Dirk Koetter’s 10 Biggest Decisions For 2017 — No. 8
July 21st, 2017
New Bucs defensive tackle Chris Baker
So you thought Joe wasn’t doing a Countdown series this summer? Shame on you. Joe always has something like this planned to make you think and throw stuff at your computer. Last year, it was the Top 10 X-Factors of 2016. In 2015, it was the 20 worst Buccaneers personnel moves of the past 10 years. Now it’s Dirk Koetter’s 10 Biggest Decisions for 2017.
(Of course, this list is about decisions forseeable now, not wacky crystal ball stuff.)
No. 8 — Managing Locker Room Change
Next week, in the riveting finale of winning head Dirk Koetter appearing on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, you’ll hear Koetter talk about the inevitable change coming to the pulse and culture of the Buccaneers locker room with the injection of veterans DeSean Jackson, Chris Baker and J.J. Wilcox.
It was an intriguing take from a veteran football man, and Joe thinks Koetter managing that change could be big this season.
Sure, the team belongs to America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, but it appears Robert Ayers and Kwon Alexander will supplant Gerald McCoy as the spiritual core of the defense. And, as Koetter mentioned, the newcomers will have a very significant impact on the locker room.
Jackson’s personality and swagger already has proven infectious, per Jameis. But will that consistently be a good thing?
Baker has been a successful player, but his work habits don’t appear to jibe with the rest of the D-line, which is very businesslike and devoted in its approach.
A team’s personality often changes annually, but the Bucs’ core personalities are exceptionally young and impressionable. The whole scene likely will require some deft calls by the head coach unless the Bucs simply cruise to a division title.
No. 10 — Playing The Best Players
The Countdown continues tomorrow.
July 21st, 2017 at 11:08 am
This hasn’t been brought up but last year during our 5 game winning streak Famous was preaching family, family, family. Then we lost 2 in a row and I never heard it brought up again.
July 21st, 2017 at 11:29 am
The only “problem” we’re going to have is new players that hate to lose. That’s going to be a problem bc when they lash out over a lose the highly educated TB sports fan is going to say “he/they have an attitude problem”, “he’s selfish”, “he needs to mature” i.e. He needs to accept losing.
Jameis, Evans, DJax and I’m sure Howard have allergic reactions to losing while the fan base and certain team “leader” could really care less. So yes we may very well have issues in the locker room. Issues that I wholeheartedly welcome if it changes the losing culture for the Bucs.
July 21st, 2017 at 11:36 am
As long as we don’t go back to Schiano’s MRSA locker room, I’ll be good.
July 21st, 2017 at 11:51 am
It’s very concerning to me that Chris Baker’s name keeps coming up in articles over and over again.
July 21st, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Finally Gerald McCoy doesn’t have to try to be the voice in the locker room for his teammates and doesn’t have to be the one that the whole media looks to as the informer for information. We got others guys to do that who want to and are good at it. Gerald can finally play his game the way he wanted to from the beginning. By kicking ass and not having to be the top celebrity on the team. I bet this will be Gerald’s break out season. Double digit sacks baby!
July 21st, 2017 at 12:08 pm
This story is just a distraction to steer you away from the fact that in 1966 Al Bundy scored 4 touchdowns in one game to lead Polk High to Chicago City Football Championship.
July 21st, 2017 at 12:08 pm
I have no worries with Jameis Christ here. Dude is basically the leader of the defense as well as the offense lol.
@ D-Rome
Baker hasn’t done anything bad other than skip on voluntary workouts and we already knew he wasn’t a big practice guy when we signed him. I’ll be worried when there are negative articles about Chris Baker in the regular season; but couldn’t care less right now.
July 21st, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Wilcox is bad news. He is nowhere near the player that MacDougald was. Hopefully Smith can pull out enough to make him effective for a change.
He’s usually good for a few good hits each season, enough to keep him in the public eye, but this year the NFL has commanded the refs to really crack down on such hits.
So I foresee Wilcox being a penalty magnet. Which is bad, because the refs targeted us for those exact types of penalties for years, and we only got free of it a year or two ago.
July 21st, 2017 at 12:50 pm
Dewey Selmon Says
“This hasn’t been brought up but last year during our 5 game winning streak Famous was preaching family, family, family. Then we lost 2 in a row and I never heard it brought up again.”
Then you were not listening to the right people. It was still there through the end of the season.
July 21st, 2017 at 12:52 pm
DB55 Says
“The only “problem” we’re going to have is new players that hate to lose. That’s going to be a problem bc when they lash out over a lose the highly educated TB sports fan is going to say “he/they have an attitude problem”, “he’s selfish”, “he needs to mature” i.e. He needs to accept losing.”
That’s going on the assumption that we develop a losing issue, which is not going to happen.
July 21st, 2017 at 1:02 pm
Bonzi
That’s going on the assumption that we develop a losing issue, which is not going to happen
buc vets led by cancer93, dotson, martin and the self proclaimed mentally weak lvd are card carrying members and leaders of the losing culture that they embrace. they already developed the losing is OK philosophy. it’s jameis christ and kwon’s job to overcome the career losers but thankfully this will be dotson and gmc’s last year in tampa.
July 21st, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Yes tmax! It was the sole intent of the players you name to play for a losing football team!!!
Of course, my knowledge of football contradicts your theory. There are 11 players on the field on any given play, teammates if you will.
I would not lose any sleep if we were to replace Dotson. I don’t know who you would replace GMC with though. It’s not like there are top 5 caliber DTs walking around on the streets! No, to your chagrin, GMC will be a Buc till he retires………..mwah-ha-ha-ha!
July 21st, 2017 at 2:29 pm
“Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
July 21st, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Wilcox is bad news. He is nowhere near the player that MacDougald was. Hopefully Smith can pull out enough to make him effective for a change”
We will see man. You’re the only one I know of with this opinion though; including McDougald himself. If he really thought he should be a starting full time S and earning starters money he signed a weird deal. Seattle is going to use him in nickle packages which will be new for him.. maybe he’ll excel in that role. His body type fits their style more than ours. We need more rangy athletic S and he’s a 4.7 type runner
July 21st, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Dave Pear, That was maybe the funniest post all year!
July 21st, 2017 at 2:37 pm
And right after Al and the rest of the team hooked up with Peg under the bleachers!
July 21st, 2017 at 3:08 pm
@dewey….that aint true…..while people were throwing Doug under the bus, all jamies said was,” we have to stick by our brother…he’s family”. And continued to say it every time Doug and his drug use was brought up…
@bonzai….Wilcox and mcdougal are about the same IMO….Wilcox may have the edge due to his experience….we have solid talent and depth at safety….GO BUCS!!!!
July 21st, 2017 at 3:09 pm
2017 FA Busto Baker
Doughboy isnt going to make half the season…
I hope Steve T gets some action
July 21st, 2017 at 3:26 pm
@Joe- My comment may be in “moderation” but my beer drinking later sure as heck won’t be! 🙂
July 21st, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Kudos to Dave Pear and Dreambig.
Had the occasion to spend several boring days in a hospital room last week. I had too much time so in addition to JBF time I was watching reruns on the tube.
I had forgotten how much I loved Al and Peg Bundy.
July 21st, 2017 at 3:41 pm
813,
You really have to view all of Jameis Statements with a grain of salt
Jameis is the ultimate teammate/family and will support/defend to the end
“Our Poster Kobe Faker is a idiot but he is the best idiot Troll in all sports blogs”
Jameis Winston
July 21st, 2017 at 4:59 pm
Having a cup of joe right now sure would be nice to see one!
July 21st, 2017 at 5:56 pm
Baker would starve eating Peg Bundy cooking, lucky he’s been beefing up on granny’s pickled crow gizzards.