Saving Dirk Koetter
March 6th, 2017
“So, Coach, do you really want me to tell you what I think of that play?”
Yes, yesterday Joe brought word from winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter that Tampa Bay’s head man wants America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, to be more independent if Koetter calls a bad play.
Koetter spoke about this on SiriusXM NFL Radio from Indianapolis.
Just after that interview, Koetter met with Tampa Bay reporters for a private chat on the record. In this session, Koetter spoke about the same subject only he was not held back by radio time restraints and was a wee bit more colorful and detailed.
In the discussion of the same subject, he sort of enlightened folks to the deep respect both Koetter, the coach, and America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, have for one another.
In so many words, Koetter said he, at times, needs Jameis to bail him out of a mistake.
“There is a fine line between aggressiveness and cutting your losses,” Koetter said. “We are saying to Jameis, ‘We have to cut our losses here.’
“I think back to the New Orleans game, start of the second half. We get the ball backed up second-and-nine on the two-yard line. That was a horrible playcall – I’m the one who called it. It was a horrible playcall. Right after I sent it in there, it was a horrible playcall. You know, shoot, I should have probably called a timeout and changed it. But sometimes you need your quarterback to bail you out. Now, at the same time, there are horrible playcalls and Jameis turns it into a 40-yard gain.
“I just think experience is a big factor in that. Jameis will be the first to admit that he’s not going to give up on plays. … I just think that, as Jameis continues to learn to experience what wins and loses in the NFL, he is so sharp and so attentive to stuff like that; I think that is something that he will continue to improve upon.
“I kid Jameis about it – kiddingly – ‘Jameis, I am going to be so happy the day when you walk off the field and say, ‘That was a blankety-blank playcall and I saved your [arse].’ And I say, ‘I want you to say that to me.’ And [Jameis] says, ‘Well, I would never do that!’ And I said, ‘You need to do that! I make mistakes.’ I want him to throw it away and come off [the field] and say, ‘Why did you call that? That was a stupid call.’”
The first thing that jumps out from this statement is Koetter’s full respect for Jameis. Surely there are times when Jameis recognizes a play is a bad call, but he respects Koetter so much that he believes Koetter called the play for a reason. As Jameis told BSPN after the win at Carolina on Monday Night Football, what goes through his head when Koetter calls in a play he doesn’t like is, “Do your job.”
It also jumps out at Joe how much Koetter recognizes he has a rare prodigy on his hands.
Also, think back to the Dallas game where Koetter said how Jameis told Koetter to run a certain deep shot for Mike Evans that Koetter never recognized. Koetter said it was a great observation by Jameis and the play just missed being a big hit.
Even back then, publicly, Koetter was trying to encourage Jameis to think a little more independently. Also previously, Koetter remarked after games how he didn’t have a good look at a play. It’s almost as if Koetter was saying to Jameis through the media, “You have a better vantage point on the field at times than I have from the sidelines.”
This whole subject reminds Joe of the story of Jameis’ Pro Day at Florida State. Jameis told Koetter there he wasn’t afraid of making any throw and Koetter responded, “You should be.”
March 6th, 2017 at 7:16 am
I dig how humble Coach Koetter is! Here is a man that has one of the rarest jobs on planet earth, filled by only 31 other men and he realizes that he makes mistakes and isn’t afraid to say that he messes up in public. What’s even more rare is that he wants to be called out if it’s recognized.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:22 am
Mmmm… This is all music to my ears… Im happy to say I havent watched a single video on any of the QBs in this draft… Could not care less… Probably couldnt name all of them. This is rare air in TB. we have a QB… With a high floor and a high ceiling.
Hallelujah! God Bless America. God Bless America’s QB, God BLess the Bucs.
March 6th, 2017 at 7:37 am
It takes four years to make a QB- Bill Polian
March 6th, 2017 at 8:30 am
Good option being able to ad lib plays, but I’m sure that happens plenty of times throughout all games.
March 6th, 2017 at 8:44 am
Just imagine what this kid could do with a genuine NFL running back and the ability to get D’s to bite on play action fakes. Then imagine adding another receiver…WITH SPEED…on the other side of ME13…these two additions…RB and WR will also make Brate and Hump more effective and Brate has yet to reach his total potential. Prediction…Brate comes back 15 lbs heavier and having worked extensively on his blocking.
Improve at Center and get an NFL RT and we are ready to rock the South baby!!!
This is sooooo doable…Dalvin…an FA WR with speed…a draft WR with speed…and IF Sweezy is healthy and Benenoch is ready we have a competent NFL OL.
Now add Calais Campbell and Noah gets healthy….SB this year!!! Go Bucs!
We have the single most important ingredient…a QB!!!!
March 6th, 2017 at 8:55 am
James Says:
Well said, could not agree with you more. I see a bright future with our coach and QB.
March 6th, 2017 at 9:02 am
Can’t wait to see what this offense can be when we finally get some weapons for Winston.
March 6th, 2017 at 9:09 am
Wait…is that a hopeful post from DallasBuc? Almost seems positive. Jason must have finally called him back
March 6th, 2017 at 9:21 am
Translation – Head Coach Koetter is excited and knows that this offense will peak when JW3 not only knows the full offense, But knows what the opposing defense is trying to do and in that moment can pick out the best play to exploit that defense based on pre-snap recognition!!!!!
March 6th, 2017 at 9:22 am
Draft Corey Davis or John Ross?
March 6th, 2017 at 9:23 am
The future is bright with Jameis and the new bucs. Still a few hold overs that need to go before the team can take that next step. The defense will not be able to a threat that is taken seriously until the leader of the losing culture is eradicated or neutered.
March 6th, 2017 at 9:39 am
That play call in Dallas… so many people said Jameis “choked” in that situation. Truth is he made the right decision on the call, no way that is a choke. Truth of that play, if Cherillus could have slowed Ervin just a hair so that Jameis didn’t have to sprint left just to buy enough time for the play to develop, that is a completion. A poster called that play out this week as a “choke job” for Jameis.
The Bucs are close to being very good for an extended period of time, only a diehard Mariotta jock sniffer can’t see that.
March 6th, 2017 at 9:46 am
Just read that Adam Caplan reporting that Bucs and Gholston agreed to new contract. If under 8 mil a year, then good signing.
March 6th, 2017 at 9:53 am
5 year 37 mil for gholston. Seems high
March 6th, 2017 at 9:55 am
A little over 7 mil a year doesnt seem that bad to me
March 6th, 2017 at 9:58 am
7.4 mil per year, for a DE in his prime, that’s not a great pass rusher but excellent against the run. Honestly, sounds about right. I was thinking 6-8 mil per year.
March 6th, 2017 at 10:02 am
Stpetebucsfan ….we’re closer to the SB than most Buc fans realize.
Save your money fans, you might need to buy plane tickets soon.
March 6th, 2017 at 10:04 am
How much guaranteed for Gholstin?
March 6th, 2017 at 10:13 am
ESPN (Caplan) reported that Gholston’s deal is for 5 yrs, max of $37 mil like you said, and includes $13.5 million guaranteed. At $7 mil/yr that’s about what several figured Will would get if he re-signed with Bucs. Great signing! Awesome job Jason Licht! Now on to the next Bucs to re-sign: Rodgers, McDougald, A. Spence, Robinson, Shepherd. Wouldn’t mind having Daryl Smith back for 1 more yr also if he decides not to retire, and Hawley too on a short-term contract.
March 6th, 2017 at 10:36 am
this is great they will go down as one of those great coach & qb tandems before they’re done here
March 6th, 2017 at 10:50 am
This folks is why we are willing to give Koetter a little more leeway than say a stubborn old coach who never owns up to his mistakes and low key throws his players under the bus (cough cough).
Sure Koetter made mistakes but his energy and brutal honesty are a breathe of fresh air. Way better than that cold moldy basement air we became accustomed to.
March 6th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Big things are in store for the Bucs offense in coming years. BIG THINGS!
March 6th, 2017 at 5:56 pm
Gotta love Coach Koetter