Bad Timing
December 14th, 2018
Frustrating delay may prove costly.
This is both encouraging and incredibly frustrating.
We know the Bucs defense was horrible beyond words when Mike Smith was in charge.
Smith was launched after the fifth game of the season, a close loss at Atlanta where the defense was boat-raced, something Bucs fans were used to and expected. So it is refreshing to learn and to see the defense improve greatly in such a short amount of time.
How much did the defense improve once Mark Duffner took it over? Well, Greg Auman of The Athletic did the heavy lifting here.
Bucs defensive splits between first 5 games (Mike Smith as DC) and last 8 (Mark Duffner as DC) remain remarkable:
Sacks: was 27th before, t-5th since
3rd downs: was 23rd, 7th since
passing yards: was 32nd, 9th since
total yards: was 31st, 17th since
points: was 32nd, 23rd since— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 13, 2018
That’s quite a turnaround. Points allowed is the only area where Joe wishes the Bucs were better under Duffner. But still, to take over a defense midstream and stop the bleeding like he did is impressive.
There is one major question Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter will have to answer when (if?) he has his Come-to-Moses meeting with Team Glazer after the season. And that is, “Why did you stick with Mike Smith so long?”
Joe isn’t sure Koetter’s answer can save his hide. Team Glazer must be frustrated seeing how far the defense has come under Duffner, who was on staff since 2016.
If Koetter is relieved of his duties, you almost wonder if Team Glazer would try to keep Duffner and defensive line coach Brentson Buckner the way the defense is playing?
Then again, the last time they made such a move, they got burned badly.
December 14th, 2018 at 12:18 am
Nah Joe..Many here think 7-9 saves Koetter from the chopping block. But I just don’t like the way he did us fans with Smitty. He knew the guy was done yet kept him because he thought he owed him. This team probably could have won at least 3 more game for certain without Smitty. If he wins these last 3, the Glazers MIGHT..have mercy. But I don’t see him doing that. Lets bring in some new Hope for this team. I’m sorta looking forward to it next year.
December 14th, 2018 at 12:25 am
Those stats are stupid. We played San Fran and a Bad Carolina Team. The saints adjusted in the 2nd half and torched us. Sucks watching Derwin James making contributions to LAC. Terrbile moronic GM who cannot identify talent.
December 14th, 2018 at 12:45 am
It is really interesting how much the defense has had better success. The 10yd cushions were killing us. Maybe, they can pitch a near shutout giving us a chance to win this. The biggest plus, is that it’s in a dome out of the weather, but it’s gonna be loud.
December 14th, 2018 at 1:33 am
Djax was asked to leave 2001 the other night for not tipping, good stuff.
December 14th, 2018 at 2:07 am
Knew th Derwin James comments were gonna come after that chargers win
December 14th, 2018 at 2:18 am
Fascinating! That’s certainly more than a 5 game fluke which ultimately inflated how good the Bucs were in 2016.
December 14th, 2018 at 2:48 am
Interesting! Coming to Moses meeting. Don’t believe I’ve heard that one. Scared to say Jesus, Joe?
December 14th, 2018 at 5:38 am
IMHO there is no way the Bucs go 7-9. They will be curb stomped by the Ravens. The best they will achieve is 6-10.
December 14th, 2018 at 6:45 am
It’s so apparent because look what it’s compared to! For perspective, our defense is still #30 in the league.
I won’t take anything away from Duff. He’s got these guys playing. But #30 folks!
December 14th, 2018 at 7:19 am
“Its going to be comical sunday trying to stop lamar Jackson. Dude is going to run all over these stoogies.
Get your shopping bag ready to put over your heads…
Its going to be embarassing”
Kobe Faker
December 14th, 2018 at 7:35 am
Apparently only Koetter supporters and glazers didn’t see this losing season coming. Wasted year
December 14th, 2018 at 7:50 am
Every time they hire someone they get burned.so not really anything to lose trying..
Monken needs to stay as well. Koetter if not called, then heavily influenced the playcalling in the second half. The guy has no trust in anyone. He micromanage but t then claims.to.not be involved when asked specifics.
December 14th, 2018 at 7:56 am
How does anyone even care anymore? Koetter as a man I am sure is a good enough guy but as a head coach and evaluator of player and coaching talent, well ImO he sucks out loud.
Lump Jason Licht in with the same sentiments. If this ownership doesn’t fix this garbage, I will go all in on the XFL team. Too much energy wasted on these losers.
December 14th, 2018 at 8:10 am
Duff had been doing this turnaround with a bunch of injuries as well.
Sadly the biggest issue to any new coaching search, is that we are Tampa and as we learned through the years we aren’t really a spot coaches want to come, see the previous snubs leading to rushed coaching selections. So you have to seriously ask, “can we actually hire someone better than our current coach?” Face it Dirk has brought the best offense in franchise history. Maybe the owners figure there is a better chance of fixing the defense and special teams with him and his offense in place.
December 14th, 2018 at 8:31 am
@Joe … “Points allowed is the only area where Joe wishes the Bucs were better under Duffner.” LMAO Joe … POINTS ALLOWED just happens to be the ONLY area that REALLY counts also, since it’s the only one that directly impacts our W-L record.
And since we’re playing ‘Who do we keep for next year?’ right now, I wouldn’t mind keeping Duff … providing that the new GM & HC let’s him decide who to keep from his present staff. Lest we forget, Duff INHERITED a staff when he took over for Smitty. The assistant coaches who he inherited may or may not be who he’d prefer to keep IF he got the DC job next year.
Personally like Monken BTW. Just not sure how much Koetter has ‘tied his hands’ this year as play-caller. I’ve seen what appears to be a dramatic change in our offensive play-calling as the year has rolled on (to include a LOT less creativity IMO). How much of that is on Monken & how much is on Koetter is anybody’s guess.
December 14th, 2018 at 8:46 am
Not bad timing, its bad and lazy analysis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The number look slightly better because the D-line got a little more healthy and got time to gel some!!!!!!!! Throw in the softer part of the schedule, and that is what the difference is!!!!!!!!
It would be close to the same number if Coach Smitty had stayed!!!!!! or did the sheep forget that in the first quarter of the season that we had to start Wil Gholston at DT???????????????
Why so many stories on this??????? Its like someone does not want to look and discuss the QB and GM problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 14th, 2018 at 8:50 am
dirk is outta here 01/01/19…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 14th, 2018 at 8:59 am
realist
your wrong again!!!!!!!!
its not bad analysis……its BAD COACHING!!!!!!!!!…..
the difference is players on defense arent looking confused and dont have wrs running wide open…..something that was a staple in smittys defense…..
why discuss the QB and GM when there tons of stuff the coaching staff did to ruin this season….like not developing winston….not playing to players strength….no adjustments….coming out flat….getting out coached…..
those are the things that we should be talking about……not making excuses for this staff….
the question i have for dirk is does he prefer U-HAUL or PENSKE
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!
December 14th, 2018 at 9:21 am
@snookman
Get over James, he’s cooled off since a hot start.
I don’t agree with all Lichts picks but they have more talent now than when he got here
Mike Smith should’ve been fired after last year the scheme was awful. But media and fans were fooled after that miracle 5 game win streak
December 14th, 2018 at 10:39 am
JOE provided (from Greg Auman)
“Bucs defensive splits between first 5 games (Mike Smith as DC) and last 8 (Mark Duffner as DC) remain remarkable:
Sacks: was 27th before, t-5th since
3rd downs: was 23rd, 7th since
passing yards: was 32nd, 9th since
total yards: was 31st, 17th since
points: was 32nd, 23rd since”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guys… this is literally mind blowing. How is it even possible that it is THAT different? ESPECIALLY when you consider all of the injuries that DUFF has had to contend with…
Hard to even fathom.
December 14th, 2018 at 10:42 am
@Tampa Bay Demon
You really need to research all the injuries at the beginning of the year then!!!!!!!!
December 14th, 2018 at 10:57 am
^^ I understand the point, Realist, but there was a recent game where our assortment of DB’s seemed like they should have been starting for a Division 3 school. — I have just been impressed with Duff’s ability to get the D stabilized and performing much better.
December 14th, 2018 at 11:05 am
@Tampa bay demon
what you are seeing is the D-line playing much better, But that is because there is a rotation now!!!!! And it would have happened if Coach Smitty was here or not!!!!
During the start of the season, which was the toughest opening schedule in nfl history!!!! you can look up all the articles on that!!!!! There was no rotation due to injuries, and Wil Gholdston was starting!!!!!!!! The secondary was full of rookies that had not played any nfl games!!!!!!!!
so basically you are impressed with the defense gelling with time!!!!! Which the “real” fans said would happen this past offseason!!!!!!!!
December 14th, 2018 at 11:30 am
^^ I don’t think you are saying that I am not a “real” fan, Realist, just because of the thoughts that I expressed. – I am most definitely a real fan, and live & breathe Buccaneers football. I definitely get your passion. Cheers, man. Go Bucs
December 14th, 2018 at 1:57 pm
El Buco if you think this Defense would have been good under Mike Smith still being DC I want some of what your smoking.