“Coach Of The Year” Chatter
December 18th, 2016
Has a campaign begun?
It is simply remarkable to Joe how a team that appeared hellbent on getting a top-10 pick in next spring’s NFL draft is suddenly on the cusp of a playoff berth.
With three games to go and a week from Christmas, the Bucs are tied for first place. Not since 2007 have the Bucs enjoyed this position. The team has gone from the outhouse to nearly the penthouse in a matter of less than two months.
That has all happened under the tutelage of Dirk Koetter.
It’s got the attention of X’s and O’s guru Andy Benoit of theMMQB.com, who suggests Koetter should be in the running for NFL “Coach of the Year.”
How about Dirk Koetter as a Coach of the Year candidate? His offense has stayed afloat despite a barrage of injuries at wide receiver and running back. And his defense, run by Mike Smith, has shown enriching improvements in zone spacing and assignment sharing as the season has gone on.
That’s what has totally impressed Joe about Koetter: He has taken guys off the street and turned them into productive players at midseason. Joe has stated before and will state again, Koetter is squeezing blood out of a turnip getting production from dudes who were left on the NFL scrap heap and may have been bouncing at bars for a living if not for the Bucs.
Yeah, Adam Gase has done a wonderful job in Miami. But the Dolphins haven’t had near the injuries at offensive skill positions the Bucs have suffered.
When a team is knocking on the playoff door with an organ player better known for entertaining blue hairs in a velvet-lined lounge at the Vero Beach Ramada Inn as a No. 3 receiver, that is serious football voodoo Koetter is working.
December 18th, 2016 at 9:07 am
He has my vote!
December 18th, 2016 at 9:09 am
Damn Koetter!!!!!
“You can’t get blood from a rock!”
December 18th, 2016 at 9:32 am
Koetter had must pick it up he has….”3 games to play with 1 game to win to show improvement over last year’s team!!!!”
December 18th, 2016 at 9:50 am
He’s got my COTY vote for building the best offense this team has ever had! And DK is only in his SECOND year here!! Yeow!! Joe, you got me calling that one receiver, “lounge lizard” now. C’mon Tampa Bay–please clean up some Cowdung tonite!!
December 18th, 2016 at 10:05 am
Del Rio, Reid and Garrett are the likely front runners for COTY at this point.
But there are 3 games to play. If the Bucs win out and end up 11-5 then Koetter would have to receive serious consideration.
I’d say Mike Smith deserves as much credit as anyone for this dramatic turnaround. And the defensive players of course…
December 18th, 2016 at 10:06 am
Buc1987
Nice tribute to little Hog
December 18th, 2016 at 10:12 am
87 that made me laugh. Personally I don’t see any improvement over the last regime
December 18th, 2016 at 10:21 am
Multiple clock management errors that potentially cost us a game. Not saying the guy isn’t worthy of consideration but I don’t think his slate is clean enough. Garret has it in the bag unless his owner sabatoges it which is possible if not likely.
December 18th, 2016 at 10:22 am
The Buc Realist Says:
June 13th, 2016 at 10:37 am
I tried to warn the sheep that this was coming!!!! Its like they always say, The cream rises to the top, while incompetence sinks to the basement!!! or fighting Illi in this case!!!! The players already know what an upgrade in Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and overall coaching altogether!!!!! It was so obvious to see the players did not trust the coaching last year, and new that the scheme was antiquated!!!!
Like the players on the roster, I to feel the excitement and feel the rejuvenation that is spreading all over buc land!!!! Let the excitement turn into exciting football once again!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
December 18th, 2016 at 10:22 am
Not going to happen.
Why? Two reasons:
1 The Bucs never get taken seriously by the people who do the voting
2 The Dallas Cowboys, long favored as ‘America’s Team’ have done too much with a rookie quarterback. That coach will get Coach of the Year.
December 18th, 2016 at 10:24 am
Put it this way…if Tony Dungy didn’t get it after getting a winning season with a team that had 22 losing seasons in a row, Dirk Koetter isn’t going to get it after what? Ten?
December 18th, 2016 at 10:36 am
No no no Joe. This is a Tuesday article, not Sunday before-game article. Today is all “team” and “family” and “win.” Let’s think about individual awards January 2nd or later….
December 18th, 2016 at 10:47 am
Is Johnny Charro available for the pregame speech?
December 18th, 2016 at 10:48 am
Man I could really use some Big Hog wisdom right now.
December 18th, 2016 at 11:06 am
I agree with Pickgrin that the rest of the season will have a lot to determine.
If Miami and Tampa both go out undefeated from here that would be a tough call.
Another major factor, although it shouldn’t be as large as it is, it’s just one game, will be tonight’s major showcase.
A lot of careers can be enhanced or set back tonight from HC Koetter to QB #3 to Smitty…lots of eyeballs on the guys in a critical situation against a respected well known opponent. Look good tonight and the awards will come.
I hope Marpet and Kwon and Grimes and ME all get a great reviews and a chance at some post season honors as well.