Dirk Koetter: Defense Has Not Been “Simplified”
December 8th, 2018
Enough of the outsider theories.
The ultimate Bucs insider, Dirk Koetter, is here to set you straight.
That’s what the head coach does for fans on the Buccaneers Radio Network each week. And yesterday Koetter took a phoned-in question from a fan who wanted to know if there’s validity to the chatter that new defensive coordinator Mark Duffner “simplified” the defense, which has led to better play.
Koetter threw a challenge flag on that one, saying he doesn’t know where that talk could be coming from.
In fact, it sounds like Koetter believes the defense is more complex.
“I wouldn’t say that [Duffner] simplified it any,” Koetter said. “I mean, I think Duff and the defensive staff have done a good job of mixing up their looks. I think they’ve become a little more more multiple. We’ve been playing some different personnel groups, been putting some guys into different spots. … I think he’s just been doing a good job of mixing it up.”
Coach Koetter went on to say players are buying in to Duffer and the staff better, and then Koetter quickly said that doesn’t mean they were checked out before.
“I think the players have just done a good job of getting behind it and doing a their jobs on the field. And they are playing fast. There’s no question they’re playing faster and with more confidence,” Koetter said.
Whatever factors led to the defensive transformation, the current Bucs defense has made it clear to Joe that Mike Smith was asleep at the wheel, and players were joining him. Even after shutting out the Steelers in the second half of that Week 3 game, the defense completely checked out over the next two games.
Joe’s happy the Duffner change was made. If not, Koetter and the Bucs would be battling Chucky and the Raiders for the No. 1 overall pick.
December 8th, 2018 at 11:51 am
“Koetter threw a challenge flag on that one”
So we lost the challenge and a timeout then. Greaaaaat.
December 8th, 2018 at 12:00 pm
We were out of timeouts First down. again!
December 8th, 2018 at 12:13 pm
How does he know? He’s hands off on the defense.
December 8th, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Fake News! I have it on good authority from JBF posters who know nothing about the game plan, scheming and coaching that the defense has been simplified. Glory be to god and Duff for simplifying everything. No wonder gets testy. Tampa has a really dumb fanbase, they come up with these hair brain ideas and just run with it. It has to wear on your nerves when you hear all that nonsense.
December 8th, 2018 at 12:26 pm
Koetter is still attached to his conjoined twin Mike Smith, SMH.
December 8th, 2018 at 12:32 pm
Oh so you know more about the game plan than Koetter EA. LMAO!
December 8th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Are you ready for this outsider theory? I think the biggest difference is that the defense has started “gameplaning” for each opponent. This preparation had allowed the players to attack team, instead of waiting to see how teams will play us and reacting to other teams game plans.
December 8th, 2018 at 3:35 pm
My name is joe , just to let you know , I write fairytale stories because I’m slow …I’m just an average writer like other guys , I love Jameis Winston and I’m full of lies … a boo hiccup hiccup
December 8th, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Here is my idea of a simplified defense.
See QB…..rush QB, hit QB
Get blocked, shed block
See ball on ground, get ball
See Runner…..tackle runner…..knock ball out of runner’s hands
See Pass….bat down pass….intercept pass
Now….that’s as simple as it gets.
December 8th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Gerald McCoy = big fat softie
December 8th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
“Multiple”, that’s the key word for me. Throughout Mike Smith’s tenure with the Bucs his defense’s rarely disguised their coverages which led to QBs shredding the Bucs. I don’t know if Smith lacked the wherewithal to implement adjustments but now we see what a competent DC can do with this defense.
December 8th, 2018 at 4:33 pm
Regardless of reason, the D is playing so much better under Duff. Koetter gets 10 demerits for bringing Smith back in 2018, and 20 more for not getting rid of him sooner this year after the garbage play of the first few games. Duffner’s working with a less experienced group than Smith had and performing better. Need to see how things go over the next 4 games, but if the D continues the current trend it’s fair to say Smith caused us to miss the playoffs. And, that in turn is squarely on Koetter’s shoulders.
December 8th, 2018 at 4:56 pm
What touchdown said^^^. Go Bucs!
December 8th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
I think the problem was the Smiths D it was too simple. Just a bunch of conservative cover 4 and cover 1 with very little LB Blitzing. An outdated system that the players didnt buy into for good reason. Duff seems to be running a more aggressive and modern D.