Koetter Has Message For Jameis
October 13th, 2017
“OK Jameis, pretend there are three minutes left and we need a score.”
The opening drive of the game is just as important as the final drive of the game.
That’s the message winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter sent to America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, via the fourth estate yesterday at One Buc Palace.
The subject came up when offensive coordinator Todd Monken took to the podium for his weekly presser. Why is Jameis lights out in crunch time but seems to be, well, inconsistent the rest of the game?
“That’s kind of who he is,” Monken said of Jameis. “It’s hard to put a finger on it because it feels like that’s what he was in college. It feels like that was when he was at his best. It’s just some guys have that in them. I don’t know if you’ve got ‘gamers,’ but the moment doesn’t get to big for him. I don’t think he ever doubts his ability. I think that’s part of it.
“I think he always believes if he plays well, we will win. He owns it – that’s one thing I like about it is that he believes he can make a play. He is not afraid to stand in there and take hits and make throws [and plays] with his feet, so I think that’s what happens sometimes when you get down in games and you’re trying to come back. I think he’s always capable of making another play for us.”
Later in the afternoon when this was relayed to Koetter, he seemed indifferent to Monken’s words and Koetter all but said Jameis better be more concerned with production in the previous three quarters.
“The game, from my opinion, is on the line right off the bat,” Koetter said. “I don’t know the stats behind that. I don’t agree or disagree [with Monken]. I just think that the best quarterbacks in the NFL are always good.”
That’s a fair point but Joe would politely also like to add that offenses adjust to make the most out of the quarterback. Clearly, Jameis does well when the pressure is on. What is also going on when the pressure is on? The offense is more up-tempo if not a quick-strike offense.
Joe asked Monken if running a two-minute offense more often or earlier in games might suit Jameis better. Monken didn’t disagree.
“It’s hard to say,” Monken said. “We’ve gone no-huddle early in games and it seems to have worked and we have been fine there. I can’t tell you if he is – early in the game – being a little more protective of the ball, trying to make sure that we do. There is, later in the game, some of that risk-reward that you’ve got to be more aggressive. I don’t know. I know that he has improved in those areas early in the game in terms of decision making.”
While Jameis may have improved earlier in games, the team needs to see more of that.
Hey, if Jameis plays better or more consistent with a more up-tempo offense, then guess what? The Bucs should run more of said offense.
Koetter likes to say Jameis is like Aaron Rodgers. Stats back up Koetter as far as Jameis throwing outside of the pocket. And it seems Bucs coaches agree Jameis does well in a fast-paced offense. So how about crafting more offensive sets where Jameis throws quick strikes in a moving pocket, sort of what Rodgers does in Green Bay, mixing in that type of style along with Koetter’s Don Coryell-like downfield throwing?
Mix in more of an offense like the K-Gun Buffalo used to run with Jim Kelly, only with a moving pocket or some roll outs?
October 13th, 2017 at 9:09 am
Jameis has always played better with the Bucs going no huddle! When are we finally going to let him run it from the start??
October 13th, 2017 at 9:17 am
I agree, let Jameis do what Jameis does best, Koetter doesn’t help him, last game failure was on Koetter, gotta get a rhythm going, no huddle/fast paced early makes sense. Jameis is often dialed in on bootleg/outside the pocket also which could be incorporated more.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:20 am
Message for Koetter then call the right plays earlier😲, Run the freaking ball, allow him to use the available receivers (ME)…don’t put the ball on the foot of a hurt kicker😥, position him to be successful 👏!
GO BUCS☠
October 13th, 2017 at 9:21 am
I’m totally on-board with your suggestions at the end Joe. Kept seeing the words “I don’t know” far too often in Monken’s responses. If that’s the case, try something different to help jameis become more consistent earlier in games. An effective running attack will help immensely IMO, but so will using ‘quick strikes’ as you call them. Bucs have the weapons for such an attack, I still can’t figure out why our OCs keep focusing so much on the intermediate passing game.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:25 am
Not to mention that Jameis seems way more accurate earlier in games when he’s throwing on the run/scrambling.
Seems like a good way to get him in rhythm early.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:25 am
Jameis is not Aaron Rodgers! Not yet, maybe not ever. Jameis is a young QB with potential who is struggling to find a consistent game. Aaron Rodgers plays the game between his ears, starting at the line of scrimmage where he changes snap counts to catch defenders leaving the field or changing the intensity of his cadence to draw defenders off sides. He is a complete gamer who when he is on is deadly to the other team. Jameis has potential to be there someday. But not today. I am still thrilled we have him and the future is still bright but today it should be one day at a time, one step at a time. Koetter should be taking all that BS off of Jamie’s shoulders and allowing the young man to grow naturally. Koetter should be coaching to help Jameis develop, not telling him he is like Aaron Rodgers and allowing him to take the mental plunge when he keeps falling short and finding out he is not that good yet.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:30 am
JW3 is going to the wrong receiver occasionally and missing open throws. Can’t do that if you want to be great. However, I’m not seeing the creativeness in our O playcalling either. Watching other games it seems some Os are more imaginative. KC.GB. Even PHL last night. Although it took them a while to give their O tackles some help. Good that the Panthers lost last night. I always root for NFC South teams but not this early in the season when we have a team that can hopefully snap out of this and go on a streak.
October 13th, 2017 at 9:34 am
“Ok Jameis, pretend there is 3 minutes left in the game and we need to score”
Joe this is hilarious🤣…love it!
October 13th, 2017 at 9:45 am
Did anyone watch the Panthers and Philly last night? Very good game, both QB’s missed receivers, over threw them and threw too high and Cam threw 3 ints and still almost won the game.
But the coaches called plays conducive to their QB’s and the kickers made their kicks and they played complimentary football!
October 13th, 2017 at 10:33 am
I dont recall them going no huddle this year before they need to. Its something Ive been calling for. None of this no huddle stuff where they stand at the line n bark out stuff for 35 seconds tho. Thats a clustertuck. Run it with a plan. Gota do something soon, 8-8 isnt gona cut it this year. Too many nfc teams are winning. Wish teams could practice more in the off season so we arent waiting half a season, every year, to get the offense in sync. Tighten up dirk. Go Bucs
October 13th, 2017 at 10:33 am
My thinking there also DreamBig. jameis will get there. But he’s got a ways to do. Just really needs to learn to see the entire field. For him it wil come..with time. And we needit to come this Sunday!!
October 13th, 2017 at 10:52 am
In the NFL, you have to gain the momentum early in a game and maintain it.
October 13th, 2017 at 10:58 am
Jameis ran an up tempo spread offense in High School from what I have heard. He’s naturally good at it. Play to Winston’s strengths coach K.
PS – just because medium range passes are JWs strength doesn’t mean you should call those plays so often on 3rd and short….
PSS – Let’s get Winston on the move – out of the pocket by design so he can have more options to throw or run. Statistically Jameis is one of the best in the league under these circumstances.
October 13th, 2017 at 11:03 am
I agree with the no huddle….I was pretty surprised watching wentz last night….kid knows what he’s doing….when they ran the no huddle wentz was at his best….the entire offense was at its best….he knew what he was doing and where he was going with the ball….and he was very accurate
someone mentioned last night that 16-30 isn’t very accurate but you have to watch the game…wentz didn’t try to force anything…if it wasn’t there he threw it away….that’s where most of his incompletions went…out of bounds….he also had a few drops too….
IMO, the problem isn’t Winston….its dirk…jameis should be further along at this point in his career….not saying dirk should be fired, but maybe let monken call the plays….or run no huddle more often…or maybe stay committed to the run game….I don’t think jameis is ready to “put this team on his back” just yet….let the run game and defense carry us….GO BUCS!!!!
October 13th, 2017 at 11:13 am
Kettering just wishes he had statue Jim Kelly or Matty Ice. Koetter is stuck in the John elway era when every good young qb today is mobile af.
Come to 2017 Koetter the rest of the team is waiting for you.
I love what the Eagles did last night. Run run run, quick slants and few shots down field and your TE in the red zone. Keep it simple.
October 13th, 2017 at 11:28 am
I think the thing to remember is that Koetter is still training Jameis to be all he can be. That means he has to keep plugging away at the things Jameis needs improvement on, because it won’t improve if you never do those things.
When things become second nature to Jameis, that’s when things will get really, really good.
He’s just not there yet, and he won’t be if Koetter doesn’t stretch the boundaries of what Jameis is comfortable with.
October 13th, 2017 at 11:41 am
It’s DK’s second year as HC. He’s adjusting, too. I think part of his problem is he’s got a great young offense now. He’s rubbing his eyes, and not quite sure what to do with it. He’ll figure it out Sunday. Go Bucs!!
October 13th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
Great points Joe! I wish they would do something to get Jameis to start with more fire. I think if he had that same mindset throughout the game we would be 3-1 or 4-0 at this point. The tools are there, Koetter just needs to dial up the right mix for Jameis.
October 13th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
That means he has to keep plugging away at the things Jameis needs improvement on, because it won’t improve if you never do those things.
I disagree with this…dirk didn’t ask matty ice to improve his running ability…he didn’t try to make him run zone read option to improve his running ability….he played to his strengths….
the problem is, its seems dirk doesn’t know what jameis’ strengths are….Winston is very good at no huddle and intermediate throws but dirk continues to huddle and throw deep….Winston was great at making things happen with his legs his rookie year which is a strength on his but dirk refuses to let him make plays with his legs….
@db55 is spot on…the eagles keep it simple….staying committed to the run, getting the ball to their speedy play makers quickly, hitting them up top with your big body wrs and te and playing good defense….simple stuff and CAR couldn’t stop it….GO BUCS!!!
October 13th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
We have all the pieces in place to have a great offense.
It takes time for any offense to gel.
So, let’s take it one game at a time and enjoy the games.
In life as in football there will always be those that are better or worse than us.
Why don’t we run an “Air Rooter” offense..??
Because we don’t have that offensive team/coach. And, our defense is better.
Go Bucs..!!
October 13th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Jameis is still SOOOO young. While we all, myself included see what he’s not doing well every week, we also see slow but steady improvement. As long as he actually keeps getting better I’m happy.
I think Jameis just needs full control at the line. He’s smart enough to identify coverages and switch things up. Maybe he needs access to more options at the line?
He is for sure better in the hurry up, and I think Joe even wrote an article about how accurate Jameis can be rolling out, on the run. Second best to Aaron Rodgers.
Season is already a quarter over. It’s crunch time NOW. RIGHT NOW is when you make the playoffs. These are the games your not as worried about similar to not being as worried in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters of the game. Urgency should be high in all 16 weeks, and all 60 minutes.
October 13th, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Jameis didn’t have the luxury of being mentored by a great QB like Brady or Rogers. Most QB’s have a mentor. Jameis gets dogged for having admired Brady.
Again, the pieces are there for success. Enjoy the games.
As a former Bears season ticket holder I can assure you that being a long suffering fan is not unique to TB.
Want to compare pain? My Dad, the original season ticket holder, died in 1984.
The Bears won the SB in 1985.
Ok..??
October 13th, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai that is a great point, as yes we are trying to win Sunday but we are also trying to be the best ever in the near future.
October 13th, 2017 at 4:18 pm
good article joe!! pretty much addressed my only beef with dirk’s offense… his lack of willingness to adjust his scheme/game plan to put winston & the offense in better position to be successful… if i see one more critical 3rd & short & every WR runs 15 yards down field i’m gonna need a new heart LOL just move the chains & take the “explosives” when they present themselves instead of forcing it all game