“You Can’t Be Your Main Reason For Losing”
December 30th, 2018
Jameis speaks
“I guarantee that some of our coaches want it more than some of our players and that’s the bad part! That’s the bad part. Our coaches want it, I guarantee you!” Jameis Winston, Jan. 3, 2016.
Fiery Jameis appears to be a thing of the past. It’s not necessarily bad, but Joe sure misses that guy.
After the season finale of the 2015 season, Jameis unleashed a passionate rant that called out his teammates. See the quote above. There was even more to it than that.
The Bucs had just finished a 6-10 season that ended the Lovie Smith era, though Jameis didn’t know his head coach would get whacked when he uttered those words.
When Dirk Koetter was the promoted to head coach and he was asked about that speech. And here’s what Koetter had to say during a cozy, off-camera chat with Joe and other media shortly after he got the top job in 2016:
“I think we, as a team, we need to have more players that play with the same heart and passion as Jameis,” Koetter said. “All players want to win. I’m not going to break down every single word he said, but across the board, could we play with more heart and passion? Do we need more players that take it as personal as Jameis? Yes.”
Fast forward to this evening, and Joe reminded Jameis of that passionate take three years ago. And Joe asked Jameis if he still felt that Bucs coaches cared more than players.
“No, I think we got good guys in the locker room. We just got to find a way to put things together, man,” Jameis said. “We shot ourselves in the foot too much, the past two years especially. That ended in a losing season. You can’t really be the primary — you can’t be your main reason for losing, as a team. We can’t beat ourselves. If we get beat by another good team then that’s just football. But we can’t be the ones that beat ourselves.”
Now, Jameis believes, the Bucs have the right players.
And now, Joe believes, in will come a brand new head coach who will turnover half the roster.
Raiders running back Doug Martin, of all people, had a very interesting quote last week about how Chucky does an amazing job bringing in a few key players that really rub off on the rest of the locker room and have guys hungry to play hard. Joe found it interesting because Martin was a Buccaneer in the prior six seasons.
The Bucs could use a few more of those infectious-ruboff guys next season to join Jameis and the rest of the Bucs who care deeply.
December 30th, 2018 at 6:55 pm
Jameis has definitely been neutered……both on and off the field and I’m not sure that’s a bad thing.
I still think down deep he has the passion to want to win.
Does anyone here think Jameis is happy with the loss and the prospect of the # 5 pick?…….I just don’t think so.
December 30th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
As of 7pm, both Koetter and Licht remain employees of the Bucs. The death watch continues…..
December 30th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Dirk neutered Jameis, telling him he wanted him to play like Mike Glennon instead of Brett Favre.
So Jameis dramatically cut down on turnovers, played “safe” ball that all the Winston haters said he couldn’t play, and guess what happened? The team is 0-4 down the stretch. It’s idiotic to buy a Hellcat and then put a regulator on it to keep it from going over 55mph. That’s a loser mentality, and that’s what Dirk brought to the team.
I keep thinking about what happened with the Chargers a couple of years ago. They lost every single close game, the defense blew every 4th quarter lead, everyone said Rivers was washed up and couldn’t get it done, he was a turnover prone QB that couldn’t play in the NFL anymore – then what happens? They fire their coach, and two years later they’re playing for the top seed in a stacked AFC.
Anywho, FREE JAMEIS, let him play, let him win, and get a coach who doesn’t have the stank of a loser all over him.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:01 pm
Frrrreeeeeeeeeeddddooooommmmm
December 30th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
K&L&J are all tied at the hip… one more year before the Glazer’s make their decision and by then there will be no doubt and no choice
December 30th, 2018 at 7:02 pm
Joe
Maybe the new, more mellow and subdued James has replaced the fiery, cocky Jameis because after 4 years here now he has gotten use to the losing culture and expects/accepts defeat.
I think it has happened to more than a few players here
December 30th, 2018 at 7:04 pm
Cool story about Rivers.
I think Winston will have a different mindset and attitude under a new HC. Hopefully for the better. Sounds like he will be back next year and let’s hope to see results. I don’t think Winston can last here if he has another 5 win season next year.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:04 pm
He poo ed
December 30th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Rod I agree he has been neutered but it’s not all on coaching. Jameis needed to go to the extreme because he was told he was benched for TOs.
Jameis has shown everyone he can take care of the ball and put the team in position to win.
Now it is on him to blend what he is doing now with his gunslinger self. A new coach and perspective could help him figure out what situations call for more risk and when to bite it.
Overall I think this was an important step in his journey and once he gets consistency with games like today, he will gain a lot of fans back and will no longer be called the 4th best QB in the division.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Munch,
Hellcat?
That’s funny…. a bit of a stretch.
You Fancy Men sure have wild imaginations……. but I’m pretty sure you guys already has a propensity for “creativity “
December 30th, 2018 at 7:07 pm
Being a new father might have something to do with that. It changes you.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:13 pm
We need a coach who can handle arrogance on the field and channel towards the positive mentality that we can beat anyone on any Sunday. That’s just missing under dirk and there’s just a timid nature about this team
December 30th, 2018 at 7:14 pm
Alaskan – I agree, it wasn’t 100% coaching, I think Jameis wanted to prove he could be a boring QB that didn’t turn it over if the defense just kept them in the game. But I also think that was mostly because he was flat out told by Dirk he’s back on the bench if he turns it over. Now do I know that? No. But I know from watching Winston play, he was being extremely careful with the ball down the stretch, and that’s not who Winston is. He played good enough to win games if they had a good defense, but Winston should be more than a safe boring QB, that’s just cutting his balls off and telling the team that the TO line on the stat sheet is more important than winning. Personally I’d rather see him throw for 400 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs and win the game than throw for 290 yards, 2 TDS and 0 INTs and lose – and the Winston haters would literally rather seem the team lose than turn the ball over.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:15 pm
The “neutered” Jameis, played well today. But not being the one responsible for losing is not enough. Franchise QBs carry their team to victory and he has yet to demonstrate that. Well, he gets another year, his 5th…
December 30th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Rod- I agree he didn’t want to be benched again and he played very cautiously because of that.
I’m excited because he ended last year playing well and was on fire this preseason.
It was really just a crazy year all around for this team.
I think he will come out next year in the right mindset again like he did this year in preseason.
Man, I still can’t get over Barber not even having 100 yards receiving when some backs have 600-800 yards receiving.
Where is Jameis’ easy drop off and get 6-10+?
This guy has to manufacture basically every yard this team gets and it’s crazy.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:21 pm
Let’s face it……we need to be able to run the ball and we need a strong defense……..we simply can’t rely on our offense to win games by itself.
Jameis is good enough but only with a complete team.
I like the new version of Jameis better……and I like the running Jameis.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Dirk Diggler relieved per Adam Shefter
December 30th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
So @Jim, do franchise QBs give their team a lead the last time they touch the ball? Because that’s what Jameis did today. Have the Bucs the lead with 5 minutes to play and never touched the ball again. Last I checked, he accounted for 4 TDs and a late 4th quarter lead. Is that not carrying the team?
December 30th, 2018 at 7:25 pm
DING DONG DIRK IS GONE!
December 30th, 2018 at 7:25 pm
Red Zone reporting Dirk officially fired.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Dirk already fired.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:27 pm
Don’t tease me Scotty!!!!
I haven’t seen that on PFT yet.
The legend of Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles (couldn’t beat Smitty’s defense) continues… ties NFL record 25 straight completions vs the Redskins (who the Bucs and Fitzmagic put up 3 points vs)
December 30th, 2018 at 7:27 pm
they must have somebody in mind
December 30th, 2018 at 7:27 pm
multiple sources reporting Koetter is fired.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Buc’s just fired Coach Koetter
December 30th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Per Adam Schefter koetter has been fired
December 30th, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Thank you Glazers! Thank you for the offense Dirk! Good luck!
December 30th, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Looks like Licht is being retained.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:31 pm
Just saw it on PFT.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:31 pm
Bucs statement says Jason is conducting the search for the new coach.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:31 pm
Licht to be conducting head coach search per release.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:31 pm
I wonder if Koetter would have had a good QB what we would look like..
Jay Miss can add to his resume..Coach Killer…
December 30th, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Is the entire staff fired as well or just Dirk for now? They should keep the offensive staff for now….
Or better trade for Tomlin if the Steelers miss the playoffs, give up a #1 for a Tomlin/Bell package, then lock him up for 10 years.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:32 pm
Licht needs to go
Also, he will mess up the draft, once again!!!
December 30th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
“Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately and will be conducted by General Manager Jason Licht.”
So in your face Jason Licht haters!
December 30th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
Koetter is gone. Thanks Winston
December 30th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
I think the staff’s contracts are up anyway Rod
December 30th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
I like this latest version of Jameis, he’s been humbled and has calmed down a lot which is a good thing.
The way he’s played as of late is good enough to win games.
Give this guy a running game and a decent defense and I think we’ll see good things.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Licht has a Glazers dicpic
December 30th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
PFT reporting that Licht is staying and will conduct the head coach search.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:34 pm
Licht said he hired Dirk after NOT talking to him for the entire year that he was the OC. So he hired Dirk based off one interview, that was all. To me that was an amazing thing to find out, that with as much as everyone said Dirk was the future HC of the team when he was hired, that him and Licht never spoke for a year.
Anywho mixed feelings on Licht. He put the team in a position of having to start the year with Ryan Smith and Chris Conte starting, and that alone should have got him fired.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:35 pm
Rod Munch Says
“Is the entire staff fired as well or just Dirk for now? They should keep the offensive staff for now….”
I have to agree with this. Let the new coach decide whether to replace the OL and RB coaches…but fire the entire defensive staff right now.
Wouldn’t it surprise everyone if they promoted Monken to head coach?
December 30th, 2018 at 7:36 pm
This is bullsh*t.
They need to clean the entire staff out.
Licht deserves to be fired just as much if not more than Koetter.
Just look-up his draft history on Wikipedia and try your best not to vomit. Then look at the horrific free agents he’s brought in and grab the nearest bucket.
God help us.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Yes it would Bonzai, then I would think about it and say “ that’s so Glazers”.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Dirk has just been fired
December 30th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
The GM survives somehow – thanks for the memories Dirk!
December 30th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Time for an open thread regarding this subject…
December 30th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Koetter has been FIRED!!!! Just came across the wire!!!
December 30th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Bonzai – I’d hope they wouldn’t promote Monken. The last thing the team needs is to have yet another year where there is no true OC because the HC is pulling double duty. That’s where they messed up with Dirk in my opinion.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Jason Gump needs to go!! He has as bad a record as Dominek!
December 30th, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Licht should have been the first person fired.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Pittsburgh as a city should be in total meltdown mode now – the Glazers need to move quick to try to pry away Tomlin….
December 30th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Monken is just as clueless as Koetter. “Fitz gives us the best chance to win.”, they both need out of here.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Lol Dirk shouldn’t feel bad: Dungy and Gruden also got fired by this franchise
December 30th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
#lichtmyb*lls
This sucks…
Get ready for a dead man walking year in 2019, most likely another losing season with an inferior coach hired by the meathead scout and then we’ll get our complete house cleaning for 2020.
December 30th, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Inside Booker
H
December 30th, 2018 at 7:51 pm
I thought today may have been Winston’s best game as a pro.
Our offense was great overall today at everything except one thing. 3rd & 1. We missed again today and it easily could have changed the outcome today.
I have been whining about 3rd & 1 since before Lovie Smith got here. It has gone completely unaddressed in what feels like a decade now.
You can easily go back through all of our games and could make a great case that our failures on 3rd & 1 have cost us just as many games as our kicking has. And yes this is on the players but when it’s a constant problem that continues to hurt the team it is the HCs job to fix it. Dirk never has and never will and we deserve a HC who can fix problems like these.
Sidenote…..Dungy could not convert 3rd & 1 either. Gruden came on and fixed it & that was part of the reason that team got over the hump and achieved Glory!!
GOO BUCS!!!
December 30th, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Yes
Jim
December 30th, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Yes
Jim Yarbrough is the word
Koetter is going home
You think he is not a good guy
December 30th, 2018 at 7:58 pm
Keeping Licht proves the Glazers know NOTHING about football. Whoever the next HC is, unfortunately, it will be no better than Koetter. This team is handicapped until a GM who understands both the business and sport of football.
December 30th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
Rod munch great trade !!!
December 30th, 2018 at 8:03 pm
Congrats to Mike Evans. he is a great example for the team. 1,524 yards on the season. that should be the story here. He has been the most consistent offensive player on the team. It might of been Jameis best game of the year., and he is starting to utilize Evans to get more
chunk plays from him than the team has been getting for the last two years.
December 30th, 2018 at 9:19 pm
Some fun stats from NFL’s Next Gen page, and this is prior to today’s game…
Winston is #2 in completed air yards, meaning he throws deep a lot – and isn’t a dink and dunk passer. BTW Fitz is #1, meaning, yes, this is a deep ball offense, just as I’ve said since Dirk became HC, they are running a version of the 1970s Air Coryell offense, and personally, that is one area I had no issue with.
Winston is #2 in intended air yards, meaning again, he’s throwing deep. The fact he’s #2 in both completed and intended, is a good thing.
Winston is #2 in aggressiveness, which is a stat combining how players try to force the ball downfield.
Winston is #1 in air yards to sticks… meaning on 3rd and 8 is he doing like Mike Glennon and just getting an easy 3 yard play and punt, and is he throwing downfield trying to get the first down, not padding his stats. Winston plays to get the first down, to move the ball, not to make his completion % look better than it should be like most NFL QBs.
Another fun fact: Winston is #5 in the NFL using ESPN’s QBR stat metric, and that’s before this week as well. That looks at the importance of plays, it gives more credit to throwing a 15 yard pass on 3rd and 12 than if you did it on 1st and 10.
Anywho the Bucs should try to take advantage of the turmoil of the last year and sign Winston to a long term deal at a discounted rate. He is a franchise QB and will be one of the top QBs in football for a while.
December 30th, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Another fun fact I just saw… Winston was the teams leading rusher 3 times this year.