Koetter Says He’s Having Trouble Judging Bucs’ Mental State
December 31st, 2016
Doubting
The Buccaneers’ candid head coach is taking his refreshing brand of expression right into the final game of the season.
Dirk Koetter opened up late Friday night on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
It might be easy to conclude the Bucs are a hungry, young team returning home after a painful two road games. Players are yearning for a winning record, the franchise’s first since 2010, and many guys are fighting for jobs. Led by fiery Jameis Winston, the Bucs are ready to ravage the division-rival Panthers. Right?
Maybe not, said Koetter.
Host Alex Marvez asked Koetter about the mental state of his team.
“That’s a hard thing to judge, Alex, because, you know, it’s been an emotional few days,” Koetter said. “We had control of our destiny and weren’t able to get the win last week in New Orleans. Congratulations to New Orleans. They played very well.
“The whole situation with Doug Martin going down over the last week, you got your holidays, you got your injuries at the end of the year. So you’re going into this last game mathematically still involved with the playoffs and, you know, we’ve got a chance to have a solid season here. But you’re never quite sure exactly, you know, what these guys, we have a young team. How are these guys thinking? Do they have one foot already in vacation mode or not? I’m hopeful we’re going to go out there and play like we have most of the season this year, play our best football on Sunday against Carolina.”
Joe appreciates Koetter’s honesty. And the fact is, coaches often learn a lot about players based on performance in what many consider a meaningless game.
But Koetter’s take is a bit eyebrow-raising for the first-year head coach.
Nobody knows the Bucs better than Koetter, and he clearly isn’t seeing an angry, hungry mentality across his team right now. Joe almost puked when Koetter said, “you got your holidays.”
Joe sure hopes the Bucs are fighting hard Sunday. It’s a home game and a winning season is on the line. That’s plenty to fight for.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:23 am
Who cares….
.
The season is over
December 31st, 2016 at 9:26 am
I like that koetter is straightforward and truthful. Doesn’t parrot the same cookie cutter responses everyone else does, gives us something original every time. I’ll be happy with 9-7 given our tough schedule. We still have a lot to improve. Go bucs!
December 31st, 2016 at 9:29 am
Do they have one foot already in vacation mode or not?
——————
I know at least 1 player that’s packed it in since the pro bowl rosters were announced. Tough to win when it’s 11 vs 10 on the field.
Koetter did good, now let’s clean house and get ready the SB run next year.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:35 am
DB55
…..you must be refer to the most overrated player on the bucs roster. …….
…..yours truly. …
….Mr Softie…..AKA……. GMC
December 31st, 2016 at 9:36 am
In the big picture, I truly believe that we have laid the foundation for success and we will be competing for/winning Superbowls starting next season.
This is a tough season to endure (once again), because we underachieved again, but We definitely have the makings of a Dynasty organization moving forward and I think we start to fulfill our true potential and be one of the most dominate teams of the next decade.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:38 am
TheBucsAnthem Says
“Who cares….The season is over”
Great attitude there.
It isn’t over. We still have a chance at the first winning season in 6 years. And it would be a hard earned one given our schedule, not like 2010.
So no, the season is not over.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:39 am
I hope GMC gets 3 sacks in this game…just to shut you guys up! lol
December 31st, 2016 at 9:40 am
Well said, Erik.
For the first time in ages, I feel optimism at the end of a season.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:40 am
It is hard to believe Football Season is ending, but they did better then I thought they would do this year.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:41 am
@ Buccaneer Bonzai
……you’re funny
…..thanks for giving me a morning laugh
December 31st, 2016 at 9:43 am
What DB said. I mainly want everyone to finish healthy. Its dangerous asking 3s and 4s to go all out against another team’s 1s. Its why Cecil got broke up and why Hump got his head crack. We desperately need weaponry one reason is because it makes the game easier and safer for second and third tier players.
December 31st, 2016 at 9:44 am
And DB they all saw’em lastnight. Again fourntte who???
December 31st, 2016 at 9:54 am
“…coaches often learn a lot about players based on performance in what many consider a meaningless game.”
That is why this is NOT a meaningless game. What players are finishers? Who is mentally weak? Get rid of their sorry butts if they don’t show up to play. I don’t care who they are!
December 31st, 2016 at 9:59 am
Ok, sooooo. I’m on the exact opposite side of this. Y’all are saying “lets make sure Carolina has a better pick and we have a worse pick.” For what exactly? Your personal state of mind at the en of a season that’s over? That’s insane. Play the long game. Lose, screw the panthers over an improve our own spot.
It is the only way.
December 31st, 2016 at 10:01 am
This quote by Koetter tells us exactly why we are not in the playing in the playoffs. Too many soft players that are playing for the wrong reasons.
December 31st, 2016 at 10:06 am
ndog I respectfully disagree. We are not inn because we lack talent on offense bro. Simple as that. Problem will be fixed this off season.
December 31st, 2016 at 10:11 am
What’s the guy name for dallas??? I don’t wanna say white guy but he’s never banged up because he freely operates a clear middle of field because team’s have to focus more attention on Bryant and Williams.
December 31st, 2016 at 10:13 am
Beasley! He would be in a world hurt were it not for the talent surrounding him.
December 31st, 2016 at 10:13 am
@Nole
And on defense.
December 31st, 2016 at 10:23 am
If we ain’t drafting D. Cook then idk wtf we’re doing. #FSU
December 31st, 2016 at 10:30 am
What’s the sense of playing this last game if not to go all out to win it? 9-7 beats 8-8 every time, more wins are better. The mental state should be to avoid a three game swoon after being three games over .500. If you are not trying to win I don’t want to watch.
December 31st, 2016 at 10:39 am
DB55…if we win tmrw, you can kiss Cook goodbye. Read up on Corey Davis
December 31st, 2016 at 11:07 am
I don’t understand the want of a running back in the draft.. screw that, sorry but we need MONSTERS on our lines… The whole draft. Use F/A for skill players
December 31st, 2016 at 11:14 am
[…] “That’s a hard thing to judge,” Koetter said in his weekly Friday night visit to SiriusXM NFL Radio (via JoeBucsFan.com), “because, you know, it’s been an emotional few days. We had control of our destiny and weren’t able to get the win last week in New Orleans. Congratulations to New Orleans. They played very well. […]
December 31st, 2016 at 11:15 am
Wait they shouldnt play “meaningless games”. LOL
So preseason tidbits before the seasons even over….
I LOVE IT MAN…. THIS TEAM IS ON OTS WAY….
So it will be Christmas again…. You know know presason when we “can learn alot about our guys.”
Hopefully the “holidays” wont be a distraction next season…
And who cant help but to love the Dirk “the grinch” koetter???????????
Save It Joes, its yours curtsy of JoeBucsFan…
Now show us the scenario JL is gonna use to move up and draft Cooks!!!
December 31st, 2016 at 11:17 am
*Soon it will be Christmas again… (Next football season)
December 31st, 2016 at 11:25 am
I agree Bonzai but man we gotta start puttin some points on the board Big bro.
December 31st, 2016 at 11:28 am
DB I think they think I’ve been on some homer ishh. No people, I’m on some he’s a special player and would be a great addition to our team ishh. I ain’t gotta continue talkin bout him. His play spoke volumes last night.
December 31st, 2016 at 11:32 am
Hey Joe: you update DK’s pics on here; could you do it for the players’ columns, too?
Joe has man pics of players and coaches. Joe picks what Joe likes. This one is actually from March. –Joe
P.S.: Since tomorrow is New Years Day, how about posting that Countdown Clock you posted when we beat Atlanta on game one! How about it??
December 31st, 2016 at 11:33 am
The biggest problem I saw the past 2 games was how overmatched our defensive and offensive lines were with games on the line. If you want to point fingers why they couldn’t win, that were the blame lies.
I expect Dallas to be able to dominate with their offensive line but they have an average defense and looked like a great defense because they were blowing up our offensive line.
The Saints with even a worse defense dominated our line.
Brees had plenty of time to throw and Prescott even more.
Those 2 weaknesses must be corrected before the Bucs can be expected to win a division. Yes, a better receiver than Sheppard-Humphries needs to be added, another back that’s bigger than Quiz would help also.
If there is a stud WR in round one bring it. The rest of the draft should be linemen. Use free agency for your safeties and linebackers. Alexander and David this season gave up a lot of big runs, we need a stronger linebacker, team has always had speedy LBs but they miss too many tackles on bigger backs and fast receivers.
December 31st, 2016 at 12:00 pm
^ Yup. It all starts in the trenches.
I’ve been pounding my chest about this all year. We need OL and DL first and foremost before anything else. WR is right behind those needs tho.
December 31st, 2016 at 12:08 pm
Same people that produced the most rush yards in the NFL in 2015 asking with a 4000 yard rookie passer. They forget how to do they’re jobs. Other things were going on this season.
December 31st, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Can not blame the line when your primary runner is an injury prone, unreliable drug user with no respect for his teammates
December 31st, 2016 at 12:33 pm
He wasn’t a fan of the jersey swap. But you gotta pick your battles or lose these guys imo.
December 31st, 2016 at 1:10 pm
There’s NO WAY that all of those games are going to go our way for the Bucs to make the playoffs, especially withe the ‘Skins having to tie, that is the last nail in the coffin. So as much as winning the last game would be nice and ending with a winning season and on a winning note, it’s obviously better long-term that they lose for the better pick in the draft.
December 31st, 2016 at 2:15 pm
The guys on here wanting us to draft Cook are insane as there is no way we have a shot at getting him NO WAY.
December 31st, 2016 at 2:28 pm
Noles while we agree the offense lacks talent to me that keeps us from being great. However the lack of desire and determination on defense is what kept us from being a playoff team this year. McCoy, LVD and others are looking to a 2nd year 4th round player to lead them which is sad and a major problem that must be solved before ever become what we can.
December 31st, 2016 at 3:32 pm
It’s nice that you’re so candid. I’ll be candid as a fan since 86. It’s your job as coach to figure it out and make sure that their heads are right.
December 31st, 2016 at 4:30 pm
Licht has a good situation coming with Florida V Iowa @ Ray Jay. Everybody knows James would love to play with Dalvin therefore we won’t get him. Goal is Super Bowl right? Can’t blame these guys for not caring about a finale that will literally mean nada. Winning season doesn’t mean anything to them. Desmond King? Teez Tabor? Quincy Wilson? I think Brent has a 1 year maybe 2 year deal.
December 31st, 2016 at 5:17 pm
I think Clemson RB Wayne Gallman is the most underrated Back in this draft. We can get him in the 3rd, unless he come on strong during the playoffs.
December 31st, 2016 at 6:09 pm
I for one woo blame the O-line, for clearly any one can see that is where the most regression occurred this season….Start Building The Wall, here’s your BLUE-PRINT::Move KP to right tackle and leave him there, move Morphit to center, DS moves to left guard, “Honey-Dip” Sweeny to right guard, bring in a free/agent at left tackle and draft a left tackle by moving back into the second round and hurry and find out if any of our draft picks from last year can compete for back/up spots, anyway this is just wishful thinking but a WALL must be built to protect JW!!
December 31st, 2016 at 11:02 pm
Just eliminating Lovie – Dovie from the equation would give us a few exte wins this year.
January 1st, 2017 at 11:13 am
I predicted we would go 9-7 this year, so I hope we do get s W for this last game. Sure it may mess with our draft position, but will be a big boost of confidence. I know we need a big time WR to go opposite of Evans. Def need players on both sides of the line. But back to 9-7…..back to Dirk…back to winning.