Feedback
October 10th, 2018
Consults with players.
Yes, as Bucs coach Dirk Koetter likes to point out, the Bucs are 2-2, easy to forget with the embers of the Windy City Wipeout still burning in fans’ minds.
And as Bucs defensive backs coach Jon Hoke noted Monday, a lot of NFL teams wish they were 2-2. That’s fair.
The defense has been such a sieve and the Bears debacle so awful, it’s hard not to picture the Bucs as one of the worst teams in the NFL, certainly an underperforming team. Fans have very short memories. And in this drive-through, fast-food, microwave, video-on-demand, YouTube age we live in, it is all about what have you done for me five minutes ago?
So Koetter had a novel approach as the Bucs went off on their one-week vacation last week. He tried to have a sitdown with as many players as he could to get some honest feedback on what the team can do to improve.
It seems fast starts was a popular subject.
“I think our team needs to get off to a better start,” Koetter said. “That’s one of the things I asked the players to give me feedback. A week ago I asked the players to give me feedback on that and then I kind of compiled all of that into a few thoughts that I shared with the team today. I think our team needs to get out to a faster start.”
As to what other kinds of responses Koetter got from players as to how to improve the team, Koetter’s keeping that in-house for now.
“I’m not going to tell you the areas,” Koetter said. “I put together just a very short thing that I asked the guys to give me some feedback and they did an awesome job. I really appreciate their honesty because sometimes honesty can be self-defeating – make yourself look bad – but I appreciate their honesty. The communication I think both ways – player-coach, coach-player – was good.”
This all looks good and may provide results. We will find out in the coming three months what those results may be. Coaches can have all the feel-good pow-wows with players they want but if that doesn’t lead to wins, what’s the point?
As Koetter so eloquently said in his one season as Bucs offensive coordinator, “All that anyone gives a sh!t about in this league is Ws.”
October 10th, 2018 at 12:17 am
limit turnovers
get turnovers
run the ball…
stop the run
take away quick passes allow pass rush to get home
get the ball to playmakers
October 10th, 2018 at 12:22 am
Sure the last two games haven’t been fast starts but the first two were.
THE DEFENSE AND ZERO RUN GAME IS THE ISSUE DIRK, NOT FAST STARTS!
October 10th, 2018 at 12:30 am
Can’t argue with any of that. Sometimes when players self evaluate they can pin point a weakness quickly. Fast starts helped the Bucs in their first two wins.
October 10th, 2018 at 12:32 am
WHY IS THERE ALL THE TALK OF BYE WEEK TO FIX A BAD DEFENCE.THEN GIVE THE TEAM SIX DAYS OFF COME IN MONDAY IN SHORTS AND HAVE TUESDAY OFF.GET YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU WE ALL NEED THIS KIND OF JOB!
October 10th, 2018 at 12:39 am
I think we should do no huddle a lot in the game, especially when Atlanta is in base defense. Keep that defense on the field. I think the main and most important deciding factors for us to defeat Atlanta is to keep the game within one score and make sure we get last possession, and most importantly, Jameis’s accuracy. If all that happens we will win.
October 10th, 2018 at 12:44 am
How much faster can you get than a 75 yard TD on the 1st PLAY of the game.
With the plethora of issues on this team, I would actually say a Fast Start is at the bottom of the list.
How about Fast Start on Defense?
I know they are QUICK to give up points, does that count?
October 10th, 2018 at 2:18 am
If by fast start it means to score first….then why defer?
Think about it…..”We need faster starts Coach”…….how easily said….one dropped pass or errant throw or run stopped on 3rd down then our defense gets their chance to fail.
October 10th, 2018 at 3:48 am
Maybe our guys are smokin too much before the game.
Could explain the stoned starts.
October 10th, 2018 at 4:51 am
@Joe … “The defense has been such a sieve and the Bears debacle so awful, it’s hard not to picture the Bucs as one of the worst teams in the NFL, certainly an underperforming team.”
One of the worst teams? Maybe, but not fair to make that assessment after only 4 games Joe, and especially when you’re 2-2. Underperforming? Definitely in these last 2 games … BOTH losses lest we forget.
Certain ‘fans’ may view this as making EXCUSES, but the Bucs’ defense has been in turmoil from Game 1 on from a personnel standpoint (the offense in comparison has been stable for the most part). Of the 3 position groups:
o DLine: Allen & Unrein – injured; played 1 game total. Vea – injured; played part of 1 game. Spence – taking up 1 DE slot but not dressing. Worthy – apparently not (cut). GMC – bum wing (yet still playing). Having to play light DEs at DT positions for all 4 games.
o LBs: Beckwith – IR. Rest of group underperforming IMO.
o Secondary: Conte – IR. VHIII – IR. Grimes – Continuing Groin problems. Drafted 3 rookies in hopes 1 could start; now they’re ALL starting. What could possibly go wrong!
Aah yes, the immortal Dr Phil strikes again: “And how’s that working out for you?” Well Dr Phil, it’s not. The personnel who took the field in Chicago were a prescription for disaster … at one point we had FOUR rookies on the field on defense (all of whom had most likely NEVER been on the field together in games at the same time), plus 2 guys who clearly aren’t close to 100% (maybe more than 2). And there were massive breakdowns, and the Bucs coaching staff obviously couldn’t figure out how to fix it in 60 minutes. Hello ass-whoopin, because that’s what resulted.
Our BYE week comes at a great time (so we can get healed up hopefully), but personally don’t like reading that the HC gave guys a week off. Nice thought, BUT these guys stunk in Chicago for a REASON. Injuries were a big factor, but not the ONLY factor. There were huge mental breakdowns on that field; guys who didn’t know what the other guys were going to do or even what they should be doing. Several threw their training out the window it appeared. Coaches don’t fix that by letting all your players scatter for a week. I’m impressed Dirk … unfavorably.
October 10th, 2018 at 6:20 am
Let’s see where they stick Beckwith when he comes back. That will be telling.
October 10th, 2018 at 8:45 am
On our first play in Atlanta, Famous Jameis throws a 75 yard touch down bomb to DJax and off we go!
October 10th, 2018 at 8:50 am
damn the players not only have to play but they have to coach too…..
dirk can talk about fast starts all he wants to but that’s only part of the problem…..its also lack of game planning by the coaches and finishing strong…..
obviously dirk is out of answers if he has to ask players how to do his job….whats next, asking the fans…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
October 10th, 2018 at 10:29 am
When they win the coin toss, they need to choose their offense to start the game.
Screw the 3rd quarter.
Don’t depend on Smitty!
October 10th, 2018 at 12:29 pm
ICBW
But as a head coach four games into the season, it’s not a good look to have to ask the players what I /we could be doing better…and then give them the week off.
There’s a reason he is called Klueless Koetter. Dude doesn’t have a plan at all..