Mike McCarthy And The Bucs
December 25th, 2018
“Connected.”
For some, this is a belated Christmas present Santa plants under the tree in the lobby at One Buc Palace on his way to Cancun for his annual well-deserved siesta.
It seems a Super Bowl-winning coach who happens to be unemployed is being linked to the Bucs in NFL backchannel gossip. And that would be former Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
Look, Joe gets no joy in a Bucs coach being removed. That means the Bucs are having a tough time. No one wants that. At the same time, it is very difficult to believe Dirk Koetter returns in 2019.
Albert Breer of theMMQB.com, who is fairly well plugged-in within league circles, typed yesterday about the expected Bucs coaching opening and what that may mean for Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
The Buccaneers are a little like Arizona in that word has held that the coach, Dirk Koetter, is likely to be gone, particularly with a staff full of assistants on expiring deals, but the situation of GM Jason Licht seems to be murkier. This job is the one that ex-Packers coach Mike McCarthy has been connected most to.
Now here is where this all gets interesting with Joe.
Over the weekend. Joe was talking with a prominent ex-Bucs player who seems to believe the Bucs are not getting the most out of their talent with Koetter on board. The name of McCarthy came up in conversation.
This former player is of the mind McCarthy is a good coach. And then Joe and the former player began talking about America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Joe mentioned how Koetter has told Jameis he’s more like Aaron Rodgers than Tom Brady, a famous scene from “Hard Knocks” last year. And stats do back that up. The thing that gets Joe is, Koetter hasn’t crafted an offense to take advantage of Jameis’ skills outside the pocket like McCarthy did with Rodgers.
Joe mentioned to this ex-Bucs player that while the Pro Bowl is glorified backyard football, Jameis slung the ball all over the field as if it was a flag football game (which it sort of is), and Joe has never seen Jameis do that with the Bucs.
The ex-Bucs player asked Joe who coached Jameis in the Pro Bowl that year, after the 2015 season. Joe pulled it up on his iPhone, stared at the ex-Bucs player with a surprise on his face and informed him, “Mike McCarthy.”
The ex-Bucs player’s eyes lit up and he verbally said, “Aaahhh!”
Now Breer has linked McCarthy to the expected Bucs gig.
This is starting to get interesting. If Jameis is more like Rodgers (again, stats back this up), why not get the man who built an offense for Rodgers who already has a working relationship with Jameis (albeit briefly) and just happens to be looking for work these days?
December 25th, 2018 at 4:01 am
Uh oh, you compared Jameis to Rodgers. Get ready for the WDS victims to freak out.
As for McCarthy, he wouldn’t be my first choice but I wouldn’t complain about a Super Bowl winning coach. I don’t really care who it is, I just want to be a relevant team in January again.
I’m curious who the coordinators would be, I’m sure he could get some decent assistants as well.
Can’t wait for next year.
December 25th, 2018 at 4:11 am
Right. A coach who was consistently criticized for not getting the most out of his players in Green Bay and for underachieving when he had a Hall of Fame QB at his disposal should get Bucs fans really excited. Looking forward to 4-5 years of .500 football in Tampa. Yay.
December 25th, 2018 at 4:30 am
and umm defense??
December 25th, 2018 at 5:15 am
The Bucs are way more talented than Green Bay, all they have is Aaron Rodgers
All the Bucs are missing is discipline, structure, accountability, and (obviously) pride. Which McCarthy can bring to Tampa
December 25th, 2018 at 5:19 am
If you can’t win consistently with one of the best QBs in the last 25 years how the hell is he expected to fix / over come a small market team with piss poor owners dedicated to losing.
December 25th, 2018 at 5:25 am
From walterfootball.com, his opinion:
Packers fire HC Mike McCarthy: A+ Grade
It’s about damn time. The Packers finally fired one of the worst head coaches in the NFL. This is something that should’ve happened long ago, but better late than never.
This is one of the easiest grades I’ve ever had to make. Mike McCarthy is a horrible coach. He’s been doing a poor job for years, and it’s only because of Aaron Rodgers that he’s been able to hold on to his job for so long. Rodgers, by the way, is the only reason why McCarthy has been able to establish such a great career record. He owes his career to Rodgers.
And yet, McCarthy hamstrung Rodgers with a 1990s offense. With the Chiefs, Rams, etc. running creative schemes, it’s embarrassing that the Packers have been running stuff from the Stone Ages. They need a young, innovative mind to replace McCarthy. Or, really, anyone to replace McCarthy.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/coachfirehire.php#kI1B1gPkPker1m5U.99
December 25th, 2018 at 5:26 am
Marginal success in Green Bay with a Great QB – far more the actual America’s QB. Can’t imagine what he would do with a mediocre QB – America’s Turnover Machine.
December 25th, 2018 at 5:37 am
That “Aaaaaaaah” sounds like DB
December 25th, 2018 at 5:41 am
The west coast offense requires percise route running by the recievers
We have the slopiest route runners in the NFL especially “pickup basketball” Meme Evans
“Everytime I run a route, I point my hand up, So JW can throw me a alley oop dunk”
Meme Evans
December 25th, 2018 at 5:51 am
Nooooooooo !!!!! Having Aaron Rodgers will make Dirk look like he knew what he was doing. No, no and no !!! God, please guide the Glazers’ minds to making the right decision for our beloved and frustrating franchise. AMEN……go Bucs.
December 25th, 2018 at 6:04 am
Joe a think the biggest issue with trying to tailor the offense to Jameis’s strengths like that is that we don’t have the offensive line for it. Dot is passed his prime, Donovan is at best a guard playing tackle, and we don’t have a reliable RG. The question is though do you forgo a potential defensive all star prospect in lieu of a need on the O-line in what for all intents as purposes is a weak O-line draft?
December 25th, 2018 at 6:06 am
I’d rather see Pete Carmichael and Gregg Williams brought in. Carmichael could be HC/OC and Williams as DC.
If you want youth to lead the Bucs movement, this is it.
I’m more interested in getting that defense playing nasty and pissing off Sean Payton.
December 25th, 2018 at 6:28 am
Kris Richard, please.
December 25th, 2018 at 6:30 am
Unless you can get Tomlin or one of the Harbaugh Brothers.. I would try something new. Look at the Andy Reid tree in Philly, Chicago, and Indy. Give Eric Bieniemy a shot, or Kris Richard who helped craft 2 top defenses a shot. McCarthy who has under delivered with one of the best QB’s in the last 20 years, why think he could turn a QB as up and down like Jameis around? I AM NOT hiring a GM or Coach on the idea of turning Jameis around. I want a guy with fresh eyes who can evaluate and do what it takes for this team to win.
December 25th, 2018 at 6:48 am
Keep Licht for one more year, hire a QB guru coach like McCarthy or Arians. Licht has done a pretty good job of acquiring talent, our coaches have done a poor job of putting them in positions to succeed and develop them. This is a roster that is considerably better than their record.
December 25th, 2018 at 6:49 am
Would rather have Wink Martindale (Ravens DC) or Chris Petersen (UW head coach). If it’s Martindale I’d hope he keeps Monken as OC, and if it’s Petersen I hope he brings Jimmy Lake with him as DC.
You have to think outside the box to win in today’s NFL, and hiring re-treads is the opposite of that.
December 25th, 2018 at 6:51 am
McCarthy wouldn’t be my first choice but he’s definitely worth looking into to see if he’s a good fit.
December 25th, 2018 at 7:06 am
Focus on fixing the TEAM, not just the QB…
December 25th, 2018 at 7:06 am
I just realized McCarthy was the offensive coordinator of the Saints during the Jim Haslett era (200-2004). I could be wrong but I don’t remember them being all that great before Sean Peyton/Drew Brees arrived. The Panthers were the team that gave the Bucs the most trouble back then.
December 25th, 2018 at 7:22 am
If this ownership is picking a coach for WinSTUNNED the team is done for another 10 years…
December 25th, 2018 at 7:26 am
It’s so weird people wanting the team to be successful but not the quarterback or just flat thinking it’s not important to hire a coach because of the guy who touches the ball the most guess Koetter was fired for some other unknown reason. Bunch dumb football fans and when you add the hate to that fact it makes you look petty but mostly we just feel sorry for you
December 25th, 2018 at 7:42 am
Bringing in a coach that will help Jameis improve makes more sense than the notion that the Glazers will allow the next coach to decide the fate of Jameis
December 25th, 2018 at 7:46 am
Based on what I’ve heard about McCarthy, the dude’s been running the same Offensive system he has since he was coaching Favre.
Sound to me like he might be Dirk Koetter+… Hard Pass.
I’d Much rather we throw the full arsenal of Team Glazer loot at Jim Harbaugh.
December 25th, 2018 at 7:50 am
He had A Rodgers and he got fired
Imagine if dirk had Aaron wow
We would be unstoppable
December 25th, 2018 at 7:55 am
As I said for the 3rd time it’s gonna be B Arians and he will bring in 2 good assistants at OC and DC who will take over when he retire. He did a good job at reviving a subpar qb in Arizona and iam not sure but I think he was a part of big Bens development in Pittsburgh
December 25th, 2018 at 7:58 am
Hello Coach Raheem Morris.
December 25th, 2018 at 7:58 am
No more re treads. Kris Richards or Chris Peterson sounds good to me. Richards might just be the next Mike Tomlin. The Cowboys won their division this season. Chris Peterson has been extremely successful when he took over average or below average programs.(his team is in this years Rose Bowl). McCarthy has the name recognition but there are better coaches that might be available. With the coaching turnover that has been the Bucs, it will NOT be easy to convince ANY coach to come to Tampa
December 25th, 2018 at 8:31 am
I have never been a big fan of Mccarthy. He took over a team of veterans in Green Bay. Had he been tasked with developing his talent from the get go he probably never gets a chance to live off ARods glory years.
And I get that alot of said veterans left by 2009ish. Again he had Rodgers who was able to mask alot of holes. Just my opinion tho.
December 25th, 2018 at 8:47 am
@Doc I feel you, my brother. During Coach Morris’ first stint at that job, there might have been some immaturity involved (chest bumping with players, etc..). But, don’t you think that he would have matured since then? I am all for giving him another interview. Can’t be worse than what we have had since his departure. Go ‘Bucs.
December 25th, 2018 at 8:49 am
Unless you can lure Peterson or Harbaugh in, you overpay Richards to be DC (that’s a promotion) and have him in waiting all next year with the ability to closely evaluate. If team is still inept and GM likes Richards, he becomes new HC. If team succeeds we win.
December 25th, 2018 at 8:51 am
You have to be kidding me! Mccarthy no freaking way that would be a big mistake. He never had a really good defense which wins championships and he never had a really good running game, just an arrogant QB. I swear if they hire this guy I will be Done.
December 25th, 2018 at 9:00 am
Actually Dirk Koetter did. On national television.
December 25th, 2018 at 9:19 am
so Rodgers can’t read the play clock either?
December 25th, 2018 at 9:29 am
Um no! Horrible coach could not win with A-rod will never win with ATM
December 25th, 2018 at 9:35 am
Lol to we would be unstoppable if dirk had Aaron Rodgers. Koetter would his little errand boy and be the coach and gm. This regime it too soft to handle a personality like that, they don’t even know what to do with d jack
December 25th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Agree, no retreads. We need a young innovative coach, preferably defensive oriented. Of course the likelihood of the Glazers being able to find and hire that person is zero. Its a Bucs life!
December 25th, 2018 at 9:52 am
He’s not what the Bucs currently need, overall. There is a much better hire out there….
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/12/25/king-real-chance-john-harbaugh-doesnt-sign-extension-in-baltimore/
Team Glazer….please acquire JOHN Harbaugh for the current and future restoration of credibility to the tutelage of the organization!
December 25th, 2018 at 10:26 am
No. Please no.
December 25th, 2018 at 10:41 am
Again it’s gonna be Arians he has proven that he can develop a QB and produce a top 10 offense. I love Kris Richard would be okay with him but I think the bucs are gonna go with the proven guy to develop Winston and also keep the offense at the top. I am sure Arians is gonna bring 2 top assistants with him to take over when he retire (he’s late sixities) and 1 of those assistants might be Richards who is at the top of the DC list
December 25th, 2018 at 11:06 am
This reminds me of the Mike Sherman rumors last go around. Please no. If Licht survives than he’s more hardy than cockroaches after a nuclear war.
December 25th, 2018 at 11:32 am
NOOO.
December 25th, 2018 at 11:41 am
Like it or not, this entire franchise is built around JW. That’s why you might want to consult with him rather than an ex-Bucs player.
December 25th, 2018 at 12:09 pm
I predict the Glazers make this move resulting in a 2-14 2019 campaign.
December 25th, 2018 at 12:10 pm
Koetter and Monken go to the Vikings and put up record numbers on their way to an NFC title
December 25th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Bruce Arians
December 25th, 2018 at 12:17 pm
McCarthy leaves me flatlining.
December 25th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
Please God No
December 25th, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Forgtabout Mccarthy unless..the Glazers hopped on him immediately after his firing in GB. And You know..they did not. There is a strong rumor coming out of Arizona that Mike M will replace wilks next year as the new Cardinals HC. Mike has mentioned previously he would like to try it out west for a while. Just sayin…
December 25th, 2018 at 12:32 pm
McCarthy actually held Aaron back this season with an outdated offense. Plus Aaron can not wait to get rid of McCarthy. Facts
December 25th, 2018 at 12:45 pm
McCarthy leaves me emotionless, leaves me flat.
I hope he is not the Bucs new coach.
just…no.
December 25th, 2018 at 1:12 pm
I keep hearing Kris Richard’s name come up and he may be the next big thing but if I were the Glazers I’d really dig in to find out why Seattle let him go. When I look back at the past few coaches the Glazers hired most of the reasons they ended up getting fired were visible before they were hired but they ignored them. Don’t ignore the signs and think a different environment will make them go away.
December 25th, 2018 at 1:15 pm
I wonder if it is better to fire a coach before the season is over, so that you get the option to hang on to assistant coaches much like the Browns and Packers are doing. This way, if you had some coordinators you liked, you can hang onto them. Not saying the Bucs should keep any of them, but we should have bounced Dirk a few games ago.
December 25th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
Winston will never play at the level of Rodgers, not even close. They shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence. Rodgers makes clutch plays while Winston screws up and destroys drives along with the bumbling idiots who are supposed to block for him.
December 25th, 2018 at 1:34 pm
God no. Ppppppuuuuuukkkkkkkeeeee!!!!!
December 25th, 2018 at 1:45 pm
please coax Cowher out of retirement. He can manage a team
December 25th, 2018 at 2:27 pm
McCarthy, according to PFT has expressed interest in Cardinals.
December 25th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
The question is do we want an elite qb?
If we do then jameis is and will never be elite
With time i do feel like he will be between 15 and 20th best
December 25th, 2018 at 3:24 pm
McCarthy has a winning record, Rodgers or not. Would Buc fans like 8-9 playoff runs and a Super Bowl?!
Me thinks, YES!
Scoff if you want to. The results speak for themselves.
December 25th, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Nooooooooooo, please god no!
December 25th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
“Absolutely yes
Kobe wants JW in the west coast office
We need a whole overhaul of recievers who can run routes
Pickup basketball streetball recievers needed to be traded
Calvin ridley for Meme Evans and we will add 15 million
December 25th, 2018 at 8:02 pm
I don’t believe any of this rumor mill stuff. Agents CONSTANTLY use the Bucs to squeeze better deals somewhere else. This team is never #1 on anyone’s list.
December 25th, 2018 at 8:05 pm
These troll threads on JoeBucsFan are hilarious, but give him credit, it works driving in traffic. Comparing Winston to Aaron Rodgers is like comparing ISIS to Mother Teresa. Two completely different things but a trap set to see if anyone takes a bite.
December 26th, 2018 at 12:06 am
Greg Williams if Cleveland is stupid enough to let him go. He would be perfect for this team. He has a knack for developing nasty Defenses
December 26th, 2018 at 1:53 am
Snookman,
If they let Williams and the OC go we should get both.
McCarthy looks like Arizona’s new coach.
Arians has called his shot and it ain’t Tampa. This isn’t news but Arians is still in play for a lot of folks round here.
Tampa bay Bucs are the fat sloppy drunk girl at nickel beer night in some rat hole in ybor city. Someone will take her fat disgusting azzzz home eventually….just like we will get a coach…eventually.
December 26th, 2018 at 7:58 am
Honestly, I could go either way on this.
McCarthy would probably not be my first choice, but I could get behind it if he is hired.
December 26th, 2018 at 8:17 am
Lol kobe agrees with D1QB
Having the tandem of Greg Williams And Kichens as OC will be great
*the true disciple and success of Ron Marinelli is Matt Eberfus DC of indy colts who will be a top HC candidate when indy loses…and not the overqualified cornerback coach Kris Richard”
Kobe Faker
December 27th, 2018 at 12:48 pm
The Glazers need to send Licht and our DL Coach to sell Arians on becoming the Bucs next HC so we can fire Koetter and Warhop right after our game Sunday and announce Arians has agreed to be our HC!