Koetter: Scheme Vs. Matchups Iced Evans
September 13th, 2016
Iced early
Interesting look inside the mind of the Buccaneers’ playcaller.
Head coach/offensive guru Dirk Koetter dove into why he iced Mike Evans in the first half against the Falcons.
Evans was a non-factor, and the head coach says it was “my fault.” Koetter explained on the Buccaneers Radio Network last night.
Halftime adjustment? It was more like a halftime demand of himself, with an assist to his staff.
“I talked to our offensive coaches [before the third quarter]. ‘We gotta get Mike more involved right away.'” Koetter said. “[Quarterbacks coach] Mike Bajakian, [tight ends coach] Jon Embree, [receivers coach/offensive coordinator] Todd Monken, they all had good suggestions. And those were all plays that we used in the second half, plays they suggested.
Koetter added that the plan against the Falcons lost proper sight of Evans’ talent.
“We gotta get Mike more involved early. Sometimes when we set up the openers, the plays we start the game with, we go by scheme more than matchup. … And in this case, when you have a big-time receiver like Mike, sometimes you’ve got to find ways to get it in his hands. We didn’t do a good enough job of that in the first half. Mike, for his part, did excellent.”
Plan aside, Joe thinks everything played out for Evans just fine.
Plus, it’s likely Koetter isn’t saying all this if America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, hits Evans in the end zone early in the first quarter. The film shows Evans beat his man by three yards.
September 13th, 2016 at 11:08 am
Jameis had me worried after those missed bombs on the first drive, especially that one to Evans. Thankfully, he got it down later.
Was a little concerned with Evans jawing at Alford in the 2nd half, but at least Alford was the dumb@ss who smacked Evans in front of the officials rather than the other way around.
September 13th, 2016 at 11:10 am
Will be interesting to see what it looks like with honey badger and patrick peterson vs vj and mike this weekend.
September 13th, 2016 at 11:36 am
Mike we about attack that rookie corner opposite of Peterson all game. The same way Bilichek just did.
September 13th, 2016 at 11:42 am
If you noticed last night’s steelers/skins game you noticed Ben and company didn’t go all mano-e-mano and challege Norman wit Nino Brown. They moved Brown to the opposite side all game and feasted on the other.
September 13th, 2016 at 11:45 am
Mane Prisco got us at no. 23 of the cbssports power rankings lmao! You’ll think he’s mad? People have to learn to admit when they’re wrong. I thought we would get the stubbornness from that 4 letter network. I was pleasantly surprised
September 13th, 2016 at 11:48 am
Mike Evans has the unique ability to just get open, despite not being the fastest guy, nor the greatest route runner.
September 13th, 2016 at 12:03 pm
Hey Joe-
More national love to “America’s Quarterback”, from Ian Rappaport and Colin Cowherd, on The Herd yesterday. They both said that Jameis is the “leader” of the next group of QB’s, after Brees/Brady/Rivers. Awesome stuff!
September 13th, 2016 at 12:04 pm
@Hawaiian Buc
Same trait that VJax had in his younger years.
@ Nole
This would be a perfect game to exploit the match up of ASJ on a LB or a smaller CB and utilizing Sims skills to catch the ball and make guys miss in space and possibly even Humphries ability to get open underneath.
September 13th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
I’ll be looking out for exactly what you just explained Waterboy. We definitely have the HC to find those type of matchup problems.
September 13th, 2016 at 12:56 pm
Can I just throw out there that I’ve seen Mike get PI’ed at least 4 times including the preseason and he hasn’t said a word. No body language. No “flag” motion.” No nothing. Complete 180 from last year.
September 13th, 2016 at 1:11 pm
Outstanding leadership from Dirk, recognizing he needed to make a small change and engaged his coaches to discuss the approach. No ego, just focused on winning. Well done.
September 13th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
What PleadingBuc said!!!
September 13th, 2016 at 4:08 pm
@waterboy…I agree…ASJ and Brate will come into play this game with the 2TE sets…..rb’s should have a decent day….
a little surprised no one(THE JOES) is mentioning the job we did on Julio….VHG covered him the entire game and did a damn good job…..the rookie stepped up big time….
overall very impressed with what dirk has done with this team…I know its only one game, but we’re off to a great start….GO BUCS!!!!
September 13th, 2016 at 5:10 pm
Peterson and Honeybadger will be tough for sure…but some receiver is going to get 1 on 1 with the rookie DB. Garapolo lit that kid up. I like #3’s chances.
September 13th, 2016 at 6:40 pm
With Mike Evans its sometimes better to underthrow…..Mike is a beast and he will win most of the battles……when its 4 feet over his head even Evans won’t catch it.
As for the Cardinals, I’m all for working the TEs and Sims all day long. Even Humphries will be open…..they will try to cover Jackson and Evans like a blanket.
September 13th, 2016 at 7:24 pm
Ha ha Koetter admitted he was channeling his best coach my scheme against Hotmesslanta by not getting the balll more often to Mike!