“We Are Already Better”
March 23rd, 2015
Optimism is in the air, specifically the Phoenix air where all the Buccaneers big wigs are hanging out this week at the NFL Owners Meetings.
General manager Jason Licht opened up today with some bold optimism.
Venerable eye-RAH! Kaufman, of The Tampa Tribune, took notes.
“We are already better,’’ Licht said. “The addition of (offensive coordinator) Dirk Koetter was huge. We made huge strides at the end of the year and our defense really came around. We’ve ripped off the ‘Band-Aids’ and we’ll work feverishly to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes twice. That’s on me.
“It’s better to cut ties a year too early rather than a year too late. We want players who want to be Bucs and players that are hungry. Ownership couldn’t be more supportive.’’
Joe wrote earlier that there is a hunger and unbreakable spirit at One Buc Palace, one that believes the team is “on the verge” and played so many close games last season — all with an incompetent offensive coordinator and a bad starting quarterback. There’s a bounce-back-fast mentality permeating.
Joe agrees that the Bucs are “already better,” but a big chunk of that right now is addition by subtraction.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:05 pm
If Love is on the verge then that means Coach Schiano was there in 2012! And they lost some close games too!!!!
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:05 pm
Players that want to be Bucs and players that are hungry…. Spelled Winston!!
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:08 pm
Did Lovie arrogantly remind everyone of our record from last year like he was so fond of doing a year ago?
Didn’t think so.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:18 pm
Absolutely! Yes, better already……on their way to TRIPLING last year’s win total……
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:21 pm
I think Licht is right.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:25 pm
“It’s better to cut ties a year too early rather than a year too late.”
First thing Licht has said that I actually like.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:26 pm
Adding koetter is improvement by addition. Not only at oc but everyone on offense. Besr move made. I can see lovie bringing in michael bush to serve as a veteran back and solid third down blocker
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:28 pm
BuccaneerBonzai Says:
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:25 pm
“It’s better to cut ties a year too early rather than a year too late.”
First thing Licht has said that I actually like.
————————————————————
He learned that up in New England
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:29 pm
With Koetter and Winston leading the Offense, the Bucs are going to be vastly improved this year if they can get the OLine playing decently.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Despite all the venom that gets spit at these guys, at least they’re admitting mistakes were made last year and they’re working to correct it. The #1 pick is enough of a reminder that this team was terrible last season, time to move on and see what the future brings.
Koetter is going to help a lot and they’ve done a decent job of addressing depth/competition on the defensive side so far in FA. And the addition by subtraction thing should not be understated. If you’ve ever worked with dead weight, you know the relief you feel once it is tossed out.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:32 pm
MG8 goes to the Pro Bowl…finally!!! Thank you Koetter!
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:34 pm
“It’s better to cut ties a year too early rather than a year too late.”
That’s certainly how they’ve been running things, but someone should ask him what happens when you don’t have anybody to replace the player you let go a year to early? Because that’s also been the case. I would argue that letting a player go a year to late might have been better in our position, because you can at least identify the problem and have enough time to replace him. It’s good to see that they’re not panicking, but I just dont know what they’re going to do at some of these key positions. I guess solving the QB problem will be the biggest step in getting this thing turned around though.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:34 pm
Help me out, did Koetter bring any of his staff with him or is he working with the same offensive staff from last year?
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:40 pm
“We want players who want to be Bucs and players that are hungry”
——–
I try not to read too much into statements, but that’s an interesting one to me. It would lead me to believe that last year they had guys that didn’t want to be Bucs. If so, I wonder if there was a problem in the locker room as a result. I’m probably looking way too far into it, but it was just an interesting comment.
I feel like I say this every year, but I do have a pretty good feeling about next year, depending on what we do in the draft. I’m going to assume we do the only thing and draft a QB at #1 (I’ll be happy with either, but of course I prefer Winston). I am highly highly concerned about our OL. I feel like if we can add a solid starting OL in the draft, we will be worlds better with the addition of Keotter (more accurately the subtraction of Arroyo). Defensively, I think we will see a substantial improvement over last year, just as Dallas did between year 1 and 2. What’s even more encouraging is we are considerably more talented at key positions than Dallas. If whatever QB we draft is at least a solid NFL QB, I think we will be a lot better than most believe. That’s a huge “if”, but not unreasonable.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:41 pm
JFat – YEP to all of that.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:48 pm
Get some OL Licht
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:55 pm
Hawaii
MJ didn’t want to be here.
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:57 pm
Like 3-13 better. Not buying the better rhetoric this year.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:03 pm
Winston=hope
Any other decision != hope
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:08 pm
I think Licht makes a very fair point about the OC situation from last year. You can’t overstate what an impediment that was to moving the football. Dirk Koetter and Winston or Mariota (even as rookies) will be light years ahead of Arroyo and McCown.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:08 pm
I see only a few positions that the Bucs need to upgrade for a better team next season. Those positions would be qb, punt/kick returner, new punter, right guard/left tackle, (1)defensive end, and power runningback. 1st three picks should be something like Winston, DE, OL, and the next OL, PR/KR, MLB, and powerback. I didn’t say slot reciever because I think Herron will be better
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:11 pm
“we’ll work feverishly to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes twice. That’s on me.”
@DallasBuc…forget about lapdog..he sounds more like Lovie’s scapegoat to me.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:17 pm
I agree with Licht.
Having a real coordinator should help a lot.
There were a lot of close games and the defense was starting to get it. We just kept making one or two key mistakes to lose games.
BTW Winston wants to be a Buc real bad!
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Last year was a feeling out process I’m not from Tamps but I thought Bowers was alright and Barron ok even though the fans here and joe made jokes about them. Now I can see that Bowers was garbage and Barron didn’t fit, mj was terrible and I couldn’t believe how bad j. mccown was. Oh yeah that line was horrible but I don’t think that an NFL o-line can be that bad (I would have gotten rid of warhop). The only other line that bad was the bears but that was because nobody wanted to block for cutler.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:25 pm
I’ll be a lot more optimistic if they draft my boy. I might even refrain from spewing insults at Lovie until mid-season.
@HawaiinBuc….something tells me too…it could be the addition of Koetter, combined with that weak ass division from last season. I don’t know, I’ll get back to ya after the draft and 2nd free agency, but I’ve got a feeling things MIGHT start to change for the better. Then again we and I have been down this road before…optimistic in the offseason only to be disappointed during the season.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:26 pm
Maybe the OL wasn’t physically over-matched they were just clueless
as to any kind of game plan or adjustments. Marcus Arroyo (bless his
heart) is now a college assistant.
“As a leader is so as a rule will the men below him be”
I forget who said that, but it’s true.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:30 pm
“It’s better to cut ties a year too early rather than a year too late.”
One could only hope this applies to the Head Coach as well
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:30 pm
we need a QB then o-line and then DE. pretty good in the other positions. and we are gonna take Mariotta. NOT Winston
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:36 pm
And then after we take Mariota he will sit on the bench for 2 years while Winston lights up the league.
Good call…let’s do that!
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Winston will be suspended within 2 yrs for off field issues
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:40 pm
“The other big winner was the Bengals, who gained an extra third and a fourth after losing defensive end Michael Johnson and tackle Anthony Collins as unrestricted free agents last year. Both were signed by the Bucs, both were cut after one year, and Johnson has since re-signed with the Bengals.”
————–
You can’t right this script. No one would believe it.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:49 pm
B!!!! What is UP man?
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:50 pm
Draft Winston in the 1st then try and trade back when in the 2nd round and get o-lnieman or DE with an extra pick. Trade Martin a 3rd pick and maybe Goldson for AP. Try hard to trade glennon for a 3rd round pick and start to fill holes.
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:53 pm
Glennon has potential wie right coach. Koetter could bring out the star in him. I agree th the rest
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:54 pm
*with
March 23rd, 2015 at 10:58 pm
SUP DUDE????
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:03 pm
Mariota is our pick, get used to it. I read that Keotter has already been working on a playbook specially designed for Mariota, with the help of Bajakian who ran mostly up tempo spread at Tennessee.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:04 pm
Anyone that says Koetter can make a star out of Glennon deserves to have all their posts skipped over from now on. Go figure some of the MM fans think Glennon can be a star!
This is priceless Joe. Just priceless. Are you reading this stuff?
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:05 pm
I gotta refreshis site to get new posts. meet me at FYS
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:06 pm
SuperSam…ooh oooh Mr Koetter is working on a playbook for Mariota.
Please do tell me wher you read this nonsense.
No need to link it. Just point me in the direction and I’ll use Google.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:06 pm
87- good point on the scapegoating. Still kinda works with the lapdog analogy if Lovie is doing the farting and pointing at the GM!
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:06 pm
ok
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:07 pm
@Joe…SuperSam has a HOT one for you.
Wait for it…
Wait for it…
We’re going to get to read the same thing he read at any moment…
Wait for it…
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:09 pm
Its obvious, if you cant read between the lines with the coaching hires, you need glasses.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:09 pm
Still waiting for “but we were 2-14.”
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:11 pm
SuperSam Says:
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:03 pm
“Mariota is our pick, get used to it. I read that Keotter has already been working on a playbook specially designed for Mariota, with the help of Bajakian who ran mostly up tempo spread at Tennessee.”
JUST SHOW US WHERE YOU READ THIS AT.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:12 pm
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2342580-qb-marcus-mariota-is-obvious-no-1-choice-for-bucs-after-koetter-bajakian-hires
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:13 pm
That article was from 2 months ago….nice try and I already read it.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:15 pm
A lot of people are sold on Dirk Koetter, but I guess I’m when of the few that’s not. Oh sure, I think he will do much better than Marcus, but I don’t think his presence alone will be enough. Atlanta’s offense progressively got worse under Koetter, not better. That may have had more to do with key injuries and terrible offensive line play, or just a convenient excuse to hide the fact that Koetter isn’t such a great offensive coordinator. I do think he did a fine job with grooming Matt Ryan, so that’s encouraging. I guess I have my doubts about him is all, but we’ll see. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:17 pm
Don’t matter how old it is. its truth and fact.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:19 pm
Fact is Fact, it never gets old. once you look past the smoke, the sky is clear. Its Mariota.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:19 pm
@SillySam…I combed over the article …again. I can’t find anywhere where it says that Koetter has been designing plays “specially” for Mariota.
Where does it say that, or do I have to put on those “special” glasses that you have?
@Andrew…oh no, no don’t put me in that group. I’m just saying Koetter should be better than Arroyo. Yep I’m on the same page as you when it comes to Koetter.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:20 pm
87 do you ever stop ? Or Do you just get a thrill out of trying to out post everyone on eveything?
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:22 pm
Ha ha ha ha
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:23 pm
Weve also interviewed several late round QB prospects, and yep you guessed it. They were all from spread option offenses in college, doesn’t sound like were gearing up to take Winston at all does it? Oh wait I forgot, that’s what the media wants us to think haha. I for one can think for my self and come up with my own conclusions. Im not weak minded like you Winston lovers.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:24 pm
Winston won’t last long in the NFL with his ego and millions of dollars. How long before he is getting in bar fights like Vince Young? 🙂
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:26 pm
BucFan20…If you’ve not noticed yet. There is no one on here right now posting.
Unless you count GatorBuc telling us about what he has to do in the morning for work.
Plus this is my campsite man. See look over there, that’s my tent and sleeping bag. The canteens over there by the fire next to the marshmallows.
Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful…
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:27 pm
Even old ass Michael Bush can run faster than Jameis Winston, not to mention most NFL D-linemen. Behind the Bucs O-line he won’t last till the bye week. Mariota can make it with his speed.:)
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:27 pm
I’ve gotta assume I will. In talking with Dirk Koetter, the offensive coordinator, and Lovie [Smith] and my previous experience with Coach Smith, there’s always been a sharing of ideas, a sharing of thoughts. Obviously, you come to a conclusion based on the information gives and everybody gets behind it 100 percent. But yeah, I’m gonna assume I’m going to have quite a bit of input.- Coach Bajakian on helping with the playbook
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:29 pm
Get the Bad ones out of here or lovie will definitely play them! LOL!
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:31 pm
SuperSam Says:
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:23 pm
“Weve also interviewed several late round QB prospects, and yep you guessed it. They were all from spread option offenses in college, doesn’t sound like were gearing up to take Winston at all does it? Oh wait I forgot, that’s what the media wants us to think haha. I for one can think for my self and come up with my own conclusions. Im not weak minded like you Winston lovers.”
That’s a keeper. Thanks for the copy and paste. I’ll save that and bring it out on draft day for you…along with the 20 other posts you’ve made claiming the pick is going to be Mariota. Have fun with the name change thingy…
“Coach Bajakian on helping with the playbook”
THAT…that tells you they are working on a playbook for Mariota?
Oh this is too funny.
Good night everyone.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:32 pm
You got to love the media, if im not mistaken it was the same media that said the Texans will most definitely take Johhny Manziel at this time last year.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:36 pm
Andrew 1 Says:
March 23rd, 2015 at 9:34 pm
“It’s better to cut ties a year too early rather than a year too late.”
That’s certainly how they’ve been running things, but someone should ask him what happens when you don’t have anybody to replace the player you let go a year to early? Because that’s also been the case. I would argue that letting a player go a year to late might have been better in our position, because you can at least identify the problem and have enough time to replace him. It’s good to see that they’re not panicking, but I just dont know what they’re going to do at some of these key positions. I guess solving the QB problem will be the biggest step in getting this thing turned around though.
————
Spot on. Couldn’t have said it better mysekf. At the same time, our gm have learned from belicheat. Belicheat will release draft picks after one year.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:36 pm
Licht took a shot at MJ90 in the second paragraph… Well deserved too..
Golf Clap for you GM
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:45 pm
I do have a sneaking suspicion that Lovie will be choosing Mariota. The same Lovie that chose Josh McCown to start as quarterback for your Buccaneers. The same Lovie that told us Michael Johndon is a pass rush specialist that knows how to get after the passer and is perfect for his defense. The same Lovie that fired the veteran Donald Penn in favor of a backup LT Anthony Collins. The incompetence of Lovie Smith is as scary as it is observable.
Don’t expect to compete for a championship for a very, very long time if Lovie Smith chooses Marcus Mariota.
Hoping for the best (Winston), preparing for the worst (not Winston).
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:50 pm
“You got to love the media, if im not mistaken it was the same media that said the Texans will most definitely take Johhny Manziel at this time last year.”
——
What in the hell are you talking about. I read every damn mock draft that was ever written, and I never saw one with Manziel as the #1 pick. You are revising history, which we all do, but at least wait a couple years! Manziel was going to be #1, ha ha ha ha ha ha! You’ve used up all your credentials with that statement.
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:56 pm
I don’t know who we are going to draft, but I know that when the mocks are this unanimous at the top, they almost always come true. I can’t remember any real shocks. The only one that could qualify as a shock was Mario Williams, but they signed him prior to draft day. Again, I don’t know who they are going to pick (especially with Lovie), but you sure as hell can’t say Mariota is a lock, or even the favorite.
March 24th, 2015 at 12:14 am
Don’t worry Super Sam, this time last year all the Glennon Mob on this site were telling everyone what a success “the Cannon” was going to be, LOL, and scoffed when I told them he would never be more than a backup in the NFL.
March 24th, 2015 at 12:36 am
[Joe already wrote about this. smh. This place isn’t a message board. — Joe]
March 24th, 2015 at 12:36 am
Mariota can’t even call a play. If you watch the J.Gruden QB sit down with Mariota, He tells him the call a certain play. The video ends with Mariota never calling the play. Cuz he’s too shy,…sitting with his hands in his pocket(as usual) looking down saying yes sir,..yes sir. F*ck we want a captain, a leader, someone with fire,and the IT factor. That guy will be WINston. I don’t care what he did off the field. None has taken him off their boards. The reason you don’t hear too much about Winston falling or anyone trading up for him is because everyone assumes the Bucs will pick him #1. Only L&L would be stupid enough not to.
March 24th, 2015 at 1:32 am
SuperSam Says:
March 23rd, 2015 at 11:32 pm
You got to love the media, if im not mistaken it was the same media that said the Texans will most definitely take Johhny Manziel at this time last year.
No way. Clowney was the unanimous pick as much as Fameis is this year. Both are going to happen.
March 24th, 2015 at 1:58 am
Can I buy a Koetter Jersey ? Lol jk jk , but seriously this guy is that good of a coach and everyone in the league knows it! Him and Winston instantly make this team go from 2-14 too 7-9 . Get this O line too become very stable & we could go 9-7 . Fix all of the above and find a Good LE and a cheaper P and this team could be a 12-4 team with time . I completely have faith in rookies. Why can’t they be good right away?
March 24th, 2015 at 8:01 am
ok lovie isn’t a world beater but comparing him to schiano is just stupid. schiano went out and gave up a 1st and a 4th for darelle revis, signing a rehabbing player to a 16 mil contract that was much more moronic than anything lovie and licht did. all the money he spent and got us 4 wins, we got rid of some of that rif raf and won 2 games with a college quarterback coach calling plays….seriously don’t be an idiot we are better just by adding an nfl offensive coordinator
March 24th, 2015 at 8:03 am
New to this site, I’m over bucsnation. Looks like some good info and overall informed Bucs fans.
March 24th, 2015 at 8:32 am
@Noleysmokes…
Welcome to the site, you’ll love it…This is by far my #1 source for Bucs news…
March 24th, 2015 at 8:34 am
Noleysmokes…yes, yes welcome to JBF my fellow Nole.
March 24th, 2015 at 8:45 am
Mark me down as skeptical that the Bucs are already better than they were at this point last year…