A Renaissance Tour?
December 2nd, 2018
Turnaround.
Call it the Comeback Tour for Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter.
Once he was thought to be all but history as a Bucs coach with the NFL guillotine being sharpened for Black Monday.
But behold! The Bucs have won two of their last four games (the last three wins were starts by America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston). And the defense has turned it around, winning the game against the Panthers today.
Perhaps Koetter isn’t quite finished yet? For the Bucs to finish with a winning record, they must win their final four games. To finish 8-8 the Bucs can only lose one game.
The way the Bucs are playing, it seems a 3-1 finish to the season is not crazytalk.
Is Koetter on a run that can save his job and force Team Glazer to bring him back for a fourth season? Joe admits Koetter has been doing a helluva coaching job breathing new life into a moribund defense and finding consistency with his young franchise quarterback.
But is it all too late?
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:06 pm
God,
I hope not
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:10 pm
No.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:11 pm
Mike McCarthy just got fired. GOD PLEASE Glazers go get him!!
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:12 pm
HIRE MIKE MCCARTHY GLAZERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:13 pm
………………we need a winning coach, not a glorified offensive coordinator
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:14 pm
McCarthy is going to the Browns
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:15 pm
So once upon a time McCarthy won a super bowl with the best quarterback in the league and a pretty good defense at the time. What on Earth makes you think he’ll be so successful here? Have you watched the Packers lately? They stink out loud.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:16 pm
At some point there has to be a mandated requirement (Playoffs) in order for Koetter to stay here (obviously). He’s had 3 years as Head Coach, plenty of time to get things right. If I were the Glazers I’d fire him if he don’t finish 8-8. If he comes back for 2019, Koetter must make the playoffs (highly doubt it) or he’d be fired if I was the owner.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Once upon a Time McCarthy won a Superbowl with the best quarterback in football and a pretty good defense at the time. But have you seen the Packers lately? They stink out loud. What on earth makes you think he’ll do so well here?
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:19 pm
Keep Koetter…. give him another year without Mike Smith.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:19 pm
If the team continues playing hard for him, I don’t know how they can make a change. The offense is the best it’s ever been and it’s not even close. The defense is finally starting to come together and he has a reliable kicker for once. It will be interesting to see how they finish out the last quarter of the season. Just my two cents.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Last quarter of the season. Give us a 4-0 quarter Dirk. Earn it.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:23 pm
Only way he comes back is he wins 3 of the next 4
The offense is rolling
If the defense wavers, bring in a new DC and position coaches.
I don’t think Dirk has the nads to fire his staff so unless a miracle happens I don’t want to see Dirk again.
But hey, I thought we needed a miracle today and we got one.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:23 pm
I don’t care if Koetter wins out………..
……he needs to go
The Bucs need a whole new fresh start along with a new GM
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:25 pm
Dirk be a HC and adtess this defense. As great as they played they folded in the redzone.
This is fixable and the HCs ultimate responsibility. If Christan Mcaff is not accountded for in the redzone that falls on coaching. Remember Barkley? Are you going to let Kamara do the same? It’s your team. Your job to fix it.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:25 pm
It wouldn’t matter Anthem you would still complain an make an ass of yourself.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Anymore Ariens/Bucs chatter?
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Better clock management today. 51 seconds was a bit too much in that situation.
Keep working on it. Fix it.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:27 pm
Fourth loss in a row for the Panthers…free falling. Every other NFC South Team lost this week. That’s a rarity…
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Anthem please explain how a 9-7 team coming off 6 straight wins would need a “fresh start”?
You are reaching new levels of ignorance today. Let me take that shovel from ya.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:28 pm
OK Joes, give him a shot for rest of season, but dangit he needs to stop calling the plays. What the heck the Glazers paying Monken for?
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:28 pm
bucs beat the panthers and fans are still trying to get the head coach fired.
You guys really are the dumbest fan base in the NFL.
Koetter loses a game, it’s all his fault (never the FSU alleged rapist QB that turns the ball over)
Koetter wins games, his defense turns around, and his QB doesn’t turn the ball over, you want him fired.
Seriously, you guys are so dumb. You’re the living embodiment of Florida Man. I hope the Glazers have enough sense to ignore the fans
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:29 pm
@Joes I think your math is off. How in the heck have we won 3 of our last four games? We lost four in a row before this 2 game win streak?
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Winston may not be a top 10 QB right now, but he probably has the biggest pull in the organization right now. If the Glazers didn’t want him next season he’d be inactive for the rest of this season. He’s playing, so the Glazers still see him as the future. Winston will have a major say in Koetter’s future here. Koetter better get on Winston’s good side pretty quickly.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:31 pm
Glazers won’t go get McCarthy. They don’t have that much sense.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:35 pm
Once again
Bucs Fans Jameis loyalists think that just because now there’s two straight wins that all of a sudden Koetter needs to stay versus three weeks ago everyone was calling for his head???
All this stupidity and nonsense has stop somewhere.
2 Wins does not erase three years of essentially going no where.
Just like over three years of a QB who has proven he’s a franchise QB needs to go too.
Bucs fans needs to have higher standards than hoping a praying their current HC and QB can somehow figure it out in year 4 but yet had three previous years to figure it out.
Bucs fans needs to raise their standards and move forward.
This Franchise will never move forward if they stay in the past with Losers like Koetter and Winston.
RAISE YOUR STANDARDS!!!!
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Nice copy tmax jr.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:41 pm
Univ of Sef… Lol
That’s why you stuck in the Seff. Koetter has orchestrated the best offense we’ve seen from this team ever and you want to run him out of town?!
Go back to hanging out behind the Walmart with your friends
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:42 pm
Please not mike McCarthy, another mediocre retread
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:43 pm
It took Koetter to do what he did to finally get through to Winston. He is NOW playing like a level headed QB.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:45 pm
The unforgivable sin was not firing Smith at the end of last season. The putrid defense was on Koetter. He gets no pass for that. We’d be talking playoffs if we started with just an average defense.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:49 pm
Patience Coach Hoppers
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:49 pm
Bucs Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter.
I would root for Koetter but Joe keeps adding to the his description…….yams-eating…..Come On Man!!!
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:49 pm
We don’t know anything positive. All anyone can do is speculate on what might have been.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Patience coach hoppers – haha I love that
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:52 pm
Why the heck would you guys want McCarthy. He has one of the best quarterbacks of all time and couldn’t build a team around him. And there is always questionable clock management and punting decisions like koetter. So if he couldn’t get it right in Green Bay with a hall of fame quarterback. How is he going to do here with jameis. You guys just hear a name and think it’s an upgrade. He was fired today. If he was a great coach he wouldn’t have been fired. He would be preparing his team for the playoff push. He just got beat by Arizona. With Aaron Rodgers at qb.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:55 pm
McCarthy? Brilliant idea can we draft or hire new fans..
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:56 pm
Hey Mr Glazers, we’re a half game in front of the Packers and a full game in front of the Jags and only trail the Vikings by one win – how do you not bring bring me back with a record like that?!?
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:57 pm
Better not save his job. That would suck. Just what we need to go thru this every year. No thanks. Unless those empty seats fill up he is toast regardless if they win out. I wont be going if he is coach here.
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:58 pm
TheBucsAnthem Says:
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:23 pm
I don’t care if Koetter wins out………..
……he needs to go
The Bucs need a whole new fresh start along with a new GM
—————————————-
You have no room to call anyone idiot, with insights like this
December 2nd, 2018 at 7:59 pm
I agree Dirk has constructed the best offense the Bucs have ever had. The defense has cost us game after game after game. 3 years is not enough time to build a team. Dirk should have at least one if not two more years to build a defense to go with his offense. Every year you guys want to fire the coach. Where has that gotten us?
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:00 pm
Really????? MIKE MCCARTHY???? That guy is awful. The pack are a mess. It is inexcusable to be that bad with Aaron Rodgers, what the heck do you think he would do with us!?
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:04 pm
Nope. Dirk has to go.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:06 pm
The freakin 49ers are a joke right now playing for the first round pick. That wasn’t that much of an impressive win.
The Panthers are in a funk. They have now lost 4 straight.
People need to be brought back down to reality and I think after next week we will be back to reality.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:06 pm
No, Dirk sank the ship when he failed to start Winston against Skins and G-Men. It should have always been Winston’s team the first sign of the end of Fitzmagic. That happened against the Bears. I don’t know if Dirk can even take a loss the rest of season and keep his job. Ya got an angry Saints team coming to town. Good luck Dirk.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:08 pm
Mike McCarthy for HC 2019!
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:10 pm
If Dirk wasn’t such an idiot that he benches his franchise QB for jobber backup that is 0-4 then I’d say do more to fix the defense and then bring him back. But Dirk is an OC, not a HC, he’s an emo mess that throws hissy fits and shouldn’t be in this job.
Instead you should hire a real HC who only hire on the condition that they don’t touch the offense and they keep Monken around, much like the Glazers did with Gruden when they didn’t let him touch the defense or the defensive coaches. John Harbaugh, if available, would be an excellent pick.
Or if you are going to blow up the entire coaching staff then make a hard play to trade for Mike Tomlin when they lose in the 2nd round of the playoffs again. The Glazers still kick themselves over letting him go – so trade to get him back. It would cost a lot, but they should at least try.
If they are thinking someone like McCarthy… well in that case just keep Dirk another year.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:10 pm
No and Hell no….
He’s not a head coach.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:12 pm
FIRE KOETTER and hire McCarthy tonight
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:12 pm
Jaaon Licht needs to go the second the season ends, bucs still have the same holes past few years
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:13 pm
Hell No. Play book is the reason we don’t get into the end zone in the red zone. Only took him four and a half years to teach Jameis to make good decisions and run and could now be even better with a better offensive HC. Took a year and a half to fire butt buddy Mike Smith and that probably came straight from the Glazers. All the wrong decisions with players, plays, and coaches.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Seriously, if this team finishes 9-7 or even 8-8, you have to keep Dirk. And, as much as I hate to say it, they should keep JW. They are beginning to show signs of putting it together finally.
This year has been nuts and a lot has been beyond Dirk’s control. JW’s suspension, crazy amount of injuries to the defense, crazy amount of TO’s, lousy kicking. All of this and they still have one of the best offenses in the league. Dirk, despite all of this, has put this team in position to win every week with the exception of maybe the Chicago game.
There is no doubt in my mind that if this defense was playing like this earlier in the year, we have at least a couple more wins.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:18 pm
I know Tom Jones is loathed here but he made a great point in his column today.
The league has morphed into an offensive game. The top offense in a game set up for offense is run by none other than the Bucs coach.
Do we really want to run him off if this team finishes well?
Duff may have helped saved Koetter’s job. If the Glazers believe that Duff can keep it up defensively they know Koetter can coach offense.
DBS…GREAT POINT. Jameis lovers never wish to recognize his flaws…Jameis haters never wish to recognize his strengths…I try to see both. But I think DBS is spot on….Koetter’s handling of JW…BENCHING him when he deserved it…may have turned it around for JW. The past two weeks he’s played like someone I barely recognize. Composed…good decisions…he’s always had the athletic ability Koetter’s benching may have helped JW finally grow up.
And so let’s see…Koetter with his job totally on the line BENCHES the franchise QB because JW deserved it!!! And yet there are still people here calling out Koetter for being too cowardly to make the DJAX move permanent. Yeah that’s the ticket…not too cowardly to bench the FRANCHISE QB…but afraid to move Godwin ahead of DJAX. Just SMH!!!!
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Atta boy Dirk
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:19 pm
There is absolutely no way Winston loses to G Men and the Skins. He was terrible against the Bengals, but has always bounced back from bad games. It was a mistake to not stick with JW. We get even one of those 2 games and we are in it right now.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:20 pm
Next Sunday at 5pm this site will all be for getting rid of entire staff and licht when a legit superbowl caliber franchise and sean payton does not like koetter it may get ugly in front of 40,000 at ray jay
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:22 pm
@Jaboo. You bring up some good points. If JW looks like half the QB he has the last 2 weeks with the brutal defenses he’s got coming up, then there is no doubt that Jameis needs to be our QB. I’m pulling for him. The JW haters have been real quiet the last 2 weeks. Hey, the rest of us miss you guys. Where you at?
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:23 pm
SOEbuc and Ben- you two knuckleheads keep spewing lies about Jameis struggling in the red zone.
You have provided no stats to prove your point.
I will provide some for you.
The last 2 season Jameis a Winston has thrown 21TDs to 2 INTs in the redzone.
Please explain how this is struggling to make good decisions?
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:24 pm
JabooBuc – “Dirk, despite all of this, has put this team in position to win every week with the exception of maybe the Chicago game.”
The Chargers were in a similar position, they kept losing close game after close game and had a coach that shouldn’t have been the HC. They fired him and brought in a guy and what do you know, they’re no longer losers.
I get what you’re saying and don’t disagree with it, if they do finish 8-8 or in particular 9-7, then you have a HC that has a .500 or better record in 2 of 3 years, and you don’t fire him.
I doubt that happens based on the schedule, but who knows, when you have a franchise QB you have a chance.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:24 pm
That’s what everyone said when they didn’t think we could beat them the first time.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:25 pm
Mike McCarthy as head coach lol, he couldn’t even win with one of the best QBs to ever play the game. 😂😂
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:27 pm
Alaskan – LOL! You just totally made them look like idiots, yet what will be the outcome of that? They’ll just double down on stupid and say what they always say, just louder. The Winston haters are just that, haters, there’s no logic or reason to anything, they just hate – and it’s why I always throw in some insults when talking to them, they don’t deserve respect since they’re knowingly dishonest. Well unless they don’t know, in which case they’re just stupid.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:32 pm
Bucs finish 8-8, jw/jl/dk come back.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:32 pm
I think Dirk’s best move this season was benching Winston. Clearly it has made a difference in his play.
I don’t know if Dirk benched him to hold him accountable or if he was trying to save his job. I don’t really care why. It was the right call no matter how it was made.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:34 pm
So I don’t keep up on the Packers or any of their drama and I hate sports talk radio, but what is the deal with McCarthy and Rodgers, what exactly happened there? I’m not a big fan of McCarthy since I agree with those who said he won because of Rodgers, and we saw what he did without him, but then again those backups were pretty awful and didn’t give the team a lot of hope. If the Bucs went that route they’d keep a wide open offense where you play from shotgun and Winston is an excellent fit for that. On the downside they don’t use much of the TE and we have two stud TE’s, although Brate could get something on the trade market.
Anywho going back to the original question what is the gossip? Why did McCarthy not get along with Rodgers? Did he hate that Rodgers is a passive aggressive d-bag who does terrible commercials, or was there more to it?
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:34 pm
Albert Einstein says
“the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”
——————————–
……….and by keeping Koetter, Licht, and Winston another year…….is insanity.
It would be an absolute colossal mistake if the Glazers did this instead of building towards the future with a new coaching staff and GM
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:35 pm
BucsAnthem wants to raise standards…by getting rid of Jameis and hiring McCarthy.
Lol just lol
I’m done
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:35 pm
Bucs have the NFL’s #1 Offense from Week 1 thru Week 13 and there’s idiots above begging for Koetter to be replaced by a guy who just got divorced by a QB whom most of the NFL world thinks is the best of his generation.
Go away idiots above!
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:36 pm
JimmyJack – The benching of Winston did nothing except remove the Bucs from a chance to be in the playoff hunt. Winston had one bad road game in bad weather – that’s it – and you don’t bench your franchise QB and throw the season away because of that. That is why Dirk should, and will, get fired.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:37 pm
How about getting a rushing attack to help us score? It’s hard to throw in the red zone when a run isn’t a threat.
Last year only 8 total rushing TD with a long of 2 yards. Seriously our longest TD run all year was 2 yards.
This year 8 rush TD- long of 14 by Jameis and MeJax
Our longest rush TD by a RB is 5 yards!
No home run running threat what so ever.
But yeah let’s blame Jameis for everything
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:38 pm
Hey anthem sees the game differently guys, he is a QB coach
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:38 pm
I do not want Winston or Dirk back but if you decide to keep him(JW) then you need to roll with Dirk and Co one last time. It’s not fair to a new staff to attach Winston to them. Give everyone a final year. Playoffs or everyone goes. It delays the rebuild one more year though. No way should Winston get three coaching staffs. Stop blaming Winstons problems on everyone but him.
He was suspended for 3 games and jacked up our season. He’ll always be a piece of crap but I see no reason to give him a new staff.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:41 pm
I’m not a Dirk fan and have wanted him gone for the last two seasons. But there’s no reason to root against the guy.
It is possible for Dirk to get better in time.
A lot of work still needing to be done with this team so but we are now starting to see more positives come through…..D-line, QB play, kicker are all getting better.
I will hope I am wrong on him and the team starting to win and look like a contender. They prooved today that it is possible.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:42 pm
Munch,
There’s no way in the world that Harbaugh gets fired. Not now. The Ravens defense is playing elite level and they are in playoff position. I would love that if the Ravens did make that mistake. I still like the idea of Schwartz. He runs a similar defensive scheme as what we have and he immediately improves this defense. Monken should shine with this offense. We need to get the defense strong.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:43 pm
T-Rex forget Winston’s problems. Right now he has none.
All the matters is what you’ve done for me lately. Always has always will………..I read that on a bumper sticker.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:46 pm
Mike McCarthy record as a HC:
125–77–2 (.618)
—————————————————-
Dirk Koetter record as a HC:
19-25-0 (.432)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
So Jameis Loyalists, you still want coach Koetter???????????
Are there any bucs fans on this website that have higher standards than Koetter and Winston??????????????
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:46 pm
That’s the history of dork Koetter. Irrelevant until the end of the season to try and save his job. I don’t want another repeat of this. Win in the beginning suck in the middle then give hope at the end of a meaningless losing season. We’ve seen this movie to many times for any new surprises or revelations
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:46 pm
They might get rid of Harbaugh to get somebody in to build a offense around Lamar Jackson.
Not sure they want Harbaugh for that job but a lot depend on how Jackson plays for this year.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:49 pm
2018
Dirk Koetter 5-7
Mike McCarthy 4-7-1
There, fixed it for ya
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:50 pm
Rod Munch. Winston has clearly been a better QB coming off his benching. And I mean clearly.
December 2nd, 2018 at 8:55 pm
I’m fine with it as long as Monkne stays. Otherwise promote monken.
Being that the bucs have the number one overall.offense I would say there is a good chance Monken leaves and I just don’t have the confidence in Koetter.
As for Duffmer, let’s see how his defense stacks up against drew brees and the saints that the cowboys just shut down. That will make me a believer in the duff.
Koetter I believe may need to go though
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:02 pm
Zwak if Licht could draft a fan He would take one in the 2nd round instead of DL or OL …. don’t give him any ideas!
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Rod, Dirk has been on JW about forcing balls since day 1 and the benching was the final straw. How can you say it had nothing to do with his improved play of yet? Dirk is the first to quit enabling this kid and tell him that these TO’s have consequences.
It appears to have gotten through to him. Never have I been more happy to see someone take a sack before but JW appears to be thinking out there. This team will put up points on anyone so no need to make unforced errors. If that is the case, then that is great coaching pure and simple.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:07 pm
Good point Jaboo……….You can’t give Winston any credit without doing the same for the guy who was hired to develope him.
I’m not happy it has taken so long but if Winston succeeds then so has Dirk.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:07 pm
Go get a top notched defensive coordinator and some more good defensive backs and I think you would be surprised how much better the Bucs would look. As for McCarthy – there is a reason he was let go – 2 losing seasons with an all tim e great QB? Losing to the sucky cardinals at lambeau.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:11 pm
It’s not over until the fat lady sings. If the Bucs can go 4-0, then it will be welcome back Koetter time. If not, new head coach.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:12 pm
Tc I would love to see our Dline continue to develope and give them a really good Linebackers core to work with. That’s my fantasy.
Seemed like we ran a ton of nickle today. A top-end nickle corner may be a top need for this team.
Harris looked very fast and focused today. Who is Harris BTW?
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:13 pm
P.S. I’m starting to see some potential with Vea. He wasn’t great today but he made some noise. I’m still bitter over Licht screwing the pooch and taking him over Derwin. Oh, there goes Derwin with his 3rd pick of the year after a great tackle.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:13 pm
Is anybody watching what Derwin James is doing, oh My God, if we had Him on this team…….Damn, a BIG time miss,on that one. Thanks JL……
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:14 pm
Winston has a lot of talent and is only 24 years of age. He has played better in the last 2 games but is at times is still throwing into extremely tight windows. Realistically, taking a chance on the majority of draftable quarterbacks available next year would probably not bring us the franchise quarterback we desire. I believe Winston returns. If Arians is in some capacity part of this team Licht is extended. Koetter will be a highly sought OC somewhere….not sure of his being a HC anywhere in the very near future. His “hands off approach” in handling any defense issues makes him questionable HC material. It’s not his specialty but he’s still responsible for it. In fact, he’ll feel more comfortable with a coordinators position any way. Whoever Jamies wants…will be our next HC.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:20 pm
Vita who?
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:21 pm
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
VITA VELCRO
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:22 pm
…………….DERWIN JAMES looks like an absolute STUD……….impact franchise player for years to come
……..there’s still hope for
VITA VELCRO and SLOMO JONES next season (yeah right)
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:26 pm
You have to understand that Dirk had to break this kid a bit. Keep in mind JW wine NC and a Heisman trophy as a redshirt freshman. He was a complete pain in the ass on campus and on the field after that and I really believe he thought he could do no wrong on the field.
He played on a great team filled with great players that covered up a lot of his mistakes. Plus, he wS really young when drafted. I guess what I’m trying to say is that Dirk has had his work cut out for him. If JW can continue to play like this going forward, then you have to credit him and give him a chance to finish the job.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:30 pm
Koetter can come back.. As the OC. I don’t believe he is a head coach. Not going to go down the list…. That time will come later. For now, I want the Bucs to win out and I want the Bucs to move on. If the Bucs win out and keep Koetter, then, I hope they win out still. I asked the question earlier, what happens if the Bucs go 9-7 and miss the playoffs. It was nearly unanimous that he be gone, but now it is pretty much the other way.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:31 pm
by earlier, I meant at the start of the season.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:34 pm
Winston is playing with his back against the wall right now. It’s very impressive what he’s doing cause many players crumble in rough spots like this.
Dirk would be wise to find a way to keep Winsons back against the wall.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Tnew…….Dirk is guaranteed to have a job in this league as an OC at minimum.
But there’s no way he’s staying here and accepting a demotion. That would be pretty much unprecedented…..Can’t say I ever saw that. Correct me if wrong please.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:42 pm
People seem to forget that Jameis has more time as an NFL Quarterback than Koetter has as an NFL Head Coach.
Koetter was a rookie HC, so he’s been learning on the job. On top of that, if players take 2-3 years to develop, then a lasting contender takes time to build.
So let’s look at this. Winston was drafted the year before Koetter became Head Coach, at Lovie Smith’s choice. But since Koetter became head coach, the offense has been excellent. And no, the red zone play calling has not been bad. The execution has been.
Last year, Defense cost us 4 comeback wins and kicking cost us two wins. That’s 6 additional wins we could have had…which would have put us at 11-5.
This year, kicking cost us three games. Defense cost us games too. We could have easily been 3 games better…and that isn’t the fault of Koetter.
So, okay…let’s consider the defense. Keeping Smith was mostly on Koetter, but the GM and owners agreed to it. Also keep in mind that up until this year, Licht was focusing on building the offense for the most part, and Smith had to make do with subpar free agent placeholders until this year, so it sort of made sense to see what he could do with a defensive draft and good veteran additions for a change.
As soon as Smith showed he couldn’t get things done with the new players, they fired him.
As I said several times in the past, keeping Koetter and the offensive staff is the smart move. The haters won’t like it, but it is the smart move.
Given the suspension, the injuries, the kicker, the time for rookie development and the defense, I think if they go 7-9 this year, Koetter should get a1 year deal with a second year option.development
I hate to break it to the haters, but a guy who isn’t head coach material doesn’t maintain a top offense and keep an entire team playing hard like these guys are.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:43 pm
We’re a running game and an average D away from being able to make a real run at it. McCarthy = Koetter in that respect.
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:46 pm
Bonzai- well said and agreed
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:46 pm
“Kobe is hoping that this late resurgence and nonsensical national propaganda that JW is not a franchise QB has helped in making the position of HC of the Bucs in 2019 more attractive to the top HC candidates”
Kobe Faker
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:48 pm
Derwin James is balling out there tonight!!!!
December 2nd, 2018 at 9:51 pm
Well the team has obviously not thrown in the towel yet. That right there is a strong reason not to fire Koetter.
December 2nd, 2018 at 10:05 pm
Mike Macarthy, yeah because his old team is worse than we are now! Let’s leave Mike alone to lick his wounds and let this staff continue to do what they have been over the past couple of weeks. Especially the Defense
December 2nd, 2018 at 10:08 pm
Great story Bonzai……..Yet the fact still lurks. If Dirk’s team takes one more drumming, like that Chicago game, he will a walking footnote.
December 2nd, 2018 at 10:09 pm
Let’s look at the games this year.
Atlanta… Winston throws his first INT, on a deep ball to Jackson when even David Moore on radio says Jackson is being held and that causes the INT – and Moore is clearly no fan of Winston and isn’t a homer in his commentary. Anywho the team is down, I believe, 24-6 at the time. That’s called taking a deep shot to try to get you back into the game.
At the goaline Winston throws an INT when dummy Dirk decides to throw it from the half inch line – and that comes after Hump of course gets chased down from behind. Anywho that INT in the endzone comes on a deflected ball, it wasn’t like he threw it into the hands of the defender.
But in any case Winston brings the team all the back only to have Dirk literally call a QB draw double lateral on the last play. What an idiot.
Then the following week at Cinny Winston has an awful game, on the road, on a windy day. Guess what, that happens to literally every single QB from time to time.
Dirk benched him after that. That’s it, 2 games, one good, one bad and Dirk throws his franchise QB under the bus in an effort to save himself. That’s why Dirk should, and will, be fired.
Also what exactly did he learn? He came back and got defensive play the last 2 weeks and wasn’t trying to overcome a 21 point second quarter deficit by forcing the ball downfield. If you can’t understand such an incredibly simple concept, that you HAVE to take chances when you’re down big in order to get back into the game, then you’re just a lost cause, or completely dishonest.
Additionally we know from the only strech in his time here what Winston is like when the defense actually shows up, he’s the same guy he was today. But when your defense doesn’t give you a shot, when you’re down huge points early in the game, you either do a Mike Glennon and lose 31-3 but “protect the ball” or you get aggressive and try to give your team a chance.
Personally I’ll take the guy who goes out there and tries to win the game even if he’s down by 30 in the 4th quarter as opposed to Glenn who will literally throw the ball out of bounds on the last play of the game to avoid a “turnover”. But Glennon has just a 2.4% INT rate, so you guys want that, and the losing record that comes with it when paired with this defense.
December 2nd, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Talk to any Green Bay fan. They couldn’t wait til he got fired.
They were just astonished that the Packers did it mid-season.
But that’s how cancerous the Packer front office perceived the situation to be.
That’s not what you want to bring here.
December 2nd, 2018 at 10:17 pm
cmurda – I don’t think Harbaugh will end up being available either, unless it’s a trade. But was just saying “if” he was available he’d be a good fit “if” he was willing to let the offensive staff stay in place. Monken, minus the mandatory Dirk run up the middle for no gain, would be fun to watch I think.
Marvin Lewis would be an unexciting guy that could perhaps be a fit as well – although in recent years that Bengals defense hasn’t been very good and that’s why you’d want him to come in. Again, the idea here would be to keep the offense together and have him work the defense and special teams.
The Vikings DC should be high on the list as well – the Bucs have sort of had success with one of them in the past.
I just hope whatever happens isn’t a full rebuild. I don’t think it’s necessary at all, I just think the team needs a true HC, a guy who isn’t going to throw fits and throw players under the bus week to week, a guy who understands clock management and how timeouts and instant replays work, etc. Fix the special teams and get a decent defense, it doesn’t even need to be good, it just needs to be decent, and the Bucs should be legit playoff contenders for years to come so long as Winston is the QB and he has guys to throw it to.
December 2nd, 2018 at 10:25 pm
He got his ads benched and deserved it. Quit making excuses and get over it. It made him a better QB. That is a fact plain and simple
December 2nd, 2018 at 10:48 pm
Munch I’d be in favor of Marvin Lewis. I would also like to add my top two choices to the mix. Jason Garrett & John Fox.
Garrett is saving his job it looks like so probably won’t be a option.
December 2nd, 2018 at 10:52 pm
Jack, these are meaningless games. Winston’s back up against what wall?
Get the hell outta here with that crap.
December 2nd, 2018 at 11:29 pm
T-Rex…….Winston knew he had to prove his worth after his benching.
Yep the games are worthless and no many peopke cares much for pressure unless it’s about playoffs.
I still know the pressure was on for our QB. He has responded by playing better. Now he needs to keep it up and finish strong and we can then start to expect our QB to play well. Not hope for it.
December 3rd, 2018 at 12:23 am
@Rod Munch,
Excuses much? The Cincy game was windy for Jameis? Boo hoo. Fitz was 11 of 15 with 2 TDs 0 INTs. Dalton was 21 of 34 with 2 TDs 0 INTs. Don’t be a blatant Jameis homer.
Fitz’s shoe fell off though and Winston is playing MUCH better now after the wake up call. But, stop with the excuses for piss poor play. Winston deserved to be benched and he needed to hear the message loud and clear that his poor decisions were costing the team.
December 3rd, 2018 at 1:07 am
i want Dork, (1 more year) I want Winston, (1 more year) and I want Licht to draft a defence (1 more year)
December 3rd, 2018 at 1:33 am
Mike McCarthy is an overrated clown. Get real lol. Silly confused Buc fans
December 3rd, 2018 at 3:43 am
lambchop – A road game in bad weather leading to a QB having a bad day isn’t exactly unheard of you moron, and you certainly don’t throw your franchise QB under the bus because of it.
Jameis 4-2 in his last 6
Fitz 1-5 in his last 6
Oh, and Jameis “should have” been 5-1 had he had a decent kicker in Atlanta. But yeah, keep saying you bench him because you want to “win”.
Idiot.
December 3rd, 2018 at 3:57 am
Anthem
Love that Einstein definition and use it frequently. The problem is that you’ve ignored the other side of the equation.
If you change head coaches every two to three years and keep losing but you keep changing is that not also insane.
It’s clear Koetter has not lost the team. It’s clear to me that Koetter may be the rare coach who could manage JW….Jimbo squeezed a title out of him but JW was never under control in Tallahassee.
The past two weeks JW has finally looked under control. What changed? A coach who wasn’t afraid to bench him and leave him there when he deserved it. JW has NEVER had this kind of coaching. I can handle another year.
Hopefully none of our stars gets suspended for three weeks to start the season in 2019. I get the Jameis love but some of you guys have really, really short memories! Until the past two weeks JW has been a guy with off the chart talent handicapped by being a total head case unable to make a rational decision on or off the field. That seems to have finally changed and the major change has been Koetter.
December 3rd, 2018 at 5:21 am
Yesterday’s win was a real treat and I felt good seeing that smile on Koetter’s face during his presser. It must be hard to have all the experts blaming you for a mediocre season. I don’t think you can blame him for the seven years before he got here, or the 4 lost 3 pt games this season that may have been W’s if we had a field goal kicker. As I read the comments each week I can’t help but sense that 5% come from football and 95% comes from people looking for something to take their personal frustrations out on.
December 3rd, 2018 at 10:03 am
Amen, BBonzai, and very well said by a true educated fan.
December 3rd, 2018 at 1:33 pm
Still no running game
Jameis has to scramble most plays and too many sacks
Can’t give Koetter the credit for defensive improvement- it’s all Duffner
You want to start 3-5 in 2019 , then bring Koetter back.
Like Panthers coach says “same old Bucs” – better in 2nd half of season after disaster first half.
Why can’t they play like this all year? Or at least most of year?
Answer: head coach and running game coaches (oL and RB) need to go