No Time For Reflection
December 27th, 2016
Barring a miracle this weekend, the 2016 season of the Bucs will be toast when the game with the Stinking Panthers comes to an end.
But until the season is finished, Dirk Koetter is going for the win. And not until Koetter is told the Bucs are out of the playoffs will he even entertain the thought of reflecting on his team from the start of OTAs to the present.
That’s what Koetter told dangerous Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV, Channel 8 in Lucas’ weekly sitdown with the Bucs head coach.
When asked if the team has made progress, Koetter told Lucas there is not enough time in the season for reflection, only to look forward. There will be a time when Koetter can grab a beer and further study at gametape from the past few months.
Dan Lucas: I don’t know how you define progress when it is all over but have you had a chance to look back at this season yet and say, ‘Hey, this team is headed in the right direction?’
Dirk Koetter: That is something that Jason [Licht] and I will spend a lot of time with once the season is finally over. When the season is going on, you just don’t have the time, there’s no time for reflection. You are always dealing with the next game. What roster changes are we making? Who is healthy this week? Who is not healthy? And then, just gameplan stuff. And then it is time to play the next game.
Well, pardon Joe for offering Koetter some insight:
Weapons: America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, needs weapons besides just first down machine Mike Evans. It is shameful how the depth at receiver was not addressed last offseason and those chickens came home to roost.
One could argue the Bucs having to send representatives to local job fairs recruiting wide receivers very likely cost the Bucs a playoff berth. When the team is down to the No. 8 receiver, a guy transporting grandmothers in wheelchairs to dental appointments (Bernard Reedy), no wonder the offense was stuck in the mud.
It also seems running back may be on the grocery list now.
Pass rusher: Yes, Joe understands the team invested in Noah Spence, who looks to be a jewel in the making. Still, the team cannot depend on just one guy to get after quarterbacks. Besides, Mr. Beasting Robert Ayers isn’t a spring chicken. Additionally, while Jacquies Smith is a talented pass rusher, he has proven to be unreliable because he is always hurt.
Return man: The Bucs have no return game. None. Has Ryan Smith ever taken a kick past midfield once? And then there is Rudy Humphries. Sure, he’s safe, but not explosive. If the best one can say about a punt returner is he is safe, then what’s the point?
December 27th, 2016 at 7:10 am
Once again the biggest need is the Bucs have is ommitted from this list. Number two wide recievers and new running backs won’t help if Jameis is running for his life and there are now running lanes created. Whatever, I guess you are going to defiantly ignore the isssue on this site. However, I hope Koetter and Licht don’t during free agency and the draft.
December 27th, 2016 at 7:21 am
Offensive Line too. Gotta shore up the pass blocking and find a way to open a few more holes for whoever is going to tote the rock next season. Get the best Right Tackle in free agency you can find. Take the best DE/DT available in round 1 of the Draft. In the next couple of rounds gather weapons for the offense…WR and RB’s.
December 27th, 2016 at 7:28 am
Joe let’s not forget OT/C, DT, and S.
The Bucs really need to acquire more productive talented bigger linemen upfront to run and stop the run.
December 27th, 2016 at 7:29 am
@TouchdownTampaBay
If they really want to fix the O-line. It is not that far from making it into a dominate O-line!!!! First, draft a true left tackle, Move DS76 to right tackle. For next offseason they should have 3 good guards on the o-line AM74, KP64, and JR Sweezy. Tell one of them to snap the Ball!!!!
Second, draft a TE that can run and block!!!! He can be a second, third option in the pass game, and can Help chip block DE and stonewall blitzing lb, TE can help all fazes of the offense!!!!!!
But they might try to patch the o-line then go for biggest need
NFL Bucs 2017 draft – Wr, TE and Safety/CB
December 27th, 2016 at 7:50 am
Once again, too much gap to fill ! This is why we are unable to attend playoffs, there is always a hole to fill during the season.
December 27th, 2016 at 7:54 am
@Realist – Seeezy has back problems and I doubt he ever plays for the Bucs. I am all for moving Smith to right tackle.
December 27th, 2016 at 8:04 am
I keep wondering how Ryan Smith will develop. It would be a godsend if he could become the safety licht drafted him to be.
December 27th, 2016 at 8:07 am
Off season priority #1- fixing Winstons accuracy and turnover issues. Doesn’t matter how many Pro Bowl receivers you have if the qb can’t hit them
December 27th, 2016 at 8:14 am
Tony you wanted Mariota right?
December 27th, 2016 at 8:42 am
Not for nothing but Tony has a point. Kid yourself if you want to but there were opportunities wasted and big mistakes made.
NOW, I HATE the Cowboys, always have!!! However, it should be clear to even a blind man at this point, you have to have an O-line. Sure it helps to have speedy WRs and good TEs with a solid run-game but, who’s blocking? Dallas took an average, yeah Dak is average, QB and made him a household name. Imagine Jameis behind a similar line! Jameis is a far better QB and has similar weapons to Dak (WR,TE, HB?).
There are plenty of holes to fill on this roster and it should be no surprise when they rear their ugly head. Dallas took 3 years worth of draft picks to build an O-line. They will enjoy a 1st round bye with a 4th round rookie QB and rookie RB.
December 27th, 2016 at 8:47 am
Nope, wanted Winston all along. Why is it when you want your qb to improve fans get so sensitive and assume you don’t like him.
Many of you must have never been in the military or coached hard by a mentor to identify your weaknesses and improve upon them. Or you must be a FSU homer happy he made your team relevant again
December 27th, 2016 at 9:12 am
LOL Tony. I am a UCF grad and grew up a Gator fan so I don’t give a flying &%$# about FSU. I do notice that every time you post on here you bash JW. He has a long way to go but I trust he will improve drastically in year 3. I think every time you post on here you make a jab at Winston.
December 27th, 2016 at 9:21 am
Bucsfanman – Dallas is the class of the NFC this year and the Bucs should be looking at them as the example. Dak would most likely be a struggling QB if played behind any other line. Elliot is an elite RB but he would have had limited success and been largely ignored if he had played behind the Bucs line this year. Winston is much better than Dak and imagine how good he could be behind an elite line. We really need to start the improvement there. We need to try and find a great left tackle and maybe and some depth.
December 27th, 2016 at 9:42 am
@touchdowntb- I graduated from the actuarial program at UCF, great school.
When Winston plays well and like a #1 pick he gets my praise and I really do want him to succeed. Especially since the team seems to mimic him and how he does.
But I’m not a fanboy where I think he is above any criticism. #1 overall picks who were hyped up greatly by the Joes, and other analysts need to be held to a higher standard than low round picks
December 27th, 2016 at 9:49 am
@TDTB- Yep! The rest of the league can cry “passing league” if they want to, but you had better have a good offensive line. As far as I’m concerned, Dallas has laid the blueprint. God I hate saying that!
December 27th, 2016 at 9:59 am
I agree Tony. JW made some critical mistakes this year at critical moments. I think he had a bit of a sophomore slump. I think year 3 is where he makes the big jump forward.
December 27th, 2016 at 10:20 am
so …u really believe Winston is a better qb then DAK.or M.M. ? On the nfl site all the commentators would disagree. Can you teach accuracy? Lets hope!
December 27th, 2016 at 11:54 am
@ben- He definitely needs to hone his skills but I think that if given more time, like Dak, Jameis would be a better thrower.
December 27th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Courtesy of the sporting news because it is all too confusing for me to figure out.
How Tampa Bay Buccaneers can make the playoffs
— Buccaneers beat Panthers in Week 17 AND (Possible)
— Colts beat Jaguars in Week 17 AND (Possible)
— Cowboys beat Eagles in Week 17 AND (Probable unless the Boys sit starters)
— Lions beat Packers in Week 17 AND (slightly possible)
— Titans beat Texans in Week 17 AND (Without Mariota improbable)
— 49ers beat Seahawks in Week 17 AND (Not a chance in hell)
— Redskins and Giants TIE in Week 17 (About as likely as snow storm in Tampa next week).
So as we can see, mathematically we have a chance, I also mathematically have a chance of winning the power ball.
December 27th, 2016 at 2:47 pm
Math makes my head hurt!
December 27th, 2016 at 6:38 pm
need to sign some good free agents for the offensive line and draft more, same for wide receiver. Save your money on rbs and te’s, you don’t build a team around them.
Let’s find some bigger linebackers and more defensive ends in draft after use picks 1-4 on oline and we.