“DeSean Has The Green Light To Go In On Punt Returns Any Time”
November 9th, 2018
The mystery of why DeSean Jackson, the Buccaneers’ best punt returner, hasn’t returned a punt in three games is solved.
However, it has created a new mystery.
Head coach Dirk Koetter was asked this evening about the decision process when it comes to having Jackson return kicks and punts. His answer stunned Joe.
“DeSean has the green light to go in on punt returns any time,” Koetter said on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
So let Joe get this straight. Jackson says publicly he wants to help the team however he can. He is healthy and explosive. And he’s choosing not to return punts.
What ever happened to a coach saying something like, ‘Get your ass in the game and make a play; you’re the best we got. And we’re paying you $10 million.”
Back in August in Tennessee, Jackson told Joe he “100 percent” wants to return punts. What happened?
In overtime against the Browns, Adam Humphries lined up to receive a punt in overtime and lost six yards on the return. Jackson was on the bench and had yet to catch one ball in that game at the time of the punt. Again, he had yet to catch one ball in the game before that punt — in overtime.
On Sunday, Jackson will be a game captain, already named by Koetter himself. And meanwhile, nobody, including Jackson, is denying he asked to be traded last month.
Joe is speechless right now. What a cluster.
November 9th, 2018 at 5:46 pm
Why everywhere djx goes their Franchise Qb gets pearl harbored?
Anyway sticking with subject obviously he didn’t like his punt return getting called back against Pitt.
November 9th, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Cool, maybe how everyone has demonized him he’ll just give the middle finger
November 9th, 2018 at 5:51 pm
Jameis is definitely the problem. #blamejameis
November 9th, 2018 at 5:54 pm
WTF? Is D-Jax toying with 1st base here? Green light? Is this normal? I never heard of a player calling the shot on this kind of thing
…. Does he tell Hump to set aside?
November 9th, 2018 at 5:57 pm
How often do teams punt to the Bucs?
There’s nothing here
November 9th, 2018 at 5:59 pm
I always thought if the punt was looking like a returnable situation then Dirk was sending D-Jax in. If it was more of a field possession punt he inserted Hump.
Noticed the past 3-4 games Hump was returning all punts…….. This is so f***ing f***Ed up I don’t even understand………..Based on this article not even our coach is accountable.
Somebody please tell me this is normal. Devin Hester called his shots too, right?
November 9th, 2018 at 5:59 pm
So Koetter or the ST coach will not order him in for the good of the team??????Spineless! Plus if DJax made a bad play or fumble or loafed it would be the excuse to Keyshawn the guy…. Stuff like this makes me want to puke!
November 9th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
Call me carzy but the coach should call the shot Everytime. He should also know exactly why hes calling it that way.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:04 pm
Maybe I’m just crazy. I saw the Patriots playing earlier in the year. They couldn’t get anything going on offense….,…….. Their special teams did not mysteriously show up. I saw something on the sidelines..,……….. I didn’t know what it was but it looked good.
but I think it might have just been magic because they got extremely extremely lucky and scored two special teams touchdowns that game
November 9th, 2018 at 6:05 pm
Bet DJax is in NE next season and probably makes the post season. This franchise has become a joke and NO big name free agents are gonna want to sign here. WHY? ….because this team don’t know how to handle success or you got some meathead that torpedoes the season before it even begins. Not to mention he can’t get the ball to DJax without getting him nearly killed because he has to stop to make some acrobatic catch. This QB (that we don’t speak his name) blows and DJax has had a few regular seasons and training camps to decide that the beard gives him and the team a better chance. This team sucks and will suck next year too. ….and probably the year after that unless there are wholesale changes from the QB on down.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:08 pm
what. is. going. on. in. tampa???
November 9th, 2018 at 6:08 pm
What the hell “green light”? You’re the coach, put him in! Absolutely zero leadership on this team. Communication issues, effort issues etc. Time to move on from this “well geez, I don’t know, well if they wanna” regime..
Someone please stand up and take control and LEAD this team!
November 9th, 2018 at 6:12 pm
@Jean
DJax isn’t palying for the beard either
November 9th, 2018 at 6:15 pm
Oh wait I forgot we are the Bucs………We barely practice, our plan for a punt return team is to do nothing and see which guys run on to the field.
We are Tampa we don’t do personal decisions.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
We are Tampa. We prepare for games. We watch tablets and cell phones on the couch studying film.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Why is this even up to the player. Is Koetter the Head Coach or not? Inmates are running the asylum.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:19 pm
Lakeland
So now we defend DJAX while destroying Jameis. Makes a lot of sense! EVERYWHERE DJAX LEAVES THEY WIN! DJAX also dropped a PERFECT TD against browns! He also has to have the ball right in his hands, he will NEVER LEAVE HIS FEET! The HELL w DIVA DJAX & same goes for KOETTER, who kisses his behind, NEVER criticizes him yet he will throw Evans under the bus as well as Jameis. Then he names DJAX captain? Total joke
November 9th, 2018 at 6:21 pm
Jamies played better with out Djax. We don’t need him keep Winston.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:26 pm
How many punts has Djax even returned lately? What the heck is Joe saying green light for. I seen nothing but stop signs.
Betcha Djax quit. Focused on minimal effort henceforth.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:32 pm
Jean Lafeette
Guess what Jameis doesn’t blow, WTF did FITZ do last week! Almost throws ANOTHER PICK SIX, 4 TDS 2 pick , one of those an easy 10 yard drive for a TD. Jameis in his FIRST GAME AGAINST Falcons, same 4 TDS 2 picks, none resulted in a TD & all we here about r the two picks. After FITZ’s garbage time TDS we finally blame the true culprit, THE D! Jameis will sign an extension and he will be here for many years so get used to it. With a real coach like a Jim Harbaugh he will bring balance to this team. If Jameis leaves and ends up in Denver or JAX or Giants they will kick the BUCS ASS every time they play! And u will whining about the BUC Rookie QB throwing 25 picks. Sam Darnold everyone Fav will throw at least 25 picks this year as a ROOKIE! Clueless
November 9th, 2018 at 6:35 pm
JimmyT this is the least associated Winston article Joe has ever written………You rambling harder then me bro!!
November 9th, 2018 at 6:36 pm
I hope someone gets close enough to the Bucs tunnel pregame Sunday to heckle him to return punts. Like someone mentioned above, does he just tell Hump to step aside? Pathetic leadership.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:39 pm
JimmyJack
I was one of the few on here that was against them signing DJax
November 9th, 2018 at 6:44 pm
LakeLandBuc Says:
February 9th, 2017 at 11:57 am
83 passes to RB…..116 passes to TE…372 passes to WR. That’s why the Bucs want Speedy WRs so bad. Over 65% of their passes goes to WRs, and we talk about accuracy. We just have to throw the ball 20 yards up the field. We just don’t believe in * taking what the defense give us*. We just feel the need to force the ball to WRs in double coverage. Hump is not a legitimate * Number 2 WR” according to some posters, because he don’t stretch the field. We don’t need 4.2 WRs to stretch the field, we need 2-3 more WRs like Hump, who can move the chains. And add a 3 down back, who can run,block and catch.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:46 pm
LakeLandBuc Says:
February 9th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
I think Jameis biggest problem is the play calling. I don’t see the logic of having a 22 year old QB, throwing over 65% of his passes to WRs.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:47 pm
Lakeland..,…….never once in my life have I ever uttered the stupid phrase “WFW”
Them fans should be systematicly remove like you would any roach or termite.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:49 pm
Dirk Koetter and his offense has ruin Jameis Winston
And as far as DJax returning punts
In my opinion, this is a nonstory
They should have never brought DJax here in the first place
They had the right offense in place
And they had chemistry
November 9th, 2018 at 6:49 pm
The only part of WFW I endorse is O.J. Howard. But only if he keeps progressing. I don’t want another regression project.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:50 pm
Oh but lets just look at the stats only to define the argument, that surely explains everything. The fact you didn’t even mention any of Winston horrible passes says you’re a bonafide jock holder. Yeah what about all the passes that sailed over everybody’s heads or the ones at their feet, or behind them? What about all the INT’s that should have been made but the defender dropped the ball? How many possessions do we give back because JW does something stupid? Give back to a defense that’s struggling. If it is your purpose in life to root for a losing team, then you get what you deserve. Me, I like winning, so important decisions need to be made from the staff down to the QB and on down.
November 9th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
True colors are coming out now, a week or two ago, everyone was praising this piece is Shi%, so I’m glad we are learning the truth about Him, He never played hard for Jameis, it was always and excuse, and many people made excuses for him on this site, like I said before, you got what you wanted and you are surely going to get what you deserve, with these BUMS!!! (#11 )
November 9th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
Instead of throwing money at DJax
Throw the money at a stud RG
Or a proven 3-down RB
November 9th, 2018 at 6:52 pm
I see Djax mom back in here fighting her son’s fight. That’s cute.
I’m sorry Ms. Jackson, I am for real, your son is a complete diva, who has never won a damn thing, has no rings or anything.
Go to NE and try that Diva chit, he’ll be sent packing faster than you can say “stop picking on my son”.
Fact is the team was better without your lil boy. Bye Ms Felicia! We sho will miss ya, bless your heart! Lol.
All jokes aside Djax would have a serious decision make 1.5 mil in NE or retire, I garuntee he retires. #Diva
November 9th, 2018 at 6:54 pm
Lakeland
agreed
November 9th, 2018 at 6:59 pm
Forget our putrid record the last 2 years. Forget the sissy decisions by the Head Coach. Forget the personnel screw-ups by the Head Coach. Remember this however: Dirk should be canned for that answer alone. I can give you 99 reasons to fire this guy but that one is the most damning. Hump is lost in space back there. He either has a subpar return or he freaking backs up and lets the ball bounce for 25 yards instead of coming up and catching it. In fact, opposing punters have used the strategy of a short punt knowing he will let it bounce. I’m serious about that.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Hump is a pretty good punt returner in this league
November 9th, 2018 at 7:07 pm
I would like to see Djax
November 9th, 2018 at 7:09 pm
cmurda
Hump strength is in the slot
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin strengths are on the outside
DJax is the odd man out
But the Bucs has to play him, because they pay him
They should have traded him last week
Hump shouldn’t be returning punts
The 4th or 5th WR should be returning punts
There is no reason for Hump being a 4th or 5th WR
November 9th, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Liedtke needs to start at RG. He played extremely well out of position in the preseason at RT but he is a RG. Plus his run blocking is better than most the guys on the o-line. Because our o-line sucks at run blocking.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:15 pm
I was gonna say a couple said we shouldn’t have got Djax, seem like they might be right
November 9th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
DJax is the odd man out
But the Bucs has to play him, because they pay him
They should have traded him last week
Hump shouldn’t be returning punts
just by your opinion it makes since that DJax should be returning punts
NOT that there are many punts anyway to us. We give the ball to the enemy they score. simple as that. DJax should return kickoffs too.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Been a while since I posted, but this one is a stunner. Green light to return punts whenever he wants. That’s wonderful.
DK – Hey Desean, you feel like returning some punts today if our D happens to stop their offense over the next 3 hours?
DJ – Nah I’m good, we’re gonna get killed anyway and I’ve got a date tonight.
DK – ok, just thought I’d ask as it may help the team, but no worries, just want you to be happy. Oh, and if you’re not happy, we’ll honor your trade request because we just want you happy.
DJ – thanks chump
November 9th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
I don’t get this at all – and I really don’t buy Dirk saying D-Jax can just insert himself whenever he wants. What coach says you have an open invite to return punts?
Now before people say D-Jax is lazy or selfish or evil, lets say what Dirk is saying is true and D-Jax knows this. What if D-Jax is not wanting to big foot Hump by inserting himself whenever he feels like it. I mean if he only went in there under ideal situations and didn’t do those garbage punt returns then people would say he’s selfish and just trying to bump his stats. If he went in there for everything people would say he’s stealing the spotlight, and what a selfish player – and the rest of us would Dirk is stupid for using him so much.
Anywho a coach tells someone to return punts – it’s nonsense to have an open invite policy, that just makes no sense. I bet you anything D-Jax would say that’s not how he understands it, or it’s not that simple – and I’d 100% assume D-Jax is correct.
Meanwhile Dirk throws another guy under the bus.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
*sense* for grammar Nazi’s
November 9th, 2018 at 7:20 pm
wow …I actually agree
November 9th, 2018 at 7:21 pm
Tampa needs stronger leadership from the next coach. Not quite to the level of Schiano unless he has proven NFL credentials but someone in more control than Koetter.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:21 pm
Hump is a great returner…..
….in the preseason.
In the regular season, at best, he’s a barely an average guy – or at worst he’s a bad returner who makes way too many mistakes. He can make plays and is very agile, but he’ll also put the offense on the 1 yard line.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:26 pm
Rod Munch
Dirk Koetter is not putting these players in a position to succeed
He has ruined Jameis Winston with his “Vertical” offense
Jameis Winston had chemistry with Hump and Cam Brate
That’s his strengths, getting the ball to the Slot and TE
He’s not a deep ball passer and he never will be
November 9th, 2018 at 7:30 pm
@Lakeland. I agree with everything you said but for whatever reason we didn’t trade D Jax. So, why on Earth is D Jax not returning punts. It’s a strength of his and could actually mean some value to the handsomely paid malcontent receiver. We had a saying in the Army that went like this. “Who’s effing this chicken”? It simply meant that so and so was in charge and just do what you are told. So, I ask the question is Dirk effing the chicken?
November 9th, 2018 at 7:33 pm
cmurda
DJax only returned 3 punts during his 2 seasons in Washington
And he returned none for the Bucs last season
November 9th, 2018 at 7:36 pm
** I meant DJax returned 3 punts during his 3 seasons in Washington
And none with the Bucs last season**
November 9th, 2018 at 7:40 pm
DK – hey Desean, you’re welcome to return punts whenever you’re ready
DJ – thanks coach
crickets
DK – whenever you’re ready Desean – green light buddy
DJ – thanks coach
crickets
November 9th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
wow.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:50 pm
LakeLand – The issue is people think that although Winston plays in a 1970s deep ball offense he should have the turnover numbers of a 2010 dink and dunk offense. I personally have no issues with the offense, it moves the ball, it’s literally the best offense Tampa has ever seen. Dirk however is emo, he’s clearly not head coaching material, he throws hissy fits on the sideline, he throws players under the bus to save himself, he threw Fitz under the bus in the Chicago game, then he throws Winston under the bus. Someone asks him about D-Jax, he throws him under the bus. The guy should be an OC and nothing more – and he’s a very very good OC.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:54 pm
Rod Munch
This is something I read over a year ago
The statistics show that Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston is at his best when throwing to his tight ends.
It turns out his best work has been when throwing to the tight end. According to Pro Football Focus, Winston has the fifth-best passer rating when throwing to tight ends since entering the NFL (116.8). Conversely, he has the third-worst rating (84.4) when throwing to all other positions. That drop is the largest of any quarterback during that time period.
November 9th, 2018 at 7:59 pm
They have Cam Brate, OJ Howard, Hump, Mike Evans
Those 4 should be Jameis main weapons
Matter of fact, this is how the offense should look
QB. Jameis Winston
LT. Donovan Smith
LG. Ali Marpet
OC. Ryan Jensen
RT. Demar Dotson
RG. EDS/ Caleb
TE. Cam Brate
TE. OJ Howard
WR. Mike Evans
Slot. Hump
RB. Peyton Barber
November 9th, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Ali should be RG and Caleb should play Left Out.
November 9th, 2018 at 8:28 pm
EVERYONE is in cover their a$$ mode…Jackson is trying to get to his next signing bonus because he’s likely done in Tampa. Koetter doesn’t need an even greater circus in the locker room…The only cure is winning. We’ll officially be talking draft in 2 more weeks. Go Bucs….
November 9th, 2018 at 8:32 pm
Lakeland. Don’t forget about the previous 134 punt returns and 4 TD’s prior to the last 3 years with the Skins. He’s light years better than Hump. It’s also apparently forgotten that D Jax has 626 yards and 4 TD’s this year. My beef isn’t with D Jax. It’s with Dirk.
November 9th, 2018 at 8:36 pm
They ran the 2 TE set 40% of the time in 2016
This season, they have ran it 15% of the time
https://www.sharpfootballstats.com/personnel-grouping-frequency.html
November 9th, 2018 at 8:39 pm
cmurda
DJax isn’t a problem
He’s not a good fit for Jameis Winston
Jameis strength has been in the 1-2 offense ‘2 TE set’
November 9th, 2018 at 8:58 pm
Jax knows this season is over and that he’ll be gone. He’s saving his body for his next contract.
November 9th, 2018 at 10:35 pm
DJax probably thinks Koetter doesn’t want him to return otherwise he would of been put in–what a fokked up team! That statement by Koetter shows why he should be fired. WTF leave the decision to get in on the punt return duty to the player–what is the point of a coach with that mindset. Good story Joe–now I am certain to have no regrets seeing Koetter coach Bucs for the final year.
November 9th, 2018 at 10:38 pm
Aaron nailed it. The team is garbage and isn’t winning anything and he doesn’t want to suffer life long consequences by being a punt returner for these chumps. I honestly don’t blame him. He has valuable skills as a reciever and doesn’t need to end up with brain damage being a return man for a 3-13/4-12 team.
November 9th, 2018 at 11:08 pm
It’s painful to watch this side show
Clean house
November 9th, 2018 at 11:25 pm
Just get rid of EVERYBODY, they’re not even capable of telling the damn truth to each other.
November 9th, 2018 at 11:58 pm
LakeLand – Yeah, Winston is at his best throwing to TE’s because they run the more shallow routes – his WR QB rating is low because they’re deeper balls, and as such the rate drops. If he was just doing a bunch of swing passes to WR’s or running slant routes, his WR rating would be a lot higher. But it’s high risk, high reward, and by 1970s standards Winston is a 1st ballot HOFer. Again it’s just expectations and people not understanding the offense. Also you have the fact that when you have a defense this terrible, you have to take risks to stay in games. People act like Winston has the 2002 Bucs defense out there and if he just did his best Mike Glennon imitation they’d win. They won’t, they’d just lose 45-3 instead of 48-28.
November 10th, 2018 at 12:23 am
djax recently did a locker room interview about the punt situation and said he is mainly a wide receiver and taking punts is “extra”…is he like lobbying for extra checks for every punt he fields or something?…i don’t know what to make of this but it’s weird…he basically said without saying, “it’s not something i really do – it’s extra”…he might have something in his contract about it too…who knows…he’s a marvelous talent, but from watching him, he makes an extra effort to not really get hit, or stretch out his body and be susceptible to potential hits..and you’ll never seem him dive…as a punt returner, he would become an obvious target for all 11 guys…so you tell me…
#SoapOperaSeason
#AndObviouslyRojoShouldBeFieldingKickoffs
#QuizzOnKickoffsIsSoAbsurd
November 10th, 2018 at 12:26 am
remember what happened to clifton smith vs carolina
remember the 2nd round flopper out of Appalachian State – his name was something like dexter jackson…
on punts and kickoffs you are the illy target
November 10th, 2018 at 12:28 am
also a lot of special teamers are your 45th to 53rd guy on the roster…so they are usually wild dudes…gunners willing to take your azz out to keep a job
November 10th, 2018 at 1:13 am
Chump.
November 10th, 2018 at 1:38 am
It is the perfect picture for him Joes. I’d deactivate him all season. He is a self serving cancer of the locker room. Hope he enjoys those every once in a while bombs he wants to actually try catch. HOF material. NO. Godwin has more presence than DSlax
November 10th, 2018 at 6:49 am
Lakeland
One of the reasons we ran a lot of tight end sets in 2016, is that Luke Stocker was used as a blocker, freeing up Brate to be more of a receiving threat. Our O line have needed a good blocking tight end or swing tackle to give QB more time and
open up running lanes.
November 10th, 2018 at 8:56 am
Who needs to punt to the Bucs?
November 10th, 2018 at 9:10 am
So who is Head Coach? DJax or Koetter?
Kicker is inconsistent
OLine stinks
DLine stinks except for JPP
Linebackers don’t know what to do
Secondary is young and poorly coached
Head Coach has head up somewhere
All this points to coaching in every phase
There is talent on this team
November 10th, 2018 at 10:59 am
i like Djax, he doesn’t need to return punts if he doesn’t want to
November 10th, 2018 at 11:34 am
And everyone keeps Blaming Jameis Support MyQB#3
November 10th, 2018 at 2:08 pm
Mike Smith- ” We let the DB’s choose if they want to play off coverage…”
Klueless- ” Djax has the green light..if he wants too…” “I don’t mandate anything”
Nobody is running this team…Blow this MFer UP!!!!!
November 10th, 2018 at 2:12 pm
” Guys we’re not gonna practice this week, just watch movies,,,feel free to put your head on your desk and take a nap if you want to”
Klueless substitute high school teacher/ Bucs Head Coach
November 10th, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Truth is neither hump nor djax should be returning. Bobo Wilson the best returner on the roster. (All things considered)
November 10th, 2018 at 6:15 pm
Cut DJax