Dirk Koetter No. 2
November 2nd, 2018
Fate of Bucs coach gauged.
Depending on how the season plays out, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter could either be the toast of Tampa Bay, or be holding out his hand looking for a job in January.
That’s life in the NFL.
Nate Davis of USA Today has an updated ranking of coaching hot seats and Koetter is at No. 2 after he announced he was lowering to half-mast America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
2. Dirk Koetter, Buccaneers: He’s desperately trying to keep this 3-4 ship seaworthy, now seeking fairer winds by sending Jameis Winston to the brig. Koetter said Monday that he’s refusing to look beyond the next game — a visit to Carolina (5-2) is reason enough to focus — and that may be wise since heavy storm clouds seem to be gathering over the horizon. The Winston benching signals an organizational debacle, and Koetter’s inability to shepherd the No. 1 pick of the 2015 draft into a franchise passer likely means he’ll eventually wind up on the plank, even if Ryan Fitzpatrick somehow Fitzmagics an unexpected wild-card berth.
Man, there are all sorts of ways to look at Koetter’s performance and how his Bucs tenure continues or ends.
If Koetter somehow gets to the playoffs (if they beat Carolina, they easily could go on a run), it would be one of the biggest coups in recent NFL history given the quarterback situation. Then again, if the Bucs falter, that QB situation goes back to Koetter.
We all know Koetter was hired to groom Jameis. This week, he basically waved the white flag on that. One could accurately say Koetter had one job… and didn’t get the job done. If a No. 1 overall draft pick of a quarterback makes it, wins follow by osmosis.
Koetter has the No. 1 passing offense and No. 1 offense overall, despite quarterbacks better known for picks than touchdowns. That’s an incredible accomplishment. Virtually unheard of. But the Bucs defense is horrible, again. Replacing Mike Smith in October may have been nine months too late.
It’s actually fascinating in sort of a sick way how Koetter is dangling on a high wire, splitting the difference between brilliant and brutal.
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:10 am
I don’t think Fitzmagic is gonna bail us out of this one. Newton is going to have a party slicing up this defens it won’t even be funny.
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:15 am
Bucs will beat Panthers
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:18 am
The Bucs need to look at Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme- the Steelers are light on defensive talent but make up for it by playing aggressively- tight coverage and lots of blitzing- they do give up occassional big plays, but they rattle opposing qb’s ( Fitzpatrick, Mayfield ) and frustrate receivers (Bengals, Browns)
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:20 am
Panthers are always a terrible matchup for the Bucs. It’s not really a good week to make a change and expect to win. But you can’t plan that.
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:21 am
Yep coaches fault Winston gets suspended and can’t even practice with team. Coaches fault Winston doesn’t take responsibility for his actions LAST YEAR! Coaches fault Winston in his 4th year can’t run the play called on multiple occasions. Coaches fault Winston sleep walks for the first half of most games. Coaches fault he had accuracy problems in college that have carried over to the NFL. Coaches fault Winston makes bad decisions on and off the field. Yep it’s on the coach for sure!
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:25 am
The Bucs went to Carolina late last year and we thought the same thing. The Bucs smashed them physically and damn well should have won that game, aside from the infamous Baker penalty at the end.
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:25 am
It is not coaching it is the talent….Patience Coach Hoppers….
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:35 am
That’s a true headline. Dork Koetter is in fact number 2
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:38 am
“Klueless ruined and destroyed my career…
Groom Young QBs? LOL”
Blaine Gabbert
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:48 am
@walkdaplank, agreed, no matter who is QB, Cam is gone to kill us. The defense is going to be mowed over and Cam will run on them every third down and in the red zone. Kicking will be a disaster and will will lose because of missed extra points or field goals. So back to Jameis, he will be lucky to sit this one out. I hope I’m wrong, but the Bucs have never learned how to contain Cam.
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:49 am
HC is a joke! I could be wrong, but when he left Atlanta, did You hear of any players complaining, better yet, Matt Ryan???? He has ruined this team! & don’t give Me, that we are the #1 offense, because of Him, we are going to be 3-6,that’s the only stat, that matters…
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:53 am
No doubt, it’s an uphill climb for Fitz…….we have to play a nearly perfect game on offense and at least average on defense….
We can’t give up more than 24 to Carolina because scoring 25 against them would be a feat.
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:58 am
Koetter’s ridiculous loyalty to Smith is his downfall. Had that horrible defense not cost us three games, no one would care who our starting quarterback is. Winston may or may not have been benched. 5-2 or 6-1 cures a lot of ills. I have no sympathy for Koetter.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:00 am
Since we are going to lose, why even play the game. Didn’t we start the season with the same argument? Philly was going to kill us, NO would stomp us, and to be perfectly frank, we should have beat Pitts.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:00 am
Pat Yasinskas (blast from the past!) wrote an article about Koetter before JW was even drafted. Talked about some of what Kobe alluded to. Reading the story with hindsight, it makes you wonder if he’s better-suited to lead the team with a journeyman veteran than someone who he’s been tasked to mold from the ground up.
There’s reason to believe this is the best Fitz we’ve ever seen, and that could be as attributable to Koetter as Jameis’ regression/lack-of-blooming is.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:01 am
you hit the nail on the head…..he had one job to do and failed…..
dirk made his own bed when he refused to get involved, give suggestions or demand things from the defense…..
his down fall wont just be because of Winston, it’ll be his inability to get the team all on 1page….the defense and the ST suck…..that falls on the HC shoulders…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:05 am
Koetter will never be able to coach the turnovers out of Winston. That’s just who he is. I don’t put that on Koetter. I totally agree with the qb change.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:08 am
Another scapegoat for JayMiss, missed three games, continuously
thros int’s and hasn’t improved in 4 years, he has regressed, not
picked by team-mates as offensive captain (voted out)
End excuses, JW is not a franchise QB EOS
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:15 am
The frustration that we are all feeling with this team is that they very well should be 6-1. Every game they have played with the lone exception of Chicago, they have been in the game until the end and should have won if not for their own stupid mistakes (turnovers and missed kicks). They were the better team vs Cincinnati, Atlanta, and i think even Pittsburgh.
I realize that all NFL games are usually close and the difference in talent is minuscule. However, I don’t think anyone can make the argument that the Bucs have just been manhandled by teams thus far this season, again with the exception of Chicago.
I think if they can win this game, then they can build some positive momentum and get this defense somewhat healthy and finish 6-10. Who’s with me?
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:18 am
We have the #1 offense because we have spent an incredible amount of draft and salary capital on skill positions. Doesn’t mean it’s efficient. Bad run game doesn’t help the defense. Throwing 40+ times doesn’t help the qb.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:21 am
Has anyone ever seen Koetter and Jameis talk on the sidelines? Most successful HCs tend to stick close to their QB. I always see Winston sitting down talking to coach BJ but rarely do I ever see Winston and Koetter talking if ever.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:28 am
HeavyE Says:
“When (Dirk) left Atlanta, did You hear of any players complaining, better yet, Matt Ryan????”
————-
Hello @HeavyE, yes here are a few thoughts from Matt, after Dirk was gone.
“You know, Dirk taught me a lot about being confident in what we do,” Ryan said. “I think he believed in — and rightfully so because, at the time, we had a lot of really good players — he believed if I was comfortable with it, go. It made me take ownership of what I liked, what I didn’t like. He pushed me to be better in that department.”
“Dirk taught me a lot about the pass game, how to read drop-back passing defensive indicators,” Ryan said. “And he always had a really good way of making you feel really good about whatever game plan it was. I thought he did a great job with that.”
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:35 am
No one can teach JW more than he can retain. He’s been playing to his level for his football life. It got him by growing up and in college level, but it’s not good in the NFL. He was turning the ball over bad in college, so what makes you think he wouldn’t turn the ball over in a higher level.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:35 am
Agreed this team should be 6-1, one loss is on Winston. Fitz had 2 horrible losses. This team is not making a freaking wild card anything you can’t lose games the way we have and think bringing Fitz back to start will change that…..he was the starter during our 2 worst losses of the season. As bad as Fitz played in Chicago people were criticizing winston for being rusty in the second half of that game when Fitz was the one who was terrible,
No faith in Fitz or Winston with dirk as coach. He just doesn’t have the lunch pale mentality it’s more like a country club run team, they are to soft and finesse to beat Carolina, Fitzpatrick will get embarrassed but if he does keep him in there the entire game
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:42 am
Not there yet: Fitz lost a tight game to Pittsburgh. The Chicago game we were out coached and game planned.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:46 am
They have the number offense because it goes by yards. Winston and fitz both have 2 of highest 3 ypa in league. I love the deep shot offense but it does lead to ints. We arent seeing enough slants n crossing patterns, shorter routes. Gota cut down the ints somehow. N yes smitty was canned way too late. If duffner was in it from the get go Im confident theyd be at least 4-3. Oh well. And Dirk just isnt a hc. His decisions are a mess. From in game to clock to just about everything outside of an offense built for yards.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:48 am
Focus is entirely on the wrong person. GM Licht put the Bucs in this mess and a new GM and HC will have to figure out how to correct it. JW is not the future and expecting him to somehow change his ways is the pinnacle of stupidity.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:53 am
Tampa Bay Demon, I appreciate that, I stand corrected.
November 2nd, 2018 at 9:54 am
@HeavyE
Thx for the shout, HeavyE, not intended as a correction, I was curious too! Take care and have a great weekend. GO BUCS
November 2nd, 2018 at 10:07 am
Jaboobuc
Every game they have played with the lone exception of Chicago, they have been in the game until the end and should have won if not for their own
———————-
Steelers 30-3 at the half (7 pts off turnovers)
Chicago 38-3 at the half. (3 fitz 7 jw)
Falcons. 24-13 at the half (0)
Cleveland scored 21 points in the second half (0pts of turnovers)
Bengals 27-9 at the half (7pts off turnovers)
The defense is killing any chance to win. Saints scored 40 points and we miraculously got the win.
November 2nd, 2018 at 10:40 am
Carolina is definitely beatable.
All this whining is nauseating.
We swept them in 2016, they swept us last year.
Wash, Rinse, Repeat
November 2nd, 2018 at 10:44 am
Agreed, @Sunday_44,, we can pound this team.
We pounded the hell out of them late last year, in Carolina, and should have won, were it not for the infamous Swaggy Baker penalty.
November 2nd, 2018 at 10:45 am
pounded them (physically) in that game last year
November 2nd, 2018 at 11:01 am
It’s an illegitimate argument to blame Koetter saying “he had one job, to groom Jameis, and he didn’t get the job done.
You have to take into account that Winston is pig-headed to the point of being virtually dumb as a post. We’re not talking football IQ here, but teachability. DK has tried to train him but he’s so full of himself, thinking he knows better than his teachers, that the good seed of the training imparted upon him is unable to permeate the hard ground of his thick, stubborn skull.
Even Joe gave evidence of this when he wrote in “The Three Giant Football Red Flags On Jameis:
Screwy mentality: After all the coaching of Jameis to protect the football like it’s his first-born son, after all the drilling to play within in the offense, Jameis admitted that wasn’t his priority in last year’s season finale.
The Throw In Tennessee: Remember that ill-advised prayer of a heave to the end zone this preseason that Jameis threw to Chris Godwin against the Titans? It was a touchdown highlight, but it was exactly the decision Jameis had been coached over and over and over again not to repeat. Lips were tight at One Buc Palace after that throw. Dirk Koetter was not smiling about it at all. The inexplicable nature of that throw, Joe believes, is tied to Jameis’ problems today.”
“it was exactly the decision Jameis had been coached over and over and over again not to repeat.”
“COACHED OVER and OVER and OVER”
That’s the bottom line. “Miyagi promise teach karate. That’s my part.
You promise learn. I say, you do, no questions. That’s your part.”
Winston has NOT done his part. Joe documents this and I’m sure there are plenty of other instances. Ira Kaufman said on PFT, “Jameis is a very confused young man. He’s in his 4th year and he’s regressing.” Again, he’s confused because he thinks he knows better than his teachers, so he doesn’t listen to them. He listens to the voice in his head that keeps telling him he’s so good that he can do things he’s been told not to, yet when he attempts them, he not only fails but ends up looking foolish.
Dan Patrick talked about this and Mike Florio has extensively: that Winston always looks like, in his mind he thinks he is able to do things that he is not capable of, that he has no awareness of his limitations. A great QB knows his physical limitations and goes right to the edge, but not beyond. E.G. Rodgers, Mahomes.
Winston thinks he’s better than he really is and it’s why he makes so many awkward looking plays.
He won’t let anybody tell him differently. Unless he changes his attitude he’ll never get any better. First one must be teachable… coachable.
November 2nd, 2018 at 11:22 am
HE is TOAST!!! by by Dirk!!
November 2nd, 2018 at 12:30 pm
I do not have a link and I’m too lazy to do the research. I have a 70 year old memory so I could very well be mistaken but help me out guys.
JW was not a slam dunk draft pick. A LOT of controversy and a lot of division among the experts.
I was under the impression that JW is here because of the Glazers, Licht and Lovie and that Koetter was actually against the pick. IF…and again many of you have a better idea of who within the organization wanted JW…but IF DK was not a JW supporter then you can’t blame him for not developing a player who perhaps is beyond help and especially if it’s a player the coach did not sign off on.
Koetter has had ZERO leverage throughout this entire ordeal. If he wasn’t a JW supporter and they came to him and said…do you wanna keep your job? What’s he gonna do?
November 2nd, 2018 at 1:49 pm
So If a #1 draft pick is not producing enough Wins and has way way way to many turnovers and has said he does not always follow the play called by the coaches, what is the Coach supposed to do? Sink with the #1 ship or make changes. Sure he could allow the #1 draft pick to do as he has been doing and not have a job at the end of the season, or make changes even if it is the #1 draft choices place that he makes those changes to. The coach also has bills to pay and a career he wants to continue.
November 2nd, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Here was Koetter’s explanation:
Koetter said he didn’t know either Jameis nor Marcus Mariota. However, he did know Mark Helfrich, who coached Oregon. Koetter and Helfrich once worked together in Oregon on the same Ducks staff years ago.
If you remember correctly, Oregon went on a massive campaign blitz to have the Bucs select Mariota. Father Dungy was on Lovie like stink of sh!t all but begging him to draft Mariota (for the sole reason Dungy’s kid played with Mariota at Oregon — a cornerback).
Koetter, originally reported by Bruce Feldman, on the strong recommendation of Helfrich, said he wanted Mariota. Mind you Koetter was in no position to wield much influence in the draft. He was just the offensive coordinator.
Koetter was still leaning toward Mariota until Koetter met and watched Jameis at his pro day in Tallahassee. After the pro day, Koetter said Lovie and Licht asked him if he could work with Jameis (remember, that was the famous meeting where Jameis told Koetter he isn’t scared to make any throw and Koetter replied, “You should be.”) Koetter told Lovie and Licht (remember, Lovie had final say in all player personnel decisions) he could work with Jameis. Had he said otherwise, it is very possible the Bucs would have drafted Mariota (thank God that didn’t happen).
Koetter said it wasn’t until he put Jameis on a whiteboard at One Buc Palace that he became convinced of Jameis. Koetter has said that moment he realized Jameis was someone very special. Up until a week or so ago, Koetter has consistently raved about Jameis’ football IQ since the day he was drafted.
November 2nd, 2018 at 3:01 pm
@ Tampa Bay Demon, You do the same! Bucs4Life!!!
November 2nd, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Dirk has placed his future in the hands of Fitz… and we all know how that ends.
November 2nd, 2018 at 3:40 pm
@Joe
Thanks so much for that updated history for me. Now that I read your post that all came back. THANKS.
Ironically for me while there was a debate perhaps on which QB to take…almost all experts proclaimed that draft to have the best two QB’s in years. Turns out though it’s beginning to look as if that 50-50 was too generous. MM and JW may play for another ten years…may even have some success…don’t see them as the dominant QB’s they were touted to become.
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:07 pm
The Glazers have wanted an explosive offense since they arrived in Tampa. That’s why they fired Dungy. That’s why they interviewed Mooch before hiring Gruden.
Koetter did not want JW. The Glazers and Lovie did. Koetter should not be responsible for JW’s inability to progress. He has been this way his entire college and pro career. Fitz seems to do nicely in Koetter’s offense. The problem isn’t DK.
The Glazers should keep DK with the understanding that he will hire a proven DC. Jack Del Rio would be my choice. Then, get rid of the turnover machine and draft a QB this year, and if need be, next year too.