Defensive Coaches’ Official Game Ball Went To …

December 6th, 2016

mike-smith-1028bVideo from Sunday’s happy locker room showed Dirk Koetter give the instant-postgame game ball to Lavonte David.

However, David didn’t earn the more official game ball that’s handed out by Bucs coaches after they review film.

Dirk Koetter has discussed that process on his Buccaneers Radio Network show. Defensive coaches pour over the film, which never lies when you’re aware of the players’ assignment, and hand out a game ball based on that study.

Last night, Koetter revealed on his show that safety Keith Tandy got the honor for his work filling in for injured Chris Conte.

The Schiano man, a sixth-round pick by the Bucs in 2015, was given major-league love by Koetter.

“He gets his opportunity to step in as a starter and played about as solid a game as you can play, has the game-winning interception and ends up winning the game ball on defense. He’s a pro,” Koetter said.

“I mean, you hear coaches, and you even hear players talk about, ‘This guy’s a pro.’ Well what does a pro do? A pro knows, ‘Even thought I’m not starting. I better be ready because in one play I might be a starter.’

“Anybody can say it, but then to go out there and do it, that is the sign of a real pro.”

Tandy, 27, is simply the kind of guy you need to have a winning NFL program. The guy works hard and is a competent backup and a solid special-teamer.

No, he’s not starter quality, but he’s not really supposed to be.

For those wondering, Tandy is under contract for $840,000 in 2017.

18 Responses to “Defensive Coaches’ Official Game Ball Went To …”

  1. DB55 Says:

    No, he’s not starter quality, but he’s not really supposed to be.
    —————
    He might not be a top draft pick but I’d start him over Conte any day. I must admit I’d prefer to start Eric Legrand over Conte but that’s another story.

    Almost sounds like joe would prefer to start Conte over Mark Barron or Keith Tandy and that’s just crazy talk.

    When do we sign Eric Berry or bring back Barron?

    https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/12/two-bucs-ruled-three-questionable/#comments

  2. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Says:

    I am glad we got that interception, and glad that Rivers was stupid enough to throw it. Not to discount the play Tandy made, but it was a stupid throw and call.
    The Chargers had plenty of time, and had been killing us with Gordon.

  3. Philip Says:

    Who is better, Conte or Tandy? I dont see conte having the coverage skills to make that interception.

  4. AC Says:

    I was just thinking the other day how funny it is that we all wanted Conte gone and now this guy has turned into one of the “playmakers” on this Defense. We probably should still upgrade over the off season but wow what a difference does winning make!

    @ Philip Tandy has been with us for a couple years and couldn’t beat out Conte this year or last. I guess that answers your question as to who is better.

  5. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    @DB55 I have a lot of respect for a lot of the stuff you post on here bro, but I completely disagree with you on this one. Mark Barron is trash bro. And Conte has been playing some decent football of late. In the last 3 games the man played in, he had 2 game changing interceptions. Mark Barrons Rams are getting tore up from the floor up on a weekly basis, they are 4-8 sir, as sorry ass, simple minded lovie smith would say, simple as that.

  6. Blake_bucsfan Says:

    @ phillip, do you need some Ginko Biloba? He had a Pick 6 vs the Bears. And a Goal line interception with 50 yard return against the Chiefs.

  7. Dave Pear Says:

    The Schiano man, a sixth-round pick by the Bucs in 2015, was given major-league love by Koetter.

    ————————————————————
    Hey Joes,

    I’m pretty sure Schiano wasn’t picking anybody for the Bucs in 2015.

  8. orlbucfan Says:

    LVD is the epitome of a first class player on and off the field. I’m glad DK recognized him before the technical/coaches film review. Hope Tandy and he team up for a few more pick-6s Sunday. We’re going to need them! Go Mighty Bucs!!

  9. Trubucfan22 Says:

    I saw Tandy make some good plays and some horrendous ones. He allowed that TD after verner fell down. Tandy took a horrendous angle and got beat easily. That was probably the worst thing I saw from him. Overall a positive grade, but giving up TDs is a big red mark for me.

  10. DB55 Says:

    Blake

    I’m a fan of big hitting safeties. Every time I hear Conte I think of Fred Jackson.

  11. unbelievable Says:

    Conte has blown some coverages but he’s also been out of position at times trying to make up for another guy who was out of position.

    To be honest, he’s actually been our best safety this season and last year. I like big hitting safeties too but more than anything I want the guy who plays the scheme correctly and is in position to make plays.

  12. 813bucboi Says:

    the game ball should’ve went to VHG….he caused 1 turnover and put tandy in position to make another….happy for tandy tho…he deserved it….GO BUCS!!!!

  13. Bucsfanman Says:

    Tandy did a great job filling in but no way is he better suited to start over Conte. I don’t understand you guys who think that the Bucs have a Lynch-like safety sitting on the bench in favor of Conte. He ain’t there and, like it or not, Conte IS the best safety on the roster.
    Great job Tandy!

  14. 813bucboi Says:

    @DB55….the only way I take barron back is if he plays linebacker full time….I say sign jpp and eric berry in the offseason and draft de, wr, dt, safety, te, oline….develop payton barber….move ryan smith back to his natural position…imagine mcdougal learning from eric berry and n.spence learning from jpp…GO BUCS!!!!

  15. DB55 Says:

    813
    We can dream can’t we?

    Unbeweavable
    I’ll have to respectfully disagree on the Conte front.

  16. 813bucboi Says:

    @db55…dreams do come true…after week1 I dreamt we’d make the playoffs….GO BUCS!!!!

  17. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Yeah if ToastGrimes had done what Tandy did that is running with his assignment all the way through the route instead of standing there staring into the backfield while he blew right by him he might not of given up that huge td! Tandy was perfect in coverage on that play from how he stayed with him once he curved up field then properly spacing himself and keeping his man near the sideline then turning when his man turned then he boxed the dude out! Couldn’t get more textbook than that! That should’ve made one of the plays of the week!

  18. cmurda Says:

    I agree 813. VH3 all day last Sunday. That man comes to play.