The Morning After
December 24th, 2018
Joe’s going to try to keep this short today. It’s Christmas Eve and you shouldn’t be taunted by this endless Halloween nightmare.
There really are only two subjects to discuss with the Bucs: Dirk Koetter’s job and the status of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Every other subject is connected to the two.
First with Koetter. Joe cannot see how Koetter returns.
Joe gets no joy out of that because it means a good man and a good coach failed. Koetter’s timing just wasn’t right with the Bucs, whether that was the personnel he had or being in one of the strongest divisions in the NFL (though with two of the three strong teams having rare losing seasons, Koetter and his Bucs could not take advantage). Koetter has overseen a team that has gotten worse by the year despite the lineup improving each year.
How is that possible?
Each year Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht substantially added to the roster, yet the Bucs got worse. Now they are guaranteed at least 10 losses, down from seven losses and nine losses in Koetter’s first two years, respectively.
Joe doesn’t buy the narratives that there are no sexy head coaching candidates or agents perceive Tampa Bay to be poison, and because of that the Bucs won’t find anyone suitable to replace Koetter. Hell, no-name coaches rise from obscurity each year.
Never forget that Bill Walsh was blacklisted, Father Dungy was a third option and Don Coryell was a coach from an unknown program at a small school in southern California when the three got their first NFL jobs. Each of the three completely turned around truly rotten franchises.
Talented coaches are out there. You just have to find them.
Mental Errors
If Koetter has to clean out his office next week, the lasting memory of his teams may be they could never capitalize on offensive talent because of dumb mental errors week in and week out.
It is to the point that when the Bucs cross the opponent’s 40-yard line, fans are expecting the Bucs to screw up somehow.
And of course, there is the signature Bucs play for stalled drives from mental errors and penalties: the good old-fashioned missed field goal.
Yesterday, Joe asked Koetter if his offensive players are undisciplined. Koetter replied that was an “unfair” label.
Simply put, Jameis has regressed. Donovan Smith has regressed (in a contract year!). Cam Brate has regressed. The Bucs cannot develop a running game. Despite all sorts of people saying the Bucs have talent to win (including Koetter and Father Dungy), the team looks so rusty you would think it was a ship that was salvaged after years on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.
Those are all damning traits that do not look good for Koetter.
Jameis Regression
As Joe has always said about Jameis, “With Jameis there is, ‘yeah-but.’ There is always a ‘but.'”
Joe has concluded Jameis needs a different voice in his ear. As long as Koetter is head coach, Joe is convinced we may have seen Jameis’ ceiling. And that was the 2015 season.
It is always something with Jameis. He may put up good yards but it’s the picks or the fumbles (the fumbles get Joe PO’ed much, much more than the picks).
Yesterday, it was not just the fumbles, but Jameis suddenly forgot how to read a digital countdown clock. How in the hell does that happen where a quarterback nearing the end to his fourth season doesn’t monitor a playclock? That just blows Joe’s mind and is completely and totally inexcusable.
Everyone who has worked with Jameis raves about his Football IQ, yet he does some of the dumbest, irresponsible things on a football field you can imagine.
You think Russell Wilson or Pat Mahomes would get busted for three delay of game penalties in one game? How in the world does the young man expect to lead men when he cannot even bother himself to look at a playclock?
So now Jameis’ road losing streak has reached 12 games. He’s starting to turn into Jeff George.
And yes, Joe would bring Jameis back for 2019 in a blink of an eye.
Lost His Swag
Jameis appears to be a much different quarterback than he was when he was a rookie. Gone is the swag. Gone is the confidence. Gone is the effusive, bubbling, addicting personality.
Jameis is no longer Jameis. And Joe believes gone too is his game.
Some games when Jameis was a rookie, the dude willed the team to a win with his instincts and competitive fire and brash demeanor. Now? He’s mocked by other teams who eat W’s in his face.
Joe is convinced Jameis has been neutered. What did this or who or why? If Koetter did something that finally broke him, or if the losing just drained Jameis of all his spirit, Joe isn’t sure.
But the new Jameis is not the good Jameis. At least not for a franchise trying to win games and rid itself of the losing filth.
Keeping Adam Humphries
Aside from Koetter leaving/a new coach coming in and the status of Jameis, the biggest story for the 2019 offseason will be if the Bucs can retain Adam Humphries.
The wide receiver will be a free agent this offseason, if the Bucs don’t re-sign him in the next 10 weeks. And with Chris Godwin’s sudden inconsistency (you could suggest he too has slightly regressed), the way refs target Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson’s expected departure, Humphries is the most consistent Bucs receiver.
And the dude is a tough SOB too. He has taken bone-crunching hits and he bounces back up as if to say, “That’s all you got?”
Bringing back Humphries becomes more important by the week. And for every catch he makes, that’s more cash he’s going to squeeze from Team Glazer.
December 24th, 2018 at 8:09 am
Merry Christmas Joe! Great read.
December 24th, 2018 at 8:12 am
That’s a fair career “obituary” on DK, Joe. I wish it would have worked out…but it didn’t. Should be an interesting off season to say the least.
December 24th, 2018 at 8:15 am
Joe was wrong on America’s QB
and Johnny Manziel
and that Koetter will be fired….it has not been coaching it has been execution,or lack of by the QB…..overall talent…I watched last nights KC-Seahawks game..those 2 QB are prototypical QB’s…of all Jameis faults is accuracy and is the one that he can NEVER overcome
December 24th, 2018 at 8:18 am
1st round pick needs to be OLineman.
Fix the OLine, Defense gets healthy and hire a coach who demolishes the losing culture this team has had for too long.
December 24th, 2018 at 8:20 am
It was the beginning of the end when Jameis ate that w.
December 24th, 2018 at 8:24 am
Rick Says:
December 24th, 2018 at 8:20 am
It was the beginning of the end when Jameis ate that w.
..
or when on Hard Knocks showing the camera crew around the house he grew up in on the porch he stopped and marveled at two cockroaches copulating ….I’d love to see his letter of acceptance academically to Stanford…that is a real tough one to understand
December 24th, 2018 at 8:25 am
This is going to be the third straight season two rookie head coaches are going to the playoffs.
2016-Adam Gase & Ben McAdoo
2017-Sean McVay & Sean McDermott
2018-Matt Nagy & either Frank Reich or Mike Vrabel
December 24th, 2018 at 8:31 am
Nobody is buying what Winston is selling….I’ve said since day one, all that “rah rah” nonsense wasn’t going to fly at the pro level. He was a productive college QB who was surrounded by elite talent that would mask his revolving door of issues both on and off the field. He no longer has that level of competitive advantage and all his flaws are proving he can’t win without a lot of help. That’s not what you aspire for with the #1 pick. At a minimum you want them to stay in the starting role…A legit Pro Bowl…a playoff appearance. Those are reasonable hopes by year 4.
December 24th, 2018 at 8:32 am
I disagree with the 1st statement. I care more about hump coming back next year.
Koetter is gone and jamies is jamies whether he stays or not. He’s probably be here next year and we’ll see more of the same- not a a good enough qb to play a ‘safe’ (no ints) game and a turnover machine otherwise.
Unless G boys will bring in a coach who doesn’t want him which isn’t likely.
December 24th, 2018 at 8:33 am
I am seeing a few of the early mock drafts having the Bucs and the Giants both taking QBs with their first picks, one in particular had the Bucs getting the kid from Oregon at #6 and the Giants following with the Ohio State QB at #8. Seems like some of the national pundits think that Jameis has worn out his welcome in Tampa. I have my doubts about this but his mistake filled adventure in North Texas yesterday did little to build any confidence in his return as he made mistakes that you’s expect from one of the rookie qbs this year. In retrospect it looks like both Tennessee and Tampa made mistakes in the draft 3 years ago as both should have taken the alleged multi first round draft pick package that Kelly had supposedly floated out there before the draft. Both qbs turned out to be average at best….. oh well, likely the Bucs will find a way to go 6-10 and draft #10 or so next April so I hope the new GM knows what he is doing. Merry Christmas Joes and fellow Buc fans!
December 24th, 2018 at 8:34 am
Dirk killed any chance of us being successful team with his poor coaching. He gots ta go! For everyone railing against Jameis don,t forget Atlanta had the same problem when he was OC They couldn’t score in the red zone and Matt Ryan under Dirk was 32-14, 26-17, and 28-14
December 24th, 2018 at 8:37 am
Bobby M- Well said!!
December 24th, 2018 at 8:42 am
So this is Christmas; and Dirk is near gone. Another season over; a new one just begun. Congrats Team Joe for cranking out a ton of material and bringing us the podcasts. Having spent my entire professional career away from Tampa (including time overseas), you’ve become a go-to source of zany, interesting, thoughtful and pulpy Bucs information. Thanks for the hard work. Thanks for giving us a forum, an outlet to vent.
What’s so tough is that I remember the double-digit losing seasons as being a frustrating byproduct of frugal ownership. It seemed to all point to Hugh. There was a weird charm to his penny pinching- all bolstered by his orange suit, infidelity and famous lines like being ‘jilted at the altar’ by Parcells or calling Perkins his ‘little Vince Lombardi’.
Malcom turned the clown show into something we could be proud of. He delivered relevant football and the one thing we never dreamed possible- a championship. What has transpired since is nothing sort of humiliating. We’ve bungled every major decision. Blown countless draft picks. We’re looking up at Cleveland- they are light years ahead of us. We’re a JV organization top to bottom posing as Varsity. Just look at the horrific uniforms we’re forced to see week after week. We play like baffoons, so we might as well dress like baffoons too.
This is all to say, you guys are a great outlet- a necessary outlet. Thanks for all you do. Here’s wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
December 24th, 2018 at 8:44 am
Joe I enjoy reading your stuff. This is coming from a California kid growing up loving the Bucs ever since the Hardy Nickerson days. I believe in continuity and growing as an organization sticking with the organization through tough times. We’ve had plenty of tough times. I believe Jameis is only getting better, next year is the make or break year though. If we can’t pull it together in the draft, during free agency and possibly hiring a better coach or at least show a development of our own talent then we might need to wipe the slate clean. DeSean Jackson needs to go, Gerald McCoy needs to go. We need a new offensive line, we need REAL cornerbacks and another BAD MAN in our defensive line. We need to carry a Big MothF”inning stick!
James will not worry about his off field issues because he’s solely focused on football and playing QB. It has been a tough year, oh by the way we need a REALBGAMEBREAKER RUNNING BACK. Jason Licht is trying his very best he doesn’t deserve to comeback but I guess one more year is warranted to match with Jameis contract. They need to evaluate GMs available for 2019. Falcons are trending down, Carolina trending down and Brees will be out soon.
Believe Buc Nation. We have a chance to turn this around, we just need to stay patient stay committed stay loyal things will turn around. Stay up! Merry Christmas Joe!!!! Merry Christmas Buc Nation!!!
December 24th, 2018 at 8:50 am
note to self: read the article first
December 24th, 2018 at 8:52 am
Problem with hump, though, he doesn’t look dumb enough to stay in tampa and have mccoy like career. Gut feeling it’s not all money with this guy.
December 24th, 2018 at 8:59 am
I still think that there will be no improvement from what we have witnessed since the Gruden era. The only way things will really change is when Joel & Brian can admit honestly to themselves that they SUCK at being in charge of an NFL team. They then need to hire a President of football operations ( maybe like Payton Manning) that knows how to build a winning culture. Give that individual FULL control over personnel (GM & Coaches). Then do what the Glazier boys do best, swing by every now and then to pick up the checks
December 24th, 2018 at 9:00 am
“ELEPHAT IN THE ROOM
there now is a wrench/option that Team Glazer will consider in a few months
Kobe believes drafting a QB in the draft was no option and Team Glazer was certainly bringing JW back HOWEVER
THERE IS AN ELEPHAT IN THE ROOM…
NICK FOLES
NICK FOLES and his possible future with Tampa Bay will be considered heavily”
Kobe Faker
December 24th, 2018 at 9:06 am
There’s no arguing any of these points, though I’m sure the “apologists” will try. Jameis is not where a 4th year QB SHOULD be, not one that was picked 1st overall.
The fumble didn’t even get me as angry as the delay of game penalties!
It’s a shame that we never get all aspects of TEAM play in one game. If the offense is playing well, the defense stinks. When the defense actually plays OK, the offense is terrible.
The team lacks discipline, I don’t care what coach says.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:07 am
Terrible article
December 24th, 2018 at 9:10 am
Kobe….as tempting as Foles is……we really need to do the correct thing and build our own team ….there are several options at QB this draft and I’d jump all over a QB …see my posts on current era of NFL and the attributes a QB must have…in no particular order
quick feet
quick decision making
quick and accurate release
December 24th, 2018 at 9:11 am
While I do believe Humph is good. I would be careful with Humph catching for another QB in the NFL. QBs have the option of not throwing his route. Winston looks for him and seems to have taken Brates catches even after OJ went out for the year. There needs to be a very hard look at Brates after all the money he got this year he sure has dropped a lot of balls this year.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:13 am
We don’t need a first round QB. Will Grier will be available in round 2.
Round one should give us a game wrecker to put next to Vita Vea or in the secondary.
If we don’t fix the offensive line, it doesn’t matter who you put back there because they will just get pummeled.
GMC and Desean Jackson can be traded for more picks, possibly an additional first or second rounder.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:24 am
Jameis has shown an alarming lack of awareness on the field for a fourth year franchise QB. Always felt that Jameis is taking too long at the line of scrimmage
at times, whether he is trying to make adjustments or he just doesn’t get the play off’ all his efforts are wasted. This is unacceptable for a QB with his experience.
There have been times when he is distracted by what he sees on the field and does not execute properly. On the handoff he was looking past BoBo and not focused on making a good handoff to the BoBo’s belly, so the handoff went to BoBo’s rib instead of belly. The only comment I have on the fumble if, is if he made the decision to put the ball away and run instead of holding the ball in spot a defender could strip it at worst he would have suffered a loss of yardage
and not surrendering a TD.
Sad that Jameis has not corrected some of these things and progressed to franchise QB he was expected to be. I don’t blame Koetter for lack of success in this area because its really up to Jameis.
Now playcalling is issue for me whether blame lies on Koetter or
Montgen for gameplanning, Back to back running plays really pis me off! If you run the ball and get decent yardage on first down use second down to go downfield.
This is agressive football and its a lot easier to overcome penalties when you have two downs instead of one. As a playcaller ,I believe Koetter and Montgen
have been too conservative, quite possibly because of turnovers. Whatever the reason Koetter has kind of reverted into a conservative shell. In this sense he also has regressed along with Jameis.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:24 am
search Dwayne Haskins film session on youtube…..thats who we need
December 24th, 2018 at 9:25 am
At times, I look at this team and think it’s so close to being a contender. Other times, I’m convinced the only way you can get the stench of failure out of the building is to blow up the whole thing, take it down to the studs, even the sales department needs to be turned over. Mentally, this team isn’t in a good place and neither are the fans. The Glazers need to figure it out this time around.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:36 am
Great article today you will probably have the ignorant stick carriers call you racist now but facts are facts, the only thing is regressing to some may be wrong because 76 was never that good jason licht said he was good & licht has no clue as a GM
December 24th, 2018 at 9:41 am
Whatever happened to that “Grand Slam” draft class. So many missed picks and signings. Two of the best five on this team were drafted before any of this mess started. Think of all the wasted $$$$ that could have been used for a K. Mack trade and signing even Cousins.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:43 am
Why was the play clock running down three times? Isn’t the coaches job to get the play calls in a timely manner? I’ve seen other coaches call T.O.’s when the play clock winds down, but Koetter said himself he let it happen because he was going to throw it anyway, and thought 4th and 6 would be better then 4th and 1, really? Jameis scramble came up 1 yard short, meaning he made up the 5 yards Koetter gave them, would’ve been a 1st down if he only needed 1. Licht has not assembled a talented roster as many of you think, and Koetter has failed to coach them up. If you want to put all the blame on Jameis remember that Koetter is responsible for coaching him. If one failed, they both failed.
December 24th, 2018 at 9:59 am
JOE says
“Jameis appears to be a much different quarterback than he was when he was a rookie. Gone is the swag. Gone is the confidence. Gone is the effusive, bubbling, addicting personality.
Jameis is no longer Jameis. And Joe believes gone too is his game.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sadly, you have hit this right on the money. Hoping some changes here will bring a fresh beginning to JW’s game and allow him to find the best player within that he can truly be. We will see.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:08 am
Dirk Keotter = Dumpster Fire
December 24th, 2018 at 10:08 am
“Joe is convinced Jameis has been neutered.”
Or maybe, stay with me here, just maybe Joe was WRONG about America’s Turnover Machine? As he has been wrong about a few QB’s before? Year 4, No.1 overall pick, Heisman winner, National Champion, only lost one game in his life before coming to the Bucs. But yet, he STILL not playing as advertised. After 4 years. Maybe, just maybe, it IS his fault?
All I know is I love Joes website and articles outside of the QB related ones, which unfortunately is a lot of them. I just can’t see eye to eye with Joe about QB’s. The Johnny articles were torture and the Jameis ones have lasted 5 times longer. Hopefully we can find a real QB we can all agree on.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:10 am
@Joe … “Koetter has overseen a team that has gotten worse by the year despite the lineup improving each year. How is that possible? Each year Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht substantially added to the roster, yet the Bucs got worse.”
Oh please Joe, tell me it’s not so. Tell me you’re not backing Jason Licht for another year as our GM … PLEASE. Dirk Koetter never had a chance with this sheet-show of a lineup. As soon as the injuries to our starters hit (and they ALWAYS do in Tampa), Dirk Koetter (and any prospect of a winning season) was toast. The roster that the Architect built has more holes in in than a piece of Swiss cheese. Take a really good look at the starting roster that Bucs fielded yesterday, then compare it position-by-position with the Cowboys and with any winning TEAM. Bucs have ZERO real depth and every year that bites us in the arse.
So when this piece starts off “There really are only two subjects to discuss with the Bucs: Koetter & Winston” it REALLY missed the mark Joe. There’s REALLY only one thing to discuss with the Bucs: GETTING RID OF JASON LICHT AND HIRING A REAL FOOTBALL BUY TO TAKE HIS PLACE.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:23 am
Half of me wants to move on from Winston while the other half of me wants to see what a new regime can do for the kid. Half of me blames coaching on his regression and half of me thinks “he has the likes of Evans, djax, hump, Godwin, Howard and brate to throw to” how is he failing? I do feel bad for the (hopefully) new gm and head coach as there are just as many questions on this roster as there are answers.
Me personally, I would love for the new gm and hc to try and salvage Winston this coming year. I would sit Winston down and tell him this is his make or break year with this organization. If he succeeds next yr, great! If he fails next yr, Bucs will have a top 5 pick and that gm can pick his new qb.
December 24th, 2018 at 10:31 am
Good article Joe, with well balanced observations. OK, keep Winston but hedge your bet by drafting a promising young QB. And keeping the Hump may not be just a matter of cash. He might be tired of playing on a losing team, he might be tired of being a stationary target. And BTW, you get extra bucks when you’re in the play-offs…
December 24th, 2018 at 11:03 am
That’s a shame too. I’m statrted to not like things being a fan of this team. Every week is blame game Monday now. The first problem is not the coach, gm, or the QB. The question is who is coaching the oline. Let’s 🔥 that guy yeah George Warhop should’ve been fired by L. Smith but he hasn’t meaning this staff hasn’t made adjustments. Two everyone talking bout keeping Hump for Djax money is crazy. Btw the way he has handle his negotiating with this team makes me think he’s gone anyway but man Hump ain’t making a difference just keeping it flowing to me. We as fans really should stay positive and patient. Don’t fire the whole regime just fire the offensive line coach, don’t draft another qb or more weapons draft a power running back early and some speedy defensive ends. I hate to go all day here but it’s just that way right now in Tampa though. I feel we need to hire someone above the GM. When we had Rich McKay here the guy had a real structure. I mean Mark Dominic started under the guy doing accounting and the silly owners made him GM. The front office under Licht isn’t structural and there should be a football guy VP over him to help him manage some of the offseason moves that are now catching up to this roster. They need to stop going after Vets in free agency and trades just make moves to acquire more draft picks. This team should’ve cut bait with LVD and GMC and had no business going after JPP which btw they have played great this season once we got rid of M. Smith but I can’t say it enough it’s not discipline or bad coaching or culture or QB but it’s Structure. There’s no structure here with this organization which is what we had when won the Super bowl. It’s just a GM and a coach they never bring in fresh “voices”🤣🤣 wat a joke btw. Let’s hire someone over Licht instead of firing the guy and let’s change some of the coaching staff not the whole thing though.
December 24th, 2018 at 11:36 am
The first move for the Glazers is to sign Hump, like right now. Quit effin around. Next fire incompetent Licht. Ranks right up there with Dominick. Finally fire Koetter & Warhop.
December 24th, 2018 at 11:59 am
When Jameis was a rookie
The Bucs were 5th in the NFL in rushing with 2162 yards
Their RB caught a total of 89 passes
This run-first, short passes to the RB , creating openings for the WR
This was the offense that he ran at FSU
But somewhere along the line Dirk wanted to turn him into Dan Marino
That he’s not, and never will be
December 24th, 2018 at 12:00 pm
You gotta remember one thing… Jameis is from Alabama.
December 24th, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Thank you for the great content all year Joe Bucs Fan!
December 24th, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Poor coaching and refusal to learn from mistakes coupled with a moron qb is a recipe for disaster. Time to blow everything up and start over yet again. Another sad season Bucs fans.
December 24th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
@AlteredEgo: +1
@ BobbyM: +1.
@FortMyersDave: +1
And for the sixth or seventh time, for the record; I voted trade down in every single poll!
Merry Christmas to both Joes and to all at JBF!
tickrdr
December 24th, 2018 at 1:31 pm
tickrdr- Merry Christmas!
I enjoy reading your posts.
December 24th, 2018 at 2:10 pm
every driven winner that plays for tampa bay loses their swagger eventually. cancer93 the leader of the losing culture sucks the swagger and will to will from all.
December 24th, 2018 at 2:58 pm
I’m not a fan of Jameis the man. I’m not a fan of Jameis the QB. But I’ll give him credit. On that Bobo fumble he did his damnedest to tomahawk that ball out of the defenders hand at the risk of hurting his throwing hand. Dudes got a huge heart. Tough to have to call him out for his decision making. The Joe’s make it seem like it’s all a fault of coaching. I think that’s off. There’s a coaching component. But the guy just has decision making problems. If he’s back next year, and I suspect he will be, I hope he can get his act together. America’s Turnover Machine.
December 24th, 2018 at 6:17 pm
Tickdr
Merry Christmas. And yes trade down was the right call…I think LUV like you saw it back then when it was available.
I mentioned how Beathard made his bones trading down high first round draft picks into multiple first and second rounders. But I didn’t have the courage to go against the CW and truly believe the Bucs should have done that. I would not have been upset though.
Of course hindsight is 20/20 and clearly we should have traded down. Mariotta doesn’t impress me anymore than JW. We should have found an entire offensive line…or loaded up on DL.
There were plenty of uses for all the picks we could have picked up.
I think that the Winston Mariotta debate generated a ton of interest in the two QB’s that year. Who knows how many and how high we would have done trading down for draft picks. Could have changed the franchise.