“I Think It Might Be A Mistake”
December 22nd, 2017
Weighs in on Dirk Koetter.
The Custodian of Canton has spoken.
Prized JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman is letting it all hang out. In his weekly appearance with the one and only Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on SiriusXM Radio this week, eye-RAH! pulled no punches.
Knowing the recent history of Team Glazer and how the Bucs are stuck in a losing rut and appear to be barreling towards a 4-12 season, eye-RAH!, regrettably, thinks Dec. 31 when the Bucs host the Saints to finish the 2017 season very well could be the end of the line for Dirk Koetter in Tampa Bay.
But who replaces him is a mystery, eye-RAH! suggested.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo: Now this is a tough call on Koetter. He’s been there for two years. I don’t know enough about the Winston thing. I don’t know if Gruden wants to coach Tamper again. This is a very, very tricky situation. If you had your gut [call] right now, who coaches the Bucs next year?
eye-RAH! Kaufman: I think there will be another coach in Tampa, Chris. And I think it might be a mistake. This will be the third guy in a row, starting with [Greg] Schiano, Lovie Smith and this Koetter. Third time in a row you are firing a coach after two years? Chris, you look like the Buffalo Bills. That’s who you look like. You look like the Browns. But Chris, you know, the Glazers, they are trying to fill a stadium. What’s going to be your offseason marketing program if you come back with Koetter? So, I think, you know, I’m not convinced about Gruden. If it is not Gruden, it could be a Josh McDaniels, a [Matt] Patricia. We will see.
Russo: Josh McDaniels is not taking that Tampa Bay Buccaneer job. He’s going to get a better job than that. He’s not taking the Tampa Bay Buccaneer job.
eye-RAH!: Look, I think there could be a change. I think it would be a mistake. I think it would be a mistake, because, Chris, it’s not two years. Koetter only had one bad year. He did very well as a first-year head coach in 2016. So what is the message, you can’t have one bad year in Tampa or you are going to get your walking papers? That makes it tough I think, Chris, it narrows the field of guys that are really going to be interested in this job.
First, Joe will say this: The absolute last thing, the very last thing, an ownership group should worry about when making a coaching decision is what dumb nickname a bunch of suits want to slap on the team. Who the hell bought one ticket to see the Bucs because of this “Siege the Day” marketing campaign? Really, now? C’mon!
This fill-the-seats stuff is from folks who are living in 1970s economics. This isn’t baseball or hockey. which needs and leans on a greater percentage of revenue from tickets sold than the NFL. If tickets sold were so important in the NFL, they’d bring back local TV blackouts. The rivers of cash from other sources of revenue is what floats NFL franchises, not tickets sold.
Want to sell tickets? Do a partnership with Hooters and each guy who buys season tickets gets to sit with a Hooters Calendar girl.
Will that lead to wins? Hell, no!
Win games, people buy tickets. It’s no more complex than that.
If Team Glazer decides to hire a coach, for the love of all that is holy, the very last reason to hire a guy should be because of some stupid saying or jingle verse to slap on a billboard. Good, grief.
But eye-RAH! is dead-on about the two-years-and-off-the-pier-you-go mentality of Team Glazer. Just what decent coaching candidate wants to uproot his family for just two years knowing he’s a goner if he slips up just once?
Russo is correct the Bucs job, Jameis or no Jameis, is not attractive. Too strong of a division, too many good quarterbacks in the division to overcome in too short of a time, and the coach would be working for an ownership group with too itchy of a trigger finger.
Folks act like Koetter winning nine games his first at-bat never happened. Folks pretend the starting quarterback never got hurt. Koetter isn’t Schiano or Lovie. Koetter actually had a winning season.
December 22nd, 2017 at 5:33 am
The ‘Koetter Must Go’ versus the ‘Koetter Deserves One More Year’ schtick has become just more media-speak. Glazer Boys have already made up their collective minds one way or another, and nothing that the fans or media writes will change that.
The unfortunate part of all this Joe is that the real Architect of this Ship Wreck may very well get to sink yet another Captain of the Titanic … and his crew … before the Glazer Boys and media & fans figure out who’s REALLY responsible for this sideshow. Yup, Jason Licht.
December 22nd, 2017 at 5:40 am
All great points.
I’d like to add, Licht did not adequately address the pass rush. He has not adequately addressed the offensive line. Do I want him run out of town? No, but let’s not pretend that he’s made this a playoff team that Koetter screwed up. I’d give him at least one more offseason to address these issues.
The irony of this all is that if the Glazers fire Koetter for Gruden, it’s gonna be awkward when they inevitably fire their ring of honor coach after two years.
December 22nd, 2017 at 6:07 am
You can look at it a bunch of different ways. Theres also the way of…theres no possible way you can keep koetter after the disaster this year. The quitting in arz. Oh hell im not gona list them all again. If dirk stays itll get ugly.
December 22nd, 2017 at 6:35 am
They won 2 games without jameis and he was struggling. Stop using the hurt quarterback routine will ya. Minnesota’s Quarter back was hurt too! There simply is no hope of winning if he comes back. He says it all the time if they knew how to fix it they would. We need someone that can fix some things, that being said I’d rather see Licht go first.
December 22nd, 2017 at 6:42 am
Siege my pay
I drive from Orlando as season ticket holder and something has to change. Pay big bucks and travel and hotels and don’t even get free parking. And the losing makes it difficult but that’s part of being a buc fan these days.
Siege my pay
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:17 am
If I was the Glazers,I would be very upset the majority of free agent signings
that have been worth the large payouts that Licht has approved. The bridge is falling down on a lot of his Bridge players. He needs to be stripped of this responsibility,if he stays. He has too much power.Don’t believe he should be tinkering with the roster with players like Marpet and Ryan Smith.
We need a top flight personnel guy to help right this ship.
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:18 am
edit:
not been worththe large payouts
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:19 am
There has been so much talk of Koetter being too predictable with his play calling that there has to be some truth to it. This would explain a lot when it comes to slow starts. One year of film will show all your tendencies unless you are able to change them consistently. I do not know enough about it but I can tell you I have heard from multiple ex players and ex personnel and they say predictable play calling is their biggest concern.
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:27 am
🙂
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:28 am
With the number of times Joe(s) has dubbed Ira “prized columnist”….Ira should be smart enough to ask for a serious increase in compensation…
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:39 am
Siege my pay! That’s the funniest thing I have read about our Bucs in a while, nice work!
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:47 am
Ichtbshould not handle the FA. The only one that comes to mind that’s truly paid didvidends is grimes. He’s done okay in the draft if you look across the board. Both should have one more year. Now if the wheels fall off midseason next year, then they both go. I’d support a new DC coming in. Too many fundamental errors.
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:48 am
Unfortunately, the Bucs are kind of stuck in a no win situation. The coaching staff has issues – lack of prep, time management, predictability, and stubbornness – which has led to losses but there are also some bright spots – solid passing attack, and several very close losses that could easily have been wins.
There is also the issue of turnover with the coaching staff which probably has an impact on player development and team image.
December 22nd, 2017 at 7:50 am
If we stick with Koetter, and Licht and don’t improve? I think for the Glazers is Gruden, or bust. Gruden doesn’t want the job, Koetter gets another year, but he’ll have to make changes he won’t be comfortable doing. Like firing his long time friend Smith, getting a new O, and D line coach, and give up play calling. If Licht stays, I see the Glazers hiring a president of football operations to over see him. Licht can’t be allowed to trade draft picks for kickers, and sign free agents, Baker, who aren’t worth the money they’re being paid. Let’s not forget his blind faith in Druggie Martin. Come to think of it. Just fire them all!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:16 am
“Siege my pay” might be going on a sign for the last home game. Love it.
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:26 am
Doesn’t matter what they do. No coach will win next year either. No way they can bolster both lines, the dbs (in the likely event that Grimes doesn’t come back) and an rb in one offseason. But I have no doubt they can find another underused weapon for winston.
I didn’t even mention the likely suspension going to Jameis.
2019 is our year, Baby!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:30 am
#BrangInTheLilChuckaneer
#GrudenForGrowth
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:31 am
#IgnoreHisNapoleonComplexxx
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:35 am
It might be a mistakes but probably not. So just to get this right here shouldn’t be fired for being an incompetent offensive play caller and head coach after 2 because we’ve done it before? Lol I’m sorry of hoping they keep him just so I can clearly you a full year for hoping we keep a trash coach. Schiano, Lovie and Raheem were fired because they sucked and Koetter is no different. Here’s not aggressive enough to be a head coach.
The division is too tough, the quarterbacks and coaches are the main reason he needs to be replaced, he can’t compete with them so his teams won’t either
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:36 am
#GrudensKeestersYourChin
#ThatsHisCoachingStyle
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:37 am
I believe they should bring Koetter back for one more year, fire Mike Smith and bring in a young, aggressive replacement. Draft heavily on the defensive side of the ball, find a stud duel threat running back in the 2nd or third round, and fill in where needed with free agency. That is a much lower risk approach to rebuilding where needed yet keeping the offensive continuity.
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:37 am
If the Glazers replace Dirk then I think you have to bring in someone with more experience as a HC in the NFL and a better record. We don’t need another first time HC. It has to be someone that has already succeeded in the NFL that the players will take seriously Day one. In addition, the HC will need to bring in a better staff of assistants too. If we can’t truly upgrade coaching then we are just going in circles again. Regardless of what happens with coaching we are going to need upgrades on the field too…primarily on the Dline and Oline.
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:38 am
#KoetterKantKoetIt
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:44 am
Fix the lines and they will compete!!!!! last year they were 4-2 in the division!!!!!! On defense, look what Coach Smitty did with a healthy ayers on rookie N. Spence!!!!!!!! I don’t see how anyone can watch this year, see what the lines and doing and then turn around and say that the playcalling is the problem!!!! Its the lines that are affecting the plays!!!!!!!!!!!
But the worst scenario is the “fire Coach Smitty and then demote koetter” by taking his playcalling away!!!!! What good DC is going to sign up with a HC hanging by a thread!!!! Who will sign up for a lame duck regime at that point!!!!!
Keep Head Coach Koetter and Coach Smitty or clean house, but don’t hinder the coaches Glazers like you did this year with all the distractions!!!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:51 am
Ok so the big issue here is Koetter was unproven. We had a good season last year but he admitted we had no winning culture. Now with the same group of guys he has a loosing locker room. So if we keep Koetter then and the same group of teammates what will be different next year?
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:54 am
No matter what happens with Dirk, Mike Smith and the D staff have to go. They need a change there badly! Rex Ryan ( NOT Rob!), while kind of a clown, is a great D coordinator. Koetter needs to hand playcalling over to Monken and start paying attention to the D as well. He didn’t and it shows. One of the themes you always hear with Chucky was how much he challenged our D to be better. The HC needs to run the whole team. If our first overall pick is not Bradley Chubb or another edge rusher, my head will explode.
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:58 am
The ONLY way Koetter should lose his job is if the Glazers can bring in Gruden or Harbaugh. Otherwise, stick with Dirk. This year has been a mess but we could easily be 9-5 and playing for a Playoff berth. I rewatched the 2002 Superbowl Champions DVD last night and forgot what a magical season it was. Gruden is a motivator and a hell of a coach, I think he could work wonders with the talent we have on offense. Question is, who would he bring in to be his DC? He would not win consistently without a decent defense, just like Dirk. And you can’t fire Gruden after just two years if he can’t turn this thing around. There is NOT much talent on defense and it’s time Licht realized that and does something about it. I just want to root for a winning team again no matter what the cost. Offer Jon the job before you fire Dirk and see if he is willing to come back or see if Harbaugh wants the job. There is NO way the Bucs should fire Dirk unless they are upgrading, he deserves another year.
December 22nd, 2017 at 8:58 am
Ive been watching the Glazers since they arrived. From my eye, its either Gruden or another big name HC with a reputation. The alternative is Koetter with a new DC and OC that will call plays. He needs to change up his coaching regime as the current group is not getting it done. If the same group comes back, expect similar results or 4-6 wins. I like Patricia but I have heard he is NE HC in 2 years; I have heard Brady and Belichek are retiring after 2019 season. I dont see him leaving as a result to take over this mess when he could have a good team in 2 years that he knows well. Russo is right on McDaniels.
I hate to say this but the Buc HC job…not seen as a top tier team so we wont attract the top tier coaching talent. Koetter was not top tier.
Licht has to go. He needs to be held accountable for the OL-DL Aguayo, Hargraeves, and other bad decisions. >> Baker, Ayers, Gholston ($),
We should trade #93 for draft picks and a decent CB/DE. I think Grimes is gone. We missed the chance to do anything with him so its time to move on. He is on back end of career.
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:09 am
Licht is the problem, he hasnt built a football team to compete, and does anyone have any faith of giving him another offseason of moves to build this team he has had 4 years and has not formed an identity, john lynch has done more in one season than licht has in 4
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:10 am
If you’re going to say “he had a 9-7 season”, then you also have to say he’s going to have a 4-12 season with superior talent. Injured QB or not, this offense under-performed by a WIDE margin. There are many things you can point to:
Bad o-line play
No run-game
Erratic QB play
HORRIFICALLY PREDICTABLE play-calling
The common denominator in all 4 aspects is coaching. The “re-tooled o-line” did not work, Dirk persisted on using the same RB, the QB did not progress in year 3, and the play-calling, OMG the play-calling!
We had no problem chasing other coaches out of here for less. Now, we’re hemming and hawing over Koetter?! It stinks to have to deal with this garbage every other year, but what choice is there? We have a pathetic, talented offense opposite a talent-less soft defense. The only silver lining is that we have a good punter and kicker!
AND, if we are compelled to eject this coaching staff, the GM needs to go as well. FA’s have been mostly failures, we have a 1st round Dime corner, and we drafted the greatest kicker since…..
Ah, to be a Bucs fan! At least it’s Friday! Shots anyone?! I’m talking straight Crown!
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:13 am
Wait a second Joe…When does this Free calendar and Hooters girl promotion start?? They can bring back Red Ass Ray Perkins and Ill never miss a game…
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:16 am
Dirk proclaimed this to be the most talented bucs team in years, then they go out and have an epic collapse.
Now it is being said that the bucs have such a sorry roster no good coach would take on the job of coaching them.
Not only that, this is Dirk’s third year of coaching the bucs offense. It’s gotten worse. Additionally, the last time Dirk ran an NFL offense a similar epic collapse occurred. He didn’t have the credentials to be an NFL head coach to begin with.
Good luck selling this Glazers.
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:20 am
thing is, even tho he had a winning season he regressed badly in his second year….rah. morris regressed badly after having a winning season and got the axe….many think that 10-6 season was a fluke because we went 4-12 the next year….well, look at what we have here….last year was a fluke season…we snuck up on some teams…..that aint happen this year….
the combination of the team regressing, players not developing and dirk continuing to make coaching 101 mistakes should be enough to send him packing….it wouldn’t be a mistake, it would be the right thing to do….
get some fresh minds in here like mike vrable that has an edge and would demand excellence from his players…..vrable aint no buddy buddy type of coach like dirk….this team needs someone with attitude and fire….a coach that can rally the troops and be a leader of men….dirk aint that…send him packing!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:39 am
While its Koetters 2nd yr as coach….its his 3rd with running the offense. The offense has been trending down since yr one. On top of that, he hand picked Smith as DC, who somehow managed to make the defense worse then Lovie’s last yr. We have THE most offensive talent in the last decade and cant score in the first half. Koetter has shown ZERO ability to get out of losing streaks. In the past two seasons we’ve had 3 game, 5 game and now 4 game losing streak…that could be extended. Winston has lost his last 8 games. From a statistical standpoint, the 5 game winning streak was an anomaly….the consistent pattern is below avg performance that has got worse with added talent.
Keep in mind, the only reason Koetter was promoted was stability for Winston to develop.
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:43 am
This season has not been an “off” year, an anomaly, a coincidence.
It’s been a train wreck disaster since Hard Knocks.
This team is the softest I’ve seen in my lifetime of following football.
I disagree with Ira: yes, ticket sales are very important to NFL teams, especially with dwindling TV audiences which equals dwindling TV cash. Season ticket sales for 2018 will be a disaster if Koetter is kept in place. He had his chance and the team is NOT progressing. At the end of last season, even the Joes were claiming the Bucs were in their window of “winning” and needed to go all out.
That didn’t work out so well.
Like thousands, I was a big Koetter fan, happy he was HC and optimistic about the future. I thought the Bucs could ~outscore~ their opponents and Smith’s D would gel even further. Boy, was I off-the-chart wrong. This team rivals Richard Williamson and Leeman Bennet teams that define “bad.”
I’ve seen enough.
Chopper Reid makes the best case:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8h7dqlHFtc
“Harden the f**k up”…
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:49 am
Everyone has a reasonable reason to fire the head coach. I agree with What I think Ira is saying in that we should NOT make the change. Bucs fans cry repeatedly about losing, underachieving, poor owners, etc, but IMO are always looking for the easy button. You have got to have the will to do what it takes for sustained performance first. Posers point to the Patriots and their head coach. Valid. He started with the Browns. Point being you have to have the stones to invest in your people as they develop. You invest over time, which ties right back to continuity. The symptoms associated with losing (questionable game planning, “flatness,” poor in-game adjustments) get fewer with that commitment (as evidenced by much improved offensive diversity this year). BL: commit and your chances of sustained winning go up. Switch coaches every 2 Year’s and you are betting on getting lucky in a tough league with ~25 other teams whose system is intact (teams that didn’t fire their coach) and against 10-12 teams that have committed (invested) in winning consistently.
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:51 am
To many people blaming the defense when the offense is probably way more to blame. Who would you say has more talent (on paper) the Offense or Defense? It’s not even close it’s the offense! Three very good receivers, two very good TE’s, an immature but pretty good QB, average O line and serviceable RB’s. The Defense besides the LB’s was based on potential with one OK D lineman. Given the absolutely ridiculous slow starts through three quarters of most games our average D was worn down. The three and outs by the offense not only kills any momentum a D might have it takes the energy out of them as well.
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:52 am
Tampa Stadium is nearly empty, except for the fans of other teams we play.
The Glazers will feel they have to do something, and fire Koetter.
It was surprising to see they kept Licht, since many feel he is just as much responsible as Koetter and Smith are.
December 22nd, 2017 at 9:59 am
the only people that want him dirk to be retained for 1 more year are the same people that claimed he was an upgrade over the previous regime….the man doesn’t deserve another year…..
-his 3rd year running the offense and its gotten worse
-defense has gotten worse
-players have regressed
-play calling is horrible
-no adjustments during the game or at halftime
-bad coaching decisions
-poor clock management
-using bad personnel
-multiple blow outs
-player not being developed
the cons list out weighs the pros list and it aint even close…..I honestly cant think of 5 reasons to keep dirk….GO BUCS!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:02 am
I’m not a Koetter fan. But I do think he gets another year. His DC ..Pressbox Smitty has to go though. Give him a nice rocking chair and boot him out of the door.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:04 am
#1 Koffman is off his rocker. When you keep making bad hires you keep moving on and they keep making bad hires so its time to move on regardless of what you look like. Who cares what the Bucs look like if they can finally bring in a proven coach. Koffman must be smoking something with that take. Did he see the New Orleans game????? No leadership hello!!!!!!! Bring Gruden back and fiascos like that game wont happen, bad clock management wont happen, the inability to use Desean Jackson correctly wont happen, any kind of problem Jameis has with Gruden well that will be Jameis’s problem not Gruden. I am tired of my team’s players being treated like first grade. Oh and Russo????? We don’t want Josh screw up in Denver McDaniels. He would be another Koetter. I can tell he wont be able to tell Jameis what he wants to hear. So take your Northeast Patriot wanna be head coach and keep him a coordinator because that’s all hes good for!!!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:05 am
“Koetter actually had a winning season”, Jon Gruden had the same record and was fired, just saying.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:05 am
The firing of a head coach is only a mistake if he goes on the have success with another NFL team. The mistakes are being made in the hiring process! Morris decent Coordinator maybe a head coach again but he wasn’t ready. Schiano’s style of coaching works at the college level but doubt it would work coaching grown men. Lovie even at the college level is getting poor results. Now Koetter with probably the best Offense I’ve ever seen on ANY Buccaneer team and he has trouble scoring in the first three quarters of games. How many more weapons do you need? Seems like we’ve spent the past two years surrounding Jameis with great players.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:05 am
I think it might not be mistake. But I’m not the janitor of canton either.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:14 am
I agree with Ira, except that Koetter will be replaced. I think he stays. He had better, because if he doesn’t I’m taking a season off from this team (probably…maybe…unless I can’t resist).
I disagree that Glazer Boys have already made up their collective minds one way or another yet. I think they are waiting to see how the team plays the last couple games. Wins probably are not as important as players efforts and attitudes.
Personally, I think if we keep Koetter and address the defense this off season, we will see a much better team, provided injuries are not an issue again.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:16 am
We are going to hold you to that year off thing, BB. Sounds like an idol threat/empty promise ro me, however.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:17 am
If Koetter is kept it will be with a very short, thin string.
What decent DC or FA’s would come to a team where the coaching staff may get the quick stage hook?
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:30 am
Joe has been carrying on for years about owners not caring about butts in the seats. That is moronic! Of course they care. Maybe they don’t need the money, but half full stadiums give the impression that your organization (and its owners) is rinky dink, small time, and in the case of the Bucs, that is exactly the case. These owners have huge egos and no way they want people to think that about them. Ira is right and Joe is wrong. What else is new?
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:30 am
It should go like this:
Glazers: Coach Koetter, you will be finding an offensive coordinator to call plays and you will focus on being a head coach. We’ve already fired Smitty and are in the process of finding a competent d coordinator. We will focus on the trenches on both sides of the ball during the free agency AND the draft. Any questions?
Koetter: no sirs, thanks so much and have a wonderful day. Go Bucs! (Gets up and walks out)
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:33 am
And the glazers picked up lichts 5th year option so they’ll keep Koetter another year and make a decision on both at the end of next season. You heard it here first!
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:39 am
I think the glazers have already made up their minds….dirk is out….what’s the benefit if he’s retained?….consistency?….we’ve lost consistently this year….I don’t see dirk learning anything between now and the offseason that will improve his coaching….he’ll be on a short leash next year and could become the first coach the glazers fire mid season….GO BUCS!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:48 am
951
so dirk would become a puppet?…..who’s pulling the strings the glazer boys?…..I doubt it….
they want someone running the team that doesn’t require their hand to be held….
licht got a 1year deal because we’ll have a high pick this year and he’s hit on a lot of his picks….his only bad pick was Roberto….VHG has regressed under smitty and the same can be said about other players on the roster….licht will be picking the new HC and they’ll both draft defense..GO BUCS
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:48 am
Some times and often times I hate being a Bucs fan.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:53 am
“There is NO way the Bucs should fire Dirk unless they are upgrading”
WORD
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:04 am
1 bad year ?????? 3 years going on 4 years as the bucs score under 20 pts!!!!!
I hope Ira is right if they don’t change…because if koetters offense fails to score enough points FOR THIS HIGH POWERED OFFENSE>>>
THE BUCS MAY NEVER GET THEIR FAN BASE BACK!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:06 am
Golly gee, this has turned out to be one of the more interesting articles I’ve seen on JBF in a looong time Ira. Everyone seems to have a different solution to the burning question “How do we put out this dumpster fire?”
Bucsfan951, I agree with your bottom line: Dirk Koetter will say ‘Thanks but No Thanks’ if that scenario comes to pass. But it won’t. Koetter got the HC job because of his offensive prowess … take that away, and then take HIS DC pick away, and he’d just be a figurehead HC coming off a 4-12 record (more than likely). No reason for the Glazer Boys to do that. They’ll either keep EVERYTHING in-place (yes, including Licht unfortunately) because of their paranoia about changing coaches ‘yet again’ OR they’ll clean house completely.
I still believe that they know what they WANT TO DO (and are feverishly working those options as we speak), but what they WILL DO might be totally different. It’ll all depend IMO on how prospective HCs (and maybe GMs) respond to their overtures.
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:07 am
Man Up Ira
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:11 am
@813bucboi … “his only bad pick was Roberto….VHG has regressed under smitty.” If VHIII regressed under Smitty, was wasn’t he just as bad last year as a rookie BucBoi? And I suppose ASJ was an awesome pick in your eyes?
And if you’re one who believes Koetter should be fired, as yourself who hired him BEFORE you sing Licht’s praises.
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:13 am
Those screaming to fire Licht, don’t forget he’s already been given a year extension..
I don’t mind keeping Koetter for one more year as long as Smitty is gone..but they have that bromance going on for years..
But if Patricia or Gruden wants the job? show Koetter the door..
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:20 am
We finished 9-7 last year in Dirk Koetter’s first season as head coach, but at 4-10 things have regressed….
What’s worse is that the Bucs have averaged less than 20 points a game in the three years Koetter has been calling plays and have averaged 18.5 points in 2017, despite being loaded with weapons. By comparison, in 2014, first-time coordinator Marcus Arroyo’s offense was averaging 16 points a game.
let that sink in for a minute…….
The previous coaching staff didn’t get any rope when their defensive line was decimated by injuries, or when their best player on defense at the time, linebacker Kwon Alexander, was issued a four-game suspension.
but now people want to talk about injuries and distractions…..BS….this staff has under performed to say the least…..
the only way to fix this is to clean house…..hire harbaugh or vrable….GO BUCS!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:22 am
One 9-7 season means the man stays, Chucky had back to back 9-7 seasons, with a Division title, and was canned.
Our local hack media is so schizophrenic.
Whether they have previously fired a thousand coaches is irrelevant, the only issue is whether this one should be.
December 22nd, 2017 at 11:27 am
DR
VHG played solid last year…..@joe has wrote about that this week…..ASJ was a good pick…he’s balling with the jets now….haven’t heard a peek from him…you know why…because he has a real coach….he has a competent coach that knows what he’s doing….
the man who shouldn’t have been fired is the man who hire both dirk and licht….now, this team is suffering…..
I never thought dirk should’ve been hired in the first place so I was never pleased with the situation….I thought he was in over his head….turns out im right!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Notice how the Rock Star’s phone rings off the hook when GM openings come up?
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Reminder….the man has only had one losing season and its the fault of the defense more than the offense. ONE LOSING SEASON AS A HEAD COACH AND YOU FIRE HIM????
IF SO YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:03 pm
ASJ BALLIN with the jets?
What are his stats? Anythjng but ballin…
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:09 pm
If we fire Koetter then we are the Browns.
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:18 pm
@Pierce- We’re the Browns with or without him!
Leadership begins at the top. This franchise has had terrible ownership and it shows. When you run a franchise like the Patriots or Steelers, there are expectations because the people running it are football people. The Bucs have no foundation, no identity, and no direction. And we wonder why we burn through coaches?!
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:29 pm
harbaugh is not coming here wake up people
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:50 pm
Bucs D
Sieve the Day!!!!
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:54 pm
If Licht gets one more year the Koetter deserves one too. Koetter has to make some changes to his staff though like firing Mike Smith and Jay Hayes.
December 22nd, 2017 at 12:54 pm
The easy way to feel better for an off-season is to fire the coach after one losing season. That’s also the worst way. Posers will hail the new coach during off season workouts, stories will abound how different and good the next coach is, and the team will have to deal with its current personnel problems IN ADDITION TO A NEW SCHEME. The results (particularly if there are injuries, bad luck, etc) will be the same. This is not a reach, this is our history and the history of the NFL in the free agent era. The best way is to keep the staff, upgrade the lines and set a team wide standard of performance. The first (easy) way is a recipe for continued disaster. The second way is the blueprint for sustained success in the NFL. I hope the ownership and Sr staff have the stones to do what needs to be done for sustained success.
December 22nd, 2017 at 1:17 pm
@BucEmUp … “Reminder….the man has only had one losing season and its the fault of the defense more than the offense. ONE LOSING SEASON AS A HEAD COACH AND YOU FIRE HIM???? IF SO YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!!!”
Still, keep in mind BucEmUp that 2016 would’ve been a losing season IF the defense hadn’t stepped up big time in the second half of the season. Many conveniently forget that Smitty’s defense keyed the victories against the Chiefs (19-17), Seahawks (14-5), Saints (16-11) & Panthers (17-16). Had the defense not held those opponents to an average of 12 points/game, Dirk’s record last year would’ve been 5-11 … or roughly the same as this year. Yup, let’s make sure that we fire Smitty the Scapegoat.
December 22nd, 2017 at 1:38 pm
Dirk is an awful head coach, there’s a reason he had the success he had as an OC yet never got a job and was pushing 60. His temperament to be coach is completely wrong – he throws hissy fits, he doesn’t make adjustments and his team is unprepared – AND because he’s head coach it means the offense doesn’t have a real OC. Dirk’s offense is night and day different since he took over as HC – he doesn’t see the field well from the sideline and his playcalling is completely predictable. Firing Lovie is what caused this entire problem – which I said would happen at the time. You don’t take someone like Dirk, remove him from the job that he did really well, and think everything is going to be great. Dirk isn’t/wasn’t a young guy – he was a very mediocre (at best) college coach and someone in the NFL would have made him a HC much earlier in his career had he shown the required skills.
If my idea, of making Mike Smith the real HC and moving Dirk back into the booth is a no-go (we can’t do that, it’s never been done before, it’s different!) then make Mike Smith the co-head coach and then hire a real DC. If Dirk has any intelligence at all he’d leap at this situation. Mike Smith is a proven, successful, NFL head coach and he could do all the stuff like make sure the team is prepared for Sundays. Meanwhile Dirk would have more time to work with just the offense and hopefully could review film and see when he’s had success it wasn’t because he called the same 3 plays over and over again.
December 22nd, 2017 at 1:55 pm
I’m not sold on replacing Koetter, but tell me why he shouldn’t be replaced. Consistency is something we all hope for, but what about the last 2 seasons makes anyone think that Koetter can be a capable head coach? His training camp was a vacation. His player’s routinely have uninspired practices. The team often looks unprepared and unorganized (10 men on the field, late FG unit on the final ATL drive, etc.). He’s had issues with clock management since day one. He’s made questionable personnel decisions (i.e., D. Martin over P. Barber, rotating guards, etc.). The team has no identity on either side of the ball, and has been playing a scared, passive style of offense and defense that shows a lack of confidence in the players and the scheme (ex. punting on 4th and 2 from the opponent’s 40 100% of the time). He misses opportunities to promote discipline and accountability (D. Martin, ASJ, M. Evans, and JW all provided Koetter with the opportunity to send a message to the team and he passed them all up).
Aside from calling plays (and even that has been questionable at times), what leadership have we seen from Koetter that makes anyone believe that he can be a championship caliber coach if given time?
December 22nd, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Bills are doing well with new coach.
December 22nd, 2017 at 2:51 pm
I’m of the give Koetter one more year. But if they MUST make a change I hope it’s at least a good business move!
Chucky would sell tickets. There are a few other but not many coaches that could sell tickets and none like Chucky…if it’s about ticket sales then it’s Chucky.
If it’s about stability then don’t mess with the current set up. Licht has done a terrific job with the draft…sadly he’s done very poorly with FA Acquisitions…very poorly.
So we let Licht run the draft but who do we hire to find the proper FA’s?
December 22nd, 2017 at 2:53 pm
I feel the other way around. Unless Gruden is interested in the job, I think Dirk stays. I’m not necessarily against Dirk returning although I’m more in favor of getting rid of him. The fact is, it is hard to properly judge Dirk while Mike Smith and his pathetic defensive scheme are here. The flip side is Dirk is the reason that Smith is here in the first place and I ultimately blame Dirk for the debacle that is your 2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
December 22nd, 2017 at 2:56 pm
If the only argument to not fire Koetter is because we’ve done it to the last 2 coaches, then we got problems that we don’t have balls to fix.
If I was a coach worth my salt, I’d take the challenge with the talented pieces that are in place. There is some retooling to be done at major positions, but the Glazers never hired Koetter to rebuild and take 4 years to put a winning product out there. We are a good OL and DL away from breaking into the playoffs. We are a stud RB, CB, and consistent QB play away from going deep into the playoffs. You can’t win one year and regress the next because you didn’t address your position needs. That’s on the GM and coach, not impatient fans and ownership.
Koetter should have had the 4-12 season first and then gone on to 9-7, and we would never have this discussion about the coach being on the hot seat. The play calling has really hurt any conceivable bone anyone would be willing to throw Koetter. It doesn’t matter who you have out there, the play calling can’t be 3 straight passes when you need 1 yard for a first. That’s what we’ve been dealing with. Is he competent enough to help improve this team? The rest of the league has caught up to Koetter VERY quickly from that first 9-7 season. Also, his handling of player suspensions is pathetic. He creates room for distractions because he isn’t HC material. The hail mary play against the Patriots where OJ is BLOCKING in the endzone instead of trying to go for a catch is coaching. You don’t have your 6’5″ TE in on that play in the endzone to block. Some coordinators are better left as coordinators – the sad part is the play calling is my biggest pet peeve. So, I really don’t know what to expect from him next year that gives me confidence. I could have looked at this season from a microscopic level and not look at the defensive collapse and support one more year of Koetter had I seen something from the offense. Forget winning, how about consistency and competitiveness? The MNF game is how we should have played all year long. These next 2 games will seal his fate. I do not think the Glazers have made up their mind unless they already have confirmation on the next prized coach. Which I highly doubt. But, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sticks around one more year in the hopes that he either gets to a 10 win season or the prized coach they want might be available after next year. And for the Winston was hurt crowd, check out the Eagles and Patriots. Next man up if you go and get the right pieces and call good plays. Fitz did pretty good filling in. But, we can get better. The owners are willing to spend money so don’t blame 17 mill as the reason why you didn’t get Calais Campbell. Just admit you misjudged the aging talent on the team.
As owners, let it be known that the Glazers expect results and a good product on the field. I’m ok with that.
December 22nd, 2017 at 3:01 pm
What happened to the blackout rule? Best way to sell tickets is to make sure no one can watch unless you buy a ticket.
Don’t hold back. Reply in great detail.
December 22nd, 2017 at 3:16 pm
You can give rope to a HC. But, it’s very hard to give rope to a HC who is also a coordinator and he’s failing at both jobs. That’s the problem in a nutshell.
December 22nd, 2017 at 3:28 pm
Joe,
Can we get an update Sunday if the Glazers fly to Charlotte this weekend?
That seems to be the “tell” that a coaching change is in play, I remember they haven’t travelled with the team on several of the last road games before Black Monday.
Pistol
December 22nd, 2017 at 4:16 pm
We hire a 33 DB coach to be our HC. Then we hire a college coach who never won anything to be our HC. Then we hire Lovie without considering how stubborn he is (and he was stubborn with the Bears).
Some of you talk Gruden. He wouldn’t have won those two division championships (or SB) without Monty and the defense.
The Glazers have not shown they don’t know much about football.
December 22nd, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Gruden had more than enough success with the Raiders to prove he wasn’t lucky he was good!
December 22nd, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Why is everyone giving the offense a pass? This may be the most talented group of offensive players EVER on a Buccaneer team! I have been a fan since ‘82 as well as a season ticket holder. Been to or seen every game since then and I can tell you this is a great unit for the first time in our history. Now you give them a pass for being almost last in first half scoring @ 7.5 pts. I don’t get it!
December 22nd, 2017 at 5:40 pm
Agreed Bucnjim……I don’t get the support for Dirk Koetter. he was hired to get this offense producing. All’s they have done is tred water, perhaps drown, for two years now.
Why exactly would we, or the front office, be live that side of the ball will suddenly take off next year?
I could make a better case that the defense might take off if they can get better players brought in. I can’t see how anybody could make the same case for the offensive side. There is only one glaring hole on offense, RB, and in that case the coach was given a high priced player the last two seasons which is the player he openly lobbied for.
Bottom Line…….Dirk has gotten more then enough to work with on offense and has produced very little results. Any case that there is hope foe that side of the ball in 2018 with Dirk has no solid evidence to support it.
December 22nd, 2017 at 10:36 pm
Jlicht did a piss poor job this season. He did not provide depth or bring in the talent needed to win or grow from 2016 across the board. This did not help the coaches. Either way coaching was piss poor as well. Not prepared some games. No creativity or energy in others. Both D and O sucked at times in unison or taking turns not to mention the kicking nightmare that never ends. No idea what the right move is for next season but something has to change. GM needs to up his game big time.
December 23rd, 2017 at 3:28 am
Saw Joel Glazer at Green Bay.
Knowing that Team Glazer flies commercial, that’s a whole lot tougher to get to than Tampa (only Darcie lives locally — pretty sure Bryan lives in West Palm though he may have a house locally, he used to live locally), Charlotte or Atlanta. And all the Glazers were at Atlanta.
December 23rd, 2017 at 5:57 am
I’m starting to believe they should give Koetter one more year.
Fire Mike Smith. Relieve Koetter of his OC–like duties, and see what he can do solely as a HC.
The coaching carousel at One Buc has to stop eventually or no one will hop on the ride anymore.
December 23rd, 2017 at 12:14 pm
well….if the Glazers are in Charlotte tomorrow, then I feel they keep DC…..put faith in the draft (Defense and OT)…and cross fingers and toes that he gets this thing on track.