 1st, 2018 at 5:41 pm
Lakeland Kotter was holding the placard, wearing the headset and talking into the headset everythime our offense was on the field. That offense looked a heel of a lot more like his playacting than it did Monkens the first two weeks.
Koetter is a dead man walking and all of this talent is about to be wasted AGAIN!!!
I’m really not sure how much longer this league will have me watching ANYTHING!!! Its to the point where I feel like a complete moron for continuing to invest my time into this crap product. Tell ya right now if I was the owner of an nil franchise I would be losing sleep trying to get it right.
Guarantee the glaziers don’t loose ANY sleep counting their millions. This starts from the top down. If nobody is willing to fire mike smith and nobody is forcing a change than obviously nobody cares and the entire locker room knows it by now.
Cuter just lost the entire team
October 1st, 2018 at 5:46 pm
When you see players who just left this defense go to other team’s and are working well guess where the problem is?
October 1st, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Welcome aboard the Fire Licht train Bucs fans. While other teams fans celebrate post season football, Tampa fans have the firings of Licht, Koetter, and Smith! Fire Licht!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 1st, 2018 at 5:48 pm
At least the fan base is united and agrees that it’s time for competent coaching and quality Management.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:52 pm
The problem starts with the GM and the Head Coach
They fired Lovie and gave Jason Licht full control of football operations
They promoted Dirk Koetter from OC to Head Coach
And they are no better than they were
They should have cleaned house when they fired Lovie
October 1st, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Lakeland mike Smith’s defenses have been in the bottom of the league in just about every category for three straight years. You cant possibly not see that. Hes awful and not even remotely getting better, it’s getting worse!
October 1st, 2018 at 5:54 pm
How soon can we get Mike Smith to stand at a podium for questions?
October 1st, 2018 at 5:56 pm
Good. This will just end this whole mess sooner. Koetter, Licht and Smith will all be gone after this year. Should’ve happened this offseason. Glazers just wasted another year on these dummies.
October 1st, 2018 at 5:58 pm
They are playing antiquated football. If you can’t multi-scheme on both sides of the ball you are screwed in today’s NFL.
You must be able to have a counter move to the opposition.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:00 pm
The Bucs won the toss and the genius Dirk Koetter deferred the kickoff. Why would you do that on the road? You say you have an explosive offense, then get them on the field first.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:03 pm
Cjmaster
It’s not Mike Smith defense, it’s Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter defense. They hired Mike Smith to replace Lovie Smith. And they are no better than they were with Lovie. It’s the same defense Lovie was running, a lot of the same players. You can’t blame Mike Smith for this mess. Mike Smith didn’t hire Mike Smith.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:06 pm
Back in 2009 before the season started, Raheem fired OC Jeff Jagodzinski but offered to let him stay as QB coach. Jagodzinski declined.
Would Smith be willing to stay as d-line coach and let Brentson Buckner take over play calling?
October 1st, 2018 at 6:14 pm
Mike Smith on hard knocks: “we couldn’t stop a marching band!”
October 1st, 2018 at 6:15 pm
So—— There you have it! We have a HC who has had one of worst Defenses in the NFL for 3 years running say What we do next. Holy crap! Are you are afraid that promoting or hiring someone new would make them worse? Did he watch the game Sunday? Making this D worse would be nearly impossible! What in the world is he thinking? Give someone, anyone a chance to get this guys to work together. Three friggin years and still communication problems is a coaching problem! Players continually out of position is a coaching problem! Nope. He is a good coach. He will get it right. Just needs another year. Give me a break. Koetter probably wants Martin back too. Players normally want to play their best. When they don’t even show up that’s on coaches. What a friggin embarrassment for all the world to see.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:17 pm
And the Glazers are fine with this?!
October 1st, 2018 at 6:33 pm
Lakeland, koetters defense?! That’s crazy talk. So you’re saying that smitty has had zero input? Preposterous. Just look at how things ended in atlanta, same is happening here. You cant run through this many players and keep blaming the players.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:33 pm
Maybe he’s giving him the bye week to get it right…..perhaps after Atlanta?
October 1st, 2018 at 6:37 pm
Bears just scored again.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:39 pm
Cgmaster
You all keep saying Smitty this, Smitty that.
When the Bucs fired Lovie Smith, they gave Jason Licht COMPLETE control of FOOTBALL OPERATIONS. He named Dirk Koetter Head Coach, then he Dirk named Mike Smith DC. Mike Smith didn’t come to them begging for a job, they went to him and offered him the job. And he has been here for 3 seasons, even got an extension. So yeah it’s Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter defense. They are responsible for this mess, and NO ONE else. This is Jason Licht and Dirk Koetter team, and this defense and the coaches are part of the team. This should be simple, but most fans refuse to accept reality.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Other than our front four we have No blitzes, and if there was, there wasn’t many. The teams that play us blitz the crap out of us practically every passing play. When you are weak on the backend you can’t give opposing QB’s all day to pick you apart.
Pittsburgh cleaned our clock with exotic blitzes to protect their DB’s so you don’t think Chicago wasn’t going to do the same thing? The argument about blitzing leaving the backend open for big plays is BS. We’re getting picked apart without any pressure besides our front four. So giving up a big play because they picked up the blitz is a weak argument when they are killing us without blitzes anyway.
Smith’s defensive scheme sucks ..You’re Fired!
October 1st, 2018 at 6:42 pm
how many coaches do the mentally weak gmc and lvd get to run off before you people finally start holding your failed and pathetic defensive captains accountable for quitting on multiple coaches and multiple flat performances that resulted in BLOWOUTS…. Captain Blowout and his sidekick have no heart and are simply just in it for a paycheck. nearly a decade of proof to back up my statements. results matter and you idiots mistake popularity with greatness time and time again. results prove gmc and his pal are nothing more than the face of the basement years and the proud owners of more blowouts than any other captains in team history…. get rid of these career loser has-beens that never were led by gmc, lvd and dotson and watch these young kids grow…. gmc, lvd and dotson have PROVEN BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO WIN NOR PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR BIG GAMES….
October 1st, 2018 at 6:43 pm
Well that was predictable. No way Koetter fires Smith; well maybe Licht or Team Glazer could force him to reassign Smitty.
Back in the late 80s Culverhouse threatened to move games to Orlando and a local radio station(99.3 the Power Pig) put billboards up with a picture of a phillips head screw and the name Hugh. Gator alumni paid for a Zook billboard in Gainesville and I am pretty sure bus driver Taggert needed a win at Louisville to a avoid getting himself advertised on I 10. Too bad we can’t see a Fire Smitty billboard on 275. That would be epic and the national attention would have to force action from 1 Buc. Smitty has to quit calling plays. Its disgusting is gonna get a lot of people pink slipped!
October 1st, 2018 at 6:52 pm
What would we do next? Hell Derrick Brooks would be better than smith. If you could get sapp to come in he would be better.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:52 pm
Koetter has just doubled down on stupidity. Both he and Smith are doomed and they can take Licht with them.
October 1st, 2018 at 6:53 pm
Dungy, Monte, anyone for the rest of the year but Smitty.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:04 pm
you fools are hilarious wanting to bring in all these unqualified has-beens from the past…. just because a player was a good player does not mean they can coach or run a franchise. 55 ran the Storm into the ground and you want to give him the keys to a struggling franchise with 1 good year in 42 to fix… way over his head. please tell me when the last time Sapp had a successful season as a coach at any damn level…. you people trying to recreate a failed past are beyond stupid. dungy failed the first time why bring a failure back with a career losing postseason record to fix the worst franchise in sports history… he could not do it once his dinosaur arse certainly can’t do it now.
dungy the clown failed in Tampa stop trying to bring back failed bums because they go to church… that does not make them qualified…. losers….
October 1st, 2018 at 7:07 pm
T Dungy Pres. of Football Operations…let him pick he next staff
October 1st, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Sorry guys but we’ve been bringing in a new set of coaches & GM for over a decade now with the exact SAME result. It gets to the point where you have to start looking at ownership and players. Not a Mike Smith supporter but this has been going long before he got here and will continue when he is gone unless major philosophy changes are made building the future of this franchise. This team has quit on every coach but Kiffin.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Lest we forget what happened to Coach Dungy after doing nothing. Just fire them both and do it now. It can’t get any worse, I promise. Literally the worst NFL defensive performance ever.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:27 pm
Amazing how Jason Licht is getting a pass in all of this. He’s the GM, this is his dumpster fire. If Bucs season falls apart and we have a regime change, Licht should be the first one to go.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:27 pm
It is very disturbing though being last in about every defensive stat including the most important points against.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:31 pm
That defense yesterday was 100% unprepared and that is 100% a coaching problem. They were lost. They were out of position. They were manhandled. It was beyond ugly. Once again it sucks to be a Buc Fan. Koetter, that was about the stupidest thing you could have possibly said. Moron. Licht too, they all need to go after that debacle. Does anyone believe this will get better? I don’t, not now.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:42 pm
And don’t forget Cleveland put up 42 yesterday. Oh what a thought that is!!
October 1st, 2018 at 7:42 pm
It’s pretty simple Dirk. You fire him, elevate Duffner or Buckner or anyone quite frankly. There’s only one direction the defense can go. If this defense gave a crap about their D Coord, there is no way they would not even show some heart. There is far too much talent for this defense to be this bad.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:52 pm
If Koetter retains Mike Smith then one can only expect the same results. It’s clear that Mike Smith’s scheme is not conducive to NFLsuccess, we have seen it on display for 2.5 years.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:52 pm
@Brian. If Dirk or Licht don’t do something about Mike Smith and we don’t suddenly look like a playoff team, they are all gone.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:52 pm
So Koetter is going all in and wants to lose his job over it I pray for a coach with some balls and knowledge of the game for next season to turn the team around including a full roster overall trade McCoy,Winston to start get some picks draft some real talent or trade for some above average players and pay free agents with the money saved from those 2 moops
October 1st, 2018 at 7:55 pm
DBS Says:
October 1st, 2018 at 7:42 pm
And don’t forget Cleveland put up 42 yesterday. Oh what a thought that is!!
Cleveland will hang 50 on mccoy and his girls…. until the get rid of the leader of the losing culture all there will be is blowouts and basement titles. but hell, he smiles while apologizing so it’s all good in the basement.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:58 pm
jmarkbuc Says:
October 1st, 2018 at 7:07 pm
T Dungy Pres. of Football Operations…let him pick he next staff
i hear they need some ushers though. dungy the clown might be able to do that without stinking up the stadium.
October 1st, 2018 at 7:59 pm
Absolutely terrible performance. Horrible coaching with no effective (or even visible) adjustments. But We will be better next game and better as the season progresses. Some will still want to fire the DC. But all in all, we’ll be good enough in all phases to win more games. Go Bucs!
October 1st, 2018 at 8:10 pm
Are we wreaking havoc or nah?
October 1st, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Lamarcus….no we’re just reeking! 🙂
Save us Jameis!
Good luck with all that….
October 1st, 2018 at 8:34 pm
jason lcht signed a DT, but passes on eric reid when secondary help is/was needed
October 1st, 2018 at 8:42 pm
You are right Dirk, firing Mike Smith quarter-thru the season isn’t going to do any good, I don’t know why the Glazers didn’t fire your incompetent arses at the end of last season.
This season is mirroring last season, and the season before. Oh we didn’t practice hard, oh we got injuries, we need to do a better job coaching, you are running out of excuses.
How do you rush only 4 and have guys running free in the backfield wide open ??? This is by far the worse than Rah, Schiano and Lovie.
October 1st, 2018 at 8:49 pm
It’s good to vent! I used to! Was a huge Bucs fan from their very first season, and witnessed A LOT of horrible play, horrible coaching, horrible luck, horrible owners, horrible draft picks, and that made me miserable all season! And one day I realized than everyone involved with making me feel that way, at the end of the day, hopped in their fancy cars and drove to their homes and enjoyed their big fat bank accounts! Lifes to short! Go out, sip a margarita watching the sunset! Go out and do something good for humanity! Stop giving your hard earned money to these people! That’s all!
October 1st, 2018 at 9:04 pm
Well that decision will seal Dirk Koetter’s fate, and probably Jason Licht too.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:07 pm
Licht fired Lovie. If he doesn’t want to go down with Koetter and Smitty he needs to talk to the Glazers and get permission to fire both Koetter and Smitty now and appoint Monken as interim HC and Buckner as Interim DC with the understanding Monken continues to call plays and Buckner agrees to install an aggressive Defense similar to the Arizona Cardinal’s Defense he used to help coach. Tell both if they do well enough their jobs will be permanent.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:09 pm
1987
Yeah I see the fanbase is cutting Msmith no slack lol.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:25 pm
Big Dusty Rhodes. Yeah that Reid signing by the Panthers got my attention too. Bucs certainly could use a guy like that despite any baggage he has concerning his public image. I bet he burns the Bucs when they play the Panthers…… Licht and Koetter are like a pair of ostriches, hiding their heads in the ground while the lion attacks…….
October 1st, 2018 at 9:28 pm
Beatch/Maxipad reappears after a couple of losses? Lmao!!!!!!! Get out of here Donkey troll! You’ve shown your true colors as a non Bucs fan who simply comes in here to be the negative ass that you are. What a joke you are kid!
October 1st, 2018 at 9:31 pm
owlykat- stop making sense!!! As soon as Dirk said everyone should be fired-he lost the locker room (if not before) and he should have been shown the door. Mike Smith may cost a lot more jobs than we think. He may just ruin players careers. Who would ever pick up a Bucs defensive player not named McCoy, David or Alexander? Ryan Smith had the game of his life in week 2 and didn’t see the field in week 3 and only when I believe Brent Grimes quit did he see the field in the second half of week 4. We have no idea what ANYONE on this defense can do or how talented they are because every team knows what we are doing. BTW, I told my dad in the second quarter there is no way Monken is calling the plays this week. The first quarter and half was like i was watching the 2017 Bucs, so whomever above said they think Dirk was calling the plays, i agree 100%. my opinion is he used the Steeler game to take away the headset even though in the second half we were awesome, just got too far down too quick. Just my opinion but if so, he should be walked to the door tonight.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:42 pm
EA Says:
“How do you rush only 4 and have guys running free in the backfield wide open ???”
You had me smh for about 3 minutes.
October 1st, 2018 at 9:50 pm
@FM Dave . Yeah, that whole messing up off the field thing prevented most teams from drafting Joe Mixon. Top 5 1st round talent could have been had in the 2nd round. We’ve drafted Aguayo and MJ Stewart. How bad could taking the flier on Mixon have been? Licht has used those 2nd rounders like compensatory picks anyway. I doubt Licht mans up and cans either Dirk or Smitty and I’m not so sure the Glazers are going to let him skate away from the team that he has assembled anyway.
October 1st, 2018 at 11:04 pm
Watching MNF and Pacman Jones is playing well. Bucs could have signed him, but they’d rather start Ryan Smith.
October 1st, 2018 at 11:07 pm
Draft a QB in the top 10 and let Winston go. Bucs need a new face for fans to root for. D-Jax & Godwin have 0 value with Winston tossing the ball 5 yards.
October 1st, 2018 at 11:52 pm
M.J. Stewart is not good. Justin Evans claim to fame is picking up a fumble during Fitzmagic. Hargreaves wasn’t top10 worthy. Aguayo can’t crack an NFL roster. Vita Vea looks like an absolute bust. Jason Licht has to go. The ship in Tampa is sinking and Jason Licht is the captain. Clean house. Fire Licht!
October 1st, 2018 at 11:57 pm
Jameis Winston is the future of the franchise… All u idiots who think otherwise are dillusional. Tampa has invested in an offense for him to thrive. The OLine is still not good and the defense is terrible. If you can’t see how good Jameis is and how bad Koetter, Licht, and Mike Smith are, then just quit watching football and commenting about it. You hate Jameis.
October 1st, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Can we please start a thread for who we would like to be the next coach and GM? This train just went off the tracks because no one in the building has the stones to take the steering wheel and right the locomotive. We’ll get beat by at least 3 tds in Atlanta and we’ll still get “What next?” answers from Dirk and confusion from Smith. I promise ownership will not be confused when everyone loses their jobs.
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:07 am
Rebuilding with a top 10 pick at QB. Yeah right. This offense is explosive because of what Jameis can do. With a competent GM and coaching staff Tampa Bay is in the playoff hunt. Instead they get stuck with a brutal defense drafted and signed by Jason Licht being coached by Mike smith. Mike Smith is the scapegoat for Licht’s ineptitudes. All three gotta go. Fire them all and get someone in to take advantage of Jameis, the weapons for Jameis, and whatever can be salvaged on defense.
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:10 am
Fire Licht! Send his unpleasant, unapologetic, pathetic ass out of One Buc Place. Every day that he is at OBP is a disgrace to OBP.
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:12 am
Who would make a great GM? There are plenty of people ready to take this job. Open up the interviews now and select wisely. Lovie Smith and Licht came together and should have left together.
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:18 am
Koetter was a panic hire by Licht because Jameis was working well with Koetter and other teams wanted him as head coach. Koetter and Jameis are not working well together. Cut Koetter. Jameis is a brilliantly intelligent person and can pick up the X’s and O’s at an elite level. New coach. New GM. New DC. Bucs have a few salary cap issues, but that’s on the Glazers.
October 2nd, 2018 at 12:27 am
Lastly, Jameis is very young and is a proven champion. He hasn’t peaked yet and has a core of good young pass catchers. Get a RB that’s got the juice, keep improving the line, and hopefully by the time the defense is rebuilt Tampa Bay will have a decent run in the post season. Fire Licht Koetter and Smith to expedite the improvement process.
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:10 am
Gene,
If the offense actually was explosive with Jameis, that would put an end to the draft a QB talk. Fitzpatrick did what many people thought JW would do last year with this offense. Fitzpatrick showed that the offense is explosive . Now Winston is driving the offense and He has to get more out it than last year. If not, the options begin to contract. Options for Him, the team and coach whoever that may be.
I don’t believe for a second that the Glazers are looking to move on from Jameis but that’s not going to stop anyone from thinking that it is the best option for the team. If Jameis improves significantly in a couple areas , there won’t be any naysayers among the fan base. If He’s the same guy as the previous 3 seasons , you’re insane not to expect a large number of detractors. End of the day, fans don’t really matter at all. This is a decision for the Glazers to decide and they don’t listen to the fans.
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:27 am
D1 – Hey stupid, the Bucs offense has literally had their best years, EVER, in franchise history, under Winston. Meanwhile morons like you think a 2 game hot streak with a QB with a 151.5 rating is the new norm. Do me a favor and get the bird flu.
October 2nd, 2018 at 1:31 am
Not ready to write off M.J. Stewart yet, the kid shouldn’t be playing – you know, like how Ronde Barber didn’t see the field nearly his entire rookie season. Rarely do you put out corners, who aren’t first round picks, and expect them to have success. However, coming out of college he wasn’t particularly impressive and seemed to be much higher on the Bucs board than anyone else’s, sort of like Ryan Smith. But it’s very difficult to judge a guy playing that early who is clearly in over his head, who was rushed into playing a lot of mins when he shouldn’t even be active yet. So the nicest thing I can say about Mike Smith is that M.J. Stewart playing isn’t his fault, that’s 100% on Jason Licht, who thought Ryan Smith and a couple of rookies was plenty of depth at corner.
October 2nd, 2018 at 3:31 am
Buckner should then move Stewart to Safety immediately to sub for Whitehead. Justin Evans should play Free Safety. He should cut Grimes or put him on IR. Smith should take Grimes place and Davis should play the other DB job. Bring up Javien Elliot from the practice squad to play the slot DB. Work on how to jam the receivers to get the DEs time to get to the QB, and stop the run on the way. Teach Vea to push the Guard up five yards and shed him
October 2nd, 2018 at 4:26 am
Soooo, Koetter told Smitty,
“Don’t worry honey, you can collect some free paychecks till the end of the season like I am while I bail you out and point fingers at the position coaches that nobody cares about. At the very least we can throw the players under the bus and buy some time.”
Lame duck HC, lame duck DC. Koetter could actually win if he wasn’t busy torpedoing his own career by keeping MS. And he asks, “What would we do after firing Mike Smith?” There are PLENTY of DCs waiting to be hired – Del Rio for example. Better upgrade to MS any day.
@Rod Munch,
NOBODY is going to play for a Mike Smith lead team after this. Your suggestion makes no sense. He can’t handle being a DC, so let’s give him more responsibility as a HC AND assume that he won’t call the defensive plays as HC? These 2 clowns will be in the high school or college ranks next year if they are lucky.
October 2nd, 2018 at 6:52 am
The worst fan base in the NFL! RIDICLIOUS!!! Everyone who wants to fire there coach after 2-2 with a back up QB is honestly the dumbest fan ever!! And you wonder why Tamp is the laughing stock of the NFL. It’s not just the team it’s the fans..
October 2nd, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Look, its obvious what happened….coach k was indecisive in choosing the qb going into that game…then moral on the team is indecisive, maybe most wanting to keep playing with Fitz at the helm….very unprofessional of coach k, and even the players for allowing indecisiveness to slow them down. Maybe they laid down on purpose because of all of this….hard to keep team first cohesion when the head coach doesn’t even know what qb he wants to go with…I say Jason should fire them both. Its obvious!
October 2nd, 2018 at 6:13 pm
From what I’ve read, Duffner was a DC for one season many years ago. What makes you think “there’s no question” he can be one now?
October 2nd, 2018 at 9:25 pm
Major housecleaning coming….. no way around it