Koetter Likes V-Jax, Evan Smith & Running Backs
August 31st, 2015
Basking in praise
Joe’s been hard on Evan Smith, but the starting center is on offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter’s happy list today.
Joe’s not seeing standout play from Smith, but Kotter is, so he told media this afternoon at One Buc Palace.
After saying, “We stunk,” when asked about the Bucs’ offense against the Browns on Saturday night, Koetter was asked what he did like about his unit.
“I thought Vincent Jackson played well. I though Evan Smith played well. And I thought our running backs played well. We just didn’t give our running backs a chance a lot of times,” Koetter said. “Obviously, Doug [Martin] had the big run. Chuck [Sims] had a couple of nice runs. Bobby [Rainey], Mike [James]. All four of those running backs, when we gave them a chance to get started, they all made yards.”
Some might think Joe has it out for Smith. That’s totally false. Joe sure hopes the guy turns around his career, which took a big step back after the Packers didn’t retain him and the Bucs pounced on him in March 2014.
Smith came to the Bucs as more of a pass blocker than a run blocker. If he can revive that aspect of his game, that would take a load of pressure of the Bucs and Jameis Winston.
August 31st, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Evan Smith “America’s Center”
August 31st, 2015 at 4:04 pm
I wouldn’t count on it, Joe. Evan will never be good again.
August 31st, 2015 at 4:23 pm
Jameis needs a shot of America’s cortisone
August 31st, 2015 at 4:30 pm
“Americas Center” hahahaha. Good grief that made me laugh
August 31st, 2015 at 4:47 pm
When I rewatched the game, I didn’t think Evan Smith was that bad actually. What I saw was the Browns constantly bringing 5, 6, even 7 people at once (more people than we had blockers). Didn’t see many check-down options for Jameis either. If they were there, he just missed them somehow. Now Marpet looked bad on a couple plays but on others it just looked like the right protection wasn’t called and linemen weren’t passing off their blocks properly. I do know that Kadeem Edwards did not look good at all and poor Reid Fragel was getting more than he could handle until the few reps Gosder got. Cleveland was blitzing safeties and all kinds of stuff. Line needs to get better but it seemed more like poor recognition, reaction, and preparation to me. I don’t see Edwards and Fragel making the final 53. I think they keep Gilkey over Edwards.
August 31st, 2015 at 4:58 pm
@chocolate
Agree with your observations about the “numbers” and the exotic blitzes the Brownies threw at us.
One positive I’ll take from all that blitzing though…is it my imagination or has Doug Martin improved his blocking skills? I remember one play where the OL let a guy come clean and Martin just stoned the guy…excellent block from an RB picking up a blitz.
Many of you guys watch the video far more than me. How about an assessemnt. Are our running backs ready to pick up the blitzes?
Has Martin improved at this aspect?
How about Sims did he have a chance to block?
Seems to me that Mike James has always been a decent blocker.
Bobby Rainey?
I just hope our RB’s realize they too must help us keep Fameis healthy.
August 31st, 2015 at 5:10 pm
@StPeteBucsFan
I did see that crushing blitz pickup from Martin. Really good. But, he did still have some blunders to clean up (maybe more communication and preparation issues?). Martin looks good though. I’m happy for him. If this line can win the line of scrimmage and open up some holes he will be fine. So will all the backs (I hope they keep Mike James. He’s a good solid back.) I kinda expect Koetter to keep a fullback and running back in pass sets initially to help keep the blitzes off Jameis, then they can serve as short option outlets. Like I said earlier, I didn’t see any outlets for Jameis the other night.
August 31st, 2015 at 5:41 pm
Smith looks like he is urinating in that picture…
August 31st, 2015 at 5:43 pm
The O-line needs continuity to function as one unit. Putting it into perspective… If the 6 cylinder engine in your car is running on 4 or 5 cylinders, the engine sputters and the performance is poor.
August 31st, 2015 at 6:14 pm
@Drew
That is a great analogy. All cylinders must work for the engine to function up to speed.
August 31st, 2015 at 9:06 pm
I did not see the crushing blitz pick up by Martin , I saw what was numerous times he didn’t even attempt to block anyone coming towards his QB though. It looked pathetic and disgusting knowing he didn’t even look too pick up any blitz he just stood there and looked stupid . Now he does look very good as a RB again though and I’m happy for him and hope he gets too stay in TB if he’s gonna return too his old form . As for liking at the entire line as a whole , than yeah you’re spot on . We had no clue where they pass rushers were at any given time throughout that game. It’s like they are just standing there not moving there body at all . Just hoping these guys can figure out the problem and recognize the issue on the field quicker .
August 31st, 2015 at 9:49 pm
Teams generally don’t game plan to pick up.the blitz in preseason. Nor do we want to show other teams how we plan on doing it. Good practice for jameis to see the blitzes now.
August 31st, 2015 at 10:31 pm
It looked to me like a bad job of calling line protections by EDS or a terrible lack of training by our defective OL Coach. Marpet is extremely strong but he has to be trained on proper footing and leverage which can beat strength every time in NFL competition. Obviously, our OL Coach has failed to teach him that! I see Rookie Smith in a boot now so perhaps he was trying to play hurt so that would help explain why he was not at his best. Fragle doesn’t have the skill and should not make this team. Hope we can get Pamphile back to play LT in our opener with Tennessee. Warren should be the starting Center!!!