“You Can’t Be Your Main Reason For Losing”

December 30th, 2018

Jameis speaks

“I guarantee that some of our coaches want it more than some of our players and that’s the bad part! That’s the bad part. Our coaches want it, I guarantee you!” Jameis Winston, Jan. 3, 2016.

Fiery Jameis appears to be a thing of the past. It’s not necessarily bad, but Joe sure misses that guy.

After the season finale of the 2015 season, Jameis unleashed a passionate rant that called out his teammates. See the quote above. There was even more to it than that.

The Bucs had just finished a 6-10 season that ended the Lovie Smith era, though Jameis didn’t know his head coach would get whacked when he uttered those words.

When Dirk Koetter was the promoted to head coach and he was asked about that speech. And here’s what Koetter had to say during a cozy, off-camera chat with Joe and other media shortly after he got the top job in 2016:

“I think we, as a team, we need to have more players that play with the same heart and passion as Jameis,” Koetter said. “All players want to win. I’m not going to break down every single word he said, but across the board, could we play with more heart and passion? Do we need more players that take it as personal as Jameis? Yes.”

Fast forward to this evening, and Joe reminded Jameis of that passionate take three years ago. And Joe asked Jameis if he still felt that Bucs coaches cared more than players.

“No, I think we got good guys in the locker room. We just got to find a way to put things together, man,” Jameis said. “We shot ourselves in the foot too much, the past two years especially. That ended in a losing season. You can’t really be the primary — you can’t be your main reason for losing, as a team. We can’t beat ourselves. If we get beat by another good team then that’s just football. But we can’t be the ones that beat ourselves.”

Now, Jameis believes, the Bucs have the right players.

And now, Joe believes, in will come a brand new head coach who will turnover half the roster.

Raiders running back Doug Martin, of all people, had a very interesting quote last week about how Chucky does an amazing job bringing in a few key players that really rub off on the rest of the locker room and have guys hungry to play hard. Joe found it interesting because Martin was a Buccaneer in the prior six seasons.

The Bucs could use a few more of those infectious-ruboff guys next season to join Jameis and the rest of the Bucs who care deeply.

64 Responses to ““You Can’t Be Your Main Reason For Losing””

  1. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Jameis has definitely been neutered……both on and off the field and I’m not sure that’s a bad thing.
    I still think down deep he has the passion to want to win.
    Does anyone here think Jameis is happy with the loss and the prospect of the # 5 pick?…….I just don’t think so.

  2. NPRSageBoy Says:

    As of 7pm, both Koetter and Licht remain employees of the Bucs. The death watch continues…..

  3. Rod Munch Says:

    Dirk neutered Jameis, telling him he wanted him to play like Mike Glennon instead of Brett Favre.

    So Jameis dramatically cut down on turnovers, played “safe” ball that all the Winston haters said he couldn’t play, and guess what happened? The team is 0-4 down the stretch. It’s idiotic to buy a Hellcat and then put a regulator on it to keep it from going over 55mph. That’s a loser mentality, and that’s what Dirk brought to the team.

    I keep thinking about what happened with the Chargers a couple of years ago. They lost every single close game, the defense blew every 4th quarter lead, everyone said Rivers was washed up and couldn’t get it done, he was a turnover prone QB that couldn’t play in the NFL anymore – then what happens? They fire their coach, and two years later they’re playing for the top seed in a stacked AFC.

    Anywho, FREE JAMEIS, let him play, let him win, and get a coach who doesn’t have the stank of a loser all over him.

  4. Bird Says:

    Frrrreeeeeeeeeeddddooooommmmm

  5. AlteredEgo Says:

    K&L&J are all tied at the hip… one more year before the Glazer’s make their decision and by then there will be no doubt and no choice

  6. BrianBucs Says:

    Joe

    Maybe the new, more mellow and subdued James has replaced the fiery, cocky Jameis because after 4 years here now he has gotten use to the losing culture and expects/accepts defeat.
    I think it has happened to more than a few players here

  7. JimmyJack Says:

    Cool story about Rivers.

    I think Winston will have a different mindset and attitude under a new HC. Hopefully for the better. Sounds like he will be back next year and let’s hope to see results. I don’t think Winston can last here if he has another 5 win season next year.

  8. Bird Says:

    He poo ed

  9. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    Rod I agree he has been neutered but it’s not all on coaching. Jameis needed to go to the extreme because he was told he was benched for TOs.
    Jameis has shown everyone he can take care of the ball and put the team in position to win.
    Now it is on him to blend what he is doing now with his gunslinger self. A new coach and perspective could help him figure out what situations call for more risk and when to bite it.
    Overall I think this was an important step in his journey and once he gets consistency with games like today, he will gain a lot of fans back and will no longer be called the 4th best QB in the division.

  10. DooshLaRue Says:

    Munch,

    Hellcat?
    That’s funny…. a bit of a stretch.

    You Fancy Men sure have wild imaginations……. but I’m pretty sure you guys already has a propensity for “creativity “

  11. BoiseBucFan Says:

    Being a new father might have something to do with that. It changes you.

  12. Not there yet Says:

    We need a coach who can handle arrogance on the field and channel towards the positive mentality that we can beat anyone on any Sunday. That’s just missing under dirk and there’s just a timid nature about this team

  13. Rod Munch Says:

    Alaskan – I agree, it wasn’t 100% coaching, I think Jameis wanted to prove he could be a boring QB that didn’t turn it over if the defense just kept them in the game. But I also think that was mostly because he was flat out told by Dirk he’s back on the bench if he turns it over. Now do I know that? No. But I know from watching Winston play, he was being extremely careful with the ball down the stretch, and that’s not who Winston is. He played good enough to win games if they had a good defense, but Winston should be more than a safe boring QB, that’s just cutting his balls off and telling the team that the TO line on the stat sheet is more important than winning. Personally I’d rather see him throw for 400 yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs and win the game than throw for 290 yards, 2 TDS and 0 INTs and lose – and the Winston haters would literally rather seem the team lose than turn the ball over.

  14. Jim Says:

    The “neutered” Jameis, played well today. But not being the one responsible for losing is not enough. Franchise QBs carry their team to victory and he has yet to demonstrate that. Well, he gets another year, his 5th…

  15. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    Rod- I agree he didn’t want to be benched again and he played very cautiously because of that.
    I’m excited because he ended last year playing well and was on fire this preseason.
    It was really just a crazy year all around for this team.
    I think he will come out next year in the right mindset again like he did this year in preseason.
    Man, I still can’t get over Barber not even having 100 yards receiving when some backs have 600-800 yards receiving.
    Where is Jameis’ easy drop off and get 6-10+?
    This guy has to manufacture basically every yard this team gets and it’s crazy.

  16. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Let’s face it……we need to be able to run the ball and we need a strong defense……..we simply can’t rely on our offense to win games by itself.
    Jameis is good enough but only with a complete team.

    I like the new version of Jameis better……and I like the running Jameis.

  17. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    Dirk Diggler relieved per Adam Shefter

  18. Bculaw Says:

    So @Jim, do franchise QBs give their team a lead the last time they touch the ball? Because that’s what Jameis did today. Have the Bucs the lead with 5 minutes to play and never touched the ball again. Last I checked, he accounted for 4 TDs and a late 4th quarter lead. Is that not carrying the team?

  19. Rod Munch Says:

    DING DONG DIRK IS GONE!

  20. Rod Munch Says:

    Red Zone reporting Dirk officially fired.

  21. Dave Says:

    Dirk already fired.

  22. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    Don’t tease me Scotty!!!!
    I haven’t seen that on PFT yet.
    The legend of Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles (couldn’t beat Smitty’s defense) continues… ties NFL record 25 straight completions vs the Redskins (who the Bucs and Fitzmagic put up 3 points vs)

  23. lurker Says:

    they must have somebody in mind

  24. tnew Says:

    multiple sources reporting Koetter is fired.

  25. Doc Says:

    Buc’s just fired Coach Koetter

  26. Coburn Says:

    Per Adam Schefter koetter has been fired

  27. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    Thank you Glazers! Thank you for the offense Dirk! Good luck!

  28. tnew Says:

    Looks like Licht is being retained.

  29. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Just saw it on PFT.

  30. Scotty in Fat Antonio Says:

    Bucs statement says Jason is conducting the search for the new coach.

  31. tnew Says:

    Licht to be conducting head coach search per release.

  32. LifeOfABucFan Says:

    I wonder if Koetter would have had a good QB what we would look like..

    Jay Miss can add to his resume..Coach Killer…

  33. Rod Munch Says:

    Is the entire staff fired as well or just Dirk for now? They should keep the offensive staff for now….

    Or better trade for Tomlin if the Steelers miss the playoffs, give up a #1 for a Tomlin/Bell package, then lock him up for 10 years.

  34. HeavyE Says:

    Licht needs to go
    Also, he will mess up the draft, once again!!!

  35. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    “Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately and will be conducted by General Manager Jason Licht.”

    So in your face Jason Licht haters!

  36. Vincente Says:

    Koetter is gone. Thanks Winston

  37. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    I think the staff’s contracts are up anyway Rod

  38. ElioT Says:

    I like this latest version of Jameis, he’s been humbled and has calmed down a lot which is a good thing.

    The way he’s played as of late is good enough to win games.

    Give this guy a running game and a decent defense and I think we’ll see good things.

  39. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    Licht has a Glazers dicpic

  40. Dave Says:

    PFT reporting that Licht is staying and will conduct the head coach search.

  41. Rod Munch Says:

    Licht said he hired Dirk after NOT talking to him for the entire year that he was the OC. So he hired Dirk based off one interview, that was all. To me that was an amazing thing to find out, that with as much as everyone said Dirk was the future HC of the team when he was hired, that him and Licht never spoke for a year.

    Anywho mixed feelings on Licht. He put the team in a position of having to start the year with Ryan Smith and Chris Conte starting, and that alone should have got him fired.

  42. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Rod Munch Says
    “Is the entire staff fired as well or just Dirk for now? They should keep the offensive staff for now….”

    I have to agree with this. Let the new coach decide whether to replace the OL and RB coaches…but fire the entire defensive staff right now.

    Wouldn’t it surprise everyone if they promoted Monken to head coach?

  43. ElioT Says:

    This is bullsh*t.

    They need to clean the entire staff out.

    Licht deserves to be fired just as much if not more than Koetter.

    Just look-up his draft history on Wikipedia and try your best not to vomit. Then look at the horrific free agents he’s brought in and grab the nearest bucket.

    God help us.

  44. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    Yes it would Bonzai, then I would think about it and say “ that’s so Glazers”.

  45. ben Says:

    Dirk has just been fired

  46. John B Says:

    The GM survives somehow – thanks for the memories Dirk!

  47. tnew Says:

    Time for an open thread regarding this subject…

  48. Buc believer Says:

    Koetter has been FIRED!!!! Just came across the wire!!!

  49. Rod Munch Says:

    Bonzai – I’d hope they wouldn’t promote Monken. The last thing the team needs is to have yet another year where there is no true OC because the HC is pulling double duty. That’s where they messed up with Dirk in my opinion.

  50. Buc believer Says:

    Jason Gump needs to go!! He has as bad a record as Dominek!

  51. BrianBucs Says:

    Licht should have been the first person fired.

  52. Rod Munch Says:

    Pittsburgh as a city should be in total meltdown mode now – the Glazers need to move quick to try to pry away Tomlin….

  53. Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:

    Monken is just as clueless as Koetter. “Fitz gives us the best chance to win.”, they both need out of here.

  54. Patrick Says:

    Lol Dirk shouldn’t feel bad: Dungy and Gruden also got fired by this franchise

  55. ElioT Says:

    #lichtmyb*lls

    This sucks…

    Get ready for a dead man walking year in 2019, most likely another losing season with an inferior coach hired by the meathead scout and then we’ll get our complete house cleaning for 2020.

  56. Bird Says:

    Inside Booker

    H

  57. JimmyJack Says:

    I thought today may have been Winston’s best game as a pro.

    Our offense was great overall today at everything except one thing. 3rd & 1. We missed again today and it easily could have changed the outcome today.

    I have been whining about 3rd & 1 since before Lovie Smith got here. It has gone completely unaddressed in what feels like a decade now.

    You can easily go back through all of our games and could make a great case that our failures on 3rd & 1 have cost us just as many games as our kicking has. And yes this is on the players but when it’s a constant problem that continues to hurt the team it is the HCs job to fix it. Dirk never has and never will and we deserve a HC who can fix problems like these.

    Sidenote…..Dungy could not convert 3rd & 1 either. Gruden came on and fixed it & that was part of the reason that team got over the hump and achieved Glory!!

    GOO BUCS!!!

  58. Bird Says:

    Yes

    Jim

  59. Bird Says:

    Yes

    Jim Yarbrough is the word
    Koetter is going home
    You think he is not a good guy

  60. FireMikeSmith_orDie Says:

    Keeping Licht proves the Glazers know NOTHING about football. Whoever the next HC is, unfortunately, it will be no better than Koetter. This team is handicapped until a GM who understands both the business and sport of football.

  61. Issaic haggins Says:

    Rod munch great trade !!!

  62. Bob in Valrico Says:

    Congrats to Mike Evans. he is a great example for the team. 1,524 yards on the season. that should be the story here. He has been the most consistent offensive player on the team. It might of been Jameis best game of the year., and he is starting to utilize Evans to get more
    chunk plays from him than the team has been getting for the last two years.

  63. Rod Munch Says:

    Some fun stats from NFL’s Next Gen page, and this is prior to today’s game…

    Winston is #2 in completed air yards, meaning he throws deep a lot – and isn’t a dink and dunk passer. BTW Fitz is #1, meaning, yes, this is a deep ball offense, just as I’ve said since Dirk became HC, they are running a version of the 1970s Air Coryell offense, and personally, that is one area I had no issue with.

    Winston is #2 in intended air yards, meaning again, he’s throwing deep. The fact he’s #2 in both completed and intended, is a good thing.

    Winston is #2 in aggressiveness, which is a stat combining how players try to force the ball downfield.

    Winston is #1 in air yards to sticks… meaning on 3rd and 8 is he doing like Mike Glennon and just getting an easy 3 yard play and punt, and is he throwing downfield trying to get the first down, not padding his stats. Winston plays to get the first down, to move the ball, not to make his completion % look better than it should be like most NFL QBs.

    Another fun fact: Winston is #5 in the NFL using ESPN’s QBR stat metric, and that’s before this week as well. That looks at the importance of plays, it gives more credit to throwing a 15 yard pass on 3rd and 12 than if you did it on 1st and 10.

    Anywho the Bucs should try to take advantage of the turmoil of the last year and sign Winston to a long term deal at a discounted rate. He is a franchise QB and will be one of the top QBs in football for a while.

  64. Rod Munch Says:

    Another fun fact I just saw… Winston was the teams leading rusher 3 times this year.