“Adjust Or Get Crushed”
September 17th, 2018
This afternoon, Dirk Koetter gave a little — and rare — glimpse into what made the tougher 2018 training camp he and players have referenced.
Specifics have been hard to come by, but Koetter shared at One Buc Palace today that it was driven by competition in the trenches spearheaded by the infusion of talent on the defensive line.
It was a kill-or-be-killed mentality.
“The defensive line set the tempo for that and then the offensive line had to adjust or get crushed,” Koetter said. “And you know, that’s not going to happen. I mean, George [Warhop] isn’t going to let the O-line get crushed and [Brentson Buckner] is not going to let the D-line get crushed. [Intense competition in the trenches] definitely happened and that helped our team in more ways than one.”
Joe just hopes all that toughening up is legit and lasting. Hey, that’s what any fan would want. It’s a very long season and guys like Demar Dotson and Ali Marpet have had durability issues, and Caleb Benenoch is an unknown.
At 2-0, Joe’s thinking January football (February?). Perhaps a nasty July and August will make that happen.
September 17th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
The trenches are doing good jobs. MAD PROPS!
Loved seeing Gohlston and 3 other guys hold their own on the DL. Great experience. Hope the OL gets some rotation some how as well.
How about that center-15 yard penalty sucked- but OL does look improved!
I expect the OL to get tested soon though. They had one or two jailbreaks against the Eagles, but Fitz got it out of there.
September 17th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
OLine has put together 2 good games in a row.
Yesterday was a real test because the Eagles DLine is very talented and deep.
Running lanes were a bit hard to come by except for a handful of plays – yet the pass protection held up well considering the opponent.
All units on the field including ST played well enough to win the game with help from the other 2.
Complementary football was somewhat evident yesterday.
A win is a WIN. VS the Super Bowl champions – we’ll eat a “W” anyway we can get it.
2-0 Baby. lets keep this winning thing rolling.
Go Bucs!!
September 17th, 2018 at 4:17 pm
It’s nice to see competition in the dressing room. Who will win this week? Offense or Defense? Coaches use it to motivate each side to play better.
However, it’s only good while you are winning. Not so good when losing and the blame game comes out.
Control what you can control and do your job.
Go Bucs!
September 17th, 2018 at 4:18 pm
MUCH improved play in the trenches. Last year’s lines would’ve been beaten up by the Iggles.
Did Beau Allen get hurt? Not sure how serious it is. Need that guy.
September 17th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
The Oline has me most excited. Major props to my new favorite player Ryan Jensen……And a lot of fans were worried the FL heat would break down the big man…….and it can unless you are tough as nails!!!!!
GOO BUCS
September 17th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
Sorry to go off subject but I have to criticize Dirk Koetters clock management yesterday. It was just awful. He had total control before the half and left them with way too much time costing us a FG try.
Then in the second half while we were up big the ST unit was not milking the clock. Maybe kickers like to wait for certain winds or something I don’t know. Nonetheless there were quite a few times I thought the offense could have used more time.
September 17th, 2018 at 4:44 pm
I loved watching our guys play in the trenches! Especially in that heat! I love the nastiness. Jason Licht needs to be given credit for putting these pieces innplace!
September 17th, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Trench F*cking Warfare.
Do not stop.
We should inject like 2-3 D-lineman via the draft next year imo; as we’re likely to move on from a few guys. We need to build an elite pass rushing D-line still. Do that and the secondary will look OK regardless of who is in it
September 17th, 2018 at 5:10 pm
Whatever your doing Koetter keep it up. Good job out there
September 17th, 2018 at 5:10 pm
It’s all good but the ginger center needs to get his temper under control and stop getting personal fouls, sooner or later that’s gonna cost the team big time.
September 17th, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Heard Noah Spence, had a private meeting with Koetter about not being active.
September 17th, 2018 at 5:14 pm
JimmyJack – Dirk was more worried about running the clock than getting points last year in Carolina and it cost us 4 points. No, you don’t try to score as the clock hits 0, you take points when you can get them unless it’s the end of the game and it’s a total non-brainer to not score because say you only need 2 points to win the game. But before halftime? You take the points if it presents itself and don’t try running the clock and wasting down.
September 17th, 2018 at 5:14 pm
adjust is correct….
looks like gholston has adjusted to his new position DT quite nicely…..monken as well…..
great to see….
#TUNNELVISION!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
September 17th, 2018 at 5:14 pm
Rojas…. who called the meeting?
September 17th, 2018 at 5:20 pm
rod
I disagree……I want to see an our oline get one of those penalties early in the first quarter like Jensen…..that sh!t was infection!!!!!!…..I think on the very next play Dotson shoved someone…..Jensen was setting the tone….he lit the fire…..I say add wind to that fire not water…..
#TUNNELVISION!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
September 17th, 2018 at 5:24 pm
813bucboi – I hate it, you can’t give away 15 yards and kill drives every game. Set the tone in the pile with a thumb to the eye or something, but just taking a cheap shot in front of the ref isn’t setting the tone, it’s being dumb, and it will absolutely cost the team at some point. I have no issue with being aggressive, and being a prick, etc, just don’t get caught – or if you’re getting caught make sure you do enough for the other team to retaliate so you get offsetting calls.
September 17th, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Rojas Says:
September 17th, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Heard Noah Spence, had a private meeting with Koetter about not being active.
I bet he did!!!!!…..and I hope spence snaps out of his funk……same with rojo….because Wilson and Clarke have provided an impact and production…..would like to see more of Wilson on offense….
#TUNNELVISION!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
September 17th, 2018 at 5:31 pm
I’m surprised we haven’t had any stories about the o-line, which combined with play calling is clearly the biggest factor in the offensive explosion. We saw it in preseason, and it’s carried into the regular season nicely. Coach K even mentioned it several times in his presser.
Marpet back at guard. Jensen bringing the nasty at center. Now let’s just hope Benenoch’s play improves…
September 17th, 2018 at 5:31 pm
rod
I’d rather Jensen shove a guy in front of a ref than be a dirty player and poke someone in the eye…..c’mon man….the drive didn’t stall because of that…it stalled because fletcher cox…..
and that penalty happened early enough to where it didn’t effect the game…..now Jensen cant do it in the 4th quarter during a 2minute drill but in the first quarter after we score on the first play, I take that….that was 2slaps in the face….1 by monken and djax….the next came when Jensen said,” im the bully on the field today”….lol….
I loved it!!!!….we need more on it from the oline…..
#TUNNELVISION!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
September 17th, 2018 at 5:41 pm
The biggest difference – we’re not expecting to lose. From coaches, down to the new O and D lines, to the rookie DBs, to our journeyman starting QB, we are a different team and have confidence. Sure, tehy can drive down and score on us, but you darn well know they aren’t going to do it two times in a row. – that’s the mentality at least. Big change. huge Kudos to Dirk for changing the mindset.
September 17th, 2018 at 5:45 pm
and those that got crushed will be back by week 8
September 17th, 2018 at 5:47 pm
813bucboi – I rather keep 15 yards and have him playing against an opponent with one eye than give up 15 yards for nothing. It’s just not setting a tone, players aren’t intimidated by someone pushing them, and if you’re a defensive lineman and you can goat the offensive lineman into getting a PF, then you, as a defensive lineman, win. I’m not big on the tough guy act when it’s not going on during the play – but during the play I don’t care what he does so long as he’s not getting flags. What happens if he does the tough guy routine on the D-Jax opening play to set the tone? It’s just dumb, it doesn’t prove anything, it doesn’t set a tone. Again, I’m not one of these guys who thinks you need to shake hands and be buddy buddy with everyone, I loved watching Sapp blindside the Packer (completely legal at the time) after he was cut all day, Sapp knew he had a free shot and took it, I loved it. That’s football, it’s during the play. Pushing and shoving and doing the tough guy routine after the play, ugh, it’s embarrassing.
September 17th, 2018 at 5:50 pm
I love the nastiness Jensen brings. We needed him.
September 17th, 2018 at 6:10 pm
Cuz everyone knows real football doesn’t start till after thanksgiving
September 17th, 2018 at 6:10 pm
It’s all about the gingah…..
September 17th, 2018 at 6:30 pm
Too bad Swaggy wasn’t there for the a$$ whoopin’ and then cut.
September 17th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Lol 813 I told my wife the same thing. I was like “I’ll take one of those here or there for the entire attitude shift this guy has brought to the line”
Entire game worth of nasty O-line play is worth one aggression penalty to me; especially when you consider the O-line was barely penalized otherwise.
September 17th, 2018 at 7:11 pm
How often was EDS rotated with Benenoch? He seemed to do a pretty good job. What ever happened to Cappa?
September 17th, 2018 at 7:19 pm
Rod Munch. I did not say they should try and score in the final second. They called a TO on that final play with the clock running. Dirk choose to call it with 46 ticks left on the board.
That was clearly too much time as Philly nearly exploited it. There’s a bit of skill to working that clock and Dirk just don’t have it…..as you further exampled with the Panthers game debacle.
September 17th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Ghost…I believe Cappas has been inactive first two weeks.
September 17th, 2018 at 7:25 pm
Remember during TC/pre-season the defense usually won the day..that’s why it’s called TRAINING camp.
September 17th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
If we could just put games away early we could give the starters a blow and give some valuable reps to the backups. Reserve these guys for a long run.
September 17th, 2018 at 7:41 pm
correction: preserve
September 17th, 2018 at 8:16 pm
Rod munch, Jensen is our attitude setter on the online, I’d much rather take a penalty than give up sacks all day or pressures . His presence is a plus, sometimes you must lose a battle to win the war. I would rather we lose a play than the game.
September 17th, 2018 at 9:09 pm
Speaking of trenches, SWEEZY looks like a 23 year old bulldog out there. What was the deal with that?
September 17th, 2018 at 10:03 pm
Calimike – that’s a false choice. I have no issue with the guy, I think he’s been great, just quit taking dumb penalties. You do not need to take a 15 yard penalty in order to “set the tone”. It’s a dumb to get lured into taking a 15 yarder by the defense. Take care of “setting the tone” during the play or in the pile where the refs can’t see it.