The Morning After
November 12th, 2018
Former Bucs safety D.J. Swearinger, not good enough for Lovie Smith, was enjoying himself yesterday after his Redskins beat the Bucs 16-3. (Photo courtesy of Redskins.com)
Yes, it is still painful to think of yesterday’s Bucs game. But we must trudge on through the darkness.
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
Jim Morrison once sang those lyrics in the timeless classic by The Doors, “The End.” And those lyrics went through Joe’s head when he saw Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking coach Dirk Koetter at the podium yesterday after his team could only muster a field goal against a soft Redskins team at the Den of Depression.
Koetter looked absolutely crushed. He has to know he’s not long for the Bucs gig.
Prior to the game, the Bucs were facing three soft opponents in consecutive weeks. Any chance the Bucs had to reverse their ugly season was to take care of business and win those three games.
Step 1 came yesterday and the Bucs did a faceplant on the 50-yard line.
One would have to be on one helluva bender to concoct a way for the Bucs to go 5-2 the rest of the way with their schedule, and that would just get the team to .500. Joe isn’t sure a .500 record can save Koetter.
Remember, Team Glazer has only kept one coach they hired after consecutive losing seasons. And that same guy won a Super Bowl for them.
And Koetter is out of scapegoats/excuses. He fired his defensive coordinator (nine months too late). He benched his franchise quarterback. He gave away his play-calling duties.
But yesterday he took his play-calling duties back. Nothing changed, it only got worse.
Short of starting Ryan Griffin, Joe is pretty sure Koetter has run out of chess moves.
Coincidence
Joe cannot possibly blame an offense that racks up 501 yards in a game. That’s like throwing a fit over a defensive line for collecting 10 sacks.
In the Court of Public Opinion, however, oh boy.
Now Joe thinks it is strictly a coincidence that on the very day Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking coach Dirk Koetter wrested play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Todd Monken the Bucs had their lowest point total in years. That would be three.
That’s the fewest since Oct. 29, 2017, when they lost to the Stinking Panthers 17-3 at home.
Joe cannot hang yesterday’s offensive showing on Koetter. Sure, Joe could quibble. If someone above Koetter’s head refuses to unload right wing kicker Chandler Catanzaro, then Koetter (barring needing a field goal late to win) should never trot that loaded dice out on the field again. Not for field goals. Not for extra points. Just go for two every time (Joe’s been pleading to do just that for weeks) and go for it on fourth downs.
You think Koetter and the Bucs will miss the playoffs this year if he refuses to use Catanzaro anymore? Will Koetter keep his job if he only goes for two-point conversions in the final seven weeks?
No, there is no way Joe can pin the loss on Koetter calling plays, not when the offense had 501 yards.
Peeved at Kicker
Sometimes, despite trying hard to do it, players cannot hide their frustrations.
Talk to Bucs players, or any football player, and rarely will they rag on a kicker for a missed kick. That would be like ragging on a right guard for whiffing on a pass block, or blasting a rookie tackle who rarely sheds a block. Players rarely and sometimes never out one of their own teammates publicly.
Well, that changed yesterday but not by choice or by words. Expressions told the story.
Catanzaro – hey Bucs, has he been released yet? – had just missed a 30-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, his first of two misses. And for reasons Joe is unsure of, a live video feed to the JumboTron (Joe still loves those sweet things in HD) showed a close-up of Ali Marpet walking off the field. Marpet ripped off his helmet, shook his head back and forth and looked like a guy who just learned he had been swindled out of tens of thousands of dollars in a real estate scam.
It also appeared Marpet may have been muttering under his breath. But the look on his face, wow he was PO’ed.
That’s all you need to know about the Bucs these days. They are fed up with the kicker – who isn’t? – and maybe fed up with their coach. It sure looks bad for Koetter’s job security with the Bucs anchored in Buccaneers Cove (last place in the NFC South) and staring at a 3-6 record.
Time for Jameis
Joe thinks he’s finally sure why Koetter may be hesitant to return America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, to the starting lineup, though for the good of the franchise Team Glazer needs to step in and ensure that is the case.
If Koetter starts Jameis and he plays well, Koetter has punched his ticket out of town in January. If Jameis is reinserted into the lineup and he plays well the rest of the way, Team Glazer rightly will have to question why Koetter benched Jameis in the first place when the playoffs were not a wishful dream.
In that scenario, Koetter could argue benching Jameis was a teaching lesson and that he saved Jameis because his season was screwed up to start thanks to Jameis’ Uber hassle.
From a Bucs perspective, there is zero reason Jameis shouldn’t start Sunday against the Gianta, unless you are a devout Jameis hater and stick his voodoo doll with needles every night before you go to bed.
At this point, Joe wouldn’t bet a nickel that Koetter will return. Joe only hears that Doors song in his head.
About that Defense…
Joe cannot meltdown over the defense yesterday. This was a team on pace to set a 99-year NFL record for worst defense. In history. They held the Redskins to 16 points yesterday. That’s a winnable result.
But dang, for all the Team Glazer loot that was shoveled on that defensive line this year, maybe the most expensive in the NFL, Team Glazer is getting zero return on the investment. Might as well offer free beer at the Den of Depression. At least the loss of megamoney will make more than five people happy.
Yeah, the Bucs got three sacks yesterday including from Vea (!). But they should have had at least that. Good grief, the Redskins were down three starters on the offensive line and a fourth was so hurt he was a game-time decision.
Jason Pierre-Paul is a keeper, no doubt. Vea will return as well. The rest? Don’t be shocked if the Bucs have a brand new defensive line to go along with a new coaching staff in 2019.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:07 am
Sad when the off-season is looking to be more exciting than the regular season.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:13 am
If there was a viable candidate on the coaching staff to take over I would be calling for the Glazers to fire Koetter today. Unfortunately we will probably have 7 more weeks of misery. If the Bucs lose this week to the Giants we better tank the rest of the season to try and get the best possible draft pick. Time to clean house.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:14 am
Mid November and it’s all ready over.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:17 am
You can pin every loss on him. He didnt build a team. He isnt a leader of a group of men. Year 3 these guys should be a tight knit team that plays for each other and Dirk. They instead are a mess of a shell of a team. All on Dirk, and he said as much.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:20 am
I will repeat myself….
When a coach knows he is out of timeouts….(admitted it) and throws the challenge flag anyway…..he is showing frustration and is incompetent.
As for the Bucs problems….here is a word we haven’t seen…..CHOKE..
We CHOKE on kicks…..We CHOKE in the Red Zone……We CHOKE on Defense….WE CHOKE!!!
November 12th, 2018 at 8:25 am
Ahhhhhh HUMBUG!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 12th, 2018 at 8:34 am
Draft talk time yet?
November 12th, 2018 at 8:36 am
Back when the Rams were “The Greatest Show on Turf” they had a $hitty kicker and they went for it on fourth almost all the time.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:38 am
“Joe cannot possibly blame an offense that racks up 501 yards in a game”
Come on joe really? Obviously the objective is to score not rack up yards, it’s empty yards if you don’t come with points. Fitz has a very Winston like game only difference is the defense played a decent game. Not banging on Fitz though, he played better under monken than Winston did but it’s all for nothing. Common denominator is dirk. If they had 100 yards total offense and won yards wouldn’t matter, they don’t matter in a lose while scoring 3 points. Don’t get your logic with that statement unless your trying to say the buck doesn’t stop with the head coach. No one here blaming Fitz and the coach because all that blame is directed at Winston, he didn’t play so no one to blame people are just deflated. So sad but thankfully dirk can get fired and we can finally have a competent coach because apparently most people think dorks only job is to rack up points and not actually run a football team
November 12th, 2018 at 8:42 am
I’m screaming from the mountain top. ST coach should’ve been giving his walking papers with Jay Hayes. What is the common denominator with all these kickers? This is once again Dirks loalty. As loyal as Dungy was, he sent Steckler packing.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:46 am
The Kicker single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
The RBs single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
The QB single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
The Oline single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
The Receivers single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
The Special Teams single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
The Head Coach single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
The GM single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
And for the FIRST TIME THIS YEAR, I *can’t* say…
The Defense single-handedly lost yesterdays’ game.
Oh, they had a hand in it, but the rest of the team had jumped in like it was a pool full of money.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:47 am
I’d just like to reiterate that I hope the Bucs organization is not too hasty making roster decisions BEFORE we get new coaches and a GM here. It’s IMPOSSIBLE to properly judge talent while two of the worst coaches in the NFL, Smith and Koetter, are at the helm. Fix the front office first, evaluate the roster later.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:50 am
Except Kicker of course. Get that clown out of here.
November 12th, 2018 at 8:58 am
At least Fitz played well enough to get another start. last thing we need is crabman in there to pull a back mucle for 20 million
November 12th, 2018 at 8:58 am
Jon Gruden was the last coach the Bucs hired that was actually an NFL head coach when the great Malcolm Glazer got Rich McKay the order to trade for him.
All the other coaches hired with exception of Lovie Smith had never been head coaches in the NFL. Raheem was an assistant, Shiano a Rutgers head coach and Koetter an offensive coordinator. Lovie was not in the NFL when the Bucs hired him.
It is being reported that John Harbaugh will not be back with the Ravens. Harbaugh is not necessarily the best coach in the NFL by any means but he does have experience coaching veteran players. He is an average to slightly better than average NFL head coach.
The Bucs have never hired an ex-coach that has won a Super Bowl. Harbaugh will be out there and gives the Bucs the best opportunity to move into the future with a coach that knows NFL talent and knows how to get something out of it.
The Bucs certainly can do much worse going after an unproven coach than Harbaugh. He should be their number one priority. He’s under contract now but the Glazers need to put feelers out with his agent.
Hiring him would give the team a competent head coach that wouldn’t put a load of crap on the field like Koetter/Licht has..
November 12th, 2018 at 9:03 am
And Manchester United lost to Manchester City
November 12th, 2018 at 9:07 am
Dirk can’t do anything about the kicker. Remember he’s hands off on kicking. Not his responsibility. Not his problem. I guess the special teams coach is supposed to find a new kicker and sign him to a contract.
November 12th, 2018 at 9:10 am
The Glazers are the problem. They suck as owners. They are incompetent. Raheem, Dominik, Schiano, Licht, Lovie, Koetter – ALL TRASH.
At some point, put the blame on the Glazers. They suck. I’m tired of local media not calling out ownership for the terrible job they do.
It’s time for them to fade away and hire a true football person to run the team.
Those silver spoon idiots are worthless. Look at Man U – awful. The Bucs – awful. The Glazers STINK OUT LOUD!
November 12th, 2018 at 9:12 am
Maybe ownership doesn’t want Jameis on the field. If he gets injured they’re on the hook for his salary next year. Maybe they know they’re going a different way @GM and @Head Coach and want to leave the option of keeping Winston or moving on from him up to the new GM and or HC without and injury forcing their hand.
November 12th, 2018 at 9:17 am
Hawk- agree totally. WTF is wrong with this team? These players are sleepwalking! How many drops? How many whiffs? How many dumb decisions and plays?!
For once the defense shows up and the rest of the team goes on hiatus!
Yards?! Eff yards!! I’m tired of talking about yards. You have to score. Period, end of story.
November 12th, 2018 at 9:18 am
T REX — I largely agree with T REX… This is an ownership issue. Look at all the talent around the NFL that used to be on the bucs roster. We could have McDougald AND D.J… Penn, Zuttah, Revis, Aquib Talib, Bennet. The main reason for this talent not being with us is the continued change in coaching and schemes. These guys need to bring someone in and actually stick with them. Keep this in mind… Dungy was 24-24 his first 3 seasons with the bucs.. Koetter is not that far off. If they decide to keep koetter fine but if they fire the entire staff and rebuild they better stick to the guy. We will NEVER win changing out coaching staffs/GM’s every other year.
November 12th, 2018 at 9:20 am
Joe,
Our red zone O suffered horribly yesterday. I can tell you why – Dirk called the plays.
The kicker issue is on Licht and he won’t solve it. To do so would be to admit he’s a complete f-up as a GM.
I so want Jameis to play so we can watch him suck, but it’s the scheme right. LMAO! That’s the chant now to bail out America’s Turnover Machine.
The defense looked better, but is still terrible in the two-minute drill. They cannot stop anyone when it matters.
PS – If we hire John Harbaugh, the franchise is destined to such for another 3 or 4 years. Is anyone watching the collapse of his team in Baltimore? Why would we want that?
November 12th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Start Griffin before you seriously consider America’s Turnover Machine ever again. He screwed this team with his immature Uber adventure.
Agreed, both Koetter and Licht need to go. Licht is, a best, a draft talent evaluter. Koetter is an elite OC.
Neither is working out
November 12th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Some of you guys are really slow. Not sure why people think that 20 million actually would hurt the pockets of billionaires or a salary cap that is going to go up again next year. Get rid of Geraldine and Lavonte who have led this losing era and there’s 20 mil right there. There’s no need to blow it up just get rid of d jack who is no longer playing starter snaps for whatever reason and build the o line plus firing dirk who seems to think it makes complete sense to take out a back averaging 4 yards per carry for quizz and an undrafted rookie
November 12th, 2018 at 9:29 am
What happens if Winston blows out a knee, Joe? What happens? Is it worth playing Jameis in some meaningless games? He plays well when there’s no pressure. WHen there’s pressure he sucks. Hell, he sucked when there3 wasn’t any pressure. Remember the Oregon game? Winston folded like a cheap suit…like those cheap chairs at your church. He sucks and it’;s not worth putting him back there to get injured and lose $20 million next year in a cap hit. No way. Anyone wanting to risk that is stupid or a Winston fanboi.
November 12th, 2018 at 9:36 am
The Bucs offense
1st in P YDS/G
1st in T YDS/G
12th in PTS/G
November 12th, 2018 at 9:38 am
Dirk called the plays……but is he responsable for the interceptions? missing kicks? Ryan’s awful snap or Brates drop pass on yard #1? Common guys……I really don’t think is on the coach, we have much less talent than we think we have, we have talent at TE and WR…….we have JPP…….we don’t have a running game, we have an average OL, a really bad secondary, and we have two very errant QB’s…….The big blame on the coach is to keep Smitty for so long………..And of course he has some other mistakes, but the big thing here is we DON”T HAVE TALENT on our roaster!!!!Its much more on the GM than in the coach……
November 12th, 2018 at 9:40 am
I guess cap space doesn’t matter to the Bucs
No one want to play here anyway
November 12th, 2018 at 9:44 am
That’s the Bucs!
November 12th, 2018 at 9:46 am
But then again
Maybe , they can hire a GM and HC
That can draw quality free agents to Tampa
November 12th, 2018 at 9:58 am
I fully agree that (unless we win the next 7 games) plenty of chances with adequate players has yielded tragic results. I’m no expert so I won’t waste your time trying to explain why except to agree that wholesale player, coaching, and management changes are necessary. I would caution that though fan frustration is at an all time high a rebuild should be well planned and not knee jerk, random, or vindictive. Remember a lot of poor performing players in one system perform well in another. The same goes with coaches when put with a different team. We’ve all seen this on multiple occassions over the years. Spend the rest of this season evaluating what we have and trying new systems, then determine who is available in the coaching ranks and what our most glaring needs are in skill and unit priorities. Don’t “Tank,” for draft picks, try to win but maintain a rational approach so we don’t repeat history in a few years.
November 12th, 2018 at 9:58 am
I fully agree that (unless we win the next 7 games) plenty of chances with adequate players has yielded tragic results. I’m no expert so I won’t waste your time trying to explain why except to agree that wholesale player, coaching, and management changes are necessary. I would caution that though fan frustration is at an all time high a rebuild should be well planned and not knee jerk, random, or vindictive. Remember a lot of poor performing players in one system perform well in another. The same goes with coaches when put with a different team. We’ve all seen this on multiple occassions over the years. Spend the rest of this season evaluating what we have and trying new systems, then determine who is available in the coaching ranks and what our most glaring needs are in skill and unit priorities. Don’t “Tank,” for draft picks, try to win but maintain a rational approach so we don’t repeat history in a few years.
November 12th, 2018 at 10:03 am
fire dirk and licht today and let duff run the team…..monken can call plays….duff can call defense or let the players run it themselves…..idk…..cant get any worse…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
November 12th, 2018 at 10:28 am
ME13 dropped a TD pass in the endzone. Cameron Brate dropped a pass in the red zone that probably would have set up six points. Jaqueis Rodgers after an excellent run has the ball batted from his hands and recovered in the end zone.
Add it up…that’s 18…21 on team with an NFL kicker…points that we left on the field…minimum…does not count the opening int at the goal line after an excellent drive.
So did Koetter’s play call make ME drop a certain TD pass…or did Koetter’s play calling set up the opportunity. How about Koetter’s play calling that set up Brate…set up Jack Rodgers…or Koetter’s play calling which set up an outstanding opening drive. Did Koetter’s play calling get us to the goal line and then he called for an INT?
You people are getting desperate for scapegoats. There are none and there is everyone. NO one person, coach, player, owner, scout is responsible for that loss yesterday.
THE ENTIRE BUCS ORGANIZATION IS RESPONSIBLE!!! Stop trying to find scapegoats and see if you have any real ideas?
I feel incredibly sorry for Koetter right now. If he could find a graceful way to do it I suspect he’d just as soon quit and bail on this stinking organization. What is GOOD right now within the Bucs organization?
Our owners? GM? Coaching staff? Players? Scouts…can anybody name anything good about the Bucs besides the strength of our receiving/TE group? JPP?
November 12th, 2018 at 10:41 am
I sitting at work wearing a Redskin jersey right now because of these clowns yesterday. Yes I was stupid enough to bet on them. I am in favor of firing Koetter today. I had to buy donuts to.
November 12th, 2018 at 11:12 am
Robert when you s ay things like fitz played well enough to start again, you make some of us wonder if you have brain damage. Like I question if you eat cereal through a straw. Fitz was absolutely terrible yesterday, TERRIBLE!
November 12th, 2018 at 11:22 am
Fitz did not play well enough to start again, and yet he didn’t play bad enough to be benched (four ints in a game seems to be Koetters threshold). That being said, Koetter needs to start Winston the rest of the season. By not signing Winston (or even negotiating) to a new contract, *AND* not even picking up his fifth year (like they’ve done with others), the organization is saying that they are not (yet) convinced that he will be a Buccaneer in the future. Koetter needs to give Winston every opportunity to show them that he is/isn’t without a doubt.
November 12th, 2018 at 11:44 am
@Robert are you serious?
November 12th, 2018 at 12:31 pm
Don’t throw out Nassib with the bath water!
November 12th, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Such idiotic statements from you ignorant fans hoping Jameis plays so we can watch him suck. Really??
That makes zero sense.
Jameis should play and we should hope he turns it on and plays lights out and turns the corner. He’s just 24. Let’s give the kid one last chance in a lost season and root for him to succeed.
Otherwise… this franchise is sunk for years.
Fitz is doing what I wrote about all along. Zero playoff appearances. Koetter will be the 7th head coach fired in the offseason after Fitz has started games.