Koetter, Winston And Job Security
October 7th, 2018
Tied at the hip?
A lot of Bucs fans still scratch their heads as to why Bucs coach Dirk Koetter decided to bench backup Ryan Fitzpatrick and return to America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
Veteran local sports columnist Gary Shelton believes it is simple. Typing on his website, GarySheltonSports, Shelton writes for Koetter (and perhaps the franchise) there was little upside in staying with Fitz.
The Bucs were always going to return to Winston. It was simply a matter of when. He has to answer a lot of questions with his contract situation up in the air. The Bucs have to know for sure whether he’s worth another investment.
In a game where they were clobbered, it made sense to me to return to Winston. As always, I admit Mi might be wrong. But Fitzpatrick won’t save Koetter’s job; Winston might.
The last sentence hits home with Joe. The reason why Koetter is the head coach is how he developed Jameis as a rookie. If Koetter was to say Fitz was a better option than Jameis, then that would basically be a tacit public confession that he failed to develop Jameis.
And Team Glazer very likely wouldn’t like that. At all.
October 7th, 2018 at 10:07 am
This is easily the most incompetent staff in the NFL.
With a GM that either has a terrible scouting department, or just can’t recognize talent.
Dirk is that substitute high school teacher that just let’s the kids watch movies every period.
#Substituteheadcoach
October 7th, 2018 at 10:11 am
Shameis Finston should have a game to game short leash…and if he doesn’t bring his A game on a said sunday, he should get the yankerooski just like Fitzenfuss got in chicago…if anything, we have the super duty tough back-up in Fitzie, and he should be called to the rescue in a jiffy – whenever Jameis gets peanut butter on the football
October 7th, 2018 at 10:16 am
Adam
What language did you just type that in? Because it sure wasn’t English…
October 7th, 2018 at 10:46 am
a moment of silence for your low iq ^^^^^
October 7th, 2018 at 10:48 am
“In a game where they were clobbered, it made sense to me to return to Winston. As always, I admit Mi might be wrong. But Fitzpatrick won’t save Koetter’s job; Winston might.”
Who is “Mi”?
October 7th, 2018 at 10:48 am
“Fitzenfuss”?
October 7th, 2018 at 10:52 am
No Excuses
If the Bucs are paying someone 100 Million +
Winston has to win
October 7th, 2018 at 11:02 am
The Bucs are paying 100 million for GMC candy azz aka pay check player aka captain blowout
GMC doesn’t care when he’s on the field…….he’s not battling anymore cause he knows the bucs aren’t going to keep him
GMC is one of the cancer’s on defense along with Mike Smith
oh………….and if Brent Grimes continues to play like he’s been doing……….he’s just here for his last payday in the NFL too.
October 7th, 2018 at 11:05 am
Winston will cost plenty of coaches their jobs throughout his career.
October 7th, 2018 at 11:24 am
I’m of the opinion that schemes on both sides the ball are garbage on the offensive side there is no cohesion to the run game the safeties and linebackers destroy our run fits before they even get started until there is a true pound and ground we will not win that being said the defense can’t stop a pass underneath or over the top and I have to agree with a lot of fans that Mike Smith’s pass aggressive approach doesn’t work we need to blitz heavy and use more press and use the beefy front four btw I don’t that will work either but would look better than the vanilla garbage we are seeing now.
October 7th, 2018 at 11:33 am
Why would Koetter trust Smith? I’m fairly certain they’re watching the same film. I really like Koetter. He’s got a good persona and looks competent on screen. Unfortunately the proof is in the pudding. And if he’s so quick to pull a QB for job security and yet can’t devise a workaround for an ineffective D coaching and scheme situation that’s looking to completely sink his career and his staffs careers’…then…it’s just looks with no substance. I hate to see this team squander the best 3 game starting record in seasons.
October 7th, 2018 at 11:37 am
I agree with the concept of staying with the hot hand as long as Fitz was able to keep playing at the level that he played during the first 2 games and 2nd half of Pittsburgh (which was a 3 game anomaly in his 14 year career) but as soon as he started to show signs of what he has been for the past 14 years it was time to move on to Winston. Winston may or may not be the future of the Bucs but they have to play him to see. Any person with any level of football knowledge already knows that Fitz is not the future of the franchise so they have to see what they have in Winston.
October 7th, 2018 at 11:40 am
Mike Smith will have more to do with Koetter’s job than Winston……now, can Koetter get away with jettisoning Smith & save his job….well, that depends on how the season goes with the offense.
Has anyone asked if Koetter called the plays in Chicago (I don’t think he did) but do we know for sure?
October 7th, 2018 at 11:43 am
I’ve never seen Jameis play on defense. Our defense has been the worse in the league for the 40 games Mike Smith has been the coordinator. JAMEIS CAN’T FIX THAT! It is totally unfair to blame him on a loss where the weakest QB’s in the league have career games against our defense. Our defense made Case Keenum and Derek Anderson millions because we made them look like H.O.F.ers. Mike Smith has passed his time and Kirk Koetter is going to allow his friendship to cost him and the entire coaching staff their jobs. You can’t blame Jameis on that.
October 7th, 2018 at 11:45 am
BTW Winston alone probably won’t save Koetters job, unfortunately Koetter’s tendency of not making adjustments for things that aren’t working (Doug Martin, Mike Smith, in game adjustments, scheme that fits his personnel, etc) will ultimately cost him his job at the end of the season.
October 7th, 2018 at 11:56 am
“Role out another one, just like the other one…”
October 7th, 2018 at 11:57 am
Ok, “Roll”
October 7th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Buc4life
The defense has nothing to do with how Jameis plays. …smh
October 7th, 2018 at 12:08 pm
“As always, I admit Mi might be wrong”
If Michigan thinks Winston isn’t going to light up up over the next 12 games – then YES – Michigan is wrong… LOL
October 7th, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Jean Lafitte …..exactly .
October 7th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
They’re all dead men walking
October 7th, 2018 at 1:10 pm
Anything less than 8-8 and I say..FIRE THEM ALL!! How many more years of excuses you fans want? Seems like to me, the smartest od’em all was an owner named Arthur Blanks in Atlanta. He knew..He saw the end coming. He let both Koetter and Smitty walk away from the falcons. Now thats..Smart!! And what did we do? We just Shopped at the salvation army and got the..fire sale coaches of a lifetime huh?!!! I never liked these hires in the 1st place.
October 7th, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Pro-Bowl *Alternate QB…
Pro-Bowl *Alternate QB…
Pro-Bowl *Alternate QB…
He got the nod because someone else either couldn’t or didn’t want to play in the game.
October 7th, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Well before you fire anyone the question is can we get anyone better. With these owners we might not be able to get better coaches and GM. No one likes to come here. You start with nothing and get 2 years to make the playoffs.
October 7th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
I have to add m 2 cents
According to Football Outsiders
Ryan Fitzpatrick was their 6th ranked QB
Ahead of Big Ben, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady etc
Five QBs was ranked ahead of Fitz
1.Jarred Goff
2. Patrick Mahomes
3.Drew Brees
4.Matt Ryan
5.Phillip Rivers
October 7th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
*my 2 cents
October 7th, 2018 at 2:09 pm
Me personally
I wouldn’t bench the NFL 6th ranked QB
October 7th, 2018 at 2:09 pm
I really don’t see how Winston can save Koetters job. It’s been blatantly obvisous since Dirk has been the HC that our team doesn’t work hard enough. There is no way we win enough games to save anybody’s job if our competition is more prepared then we are.
Over and over again this team looks like they don’t even belong in the League. This team is basically dead in the water……just waiting to see when we officially sink.
It sounds wierd to type this for a 2-2 team but they have proven over Dorks tenure that they just cannot compete to become a contender. And I’m sorry that’s why I wanted Dirk gone last year because if your HC will not be the guy to get your to reach your end goal he has to go as soon as that’s realized.
October 7th, 2018 at 2:10 pm
^^^^^™And I would love nothing more then to be dead wrong about that.^^^^^^
October 7th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
Here’s a thought, why not compete for the position?
Next week, we compete and winner takes all. Who can score the most TDs from the 20 with 13 defenders on the field. Boom! Dirk, call me if you need me.
October 7th, 2018 at 2:19 pm
Lakeland……I really would have loved to see Fitz play at that top 6 level in the prior two games but his play really took a dip.
October 7th, 2018 at 2:21 pm
I think Fitz and Mahomes we’re the top 2 QBs after week 2 then Fitz dropped down to six.
Though to be fair I think Fitz would continue to put up a nice game vs Atlanta next week.
October 7th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Everyone makes things more complicated than they need to be. It’s simple play your best players, Jameis is the better play so he plays, case closed.
October 7th, 2018 at 2:49 pm
Everyone seems to think that Winston is the problem but I can’t see it statistically he has gotten better each year. Passing percentage was up. Rating was up int was down when a defense can’t stop the NOTHING! No run game blocking was not so good but jamies still improved last year he came into the game down 38-3 we can’t judge his game play off that. Defense is the problem. Last year we had a top 10 offense. Number 4 passing offense. So to put it on jamies is not right.
October 7th, 2018 at 2:49 pm
“Alot of buzz with Tony Dungy coming back as President of operations ala Tom Coughlin”
Kobe”1BucMole” Faker
October 7th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Kobe Tony loves the bucs n a defensive guru. It has to be killing him to see this nofense (can’t even call it defense lol) maybe he’s thinking about it but I just dont see us being that lucky
October 7th, 2018 at 3:28 pm
With some of y’all if the bucs win 12 games in a row and Winston can play good y’all will say it’s not him it’s the defense and he will need them to play well to win any way. But if the bucs lose even if he plays well y’all will blame him just like last year. Now fizpatrick threw 3 ints against the Steelers in the first half he came back in played good the second half but they still lost and y’all never blame him for losing. But Winston has thrown 1 int or a fumble and the first have even if it was a td just like fizpatrick did in the Steelers game . But Winston comes back and he can take the lead in the 4th quarter and defense gives up the game at the end y’all will blame Winston for the lost cause of 1 turnover in the first half the national media will say the same thing cause it really don’t matter how good Jamies play y’all will still try to find ways to blame him or discredit him. Y’all just hate that guy . So just trade him and when they lose then you can’t blame him for it . I can’t wait to see Jamies leave here and win somewhere else just like the others did . I’m going to be laughing at all y’all.
October 7th, 2018 at 3:31 pm
The running back position and OL perfomance and DB development has been indicting on Licht and Koetter. These positions will be the ultimate defining holes that keep Bucs from playoffs
October 7th, 2018 at 3:53 pm
@ oneil
The yahoos wants mariota. He had another great game today.
October 7th, 2018 at 3:59 pm
Clean house if we don’t make playoffs this year
October 7th, 2018 at 4:04 pm
Jean Lafitte Says:
“Buc4life
“The defense has nothing to do with how Jameis plays. …smh”
Nope but it does and can effect wins or losses MORE than Jameis Winston’s play.
October 7th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Jesus Christ, the stupid Panthers win on a 63 yard FG, meanwhile Dirk punts from the 37.
October 7th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
NJBucs fan
Just stupid. Obviously u don’t know much about football. “Jameis is the least of their problems. So r u a Marriotta guy? Yeah he’s looking real good. Without a D look how Atlanta is doing but here in Tampa EVERY LOSS will be Jameis’s fault. Beyond Ignorant fans
October 7th, 2018 at 4:41 pm
Yup, very frustrating to see Graham Gano pull a kick out of his a$$ to give Panthers the win. Damn, I freaken hate Carolina…Most overrated team in the NFL…And Cam Newton is pure garbage…
October 7th, 2018 at 4:43 pm
I ve been watching bucs ball since they entered the league in 76 and the best they have done was Dungy and 1 good season with Gruden. We have many Jamis bashers. Remember Fitzpatrick has play with more than 6 teams so there is a reason why he’s with the bucs I would like to see Winston traded and make Fitzpatrick the QB and let’s see what happens. I am with a lot of other buc fans, if Winston screw up sit his ass on the bench but less not lose focus of what’s going on with this team and it sure isn’t Winston Whatever the case is I am buc fan for life
October 7th, 2018 at 4:54 pm
The entire matter still goes back to Jason Licht wanting Winston on the field with his weapons that Licht has acquired for him to try to justify the mistake that he made by drafting him #1 overall.
Licht has staked his career with the Bucs on drafting Winston and having him be the championship winning franchise QB, so whatever he can do to try to force that to happen, he will do. It puts Koetter in a very bad position
October 7th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
You never bench a guy when he is bringing you wins. In 14 quarters Fitz had 1 bad quarter. Play Fitz and win some damn games for the fans please.
October 7th, 2018 at 5:08 pm
Yes that last statement I believe is wrong. If Winston plays lights out but they are still losing because of defense then that is on dirk and he should be fired. Winston should not be the reason he stays or goes. Just like when Gruden got fired they should also purge a couple key loser veterans when dirk gets the boot
October 7th, 2018 at 5:22 pm
We got a dilemma here……play Winston for the rest of season so that it can be shown undeniably that he ain’t worth any $100 million extension….or keep plugging in Fitz when Jameis screws up to salvage this season……Licht would probably prefer the latter thereby leaving the decision on Jameis in a gray area……and maybe saving his job
October 7th, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Carson wentz 26 fumbles in 32 games but you dont hear about that. Oneilbucs please explain why to me again.
October 7th, 2018 at 6:36 pm
I like Fitz better.
October 7th, 2018 at 6:38 pm
And the Lightning are 1-0 to start the season. Not their best game but good teams find ways to win….. unlike some.
October 7th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Saw this in Joe’s archives, and thought it funny that we haven’t heard from K Bassuka again. You’ve got some hidden gems, Joe. LOL
“K_Bassuka Says:
July 26th, 2018 at 12:31 pm
@Walter Seidel
There’s a better chance of a rocket falling from space, filled with trillions of dollars, and landing on the Glazers property so they don’t have to worry about the team, than Fitzgarbage putting MVP numbers in 3 games.”
October 7th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Couldn’t wait till after the bye huh? Dumb ass decision.
October 7th, 2018 at 7:22 pm
I am with yall Bucs ace and Not there yet. Winston should be the reason Koetter stay or go and they should put in to see if he’s worth the money and if he does
October 7th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
They should see if Winston is worth the money if he doesn’t do well put Fitz in Fitz playing well or Winston playing bad is not the reason this team is losing
October 7th, 2018 at 7:59 pm
In the 2019 NFL draft, the Tampa bay Buccaneers, drafting 3rd, pick………..
October 8th, 2018 at 1:48 am
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Koetter go back to Fitz if Winston struggles to make the offense hum/produce wins TO SAVE HIS JOB. But, I also wouldn’t be surprised if Koetter sticks with Winston even if Winston struggles because right now the defense/running game is the bigger problem.
It doesn’t matter who the QB is, the only thing that matters is the Win-Loss column. Wins, playoff berth will save Koetter’s job. It’s not a one man team. More than Jameis or Fitz, Koetter will be out of work if that defense isn’t straightened out while keeping Mike Smith past his shelf life.
October 8th, 2018 at 9:50 am
Here we come over and under and unadvised throws, can’t forget the to numeros fumbles. Yes before I am jumped on has any of that proven to be yet corrected? 1 TD AND 2 INTS IN just over a half. And if this QB is worth $100+ million. I wonder what a QB who is more accurate and has better ball security