The Anatomy Of A Touchdown Catch
December 18th, 2017
First touchdown since eighth grade.
So much for calling Dirk Koetter’s offense predictable.
Last week against the Lions, the Bucs coach and maligned play-caller threw everyone a curveball by choosing a play where America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, targeted backup offensive lineman Leonard Wester for a catch.
Not only was it a catch, it was a touchdown.
The folks who scream Koetter is too predictable had to go back to the concession stand and wolf down a hot dog and a lukewarm $8 Miller Lite after that call.
Joe had a chance to talk to Wester last week and found out how the play came to be for a guy who has never caught a touchdown pass in his life prior to facing the Lions. The last time he scored a touchdown was as an eighth grade quarterback running the ball.
“We ran [the play] once earlier in the game [though Wester was not targeted] and Coach Koetter came up to me and said, ‘They didn’t cover you at all,'” Wester said. “When [Koetter] called the play I was just thinking about doing my job and if they covered me they covered me. But they didn’t cover me so I was trying to prepare for the ball to come to me.”
Obviously, when the play was called, Jameis had other options to throw the ball to in case someone else was open or Wester was covered, which he was not. Wester gives a lot of props to Jameis for believing in him.
“I actually wasn’t nervous,” Wester said. “Still a part of me thought, ‘They are not going to throw me the ball.’ So, that is a lot of faith in Jameis and Coach Koetter to call the play and for Jameis to throw me the ball. I was just concentrating on doing my job.”
Wester added that touchdown catch was the very first pass route he has ever run. “It is pretty surreal,” added Wester, product of Division-II Missouri Western.
Wester, whose dad is an Iowa state trooper, also noted that an offensive lineman catching a touchdown should not be a shock because the Bucs have some athletically gifted linemen.
December 18th, 2017 at 3:55 pm
one of the very few….GO BUCS!!!
December 18th, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Maybe we should try this more?? Use it as a disguise at the very least to get some DBs covering a lineman
Can’t hurt
December 18th, 2017 at 4:27 pm
Koetter needs to run more crossing routes (pick routes) to get some separation and hopefully some yac yards. See sterling Sheppard and juju shusters catches last night.
December 18th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
“So much for calling Dirk Koetter’s offense predictable.” – Joe
Wait I thought your entire stance on this matter was that it doesn’t matter that the offense is predictable? And anyway’s, 1 trick play in 3 years time does not a creative offense make.
December 18th, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Db55
Yes sir he does. Also i can count the amount of slants on one hand. Although i dont watch all the games these days. Djax took a 3 yard slant 41 yards, ages ago, against the pats. Not sure where that play has been in 2 months. Dirks playbook doesnt have near enough routes for yac. He says the titans playbook is almost identical. They cant score over 20 a game either. Mariota looked much better 2 years ago when they had a different offense, the tenneesee ready game comes to mind. Quick passing game. New coach has dirks long developing routes n now they cant score. N yes the pass to wester fooled them. Too bad dirk didnt try to fool them more often, would have won.
December 18th, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Have to agree with those that are seeing teams running these “pick” plays with crossing routes, it’s similar to basketball when players come off picks and cut to the basket, defenders get caught up on one player or other so one is open.
Watching Pats-Steelers you see offenses that are much faster than our offense is. It’s so much of a misuse of personnel that Godwin and DJax aren’t running crossing patterns.
If you saw Gronk last night it was another part of an offense that Bucs have neglected, OJ Howard is a fast TE who is going to get singled a lot. He could get open vs LBs and smaller DBs and needs to be fed the ball. It’s a shame they don’t run more plays for OJ
December 19th, 2017 at 6:18 am
It hasnt been playcalling its been execution. Jameis Winston had an incredible game and the offense had some big plays. Officials screwed he bucs with bad calls and Im not going to blame payton barber or the kicker it just didnt fall our way. Dirk needs another year and Im glad Jason Licht is staying as of right now.
December 19th, 2017 at 8:04 am
Where are you getting beers for $8 at Ray J? I see $10 minimum every stand I pass. On the note of the lineman catching the TD, I’ve missed this play. Haven’t seen it since Donald Penn left the team. It’s obviously a valid play call if the linemen are rarely if ever covered. Why not try this more often or even at mid field when all the skilled players are being covered or double covered? Open up the play book DK!