Dirk Koetter Loves Bucs Receivers
August 13th, 2022
Former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter.
Now here is a cool trivia question for you.
Question: What does Dirk Koetter have in common with the Bucs, other than he coached the Bucs prior to Bucco Bruce Arians’ arrival? Answer: Koetter, at one time or another, coached all four of the Bucs’ top four receivers, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage and Julio Jones.
So when Koetter offered his insight into Bucs receivers for The33rdTeam this week, Joe paid attention.
“I cannot imagine there are going to be too many receivers groups that are going to be better than those guys,” Koetter said. “Again, if they are healthy.”
There is that key word. Already Evans has his near-annual hamstring issue as does Gage. And Julio has battled a lot of injuries the past few years.
Bucs fans know about Godwin and Evans. So Koetter gave Bucs fans a peek at what to expect from Gage and Julio. Simply put, Koetter raved about Gage and has deep respect for Julio.
Russell Gage
“What the Bucs are getting there is a proven slot receiver,” Koetter said. “‘Russ’ has extreme body quickness. He’s got a great release.
“He can play outside if needed. He will catch the ball in traffic. He’s tough over the middle. I am sure [the Bucs] are going to love him.”
Koetter also added that Gage has a move off the line of scrimmage that helps him get separation, a move Koetter said he doesn’t know if any other receiver has.
Joe suspects if this is that unique, it throws defensive backs off as they are not used to seeing it.
Julio Jones
“Julio has always been a No. 1,” Koetter said. “But that’s not his role they need him to play right now. That’s Mike Evans’ role.”
Koetter suspected one reason Julio doesn’t have a bunch of red zone touchdowns throughout his career is that teams always doubled him down there.
“Julio is a football junkie,” Koetter said. “He is a very smart player. He can do it all. He’s a route runner. He’s got speed. He can block. He can do everything they need him to do.”
Koetter believes Julio could be playing “the Chris Godwin role” until Godwin gets back to full strength. This is interesting to Joe because some believe Julio can no longer excel as an outside receiver.
“He is also a big play-action guy,” Koetter said.
Well, that quote is even more interesting because Tom Brady is a play-action guy.
“When he is healthy, he is as good as anybody out there,” Koetter summed up Julio.
Yeah, Joe was bummed that furniture-tossing, V-card-forging, bicycle-winging, rock-tossing, quitter Antonio Brown bailed on the Bucs. He likely would have not been here this year anyway.
But with the four receivers the Bucs have now and no foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski, Joe believes the Bucs could be more explosive this fall.
August 13th, 2022 at 4:18 pm
a “trivial” question…I see what you did there Joesph.
August 13th, 2022 at 4:40 pm
Koetter should know about our receivers.
His big mistake was not getting rid of Mike Smith soon enough.
I always liked Coach Koetter
August 13th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
And in addition to those guys, Brady has excellent hands coming out of the backfield in Fournette, Bernard, and White. Not to mention that it looks like Otton is coming on, and then who knows what Kyle Rudolph will do for us. Mighty powerful offensive team.
August 13th, 2022 at 4:46 pm
We also have great depth from 5 to 9. They might should keep that depth considering the proclivity for injury plus the way the zebras allow for dirty doings to our guys
August 13th, 2022 at 4:51 pm
I love it but I really wish we could develop a run game.
August 13th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Pretty cool to hear from ‘Ole Dirk.
Thank you for the thoughts, Coach.
August 13th, 2022 at 5:23 pm
#1 receivers, #2 etc are a media fiction. Yes, some guys have more talent, skills and ability than other guys. You call plays and use your guys to the best of their ability. When healthy, who is the Bucs #1? You can’t have 2 #1s, by definition. Yet we do. And now we have Julio Jones. Reconcile that. As far as Brady, and any football savvy individual, #1 is whomever fits the objective of the play called.
August 13th, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Either way. When Brady gets back we are going to murder people.
August 13th, 2022 at 6:18 pm
Dang, Steve or Lee. I got goosebumps reading this article. I mean, C’mon man, how is ANYBODY gonna stop this group of receivers this year? I won’t go “best WR group in history” yet cuz they gotta prove it to get that moniker. But geez, this group is uber-talented, diverse, and tough. It’s gonna be a gnarly year to be a Bucs fan; as such, I’m uber-excited.
Super Bowl team.
GO BUCS!!!
August 13th, 2022 at 6:24 pm
“Koetter also added that Gage has a move off the line of scrimmage that helps him get separation, a move Koetter said he doesn’t know if any other receiver has.
Joe suspects if this is that unique, it throws defensive backs off as they are not used to seeing it.”
Now we know WHY everybody has been saying Gage is always open so far with the Bucs.
August 13th, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Too bad Dirk clung to retired on the job Mike Smith. It also didn’t help that Jameis did his Uber Taco grope act, and kept flip flopping from Fitz to Jamiss. I liked his candor and dry wit.
August 13th, 2022 at 6:53 pm
“Dirk Koetter Loves Bucs Receivers”
Who wouldn’t??
Bucs have the best set of receivers (1>4 or 1>10 – either way) of any single team in NFL history.
August 13th, 2022 at 6:58 pm
The burning question……..are they good enough to succeed with Blaine Gabbert?
Until Brady gets back thats our reality.
August 13th, 2022 at 7:13 pm
Hahahaha! Nice Joe – you left my comment up and changed trivial to trivia! it was funnier in it’s original format.
August 13th, 2022 at 7:43 pm
I miss being a stick carrier.
August 13th, 2022 at 8:02 pm
I will always like and respect you Coach Koetter.
You biggest mistake was stand by your DC, and thats the biggest reason I respect you.
You were the coach of a disfunctional team with the biggest TO machine as a QB!!!!
Love and respect ofrecer Dirk!!!!
August 13th, 2022 at 8:06 pm
Dirk had Evans, Godwin, D-Jax and Humphries, that was a pretty damn good set of WRs as well.
August 13th, 2022 at 11:36 pm
Trash coach buy Joe will probably put him in the hall of fame if it was up to him.
August 14th, 2022 at 10:51 am
Koetter’s teams always played hard for him, even in his last year when everyone knew he was getting fired. His flaw was never teaching the team how to win. Elevating the culture where winning was the expectation.