Look To The Future?
November 7th, 2018
It is time, writes one observer.
It seems one writer typing for a national outlet has seen enough of the 2018 Bucs.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report watched the unnerving tape of the Bucs-Stinking Panthers game from Sunday and he’s seen enough.
It’s time, Knox types, to start focusing on 2019 if not beyond.
Asking the quarterback to bail out the team exclusively through the air is not a recipe for sustained success, and it’s a big reason head coach Dirk Koetter is on the hot seat.
Fitzpatrick tossed another four touchdown passes, and the Buccaneers passing attack was again impressive. The rest of the team wasn’t, however, and Tampa let another game slip away. At 3-5, it’s time for Buccaneers ownership to start evaluating the front office and the roster for the future.
Knox also referred to the Bucs’ defense as “laughable.” Joe would choose another word. “Disgusting.”
Overall, Knows gave the Bucs a “D+” for their, ahem, effort this past Sunday.
November 7th, 2018 at 12:05 pm
“D+” seems generous, even for this eternally optimistic fan!
Might need to evaluate further (looking at the three clowns in the picture!). Just sayin’!
November 7th, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Jason Licht passing on Laremy Tunsil as a LT was another in a long line of draft mistakes of licht and then the most glaring is not having a clue on what an NFL rb looks like, sweezy stealing money from the bucs, the bucs entire right side of the OL has no business playing in the NFL, of course jason licht cannot see that I suppose maybe next year when he is an analyst on the nfl network he will see what a horrible team he built
November 7th, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Syndicated drivel.
November 7th, 2018 at 12:14 pm
The Buc Realist Says:
October 24th, 2018 at 8:50 am
If we are not talking about who the new GM will be next year, then we are just wasting time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 7th, 2018 at 12:20 pm
He’s right.
Dirk has a great offense. Fantastic for the most part. It;s a passing league and his offense is suited to it. The running game could be better, but it will get there.
The biggest problem with the offense last year was red zone offense, and that has improved this year. They have even started faster for the most part.
The defense has dragged them down in every game. But let’s be rational for a moment:
• The defense has 11 new players on it.
• Of those 11 new players, 6 are rookies. Six!
• Mike Smith was a horrible DC, and Duffner isn’t any better, which is not surprising since he is using Smith’s playbook
• Last year, the Offense (and Jameis Winston) led the team from behind to take the lead late in games 4 times, only to have the Defense blow that lead at the end.
• Not only do new players need to acclimate to a team, but rookies take much longer in the majority of cases. The rookies people are down on this year may be future hall of famers for us once they are developed.
I would be completely in favor of firing the entire defensive staff. Every one of them, including Buckner (who has not lived up to his billing). Keep the offensive staff (except maybe the Oline and RB coaches) and hire a DC to build his own staff from scratch, utilizing veteran and college assistants.
• I would trade Desean Jackson at the end of the season. (first rounder)
• I would trade Lavante Davide at the end of the season. (second or third rounder)
• I would consider trading Gerald McCoy at the end of the season. (First and third rounders)
• Draft McCoy’s replacement
• Draft a Defensive End
• Draft a Right Guard
• Draft a top RB
• Draft a kicker at some point (and sign one; open competition)
November 7th, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Talking about the future
The Falcons signed DE/LB Bruce Irvin
The Saints signed WR Dez Bryant
Some teams are trying to win now and in the future
November 7th, 2018 at 12:40 pm
Agree with Realist 100% on this one.
Jason Licht cannot survive ANOTHER coaching regime change.
This is a widespread organization problem. We have had no vision on how to build a complete team whatsoever.
That’s 100% on the GM in the end. He’s had FIVE off seasons to put in work. The defense is the worst it’s been in his tenure. DONE.
I have no god damn idea how anyone can defend keeping Licht with a new staff.
FA track record is sh1t.
He hand picked Koetter and was behind the MS extension.
He has one or 2 solid draft classes in 5 f*cking years. Woopady do. Yes Mark Dominic was much worse. But Mark Dominic was probably the worst drafting GM in the NFL during his time. The bar was SUPER low.
I defended Licht for a few years but this is too much failure at this point. Bad4ss GM’s can rebuild teams in 2-3 years in terms of getting a balanced competitive team. Jason LIcht dumped everything into the offense which still has holes on the O-line/RB and he has fielded nothing but consistent losers.
November 7th, 2018 at 12:41 pm
the only reason anyone is on the hot seat is because they were force fed jameis, CRABNMAN, winston
I didn’t say take Mariotta either…just saying CRABMAN has more red flags than a tugboat in China
hell, I’m surprised anyone would pay money to go and see this team
November 7th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Nice post Bonzai
I do think you are over valuing what we can get for DJax, Lavonte and GMC though….by a large margin.
November 7th, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Was at that game Sunday and the passing game was not impressive. Bucs receivers couldn’t get off press coverage and didn’t score 5 of 6 1st drives and had a turnover deep in territory. Also went 3 and out that led to fake punt. Not sure why that is impressive.
To easy to leave everything on defense. Bucs have been down 31-10, 38-3, 27-9, 35-14
Doesn’t seem very impressive and Jameis didn’t start 3 of those games.
Team failure, not just defense
November 7th, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Dirk’s offense is whatever man. We’ve gotten 1/2 these stats down 3 TDs with teams not playing the same against us. I don’t care if it’s the 2nd quarter. If you’re down 3-4 TDs at that point it’s garbage time.
The run offense is sh1t. And despite all these shootouts and throwing as much as anyone in the NFL we’re only 7th in scoring.
F*ck Dirk. He’s a loser.
F*ck Licht. He’s a loser.
F*ck everyone.
Blow it up.
Also lol@ getting two 1sts and a 2nd for Djax/McCoy/Lavonte.
More like a 2nd at best for any of them. Probably a 3rd for Djax. 3rd or 4th for McCoy. 5th for Lavonte.
November 7th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
Don’t let garbage time stats continue to impress you. Mike’s post above is right, our ‘superstar’ WR never got off the team plane last week and our ‘diva’ WR with zero catch radius never met a contested ball he left like fighting for. Sure, Hump gobbled up YAC. That was nice…but it was all b/c we were down by 4 scores before most of us could reach for a refill. If anything, last Sunday validated the ineptitude of our HC. I mean at some point he should look at the Pats 2 TE film from a few years back and figure that he has TEs on this roster that present similar matchup problems for LBs and S league wide, right? I mean Davis and Concussed Luke couldn’t run with Howard- at all. But what the heck to I know, I mean there’s probably no play in the playbook for two TEs. No play from 4 and 7 from inside your own 30. We know there’s nothing if we’re ever in a spot to score from an opponent’s 20 with time expiring. Oh, I forgot, it’s all b/c there’s no Gayle Sayers on this roster, right Dirk?
November 7th, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Common guys the defense isn’t all bad. We’re the best team in the NFL in field goals per drive.
November 7th, 2018 at 1:19 pm
dirk has a great offense?……..thats complete BS!!!!!!!!
this offense cant run the ball…..this offense cant run block…..this offense cant dominate the LOS….this offense cant be consistent…..
the only thing this offense can do is put up points in the 3rd quarter when we’re down 3TD’s at half time and still lose…..
and for the love of GOD, dirk is suppose to have a great TEAM not great passing stats…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
November 7th, 2018 at 1:20 pm
It’s true they struggle with a good press man team. They do most their damage against zone defenses or mis matches in man coverage. Either way I’m not complaining about the passing offense. It’s the o line with 2 of the highest paid interior lineman and left take who wants to be paid like a to 5 tackle. They are seriously underperforming and to leave 77 out on the field is just laughable and shows no accountability on the coaches part. That alone should get them all fired.
And I don’t even know where to start with the defense. I get a headache just thinking about them.
November 7th, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Tackle, top
November 7th, 2018 at 1:23 pm
I WANT TO WIN.
HIRE PEOPLE TO WIN.
Don’t give a f*ck about ANY other stat. This team has NO DIRECTION.
November 7th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
forget the first 2 weeks of the season….
the team is 1-5 since, with it’s lone win vs the browns…and we almost lost that one too…we could be 0-6 now…
that’s reality
November 7th, 2018 at 1:29 pm
bonzai you are never getting near that for those players…
a 3rd for mccoy
a 4th for david
and a bag of chips for djax (a large bag that is)
November 7th, 2018 at 1:33 pm
the first and last 2 weeks of the season are weird…like the gateway to…and the exodus from…the meat and potatoes of the season are approx weeks 5-13 ish…no one really knows your identity week 1 and 2…and no one really cares about your identity weeks 16 and 17 if you’re out of it…
we are basically 1-5 when it’s really counted (almost 0-6)
November 7th, 2018 at 1:34 pm
if we aint talking about a house cleaning, then we’re wasting our time!!!!!!
everyone must go:
licht
dirk
duff
monken
buck
db coach
warhop
qb coach
rb coach
s.quarles
GMC
LVD
grimes
gholston
m.urein
spence
stevie t
d.bond
a.taylor
conte
dotson
benenoch
e.smith
d.smith
q.rodgers
djax
fitz
resign adam humphries….put beckwith on IR and bring him back next year when he’s 100% along with a healthy kwon and VHG…..but let all 3 know they’re starting 3rd on the new HC’s depth chart……
i rather support and root for a bunch of rookies and UDFA’s that will fight til the end and are mentally tough vs watching a bunch of mentally weak vets create excuses week after week…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
November 7th, 2018 at 1:35 pm
dirk koetter spotted in aisle 7 at publix humming “margaritaville” by jimmy buffet, as he dumped junk food into his cart…
#KoetterAllHummDigity
November 7th, 2018 at 1:49 pm
813 Bucboi is right although I would offer Kwon a one year prove it deal. Idiot GM could have swung some deals before the trade deadline at least for some extra draft picks but that would have involved intelligent thought. Draft Will Grier from WV, and lots of speedy DBs and LBs since it’s a passing league. Hopefully the new GM will gut this roster and try to remove all the check cashers.
November 7th, 2018 at 1:55 pm
adam
he was next spotted at the U-HAUL facility pricing out trucks and boxes…..
@realist was his sales rep!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
November 7th, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Dirk Koetter has created the #1 Offense in the NFL.
The Bucs have NEVER had the #1 offense in the NFL.
Licht should go. Koetter should stay.
Donte Jackson is 100 times the athlete as MJ Stewart.
imagine Grimes and Donte Jackson. Damn!
November 7th, 2018 at 2:06 pm
These people will probably think they have a great offense, and just need a good defensive coordinator to get over the top.
November 7th, 2018 at 2:11 pm
pelbuc
i’d sign kwon to a 1year deal as well but let him know he aint a captain and he aint a starter….he has to work his way up….we know he can play but can he be consistent, discipline and mentally tough….
those are things that we are lacking at OBP from players to coaches…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
November 7th, 2018 at 2:18 pm
teacher
you know how dirk got that #1 offense?……by getting blown out by half time….please read @lakelands post….
Pittsburgh. 24-7
Chicago. 38-3
Atlanta. 21-6
Cincinnati. 21-0
Carolina. 35-7
those are half time scores!!!!!!!…..dirks #1 offense is the biggest garbage stat in the NFL today…..it should have an asterisk by it because its so misleading…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
November 7th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Only way to change that locker room and expectation would be to get rid of a lot of the big names especially the ones claiming to be leaders. Keep the d line except Gholston and Geraldine and Spence. Lavonte and kwon just aren’t the guys. We have a middle linebacker beckwith go all out in the draft for defense, get rid of Benenoch lazy d Smith, see what Alex Cappa has and the running backs with new coaches, can’t draft a running back high next year especially with no third round pick
November 7th, 2018 at 2:48 pm
Go get Jim Harbaugh….he’ll either fix Winston or send him packing the way he did with Alex Smith. Maybe he even brings in his brother John to run the defense.
November 7th, 2018 at 2:55 pm
Maybe the Bucs didn’t expect to be contending this season. If they were, they would have been looking at FA to secure depth, or spent money on the secondary. Bet they were shocked when they were 2-0. We are sitting under the cap, why? Because we expected the later round drafted defensive players to suddenly develop into superstars. The GM so invested in Jameis, neglected defense until later rounds in all their drafts except this last one. And they seem to have missed on Vita – and others. Player’s taken with first pick should be expected to contribute and make plays almost immediately. Rather than getting DBs before trade deadline we did nothing. They are going to let the season ride and decide how to clean house at the end of the season. They don’t put money into the defense, it won’t get better. Koetter’s offense has been consistently good. They have been in positions to win games, but the defense fell apart. Had they stopped Chicago or Carolina a few times, maybe they would have won those. The defense was too neglected. Maybe Koetter isn’t a good head coach, but a good OC. Yeah, he probably hung on to Smith too long. If it were me, I wouldn’t fire him. I would fire the GM.
November 7th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Is it a need that we get rid of the head coach? I mean, I get that it may be at a point now where it’s unavoidable and I’m not pounding the drum for him to stay. He’s earned it if he’s let go. But would a quality defensive staff being brought in not fix all of the problems? Benonoch needs to be upgraded, of course, but otherwise the offense is mostly good and is performing at a level where they should be winning every game if they weren’t having to make up for the atrocious defense. I can’t help but wonder if a complete overhaul might be throwing out the baby with the bath water
November 7th, 2018 at 3:21 pm
“The Buc Realist and Lord Cornelius finally understanding and agreeing with Kobe Faker…
For over 2 years, Kobe Faker was verbally abused by these 2 non believers…
Now they had seen the light”
“I might forgive them”
Kobe Faker
November 7th, 2018 at 3:50 pm
@kobe liar
Was that what you were posting????? Most of them are so far removed from the English language it is beyond difficult to comprehend what you are trying to say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Repost it, or it did not happen!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 7th, 2018 at 3:55 pm
LOL
Kobe Faker
November 7th, 2018 at 4:04 pm
Bonzai,
If you’re looking to get traded to a winning fan base, with today’s posts (quality in every way) you’ve earned a ticket to “Joe Patriot Fan”. Well done!
JBF gets two disgruntled and grammatically challenged NY to Mass transplants and a scrub to be named later.
November 7th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Buc boi,
The facts; the team has scored the most TD’ s in the 2nd qtr.
November 7th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Buc boi,
To save you the time, the team allowed the most TD’ s in the 2nd QTR.
Apparently, the facts support …something different.
But why let’s facts get in the way of a great story.
November 7th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
Right after the last game, I’d thank Koetter and Licht for their services. Hire Dungy as GM. And then hire a HC who is going to develop a Kick A.. Defense like we use to have.
November 7th, 2018 at 4:44 pm
Would be lucky to get 4th / 5th rounders for McCoy an Djax. But as long as we’re dreaming let’s trade all ll starters on defense for 1st rounders.
November 7th, 2018 at 4:45 pm
Buc boi,
Here’s a another answer, The Team can’t run the ball. Therefore, the passing attempts are skewed to higher yards per game than they would be if the team had a more balanced attack. The passing game per play yields a higher return than the run game and that’s why they have so many total yards.
Also explains why if/when the team has a lead in the 2nd half they will not be able to put a team away. The non existent running game and inability to stop anyone in the first half works against the team because the opposition is going to have a couple extra possessions per half than the avg.
We’re in a shootout by halftime and that’s the numbers game. The closer the game at the half is immaterial to the overall equation with one exception, opponents scoring. Teams with a big lead at the half prefer longer drives and run the clock. The defense isn’t changing from the 1st half because they know the team is not going to change their approach. Lack of options.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Few things:
– why don’t we have a starting caliber RB?
– why can’t anyone besides JPP win one on one?
– why is our OL so soft besides Jensen and why is Benenoch starting?
– why don’t we draft speed in critical play making positions?
Lot of people laugh but it’s true the Bucs are truly a laughing stock in many circles for these very reasons not to even mention coaching failures.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:23 pm
Dusthty Rhothdes Says:
Jason Licht passing on Laremy Tunsil as a LT was another in a long line of draft mistakes of licht
—————————————————————————————–
Some other folks here have commented on the draft miscues by Licht and Dominik over the years. I went through the drafts from 2007-2018.
WOW! Did we ever whiff on some serious game changers. I used Wikipedia and in each draft listed the order, team, the pick etc. After most of the Bucs picks was a very gifted athlete that we somehow overlooked.
One example – 2007. We picked Gaines Adams (RIP) and a few picks after that ADRIAN PETERSON.
Most of the draft picks during those years are no longer on the team. I know it’s a case of could have, would have, should have but that’s not my point.
It seems like between these two GM’s player scouting and evaluation were horrible. Add to this the free agent singings over the last several years….This franchise has been cursed with horrible GM’s. Getting a proven GM to fix this mess will be critical to future success.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:28 pm
How can a D+ be given when were on pace to be the worst Defense in history? Does not make sense. I wouldn’t even give them an F+. Definitely a F-. There has to be a bottom.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:31 pm
@813 Buc
you just emptied the parking lot at the workout facility. It will be so empty the homeless will start to park tents in the parking lot.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:37 pm
@ Ghost
I think it must start with scouts. someone must be putting a bug in his ear.
But I find it impossible that you can miss that many. You would have better odds if you just drew out of a hat.
It would be better if they would just call Hump and Brate to help with choices. These 2 must have known that the roster was so bad they would have no trouble making the team and starting.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:42 pm
Jerry Jones is a great GM compared to all the idiots we’ve had.
November 7th, 2018 at 5:43 pm
I’d bet Joel and Brian could have drafted better than Dom and Licht!
November 7th, 2018 at 5:54 pm
Exhibit “A” of the prosecution to eliminate Jason Licht from employment.
To think it was really this bad.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_NFL_Draft#Supplemental_draft
November 7th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
@813bucboi … “if we aint talking about a house cleaning, then we’re wasting our time!!!!!! everyone must go.”
Aah yes, you’re getting closer bucboi (you list is still too short … more need to be shown the highway).
@BuccaneerBonzai … “The biggest problem with the offense last year was red zone offense, and that has improved this year. They have even started faster for the most part. The defense has dragged them down in every game. But let’s be rational for a moment.”
LOTS of good stuff in there Bonzai … EXCEPT that we only started faster in 3 games (in the other 5 games … all LOSSES … we screwed the pooch in the first half & fell way behind). Inconsistency is NOT the sign of an improved offense. And yes, the defense has dragged down the offense, but the same can be said of the offense: starting slow continues to plague us, and that’s the kiss of death for this defense (certainly NOT the only one, but it surely doesn’t help their already-fragile psyches).
November 8th, 2018 at 5:43 am
I’m not sure I see such clear-cut, jaw-dropping missed opportunities in the neighborhood after the Bucs’ picks on those Wikipedia draft lists for the years during Licht’s tenure
FA depth, and underperforming players retained despite underperforming are more valid targets of ire, IMHO ..
The effects of Mike Smith’s tenure are and have been a huge factor in all of this. The Bucs defense has been coached into a genuinely ineffective system, which has been even further compromised by adapting to missing players (depth exposed) and weak players (underperforming exposed). Duffner and co would need more time to install a better system, plus a few more (and better) players to make it go. Not sure if they’ll get such a chance..
Also fair critique: How far under the cap are we? How far under the cap have we been? Almost $7m right now .. I get that there’s a strategy to reserve some headroom there, but weren’t we a good bit more under the cap during Licht’s first years? Why? Calais Campbell type FAs may have been expensive, but THOSE kinds of missed opportunities and poor decisions; those instances of not cutting underperformers (despite personal affinity, and revealing misplaced faith) in order to make room for aggressive additions when the money was there.. That’s where I think you can really wag a finger at Licht and co. (perhaps more so than the draft)