“These Guys, They Are Crazy”
October 5th, 2018
Former NFL GM cautions Dirk Koetter that the clock is ticking.
When looking at the Bucs and their current situation, former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi doesn’t see a 2-2 team.
Rather, the former protégé of Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat sees a head coach on the cusp of unemployment and a young quarterback in a no-win situation. In his weekly podcast for “The Ringer,” Lombardi said the handwriting is on the wall for Dirk Koetter unless a miracle happens.
“If you are a Bucs fan, you have got no defense,” Lombardi said. “You can’t get any rush; you can’t cover anybody. Mike Smith has given up 88 points in two road games. You can’t stop anybody. You can’t cover. You don’t rush well enough. …
“I have got to think the Glazers — they fired Tony Dungy who they put on their wall of fame, OK? They fired Jon Gruden, who they put on their wall of fame. If you are Dirk Koetter, you have to be saying to yourself, ‘These guys, they are crazy.’
“This team looks so bad. Thank God they have a bye week they are so bad. Jameis is coming back but where are they going to get better on defense? Now O.J. Howard is out 2-4 weeks. That hurts them. You eliminate the big play and their offensive line is bad. And when they travel on the road, bad lines don’t travel well on the road, they won’t be good on offense.”
This isn’t the first time Lombardi sounded an alarm for Koetter. Earlier this week writing for The Athletic, Lombardi wrote how Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith will get Koetter fired.
As for the Ring of Honor, Lombardi’s co-host Tate Frazier said that next season Team Glazer should induct Raheem Morris for being the last coach to get the Bucs to 10 wins.
You can hear Lombardi’s full podcast below. The Bucs chatter begins at the 39:00-mark.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:13 am
Dirk not Parcells
But get him a
Balanced roster and he will be okay
Point the finger at Jason
October 5th, 2018 at 8:14 am
Jason Licht is infinitely better at his job than Michael Lombardy ever was at the same damn job.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:18 am
Mike Smith, obviously for the health of his family he should be or is entering the witness protection program. His defensive philosophy is softer than “MY PILLOW infomercials”
on top of melted marshmallows……………….
The Rash ( George Robertson)
Tampa Florida
October 5th, 2018 at 8:21 am
Mike Smith’s defensive plan is softer than ” MY PILLOW” infomercials on top of melted marshmallows.
George Robertson
October 5th, 2018 at 8:34 am
Hey joe you kept insisting that this oline was avg at worst. That has been determined to be false.
Demar Dotson is as big a liability as Caleb Bennonach and for the life of me I can’t figure out why Caleb and ESmith keep rotating in and out the RG position. We might as well call them Caleb Smith. I mean what pro fb team does that? Rotate your RG between two players every game? That doesn’t make any sense.
Worst yet they had a young RT named Brad the beast Seaton who with some coaching and experience could have performed just as well if not better than Dotson but of course he got cut bc 6’8″ 320 RTs grow on trees and are abundant on this roster. Smh
October 5th, 2018 at 8:37 am
Sorry, Mr. Lombardi. Not only do they put revered coaches on the “wall of fame”, they give contract extensions to players, coaches, and GMs right before they fire them, including those revered coaches. The Glazers must either have collective guilt, or it’s a tax write off. #PaidFloridaVacation
October 5th, 2018 at 8:41 am
Robinson, Licht’s former right hand man now the Titan’s G.M. fired a head coach who won a road playoff game. He made the move hiring Vrabel trusting it would be best for his teams long term future moving forward. Right now it looks like it will pay off. After last years 31st ranked defense, Licht didn’t have the for sight to fire Smith who lead that defense. Instead he drafted the run stuffer Smith wanted, and several other defensive players, thinking it was the talent not the scheme. He was wrong, he has been wrong from draft picks, to F.A. signings. Firing Koetter, and leaving Licht in charge would be a huge mistake. The meathead needs to go.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:48 am
I have to agree with Michael Lombardi ( Not related to Vince)
October 5th, 2018 at 8:52 am
Jason Licht is the best GM this team has ever had.
People forget that he came here as a rookie GM, so there were bound to be growing pains. But when was the last time the Bucs signed all of their draft picks and kept them on the final 53?
That’s practically unheard of.
Sure, people like to point to Rojo not playing until the last game…while discounting two other second round picks who were.
And the Vea injury could not be helped. Injuries happen. The important thing is that he did very well in his first game. And he did.
So far as Dirk Koetter, he may not be the best coach we’ve ever had yet, but he;s done a fairly good job with the offense.
Need I remind everyone that his focus was on building the offense instead of the defense for a reason?
This is really the first year of focusing properly on the defense. In previous years, it was constant plug and play. Now we have the talent.
And the whole communication issue is real. People may like to say Mike Smith has had 3 years to fix the communication…but in truth he has not. Not for the new players and the rookies. Think about it:
● Vinny Curry – NEW
● Beau Allen – NEW
● Jason Pierre-Paul – NEW
● Carlton Davis – NEW
● Jordan Whitehead – NEW
● M.J. Stewart – NEW
● Jack Cichy – NEW
● Vita Vea – NEW
That’s eight new players on the field, and only eleven players at a time play on defense. Think about that.
So year, there had to be communication issues. It’s growing pains.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:53 am
Hoddad
thinking it was the talent not the scheme. He was wrong,
————–
Preach! The whole offseason “they” said it was Lazy Swaggy Bakers fault and Robert Ayers was too old and blah blah blah. Oddly enough the new and improved dline can’t even make it on the field.
I think between Unrein, Allen and VV they’ve played a combined 2 games this season if that. And I think statistically we are worse this year than last.
We keep saying it over and over and over again …. AS LONG AS CANCER93 is on this roster this team will NEVER win NO MATTER WHO IS ON THE TEAM.
Give me JPP, Swaggy, Ayers, Curry and either Nichols or the kid the raiders drafted either would be an improvement over VV. Sorry buddy, you strong like bull but you slow slow slow and you can’t handle the heat.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:53 am
They are all probably patting each other on the backs over how they started out the season 2-2 oblivious to all the issues that everyone else sees with the team and organization. Meanwhile, the loyal fan base has to endure yet another miserable wasted season ahead. We all know the routine well. Each year starts with hope and promise then it eventually crashes down us.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:53 am
“So year” = “So yes”
October 5th, 2018 at 8:55 am
And that wasn’t all of the new defensive players.
October 5th, 2018 at 8:57 am
The Bucs O-Line is ranked 32nd in run-blocking
9th in pass-protection
October 5th, 2018 at 8:58 am
By????
October 5th, 2018 at 8:58 am
@LakeLand
Yeah…they’re not near goof enough at run blocking. But I have to think that if the Bucs ran the ball more they would get better. It’s a passing offense though.
October 5th, 2018 at 9:00 am
@DB55
I don’t think those numbers are accurate. Could you link to your sources?
October 5th, 2018 at 9:04 am
Football Outsiders Rankings
October 5th, 2018 at 9:12 am
mr. kotter at one point was showing support for fitzenfuss by also growing a beard – a sign of unity…now with shameis back in the lineup and sporting his little pom-pom goatee, let’s see if koetter comes out next week sporting the pom look to support his qb
#WhoWoreItBest #ShameisVsFitzenfuss
October 5th, 2018 at 9:14 am
@bonzai
never reveal your sources…that’s snitch type sheet
October 5th, 2018 at 9:16 am
my bad…
let’s call that hair patch on jameis’ face a “pom-pom chin puffer”
October 5th, 2018 at 9:20 am
The question I have for Dirk Koetter
If Jameis is struggling
Will you go back to Fitz?
October 5th, 2018 at 9:23 am
Bucs since 1976……………38% winning PCT worst in all US Major sports
In 42 seasons they made the playoffs 10 times
11 head coaches since 1976 only 2 ended their career with a winning record.
Same old story just different cast.
Mistake after Mistake after Mistake with the exception of a 5 year run from 1997-2002
October 5th, 2018 at 9:33 am
Lombardi did draft Johnny Drunk so his player evaluations are not the best but schematically everyone can see Smith sucks. Everyone but Dirk and Licht
October 5th, 2018 at 9:36 am
I will say this licht has had decent drafts but he has yet to understand that’s not all there is to being a gm. Personally you can solve your financial situation through the losing.
Go into a new era and get rid of the perennial losers, trade lvd and gmc At the end of the season, slide Kwon back to his natural position at LSU (outside linebacker) move Beckwith back to natural middle linebacker spot. Your losing with those two guys anyway and they are to used to it here
October 5th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Bonzai
I literally did the math myself. Went through each game last yr and calculated targets and catches. I use yahoo sports app to get the stats then I do the math.
I found these that Lakeland posted I’m confident they’re the same.
LakeLand Says:
October 31st, 2017 at 6:18 pm
Catch ratio is very important
Cam Brate 70.5%
OJ Howard 65%
Mike Evans 57.4 %
DeSean Jackson 49.0%
Adam Humphries 70.7%
October 5th, 2018 at 9:56 am
I agree with Lombardi and @hodad
this team aint good because they aren’t getting good coaching…..
ive been saying for 2 going on 3years now…it aint talent and players its coaching and scheme…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
October 5th, 2018 at 9:58 am
The Bears defensive coordinator demonstrated the way to stop our offense.
There was very little tape on Monken previously, but now there is.
Deep Down, I think Koetter knows he is gone at the end of this year no matter what, so why get rid of his buddy Smith ?
In my mind, the only question is, will Licht survive, or not ?
October 5th, 2018 at 10:14 am
813Bucboi
We all know the coaching staff is crap, I have been saying this for years
But my point is, all fingers are pointed at Smitty
You can’t single out one guy
There is no way one guy could possibly be responsible
For such a huge catastrophe
October 5th, 2018 at 10:23 am
DB55
Here’s the final results of the Bucs stats from 2017, YAC included
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/2017.htm
October 5th, 2018 at 10:27 am
Lakeland
oh no doubt……
30% is on dirk…..30% is on smitty….30% is on licht….9% is on the medical staff…..1% is on some of the fans that ran the previous staff out of town and sang the praise of an unproven OC…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
October 5th, 2018 at 10:39 am
Tony Dungy is on the Wall of Fame.
Jon Gruden is on the Wall of Fame.
If Dirk Koetter doesn’t figure it out he’ll be on the Wall above the urinals with the likes of Lovie, Schiano, Morris, Bennett, Wyche and Perkins. Oops, who can forget Williamson.
#Get After It!
October 5th, 2018 at 10:45 am
Still say they should have given Schiano more of a chance.
October 5th, 2018 at 10:46 am
Chris@AppleRoof:
I agree.
Why piss off a guy you’ll see every week at the unemployment office.
October 5th, 2018 at 11:35 am
I love the guy who suggests Schiano should’ve gotten more time. The Glazers need to just keep rotating head coaches. Eventually someone has to work out, right?
Id get rid of Koetter now and promote smith as interim head coach. Dude is a great coach and deserves another shot.
October 5th, 2018 at 11:47 am
Bucs finish 6-10. Baker Mayfield light up this sorry A.. Defense. Koetter and Smitty go to the same College coaching. And we get new caoches and GM next year…plus a top 5 draft pick. There..its Done!
October 5th, 2018 at 11:47 am
Haha. This guy is going way out on a limb. Lmao! Welcome to years ago.
October 5th, 2018 at 12:15 pm
From the comments above it is a majority of folks believe it is
1) Coaching
2) new players on “D”
resulting in communication issues.
If Mike Smith was a good coach why would he not simplify things since you have so many additions to the unit, many of these rookie players, extra practice / meetings to clear up any and all communication issues? He had the off season, training camp, pre-season and three regular season games with this unit. No reason for the unholy beat down last Sunday. Unless Mike Smith is simply 1) Inept 2) Game has passed him by 3) spending too much time around Cancer93 has made him just as soft.
October 5th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Mike Johnson Says:
Bucs finish 6-10. Baker Mayfield light up this sorry A.. Defense. Koetter and Smitty go to the same College coaching. And we get new caoches and GM next year…plus a top 5 draft pick. There..its Done!
BOSA BOSA BOSA BOSA BOSA BOSA
CB,OL,CB,OL,CB,OL,CB,OL
October 5th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
You eliminate the big play and their offensive line is bad. And when they travel on the road, bad lines don’t travel well on the road, they won’t be good on offense.” I guess we give the line more credit than they deserve. That assessment makes it even more depressing. lol
October 5th, 2018 at 12:39 pm
You eliminate the big play and their offensive line is bad. And when they travel on the road, bad lines don’t travel well on the road, they won’t be good on offense.” I guess we give the line more credit than they deserve. That assessment makes it even more depressing. lol
October 5th, 2018 at 12:53 pm
@Bonzai
“But when was the last time the Bucs signed all of their draft picks and kept them on the final 53”
To me, that seems like a double edged sword…and it may refute your point, rather than enforce it…
October 5th, 2018 at 12:53 pm
Here we go, more affirmation and excuses why the offense can’t continue putting up offensive numbers. It’s all because of the defense ..smh
October 5th, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Licht should be fired too for not stepping in and taking control of his and the teams destiny
October 5th, 2018 at 12:59 pm
or maybe, it will be because the other teams win because they have better QB play. ..but let’s not go there because Jameis, for all the mischievous off the field issues he may have has been infallible as a QB.
October 5th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
Just love the “we won’t win anymore games because of our defense” Funny, that’s not what they say about Atlanta, or New Orleans, or Kansas City, etc.. They are just as bad on defense this year but find a way to overcome it with great QB play. That tells me peeps have no faith in Jameis.
October 5th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
I’ve been reading most of the JBF articles and reading the fan comments….. there is a sweet middle in the far left and far right angles being portrayed by both sides. First and foremost, it was 1 bad game and every team has one every year. Perspective.
As fans, we need to calm down. If Koetter wants to hitch his ride to Smith, so be it and even if we know its a bad decision lets not lose perspective.
I will say this….if the Bucs win their next 2 games and are at 4-2. What will the mood be then? Jacked up! I think we go too far one way or the other, which legitimizes some of the criticism of Buc fans….the NFL season is a marathon not a sprint. When your winning, dont get too high…when losing…dont go too low….find that middle sweet spot.
October 5th, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Every one of the coaches except Monken and Buckner need to be wiped out next year.
KOETTER KNOWS D#CK ABOUT DEFENSE AND HIS OFFENSIVE SCHEME DEFIANTLY DOESN’T MAKE UP FOR IT! Brings in all these bad defensive coaches to work on his staff starting with his b!tch boy Mike Smith. Licht has been thinking he’s gonna get lucky with all these HCs that are gone within three years at the most.
October 5th, 2018 at 6:42 pm
That’s some sad commentary. If the WHOLE LEAGUE knows what we’re doing on defense, then how can we even win another game?!? Oh I know, execution right? Smh. Am I the only one who heard this??? This on top of the fact that half the offense doesn’t feel that Jameis can execute the offense with the accuracy that Fitz did.
Firing Smith “helps nothing,” though.
October 5th, 2018 at 6:45 pm
I’m with you, though, @donuts. Can’t lose perspective.