Embarrassing
October 16th, 2017
There is no more damning word to use in the NFL than to drop the word “quit” on a defense.
Since Chucky was jettisoned on that dark January Friday in 2009, that word has been dropped on the Bucs defense more than a couple of times. Once, famously, Deion Sanders, working for NFL Network live from the Den of Depression, dropped that accusation after the Cowboys raked the Bucs over the coals.
Yesterday, winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter called the disgraceful performance by the Bucs defense, where they spotted the Cardinals 31 points, part of the worst first half of football he has ever seen in his football coaching career. That’s saying a lot.
And while Koetter didn’t use the word “quit,” neither did Brian Baldinger of NFL Network. But Baldinger came damned close.
Baldinger, a former NFL offensive lineman, does a cool thing breaking down film and posting it on Twitter. Today, Baldinger highlighted an eight-yard run by Adrian Peterson against the Bucs. Baldinger said it was a nice run but what got under his skin was at the end of the play, both Bucs defensive ends Will Gholston and Robert Ayers, tapped out.
Baldinger scolded the two for waving the white flag. In the first quarter!
Baldinger didn’t use the word “quit.” He didn’t need to. No wonder Koetter was so appalled.
.@AZCardinals @AdrianPeterson shows you what happens to the defense when you “pound the rock” time to tap out ! #BaldyBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/fMeQKF6J7u
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 16, 2017
October 16th, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Does Anyone want to talk about how Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 290 yards, 3 Tds and 70% completion IN ONE HALF?
October 16th, 2017 at 7:08 pm
I think if this is coupled with the George Johnson overweight stuff, the natural question is: is Koetter getting these guys physically ready to play?
October 16th, 2017 at 7:10 pm
…and 2 horrible interceptions. IN ONE HALF!!!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 7:10 pm
How is this possible, Dirk? These are your players. You are the head coach, not Mike Smith. What are you going to do different? I have a suggestion. Take Mike Smith into a room, watch last year’s film next to this year’s and ask him how this regression is possible? Either he has a proper answer or you better. Because in the end you are the boss.
Dirk – are you really head coaching material?
Showmit. Show us.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:10 pm
SB it was a half the D stopped playing to stop the offense and played not to get hurt and lose the lead. There is a reason he didn’t lead the Bucs to score in the first half. The d was still trying
October 16th, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Quit is not the word….They never did put up a fight. The word should be Stink. They stunk the field, they were horrible.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:12 pm
JW is also awesome when down a few touchdowns, we need greatness early in the game.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:14 pm
Guys, be happy Fitz did as well as he did, but he’s a backup QB for a reason. Don’t fall into the Josh McClown ruse. Be happy he showed us more than he did in the preseason. Don’t take that D he played to be same one that would have been there in the first half. This isn’t defending Jameis, who with Koetter was terrble, but it is stating the facts for those out there who don’t understand the dynamics of the game.
And I wouldn’t say “quit.” To “quit” you have to “start” and this team landed in Phonix about half time. I use the word “suck.”
October 16th, 2017 at 7:16 pm
I’d be happy to trade Fitz to GB right now. If Winston can play this week and Griffin can return…why not?!?!
October 16th, 2017 at 7:19 pm
For them to quit they need to actually try first
October 16th, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Michael Spinks put up a better fight, when Mike Tyson knocked him out in 91 seconds.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:20 pm
SB, everyone saw that , so what ! U complain when Jameis throws for 250 in a Quarter against the Pats. R u saying that FITZ did something special? If that is what u r saying than u haven’t watched NFL football for long. Also remember the two picks that cost the Bucs 14 points. I’m sure if Jameis thee for 350 and two picks that cost the team 14 points u would certainly add that to your shrewd analysis. No one with an ounce of brain would even think of FITZ being the starter over Jameis. NO ONE!
October 16th, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Hey Pal I never said Fitz should be the starter and your attempts to belittle me are funny. I have forgotten more about Football than you will Ever know. As I said before I will voice my thoughts in Any way I dam well please.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:26 pm
I understand the two ints as fitz was rusty. What I don’t understand is how he has so much better command of Koetters “offense” for a lack of a better word.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:28 pm
From what I can tell ( watched lowlights on the Red Zone…they were down early and often )….everyone…including Adrian Peterson looked to be moving in slow motion. Peterson probably won’t hit 100 yards in a game again is my guess. They simply came out flat like they said and were down 21-0 before they even knew it. Koetter was giving his old hometown a gift as he was the ASU coach at one time. And an unremarkable one at that…talk about the peter principle…
October 16th, 2017 at 7:30 pm
I guess some people haven’t been watching the bucs much, two horrible interceptions are not uncommon. Fitzpatick was moving the ball up and down the field and making a game of what looked like an unsurmountable lead.He also uncorked some nice deep passes to Evans.
Not calling for a change in Qb here, but Jameis has to get better at two things:
His slow starts are wearing out the defense.
Lead by example,sustain drives .and start completing more first downs on third down and completing deep passes when needed to spark the offense.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:31 pm
Mr.Ed….its no different. Last year was 5 games of oportunistic stat swaying luck. Week 15 and 16 vs saints and cowboys is what ya had then and what you have now. Mike Smith and the falcons defense was the only thing that got him and the man o ran the top flying offeense ….Dirk Koetter fired. Two of the leagues worst defenses very year were tampa and atl. Smith cannot coach defense and needs go.
I hear people talking about how good desean watson is playing as a rookie and why jameis struggling. Maybe becasue one knows if e goes 3 and out he wont be playing every game from behind and the other feels like he has throw a td evwry possesion or the game is over.
Fire Mike Smith please Jason Licht
October 16th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
SB that’s not rust. That is what Fitzpatrick is. He’s thrown multiple INTs so many times in his career.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:36 pm
Nobody captains an embarrassing defeat quit like the leader of the losing culture cancer93… give the C back bum
October 16th, 2017 at 7:42 pm
I just listened to Joe’s podcast and they’ve been saying for weeks now why the hell no balls to Evans or no jump balls? At the beginning of the game Evans had plenty of grass to cut across the field and catch and run for a huge gain but Jameis made a horrible throw. Team isn’t good enough to fail to make a play when it’s there. Martin smiling after dropping ball thrown at his numbers. Huge holes for Peterson to run through. Just a total ass-kicking.
The Bucs are the softest team right now in the NFC South and if they can’t get up for games their coaches need to find the players that will. I wonder how Joe Dirt would do on some blitzes they said he can’t cover but neither can anyone else except Grimes.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:43 pm
A different take. I have a friend in the Bucs org who was down on the sidelines. He said the Cards fans were shrill over worry their team was going to lose, because the Bucs on the sideline broke out of their funk, largely due to Jameis the fallen leader…Jameis could not inspire his team when he was in. Maybe no one could beause the coaching and prep was that bad by all. But got them UP and Fitz did his job as well. Too much too late, but don’t be thinking that Fitz has some amazing characteristic that Jameis lacks, espeically given Jameis seems to have fueled the fire…even if it never burned all the way.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Lol NJBucsFan, I went to my buddy’s house for the Game and he is a DieHardCards fan. I left at halftime obviously and watched the beating at home cause I was tired of being humiliated, however right before I left I told them ……..”Don’t worry, Fitz will throw a pick or two your way.” It wasn’t a good day.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Get Kwon back. Get the coaches to gameplan around player strengths, not Matt Ryan’s strengths, who Koetter and Smith don’t coach now. Throw in some bubble screens, some wheel routes and do more short crossing and slants in the seams. Start fast with no huddle and 12 plays in quick succession. Don’t cowtow to DJax’s rant for the ball…JW3 can’t seem to drop it in there and DJax refuses to go up and get them. On D, put in McClain for VHIII. Get Tandy back and TJ Ward more for Conte. Get Kwon back. Do some LB and S blitzes. Use the element of surprise.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:52 pm
I don’t think anyone thinks Fitz is a better QB than Jameis Roy. I am thinking that they are coaching the Gunslinger out of Jameis rather than coming up with a scheme that fits his style of play. I am upset more with coaching than with Jameis
October 16th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
LOL Roy. You just typed half of what I was thinking.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
If dirk says anyone quit he better be honest n say he did first. It was obvious and embarrassing. When u say after the game that you cant expect to give up 31 points in the nfl and come back that even makes it worse. You should have been down 21 at half. Maybe next time your down 24 before half and u have a chip shot n get the ball right back you will take the 3, and then TRY to score tbe first possession after halftime. Lookin back i loved it when arians went deep to put em up 31. He was telling dirk to grow a pair. I hope dirk listened. Also hope he took note his team scored 27 in one quarter, with a backup qb. Dont give up so early next time dirk, we didnt and neither did your players.
October 16th, 2017 at 7:55 pm
so this is what a revenge game looks like.
October 16th, 2017 at 8:26 pm
@SB, agreed on all fronts.
October 16th, 2017 at 8:27 pm
These players effort and will to win are disgusting and the game plan in all regards just flat sucks!
October 16th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
yea sb let’s talk about it … 290 3 tds and 2 costly picks against a team who was already up 31 points and wasn’t playing they’re normal aggressive man to man coverage… anyone with any football knowledge could tell that or can see why a team would do that. your already up 3 or 4 scores why continue to put your defense at risk at giving up big plays ? they did what all defenses do and dropped back in cover 3 and prevent defenses witch gives up yardage. this is how the term “garbage time stats” is created. any qb can do it. all qbs do it. if you think jameis should be benched for fitz THAT is the real situation that should be talked about… now get out of here with that nonsense
October 16th, 2017 at 9:07 pm
@Joe … “winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter called the disgraceful performance by the Bucs defense.” You make it sound Joe like Koetter was focusing just on the defense. I didn’t get that impression from the start of his press conference after the game … came away with the impression that he was disgusted with the way the whole team played. No question that the Bucs’ defense stunk up the joint especially in the 1st half. But so did the offense, and even more-so. Arizona crucified us with the run & with short passes (as in Palmer was 14-for-14 at one point … gross). And yet our offense kept stuttering once again … Jameis led us to two 1st downs plus three 3-and-outs while he was in. At least Fitz got the team moving, but by that time the game was well out-of-control.
Folks need to stop pointing fingers so much at Mike Smith though. You can’t scheme your way out of lack of talent. Obviously the horses just aren’t there. Brent Grimes is still playing at a high level, but VHIII isn’t a cover corner … he lacks quickness, recovery speed, height & most of all confidence. Might make it as a nickel CB but that’s about it. Personally I’d rather see Ryan Smith or McClain in there right now because VHIII will get picked on all season long & it won’t get any better IMO. The lack of pass-rushing DEs is nothing new here in Tampa Bay, but Jason Licht should’ve at least tried to address it in FA or the draft. We’re screwed defensively this year. Our only hope for a break-even season is if our offense starts putting up mega-points. Personally, not holding my breath.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:22 pm
bucs coach an gm are way over there heads
October 16th, 2017 at 9:24 pm
these guys have not had a draft yet
October 16th, 2017 at 9:36 pm
I am sorry that you are so reading challenged johnnybuc. If you would read all my posts instead of just one you would “get it” maybe.
October 16th, 2017 at 9:39 pm
And all of you with blinders on attacking me can Phuck off. Jameis couldn’t score a point in the first half. Fitz scored 33 and Almost won the game even though the through 2 picks. I was TOTALLY on board with the JW3 pick even though I am a life long Gator! Anyone who doesn’t think something is wrong is Completely clueless!
October 16th, 2017 at 9:48 pm
I am in ZERO ways, shapes, forms, or facets asking for Jameis to be benched!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM Asking for Koetter to WAKE THE PHUCK UP and craft a Scheme designed Around Jameis!!!!
October 16th, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Preach brotha.
Koetter seems to be outsmarting himself as a coordinator and head coach. It’s fairly obvious that at his point in his career, the way way to get Jameis going is starting with a few short / intermediate routes, some slants, screens etc., coupled with a little more creativity in the run game.
You get a couple positive plays going, move the chains and get your QB in a rhythm and then take a deep shot. But I’m just some a-hole with a keyboard, what do I know?
October 16th, 2017 at 10:05 pm
It’s a bit concerning Fitzpatrick can come in ice cold and throw better balls than Winston when he’s warm…. it’s time to start worrying people. Fitz was more accurate had better velocity and that deep ball to Evans WOW. actually used his feat in the pocket, Winston has been a little tentative and skittish this year… consequences of Dirk?
October 16th, 2017 at 10:08 pm
Anyways this article is about the defense.
And for 2 and 1/2 quarters, “embarrassing” is without question the best way to describe it. Everyone and their mother knew the Cards were going to run, run, run with AP and use Larry Fitzgerald the same way they have for the last 4+ years. And we couldn’t do a thing to stop them. Overwhelmed, overpowered, undersized and a half step too slow.
11 games to right the ship!
October 16th, 2017 at 10:10 pm
Amen UB! I can’t understand how a Coach that supposedly has one of the Greatest Football IQ’s in a Long time can’t craft a Scheme that lets Jameis maximize HIS skillset. Totally wondering about McElwain and now I am starting to wonder about Koetter.
October 16th, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Any of you Mariota supporters can’t say much right now. This game should be in hand by Tenn. But it is not. A QB from Flippin’ Florida of all places is in the lead.
October 16th, 2017 at 10:33 pm
Wait a minute. Let me re phrase, a TE
October 16th, 2017 at 10:52 pm
The University of Florida is Definitely NOT QBU!!. lol!
October 16th, 2017 at 11:12 pm
UPDATE: I totally have to retract the Mariota statements as of now. Dude is balling out!
October 17th, 2017 at 12:14 am
Tell you what Fitz did do that hasn’t been done once this year. Put that beautiful bomb to Mike Evans right in his hands and did have good numbers. His first pick I think is understandable being as he had just stepped into his first game of the year. The second pick on the one yard line I’m still blaming Koetter for calling that play that had Mike Evans running a three yard curl with your second string QB in the back of the end zone. Fitz nearly brought us back from a 31-0 deficit at one point so I’m difinely gonna give him some props for performing much better than I thought he would.
October 17th, 2017 at 12:27 am
That’s a fu**ing joke man. Infuriating.
October 17th, 2017 at 1:48 am
Gitz played well, and nearly pulled off a miracle comeback.
But pretty sure the Cards D had mentally checked out. At least initially.
Our DEs only played hard in spots. To use Joes Term, Hagreaves “loafed” on quite a few occasions.
Tragic, and inexcusable
October 17th, 2017 at 1:49 am
Fitz* . Damn Iphone
October 17th, 2017 at 5:02 am
Fitz did what JW wont yet – just take what the d gives you – he’s going for broke every play instead of taking the 4-6-8 yd throw to keep the chains moving and his deep ball? WTF is dirk doing going deep on play 1 with a wh who struggles there mightily- give him 2/3 easy throws to warm up with – day 1 stuff … so frustrating!!!!!
October 17th, 2017 at 6:53 am
The middle of the field is Jameis friend,the left sideline not so much. Routes need to be adjusted so that receiver slants to the middle of the field and gives Jameis an better target to hit. Last year ,we tried that same play multiple times with similar results,and Koetter said after one game that Jameis had called that play.
Koetter needs to put his foot down and take that play out of the playbook . Don’t call plays that have a 10% chance or less of being completed.
October 17th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
unbelievable Says:
October 16th, 2017 at 10:04 pm
“Koetter seems to be outsmarting himself as a coordinator and head coach. It’s fairly obvious that at his point in his career, the way way to get Jameis going is starting with a few short / intermediate routes, some slants, screens etc., coupled with a little more creativity in the run game.”
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You mean kind of how they started the Jax pre-season game, with the “vanilla” game plan in which Jameis started out hot and drove right down the field? Guess in Koetter’s world, that kind of start only exists in the pre-season…..