“Don’t Assume That He’s Gone”
December 23rd, 2018
NFL Network trots out Ian Rapoport as a super insider every day, and today Rapoport was telling the nation that Dirk Koetter may remain as Buccaneers head coach, along with the core of the front office.
Joe ain’t buying it. And Joe wouldn’t support a fourth year of Koetter in charge. He’s made too many mistakes for reasoned and seasoned people to believe he has what it takes to lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl one day.
There’s also that 11-22 record since the Bucs last went to Dallas, today’s opponent at 1 p.m.
Joe could go on and on, including Koetter’s losing records in the first halves of his three seasons. You think that was just bad luck?
Team Glazer is far too smart to play the status-woe game to that extreme.
Watch Rapoport’s report below, where he is adamant, “Don’t assume that he’s gone.”
From @GMFB Weekend: The #Bucs haven't ruled out coach Dirk Koetter returning for 2019, while #Falcons coach Dan Quinn will be back… but keep an eye on Darrell Bevell as ATL's next OC. pic.twitter.com/VKSie7vu5D
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2018
December 23rd, 2018 at 8:36 am
Thank you Joe, for making me feel better after reading that video headline… Please let this be a done deal by now.
December 23rd, 2018 at 8:43 am
If the Glazer’s want to sell any tickets next year bringing back Koetter would not meet that goal. Think the stands were empty the last two home games, wait till you see what it looks like for the Atlanta game. The Glazer’s might not be the best owners when it comes to fielding a winning football team, but they are astute businessmen. They know how to make money, and they know bringing back Koetter will not have the fans exited to buy those empty seats. They may believe Koetter has an outside chance of turning around the team, but they know he has no chance of convincing a dwindling fan base. For business reasons alone Koetter will be fired.
December 23rd, 2018 at 8:45 am
If they keep Koetter it will be the biggest test of my fandom of this team to date and as you all know that is saying a lot with this team.
December 23rd, 2018 at 8:45 am
Team glazer is going to fire Koetter
They just dont know if just Koetters head is enough or Gump also has to go
Will the fans comeback with just a new head coach
Team Glazer loves Gump and they dont want to fire him if they dont have to
That is team Glazers predicament and where we stand
Presently Team Glazer doesnt know if they will or will not fire the Teflon Gump”
Kobe Faker
December 23rd, 2018 at 8:48 am
Keep Koeter and the home stadium will become an echo chamber for hopeless fans next year.I would even prefer one of the Bucs cheerleaders.
December 23rd, 2018 at 8:55 am
Q the “Glazers will make money regardless on if they sell tickets or not” crowd in 5…4..3…2…1
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:08 am
Who is helping these Glazer Boyz make Football operational decisions? The young Glazer Kids? I’m sure the Glazer family is more than competent when it comes to counting their profits/monies. I don’t think they have a clue though on how to build a true football winner. Why don’t think just go all out and hire a Knowledgeable Football Head of Ops? Or something. I have no faith in them doing things right.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:11 am
7-9 Koetter has a shot
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:11 am
Tony Dungy as President of Football Operations with total control of hiring new HC and GM , that is a move that will put arses back in seats. Father Dungy is the right man for the job of rebuilding this Hot Mess of a franchise.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:16 am
In Germany we have a saying:
There is no guarantee that things will get better when you make a change, but if things should get better, you need to change!
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:17 am
Team President: Tony Dungy
GM Jason Licht
HC Mike McCarthy
OC Todd Monken
DC Rod Marinelli (I believe Jones will let him walk this year and promote Kris Richard)
But…a case can be made to keep Koetter. He was hired as an offensive -minded coach, and we did have the number one offense most of the year.
I’m guessing that most of those mistakes J0E mentions were on defense or kicking, with maybe a couple exceptions.
Cannot blame Koetter for benching Winston, since most of you wanted him to do it at the time.
Dirk has absolutely nothing to do with the kicker situation.
And so far as defense, the only thing I hold against him was his loyalty to Mike Smith. But loyalty can be a good thing too…in a lot of cases. This time it was misplaced.
However, the Glazers could decide the way to go would be the way the Colts did with Dungy, but reversed. Tell Koetter hands off the defense and bring in someone capable of rebuilding it. That person could eventually become Koetter’s replacement.
So far as fan attendance in such a situation, I call bull. Fan attendance already sucks because of the losing. The only way to change that is by winning.
And frankly, I don’t expect it to go down that way…but if it does, the last thing I want to hear is another season of whining, especially if a certain writer joins in. The only reason most fans come here is to find hope and to come away with a reason to keep the faith, unless you count the trolls who wish to destroy such things.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:18 am
There’s just no way dirk comes back now. After today’s 9 offensive points, he might not make the plane ride home. He might not last the bus ride to the plane. 34-9 Cowboys.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:26 am
If they bring him back I’ll take a year off just like I did in 1995.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:28 am
Koetter has hung himself time after time. Hiring Mike Smith to begin with was a weak move and then he kept him.around Waaaaay too long.
Then he tries to sabotage his own young qbs career by taking over playcalling and /or influencing what Monken is calling. After four years Jameis isn’t permitted to change the call a at the line of scrimmage and audible to another play? That S poor coaching
I must admit I’ve been slightly impressed with Dufner, and Monken is good when he’s not being leashed. Koetter has no balls and doesn’t have what it takes to lead any team.as a head coach
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:29 am
Bring on the cowboys, let’s beat in them for 4 quarters and we win 28 – 17
GO BUCS!
“And Joe wouldn’t support a fourth year of Koetter in charge” I bet the Glazers are real concerned. Just my opinion.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:31 am
First off, what makes you think the Glazers are “smart” when it comes to making football decisions. This franchise has been at the bottom of the sea since they took over and they haven’t anyone who has turned out to be a star. Mediocre to bad GMs and head coaches, no president of football operations. All of that has lead to poor drafts, free agency and on field decisions. Koetter is an offense guy and that part of the team has excelled under him even without a running game (the lack of a good RB falls on the GM). Fans should be careful what they wish for. The defense needs more talent on that side of the ball and coaching can only go so far. If the Glazers make another poor coaching choice the team might regress on offensive and then we have a losing team that is boring to watch. I am hoping for the best but not optimistic the Glazers will make all the right moves.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:32 am
JBF censored again. Haha Haha I must be doing something right.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:35 am
How spectacular would it be if the Bucs kept Dirk Koetter and released Winston? Beyond spectacular. That would mean a coach in Tampa finally had power of a roster decision and kept his job in one year. The fans are ready to find a respectable QB situation they can stomach. Perhaps Koetter got this message through to the Glazer family? We shall see. And hope.
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:41 am
Respectable QB situation! Who you want MH? Mike Glennon? Blaine Gabbert? Overdrafting a mediocre talent in the draft with less talent than JW? You fools had 40 years of bad QB play and you want to go right back to it. So you want to go back to shtty offensive play and you think that would be spectacular! GFOH!
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:45 am
All these haters never lived through Leeman Bennet or Ray Perkins. Todays society has NO patience or vision
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:49 am
Dirk needs to be gone, 4 vertical offense works
Good between the 20s but falters in the red zone, this does not fit what Jameis is good at. I hope they boot him because this old offense will not work in today’s NFL.
December 23rd, 2018 at 10:02 am
TouchDownTampaBay Says:
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:41 am
Respectable QB situation! Who you want MH? Mike Glennon? Blaine Gabbert? Overdrafting a mediocre talent in the draft with less talent than JW? You fools had 40 years of bad QB play and you want to go right back to it. So you want to go back to shtty offensive play and you think that would be spectacular! GFOH!
Where fans feel comfortable entering the stadium. You’re thinking inside the box (on the field play) in your judging. And the on the field play isn’t good either but it’s bigger.
December 23rd, 2018 at 10:09 am
TouchDownTampaBay Says:
December 23rd, 2018 at 9:41 am
Respectable QB situation! Who you want MH? Mike Glennon? Blaine Gabbert? Overdrafting a mediocre talent in the draft with less talent than JW? You fools had 40 years of bad QB play and you want to go right back to it. So you want to go back to shtty offensive play and you think that would be spectacular! GFOH!
P.S. The attendance has been dropping since we drafted this player man. All the “franchisers” who say a QB improves your attendance by himself. Improves your look on the national stage, um, Bucs are bottom 5. I don’t know if you’re an FSU fan but his image on the organization and nationally is bad. Also believe there’s something in the locker room too but that’s a different issue. Good day.
December 23rd, 2018 at 10:10 am
If the Bucs do decide to keep Koetter, then they should get him the QB that he really wants and tried hard to get last year, Nick Foles
December 23rd, 2018 at 10:15 am
The Glazers told Greg Schiano he was coming back for a 3rd season. Schiano went and told the players that they were stuck with him for another season. The Glazers called him back into their office and fired him.
This is how the Glazers operate
You never know when it’s coming
December 23rd, 2018 at 10:43 am
Any of you saying your fandom or fanship is dependent upon Koetter staying or going aren’t real fans anyway. I’ve been a fan of this team since I was a child. I tell people regularly the only reason I’m a Bucs fan is because it’s where I’m from, why ELSE would I be a fan of this team?!?! Besides, if you can make it through Schiano (which wasn’t that long ago and is really far removed from making it through guys like Perkins so gimme a friggin break!), you can make it through another year of Koetter. Or Licht. I’m just sayin.
December 23rd, 2018 at 10:57 am
@BucsFanSince76
About your comment…
“Tony Dungy as President of Football Operations with total control of hiring new HC and GM , that is a move that will put arses back in seats. Father Dungy is the right man for the job of rebuilding this Hot Mess of a franchise”
^^^^^^ If I was the owner of the Buc’s I’d do everything I could to make that happen!
December 23rd, 2018 at 11:42 am
No guarantee that if they fire Dirk the next coach will be the answer. Yes there have been some bad decisions, but also some good decisions have been made by the current regime. BEST offense in team history, defense has been coming around. We need more talent on defense, db’s in my opinion is glaring weakness. Dirk has the team playing hard and if anyone denies that, they are either lying or just not realistic. I wouldn’t fire a coach who brings accountability to the organization. Not all coaches woulda benched Winston, and honestly, the way Dirk handled that situation was impressive as the lockeroom never seemed divided during that qb situation. Imo keep Dirk and tell Gm to get a couple impact Db’s.
December 23rd, 2018 at 11:42 am
Stfu with that stupid Nick Foles talk. Fans are so dumb a dude has a good game or two and people forget he started out the season getting the crap kicked outta him by a mike smith led defense. Where do you morons come from? Coaches can be replaced easier than players and ol looking for the type of improvement the rams had when getting rid of 7-9 fisher but apparently that’s more than enough for some of you
December 23rd, 2018 at 11:45 am
Dirk Koetter era is over and his golden boy Fitz tragic is inactive for the game. Koetter already knows it’s over
December 23rd, 2018 at 11:54 am
Bonzai,
Change that HC to Ron Rivera and we’re going places with that group…
December 23rd, 2018 at 11:59 am
Licht worse than Koetter. If for some insane stupid reason they keep Licht, keep him out of the draft room & away from FA decisions.
December 23rd, 2018 at 12:01 pm
It’s time to move on from Koetter, hate to say it because I do believe that he is a good guy and he’s provided 4 out of our 5 most prolific offenses ever in franchise history, but we only have 1 winning season to show for it and it didn’t lead to the playoffs. He’s a good OC but he’s just not cut out to be a pro HC. I wish him well after he gets fired next week.
December 23rd, 2018 at 12:01 pm
For the love of God, this guy needs to go. He’s out coached every freaking week, even when the Bucs win
December 23rd, 2018 at 12:43 pm
Benching Winston beyond the Carolina game was Dirk’s most fatal decision…
other than hiring Mike Smith and then keeping him too long of course…
December 23rd, 2018 at 12:48 pm
how long has JBF been in business? ..hmmm
December 23rd, 2018 at 12:57 pm
MHBuc25 Says
“The attendance has been dropping since we drafted this player man.”
Nice try.
The Attendance has always been an issue in Tampa. And the most recent issues started during the Jon Gruden years. Cannot blame Winston for that, Hater.
December 23rd, 2018 at 1:00 pm
Gee Bonzai, I thought you’ve been Totally Confident in Dirk. What have you seen this season that you didn’t see last season?
This team does not need Tony Dungy.
December 23rd, 2018 at 1:06 pm
Things Koetter did right:
• Installed an offense that has consistently been top ten, and this year was the number one offense for much of the season. Still is a top 5 offense right now.
• Kept the players playing hard
• did not lose the team’s confidence, even with the losing
• Gave Todd Monken the opportunity to call plays (and yet, even with Monken calling plays, fans still blamed Koetter for bad playcalling)
Things Koetter did wrong:
• Did not get rid of Mike Smith soon enough
• Did not start Winston in the 4th game
• Benched Winston for too long (should have been no more than 1 1/2 games)
So far as I’m concerned, those are the major sticking points.
I do not blame the losing entirely on him, because the defense has a lot of rookies playing more than they should have been, and the defensive coaching staff outright sucks. Yes, some of that is on him…he should have fired Smith last off season (or by the bye week), but the rest of the defensive staff would have still been there, so the defense still would have sucked.
If we could completely replace the defensive staff and the offensive line/Running back coaches, and still keep Koetter, I would be fine with it. But it won’t go down like that.
December 23rd, 2018 at 1:08 pm
@D-Rome
I still am totally confident in Koetter. The issue is kicking and defense, and I just don’t see them replacing the entire defense unless they fire Koetter. Which to me sucks, but it is what it is.
December 23rd, 2018 at 1:09 pm
I would be happy if they kept Koetter. I’m just not confident a group of owners known for giving up on coaches will keep him another year.
December 23rd, 2018 at 1:19 pm
LVD
December 23rd, 2018 at 1:21 pm
there just not very good – aikman on D lmao
December 23rd, 2018 at 2:09 pm
We need a running game.
December 23rd, 2018 at 2:19 pm
Man if you can’t run the ball you are going to lose.
December 23rd, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Licht and Koetter are both pale garbage
December 23rd, 2018 at 2:40 pm
This offense is too predictable
December 23rd, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Licht can’t draft for spit
December 23rd, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Jamies is not the problem on this team. We just need a running back and a o line .
December 23rd, 2018 at 3:49 pm
DRAFT HASKINS!!!!!!!!
December 23rd, 2018 at 4:05 pm
We need to stop the quarterback talk and build a defense and a running game first. Go back to our roots.
December 23rd, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Wonder how the season would have gone had we had a this DC and not as many key injuries
December 23rd, 2018 at 5:18 pm
I can’t do another year him, it’s a waste of time.
December 23rd, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Keep the same staff in place and that would guarantee at best a 3rd straight 5-11 finish to the season next year, and the 2019 season would be doomed before it even gets started. Please Glazers, do what whatever you can to get Jim Harbaugh in here!!!
December 23rd, 2018 at 6:53 pm
To get rid of HC and GM would be absolutely foolish. For what!, to bring in someone new and start all over again? I agree they have been more than disappointing this year, but they have also done something that this franchise has never done before. Put points up. They are one of the top offenses in the nfl! Just get the defense to average and you have a chance. To constantly change the mgt is wrong. Take a page from the Steelers. How many HC and GM’S have they had in their history? If you want to be in the playoffs Consistently then you need continuity from the top down. They have a system now. Now just get the players to fit it. There will be more mistakes made on getting the right players. Just keep on improving. That’s my two cents
December 23rd, 2018 at 7:32 pm
@Bucsfanin76 Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht have had more than enough time to put a Championship Football team on the field. Licht has been GM for 5 seasons. Dirk Koetter has been HC for 3 years, and was OC when he first got here. Getting rid of Koetter and Licht is justified for the team now having the 4th double digit loss season in Jason Licht’s tenure, and Koetter’s offense is too turnover prone to where the stats don’t matter. Example: Our offense had around 500 total yards against the Washington Redskins, but yet lost 16-3. If you look at the Defense, Koetter waited till after the Bye Week to fire Mike Smith, who was a total failure at DC this year and last year. We have one of the worst defenses in the League. Koetter is a good Coordinator, but not a HC. Licht has no excuse either. His W-L record is the equivalent to Mark Domnik. Ronald Jones, Roberto Aguayo, and Noah Spence are just 3 of just many other draft busts Licht has had. Finally, to keep it short, in Free Agency, Licht hasn’t done too great there either. Michael Johnson, and Gosder Cherilus to name just a couple.