“It Helps When I’m Sitting In Those Meetings And I’ve Seen The Tape”
April 7th, 2017
Film critic Dirk Koetter
It’s a different Dirk Koetter this April.
Last year, Koetter’s winter and early spring were exceptionally busy with building processes and a program as a first year head coach. Also, his Bucs reported to work two weeks early, per NFL rules, because they had a new head coach.
Now, Koetter is a different boat. His team isn’t reporting early. Nearly his entire coaching staff returns and he’s a winning head coach, not a guy under extreme pressure scrambling to develop major fixes and system changes.
So that means Koetter has invested a lot more time into being a powerful voice in the Buccaneers’ draft process.
General manager Jason Licht told Joe at the NFL Owners Meetings that it’s been a joy and a benefit to have Koetter more involved. Licht even said Koetter likes defensive players, too.
Joe asked Koetter to talk about his changed offseason focus.
“I am enjoying it. And I’ve done a lot of guys. I’ve done [scouting] reports on a lot, a lot of guys, close to 100,” Koetter said in Phoenix. “But Jason [Licht] does far more than that and then our coaches are out on the road. Our coaches are doing a bunch of [reports], and they’re out doing private workouts, as are our scouts. And now’s the time we start bringing guys in [for visits.]
“Yeah, I’ve enjoyed it a lot. It helps me. Obviously, I know what our perceived needs are, what we think our needs are. Jason has a really good process where we narrow this list down to eventually get to the guys we really want to target. We don’t have control over that, but it helps when I’m sitting in those meetings and I’ve seen the tape. It helps a lot.”
Joe is not close to saying Koetter will throw around a lot more weight this year when it comes to draft selections. But that line on “perceived needs” of the Bucs is intriguing.
Who’s voice is loudest when it comes to defining “need?” Is it the head coach’s?
Does Koetter believe the Bucs need a running back more than talent at receiver?
April 7th, 2017 at 11:39 am
Koetter already said pretty clearly what he wants. More “explosives” on offense. And with DJax coming in via free agency, the “need” focus shifts to RB. If either Cook or McCaffrey is available at 19 – I bet we go that route.
April 7th, 2017 at 11:57 am
Fameis voice makes a little noise as well.
April 7th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Getting djax does not automatically shift the need to rb….we are one wr injury away from last tears offense. Need to draft another wr, just depends in who is there when the bucs are up
April 7th, 2017 at 12:47 pm
Dalvin Cook would transform this offense to an elite status. If he makes it past pick 12 we need to try to get him.
April 7th, 2017 at 12:47 pm
I’m not debating anymore about who we need to draft. I will be happy with whoever they pick cause I trust in their process and their decisions. Licht is the man and so is koetter!!! Go bucs!
April 7th, 2017 at 12:52 pm
The draft needs to get here like yesterday though! I’m getting more restless as the days near.
April 7th, 2017 at 1:31 pm
@Kevin. Every team is one injury away from demise. Can’t have amazing depth at every position. Our WR corps is fine. IF a premier talent falls to round 2 or Corey Davis falls in Rd 1 I could see us going for WR, but we aren’t in dire need of one.
April 7th, 2017 at 2:05 pm
I think in this draft Fournette is the only back I would use a first on. Its too risky, maybe if we had a beaast oline and just needed a back I’d understand but we aren’t the cowboys. Get one of those top 3 wr or draft defense in first. Wr and RB look 3 rounds deep with talent but elite pass rushers are hard to come by.
April 7th, 2017 at 2:16 pm
With the 19th pick of the 2017 NFL draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Cam Robinson, Offensive Tackle, Alabama. LOL Gotta love mock drafts. Daniel Jermiah is delusional to think we would go OT with RB Dalvin Cook still on the board according to his latest mock draft. Funny stuff.
April 7th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
I can’t wait for the draft, but I hate that it takes so damn long when actually drafting. Go bucs, whoever they get is gonna make this team a lot better
April 7th, 2017 at 3:58 pm
it’s nice to have a coach who can stay awake during defensive player evaluations unlike the previous buffoon who could not stay awake when film of offensive players was being viewed. Lovie worst coach in bucs history and a dirtbag for a man. 17 offensive coordinators thrown under the bus in 11 years… god help those kids in Illinois the world is tough enough but to be exposed to that fraudulent hypocrite is cruel and unusual punishment.
The draft is easy… Go get Cook, take Goodwin in second and best available DT in the 3rd to fill in for softserv when he gets a boo boo
April 7th, 2017 at 4:41 pm
Dalvin Cook is the 2nd coming of Christ. He will instantly will this team to a Super Bowl victory. If they pass on Cook the whole organization should just quit. He has a little bit of Moses in him too, so offensive line doesn’t matter, hand him the ball and he will hold it high and proclaim that the defense part like the Red Sea and he will nonchalantly walk through to the promised land goal line.
“Thou shalt not pass on a RB in the 1st round or thou shalt be struck down by Buccaneer Nation”
April 7th, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Remember when Trent Richardson was a can’t miss player?
April 7th, 2017 at 6:07 pm
Don’t say that snowman, there’s guys on this site that were willing to sell their souls to daft him that year. Every RB with a 1st round grade is a future hall of famer and they all lead their teams straight to immortality, didn’t you know that?
April 7th, 2017 at 6:23 pm
@gotbbucs
You couldn’t be more correct. Not to mention, the chemistry and love he and Jaboo already have is something that cannot be measured. I am banging the Table for Cook! If things do not work out and we cannot get him, Get Mixon in the 2nd round. A stong, talented rotational DL to be mentured by GM and CB would be an amazing idea as well.
April 7th, 2017 at 6:42 pm
Somebody’s sarcasm detector broke.