Highlights Of Dirk Koetter’s NFL Radio Interview
September 8th, 2018
Names his No. 2 running back and more.
Joe already wrote a full story on Dirk Koetter’s fresh Friday comments on SiriusXM NFL Radio about his playcaller decision.
But Koetter had more to say about your beloved Buccaneers.
Some highlights from Koetter, who seemed rather relaxed:
On training camp/preseason accomplishments:
“Impressed with how hard our guys bought in, how hard they worked.”
“We played clean football; we didn’t turn the football over.”
On Vita Vea:
“He’s getting close. We’re anticipating getting him back out there.”
On prepping QBs in August:
“Fitz didn’t ask for as many reps.” The implication was that if Ryan Fitzpatrick wanted/needed more first-team reps through the summer he would have gotten them.
On Jameis:
Says Jameis is a very young QB despite playing a lot of football already. “We should expect Jameis to continue to get better.”
On Ryan Griffin:
“A real pure passer, got excellent touch on the ball.”
On Peyton Barber and the running back situation:
Massive praise for Barber’s hard work and development, and his elusiveness as a 230-pound running back. “Much better receiver, a much better blocker.”
Koetter had little to say about rookies Ronald Jones and Shaun Wilson and said Barber “is going to be backed up by Jacquizz Rodgers”
On the offensive line:
“Caleb Benenoch won the right guard competition.”
Cites toughness of Ryan Jensen and says acquisition “gets Ali [Marpet] back at his natural position at guard.” (Yes, Joe’s head shook in disgust at the adjective “natural.”)
On fixing the defense:
“Two of the things that we definitely need to improve on: we gotta shape up that third down defense and we gotta not give up as many big plays. Usually, that’s going to start with an improved pass rush.”
On new kicker Chandler Catanzaro:
“We’re really fired up about our kicking situation.”
Laughed about Chandler Catanzaro’s first preseason extra point attempt, which was missed.
“I think everyone thought the sky was falling.”
On having the new indoor facility for use in training camp:
Koetter scolded host Alex Marvez for referring to it as a “bubble” and emphasized how incredible it has been as a training facility through a rainy August. “Those bus rides over to Tropicana Field were no fun.”
September 8th, 2018 at 9:02 am
As fans we are expected to think the team can win it all with Barber and Rodgers once again as the RBs? It is over before it starts.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:04 am
wow i gotta admit, it’s saturday morning….and i’m getting itchy for football…i need it bad, real bad right about now!
#FootballBlueballsInTheWorstWay
September 8th, 2018 at 9:09 am
Feels great hearing that…but let’s tee it up already!
ONE….MORE….DAY!
September 8th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Injuries happen and that is why you add veteran talent at crucial skill positions like cornerback when the opportunity presents itself. Dominique Rodgers Cromartie was available for months (at least until a wise Raiders team picked him up) and offered the opportunity to become deeper at a skill position where the Bucs were aging and thin. I wish the Bucs well as they have been my team since 1976 , but the continued lack of quality decision making by Licht and Koetter will make success darn near impossible.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:55 am
I hope he keeps the beard. Gives him a grizzled vet look.
September 8th, 2018 at 10:29 am
Dirk on defense
“Two of the things that we definitely need to improve on: we gotta shape up that third down defense and we gotta not give up as many big plays. Usually, that’s going to start with an improved pass rush.”
NOT PLAYING ZONE 10 YARDS BACK ON THIRD AND THREE ALSO CAN HELP STOP THE THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS AND BIG PLAYS!!!
September 8th, 2018 at 10:42 am
Have you heard:
Former Superbowl champion Bucs fullback Jameel Cook is facing criminal charges after authorities say he submitted false claims to a fund to help retired players pay for their health care needs, allegedly submitting 30 false claims for benefits from the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account. He allegedly received more than $100,000 in reimbursement for expenses that didn’t exist.
If convicted he faces up to 10 years in prison.
September 8th, 2018 at 10:44 am
YAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!! I’m so happy that improving the defense has absolutely NOTHING to do with moving the corners up close enough to not park a 747 Jet between!!!!!!!!!
IDIOT!
September 8th, 2018 at 10:44 am
I love the bucs and have been a fan since I was a kid going to Tampa stadium in the late 80s. That being said, I no longer get hyped up with all the preseason nonsense. I think thebucs have a good roster. I have zero faith in this coaching staffs ability to help them win. I hope I’m wrong, I’d love to see a winning season but damn I’m preparing for the Mike Smith crotch kick vs the saints.
September 8th, 2018 at 10:49 am
The Bucs are confusing Peyton Barber with Walter Payton. Barber isn’t even a Top-5 RB in the NFC South.
September 8th, 2018 at 10:59 am
Season Is Over Says
“As fans we are expected to think the team can win it all with Barber and Rodgers once again as the RBs? It is over before it starts.”
Are you really? A Bucs ‘fan’?
I find that hard to believe considering you chose a username that automatically assumes the season is over before it starts.
Look, I’ve been skeptical of Barber in the past, but there is no denying that the few opportunities he was given in the past, he did well, or that he has taken steps to improve himself this off season, including conditioning, catching, blocking and running.
Your statement is off the mark, at least part of it. We fans were never put in a position to expect anything from Peyton Barber in the past. This is his first time being given the full starting reigns for the season.
In Rodger’s case, he has had his chance to start, so I understand skepticism there, except that he is not starting. He is a backup.
In the end, it will depend on the offensive line. Will it gel fast enough? Will they run block well enough and protect the passer?
A year ago, I thought Barber would not even make the team. But he has at least earned a chance to be the starter now, at least for the present. What he does going forward should determine his future.
September 8th, 2018 at 11:02 am
LakeLand, I’m curious. What team are you actually a fan of?
September 8th, 2018 at 11:05 am
I thought Rodgers was a good starter, actually. When he had his chance, and O-line was doing its job, he was great. Then he injured his foot and lost his chance, and rhythm. But he was clicking it for awhile, man! Next season, last season, he got the game ball vs. Giants, and then was pretty much benched. He wasn’t even used as 3rd down back, where he had excelled with Falcons every year. He’ll be fine, whenever called upon. The question mark is Barber. But if they both have blocking, then they should have good running game. Maybe not top 10, but right there. They’ve got such a good receiving core, that the running game should benefit.
September 8th, 2018 at 11:05 am
Anyone wanting to know why they should have hope for this upcoming season, just click my name. That includes the Joe who is feeling a bit unexcited about the season.
September 8th, 2018 at 11:15 am
Bs. Barber was on the team all of last year. He has 30 games of experience. Martin was suspended the first four games and was ineffective all season. Barber and Rodgers had every opportunity last year to win the starting job and send the team to the playoffs. You can be some smug optimist all you want. I am a product of what this team has created. I correctly changed my username last season at Halloween. The normal point in the season the post-Gruden Buccaneers are usually eliminated. Any thinking person knew it was a bad idea to have a 35-year-old CB be your number 1. Especially considering he missed time last year and this year. Some of these decisions being made are almost being made incorrectly on purpose. What other explanation is there?
September 8th, 2018 at 11:20 am
Barber is as close as I’ll get to be an Auburn fan. Vita Vea? Sounds like a nutritional supplement.
September 8th, 2018 at 11:52 am
And, I continue to wonder why Coach Koetter gets high marks in the Bucs fans confidence poll.
September 8th, 2018 at 12:32 pm
On Vita Vea:
“He’s getting close. We’re anticipating getting him back out there.”
Well that’s a rousing endorsement.
Anticipating when 2019?
September 8th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
bunch of negative Nancy’s
September 8th, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Good lord the season hasn’t even started yet and I’m already sick and tired of Koetter
September 8th, 2018 at 3:56 pm
…”we gotta not give up as many big plays. ”
How do you do that? By playing back and making sure everything is in front of you! Look forward to DB being 20 yards off the LOS this year instead of 15 like last year.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:28 pm
Peyton Barber sucks. Everyone seems to forget how unsatisfactory he has been. Dude runs hard, he really does. However, running hard isn’t all it takes. He’s a backup at best. By the way the Ronald Jones picked sucked. Wasn’t a fan! Fitz and Barber, we are totally screwed. Go Bucs!!!