Koetter: Jameis Likely Equals More Brate
December 2nd, 2017
Fueled in part by the fantasy football mob, media and fans have bombarded Dirk Koetter with questions about tight-end targets all season.
Yesterday, the formerly winning head coach gave fresh insight.
Speaking on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Koetter played the chemistry card after fielding a question about Cameron Brate’s recent decline in production. Koetter said backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and O.J. Howard had strong chemistry the past few weeks. But that wasn’t necessarily there with Fitzpatrick and Brate.
Conversely, Brate and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, have always had a special magic between them.
“Can’t always explain that,” Koetter said.
Strong point by Koetter. We’ve all seen the Brate-Jameis chemistry play out on the field. Even when Brate is covered, those two connect regularly. Also, it’s worth noting Fitzpatrick threw plenty to Howard during training camp with the second-team offense.
As Joe noted earlier this week, Brate’s production is very much on his strong 2016 pace. Last season, he caught 57 balls from 81 targets, an average of less than 5 1/2 targets per game (15 games). This year, Brate is checking in at 5.1 targets per game, with 36 receptions and four touchdowns. And his yards per catch has improved.
A Brate revival (he’s had just three catches through the last three games), would be a big step toward beating the Packers and their soft defense.
December 2nd, 2017 at 6:28 am
Jameis has so many quality WR’s and TE’s on this team that this offense should be chugging along and scoring lots of points. O line needs to play better and limit stupid penalties.
December 2nd, 2017 at 6:57 am
Man I hope we win this game and screw up our draft position even more.
Yea go Bucs.
December 2nd, 2017 at 7:42 am
Brate is a young player coming into his own. Him and Jameis do have a connection. So with a suspect D line why did licht not use the 19th pick on a pass rusher, or trade that pick to add more pass rushers? As much as I like Godwin, Hunt would’ve made more sense considering we spent top dollar for D Jax? Weapons for Jameis Koetter doesn’t seem to get the most out of, no one to rush the passer which we sorely need.It’s these types of moves that are the reson we suck. Licht, and Koetter must go.
December 2nd, 2017 at 7:51 am
@Bob in Valrico
to add to your comment, DS76 was the 2nd most penalized player overall in the NFL last year!!!! So far, this year, he is a tied 6th overall so far this year!!!!!!!
The larger issue is that it seems that his penalties comes on big plays that bring them back!!!!!
The good news is that the Bucs oveall are a tied 7th for least penalized teams in the nfl this year!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
December 2nd, 2017 at 9:24 am
Yeah Realist, less penalties equals more hair left on my head at the end of the season. So that’s good. GO BUCS!!
December 2nd, 2017 at 9:37 am
My concern is that Jameis Winston will be so amped up after not playing for several weeks and facing a “soft defense” that he will overthrow the receivers. #CalmTheFDown!
December 2nd, 2017 at 9:59 am
so when jameis has a good game are you mariota fans going back to their boards for a while. it’s hilarious how quickly mentally weak folks turned on the franchise’s most important player for the next decade. like it or not winston is your guy people. unfortunately it will not matter with glazer clowns running the show. winston will be wasted just like the one dimensional, offensively ignorant, stubborn fool dungy wasted 99,55,47 etc… living in the basement and underachieving is the only thing the bucs are consistent at.
December 2nd, 2017 at 11:12 am
High draft selections does not necessarily equal high quality players! Just like we take as it come on the field we meed to take it as it comes in the
December 2nd, 2017 at 11:14 am
As it comes with the draft
December 3rd, 2017 at 10:33 am
This will be the ball in the koetter coffin if he can’t move the offense again a soft defense but I’m sure he’ll have you too come to the rescue and claim it was because Winston was Rusty even though the offense will probably look like it has all season the excuses are always different