Jason Licht: History Backs Dirk Koetter
March 24th, 2015
Joe enjoyed private time with Bucs general manager Jason Licht today at the NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix. It’s always great to catch up with the GM in a relaxed setting, and Joe will share various nuggets this week.
One area Joe wanted to explore was new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, who could be the new savior of the franchise.
Much has been made of Koetter being the anti-Marcus-Arroyo, a guy who can do the job versus a guy who couldn’t. But Joe wanted a better understanding of why Koetter is great, not just that he’s a superstar compared to the last Bucs playcaller.
A point of emphasis for Licht was Koetter’s long history. It’s a resumé of maximizing quarterbacks — even if they weren’t very good.
“He’s always gotten, go back to his college career, he’s always gotten the most out of his quarterbacks. Always,” Licht said. “Maybe he didn’t get great quarterback play, but he got the most out of that particular quarterback. So especially, I’m thinking back to Arizona State, go back and look it up. … He had [David Garard and] Matt Ryan. That’s the exciting thing, if we did go that route [of drafting a quarterback] that he’s got that experience with quarterbacks. Even back to Boise State and Missouri.”
Joe’s not going to type up the various no name quarterbacks coached by Koetter, but Licht’s point was clear and insightful. Koetter’s history with quarterbacks is very much like that of Jeff Tedford, who squeezed a lot out of some college QBs who didn’t succeed without him.
Like Tedford, Koetter played the position, too. But unlike Tedford, Koetter has a mountain of NFL experience and has orchestrated top-10 offenses with two different franchises.
Joe joins Licht in physically expressing relief that Koetter is a Buccaneer.
So is Koetter a big voice in selecting the next Buccaneers quarterback?
Licht dropped ice water on that characterization, saying Koetter’s voice is the same as an area scout’s. Licht emphasized that coaches and staff are all “decision makers right now,” before the draft board is “whittled down” and the draft-day decision makers take over.
Stick with Joe all week for more from Licht, on Koetter and more.
March 24th, 2015 at 4:36 pm
Thanks, Lord. On and off thing for some. Sorry it’s whacked you. –Joe
March 24th, 2015 at 4:42 pm
@Lord Cornielius
JBF shuts down my browser in the middle of my posts…..so I have had to go to a word doc…then copy & paste…..it’s aggrevating but I have learned to accept it because JBF is the best place to communicate with other fans.
March 24th, 2015 at 4:49 pm
If Koetter is the “savior of the franchise” then what the hell do they need Lovie for????????????
March 24th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
@Tom and others
I think we all agree Lovie cannot coach offense. Hence the Koetter as savior.
But of course that depends on whether you give Lovie credit for defense.
Lot’s of Lovie hate on this site. Just wondering if people give him any credit for his defensive chops.
March 24th, 2015 at 5:04 pm
Ooh ooh Mr. Koetter. -Arnold Horseshack
March 24th, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Lol Buc1987 I thought I was the only old guy that was thinking that. Lol and thanks
March 24th, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Koetter already said he saw alot of Matt Ryan in Mike Glennon. This may have more uh – oh in it than Joe’s Mike Evans article did.
March 24th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
Stop with the Glennon talk would cha….
March 24th, 2015 at 5:51 pm
Jelly Winston is back on instagram, forget the 6pack this dude has a keg! https://instagram.com/p/0n9vldhMS4/
March 24th, 2015 at 5:58 pm
Yeah in the end I’ll work around the tech issues because this site pumps out more articles about Bucs than anyone else; and I enjoy Joe’s approach to journalism as a biased fan. Keeps it real and is funny/entertaining. Hopefully Joe’s site continues to grow and he can use the extra $$ to get things running smoother one day
March 24th, 2015 at 6:15 pm
Good old boring Tom Edrington, always with the same old boring negative thump on Lovie. So boring, so unimaginative. So predictable.
Had a work mate who had as temp put in on Friday and was back to work on Monday. Guy is 60ish.
Tedord was a quitter but we still have Buc “fans” out here defending him.
What a joke.
Koetter is going to be a big breath of fresh air on this team.
The same people who hate Lovie will also deny how much influence a good offensive coordinator has on that units production and performance.
For some reason they think denying facts makes them ” knowledgeable.”
March 24th, 2015 at 6:20 pm
I’m very enthusiastic about this hire but… Koetter doesn’t play LT, ORG, RDE or MLB.
Nice story though.
March 24th, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Actually, St. Pete Bucs fan and the rest of the Lovie guys: No, the defense did not come through much at all last year and you’ve already forgotten those blowouts….
I believe that with the rules changes, Lovie’s Tampa Two is nothing more than a VW on a fast race track…..
March 24th, 2015 at 6:50 pm
I must say that While I do love Winston’s passing ability, I must say that I am almost 50 and have a much better shape than Winston
March 24th, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Tom. Defense was top 10 in average points allowed the final 10 weeks of the season coming out of the bye. Try again
March 24th, 2015 at 7:07 pm
I say fire Lovie keep Koetter as new head coach and Draft MARIOTA keep Glennon in till mariota is ready then let him play. What’s the worse that can happen. We have 1 more bad year till mariota is ready and we get another top Draft pick to get another young OL. I like the idea
March 24th, 2015 at 7:30 pm
LORD, please don’t confuse Tom Edrington with the facts. Don’t remind him that Dallas went to the playoffs with the same exact defense.
March 24th, 2015 at 8:31 pm
Lovie is either Full of SHTTTTTTT or just plain stupid. The best play caller he’s ever had under him he needs to listen. I guarantee if Lovie proves to the glaziers that he is only going to get in the wayof a good, proven OC and take over when the game is on the line and not let the man do his job, I guarantee they will let him hand around long enough to build the D, fire his ass and promote Koetter.
Sound familiar???
I have a feeling Lovie is going to let cuter have his way for the most part with the offense. But then the issue becomes whether or not Koetter decides not to go find a head coaching gig three years from now if he does have success with one of the worst offense producing teams in the league over the last decade. I think it’s easier to build a good defense than it is a good offense. That the only reason I didn’t like the Lovie hire. He’s a good coach and he’s no slouch…but when/if a team does find someone who can move an offense consistently, I believe that person needs to be handed the keys.
In a perfect world, Koetter would decline being a head coach, stick to just calling plays revive our offense and stick around for 10 years…..
Ok I’m awake now
March 24th, 2015 at 10:43 pm
Koetter+The Cannon=playoffs!!!!!
March 25th, 2015 at 8:34 am
Very common JBF practice of taking a quote and stretching it into a definitive scenario…so Licht is saying we’re rolling with Glennon and drafting a QB in round 2 or later (Petty, Hundley, Grayson, other?). Will be watching the news that night to see if there are actually any middle aged dudes rioting in Tampa when Leonard William’s name gets called by the Bucs