Get Excited, Bucs Fans

January 1st, 2019

Is he the one?

Some are grumpy the Bucs dismissed Bit-O-Honey-snacking, Ozark-watching, yams-eating coach Dirk Koetter despite him posting a 10-22 record the past two seasons and, by many accounts, underachieving.

Chase Stuart is not among them.

The proprietor of FootballPerspective.com digs up some interesting stats. Stuart has one such stat he published that, he believes, gives Bucs fans something to get excited about with a new coach coming.

Stuart said the Bucs have demonstrated what they can be on the field. Now they only need to find the right coach to harness that talent.

Joe believes the Bucs are two steps away from being a serious threat to snap their shameful 11-year playoff drought. Find a decent defensive coordinator (Joe is assuming defensive coordinator Mark Duffner is not returning).

The second element is for the new head coach to either mold the offensive line or find a dang running back.

If the Bucs are just one coach away from turning things around, why shouldn’t fans be excited? If you can’t get hyped for your favorite team, what’s the point of it all?

91 Responses to “Get Excited, Bucs Fans”

  1. Pete I Says:

    One coach away? Unlikely. Licht is picking the coach? excitement on hold!

  2. Victor Johnson Says:

    Love it and to all the talkheads talking about the Bucs job being the worst job; I will love it when the egg is all over your faces!!!!!!!!!!

  3. AlteredEgo Says:

    LOL…bait and switch….
    Parcells twice
    Kelly once

  4. Tbbucs3 Says:

    We will be fine…….

    As long as I don’t see Javien Elliot, Issiah Johnson, Brent Grimes, And Ryan Smith out there in the secondary. Adams as a depth piece but not an NFL starter.

    5 years and this is the best we can do?

    Might as well throw Mike Jenkins and Leonard Johnson out there.

    I think Drew Brees a couple years ago proved that in the NFL, it does not matter how good your offense is if you don’t have a good defense in the NFL. They had a great offense and still couldn’t win a thing.

    Fix the defense. “Simple as that”.

  5. DislocatedBucsFan Says:

    Jameis and Smith got koetter fired.

  6. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    If he can bring in Todd Bowles – Ok

  7. Duthsty Rhothdes Says:

    The bucs OL is pedestrian and has holes all over. Need an RB, LBs, DBs… and why is licht still around

  8. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    #1 Choice – Jim Harbaugh.
    Then Parlay that by throwing some compensation at the bears for Vic Fangio.

    Now that’s a coaching staff

  9. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    #2 Choice – Vic Fangio

  10. AlteredEgo Says:

    Hire Arians as GM….

  11. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    The one and concern I would have about making Bruce Arians the guy, would be that he is on record as being a offensive minded coach who LOVES the deep ball.

    Now I am no Jameis hater, I’ve supported him his entire professional career and continue to root for his development and his success. But I am no Jameis sycophant either. Over the course of his tenure here, Jameis has made his strengths and weaknesses pretty evident.

    And chief among those weaknesses, other than his noted inconsistencies with decision making*, is that he has struggled to connect past 35-40 yards down field.

    *Jameis’ decision making upon returning from being benched was the best i’ve seen from him to date as a pro*

    So the fact that BA loves to go for the big shot is somewhat disconcerting..

    That being said, I firmly believe that Jameis’ strengths in basically every other area of his game more than make up for it and an offensive Guru should absolutely be able to craft a system around him that, with the current weapons in place, would be incredibly potent.

  12. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    @LUV

    With you 100%

    Jim Harbaugh is my #1 target and I was adamant for the past 2 years that Koetter should have gone after Vic Fangio to be our DC. If he had I GUARANTEE he would still have a job here.

  13. Bird Says:

    Arians would be 1st choice
    Richard second

    An offensive mind would love all the weapons the Bucs have.

  14. Hodad Says:

    Licht will be conducting the coaching search, not picking the coach. Ultimately, good, or bad that decision will be made by the Glazer’s. Read the Glazer’s statement. Jason Licht will be conducting our coaching search. Never said we think Licht has done a great job, never said we’re extending him past this year. The reason they kept Licht was because seven other teams are searching for a coach too. If they fired Licht, they would have to waste time finding a G.M., who would then have nothing to pick from as far as coaches go, they’d all be snatched up by then. The Glazer’s didn’t make a bad move keeping Licht, they made the right move, for the right reason. The next coach the Glazer’s pick, will more then likely decide if Licht is the right G.M. for them moving forward.

  15. AlteredEgo Says:

    The Glazers need to sell the team….they are inept in the NFL…a laughing stock behind closed doors and the owners meeting each year…the other 31 teams use them ….I am done with them !…Take your money and enjoy the rest of your lives…Absentee slum lords

  16. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Jim Harbaugh (Age: 55) ←
    • 4 Yrs. Stanford (29-21-0) .580
    • 4 Yrs. Michigan (38-14-0) .730
    • 4 Yrs. San Fran. (44-19-1) .695

    Career Record: 12 Years, 116-54-1, .668 Win%

    Note: No known serious health issues.

  17. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    SchwiftyBuc

    Amen

  18. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    I am excited like I was excited when we were one coach away:

    Raheem Morris
    Greg Schiano
    Lovie Smith
    Dirk Koetter

    We were one coach away then also…..

    I’ll reserve judgement……

  19. Alanbucsfan Says:

    The fact that Doug Martin, on the downside of his career, went from 2.9 ypc with the Bucs to 4.1 ypc with the Raiders should tell you all you need to know about the Bucs OLine, Bucs OLine coaching staff and Bucs running scheme.
    Ronald Jones has not been given a fair shot with a legit NFL running offense.

  20. JabooBuc Says:

    I’ve seen more then a few suggest that LB is a big hole on this team but I beg to differ. Unless there is something seriously wrong with Bekwirth and we intend to not sign Alexander, then I would think we have a very strong LB unit. Obviously it was a big hole this year with 2 starters out for the season but assuming they come back, this is not a hole.

    Fix the damn OL please!

  21. Troy Says:

    Amen Pete. You have the guy who is driving the guy into the ground picking his second coach. How can I be anything but skeptical.

  22. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Jim Harbaugh

    Postseason:
    • 5–3 (.625) (NFL)
    • 2–4 (.333) (college)

    Note: *Coached the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII

  23. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Make Jim Harbaugh an offer he can’t refuse.
    Then you’ll make the rest of NFC South take notice.

  24. Not there yet Says:

    Koetter got Koetter fired that dude is pure trash. That’s how stupid some fans are to think having the most passing yards in the nfl matters when that same coach has a 5-11 record. No one is going to miss Koetter and this team just improved by hiring him and his garbage staff

  25. Not there yet Says:

    What a misleading article and it’s pretty pathetic to resort to trickery when people supposedly love your site.
    Whaaaaaaat?? Get real.-Joe
    Bruce Arians picture with the caption is he the one and the article is about meaningless stats shameful when you know people are looking for coaching updates

  26. ben Says:

    Is Winston an accurate qb after being drafted #1? Why does Licht have a losing record after 5 years and why is he still here?

  27. rrsrq Says:

    I can see BA using Peyton Barber like a David Johnson, tough runner, good hands and willing worker

  28. Bculaw Says:

    Agree completely @Allenbucsfan

  29. NewTampaChris Says:

    I’m not excited or in any way positive about the future. Raheem, Schiano, Lovie, Koetter — we’ve hired every conceivable “type” of coach and we still suck, just as bad as ever.

    I know you have to gin up clicks. But as my boss says, “Hope is not a strategy.”

  30. Defense Rules Says:

    JabooBuc … I’m with ya about the LB corps, BUT … the big word there is ‘IF’. IF Kwon makes it back from his injury and IF we re-sign him (I’m not at all convinced that we will BTW). IF Beckwith makes it back from his injury (mangled ankles obviously take a long time to heal & may never return to 100%). Remember that besides Kwon, Taylor & Minter are both Free Agents now. Nice to say we’ve got a solid LB Corps … and we may very well have that … but there are several big IF’s in there.

    Of note, 27 of our players are now Free Agents (UFA, RFA & ERFA … but only half of those are UFAs). That’s a bunch, especially considering that most of those who are RFAs & ERFAs could very well be released (and most should be). I’m like you though, focus on the OLine first … we’ve got to do a better job in 2019 with the running game.

  31. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    @NewTampaChris

    Only one problem with your “Every conceivable type of coach” argument…

    Raheem wasn’t ready maturity wise and went out partying with the players.

    Schiano was a micro-managing lunatic who treated men like boys.

    Lovie was a lazy has been and football has clearly left him in the dust.

    Koetter is a very good coordinator with a somewhat outdated scheme but doesn’t have what it takes to lead an entire team.

    In other words. They all sucked. Bruce Arians and Jim Harbaugh’s track records prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that they emphatically do NOT suck.

  32. Jeagan1999 Says:

    Bucs are 3 elements away from a playoff team. The first 2 Joe mentions, the third is we need a QB with a TD/INT ratio above 2:1. Thru 4 years in the league Jameis has a 1.5:1 TD/INT ratio….which ranks him in the bottom 10 of active QB’s! For comparison sake, all the other playoff team QB’s (except for Trubisky in Chicago) have a TD/INT ratio of over 2:1 (Turbisky has a 1.6:1…still better than Jameis). Some like Brady and Mahomes have a 3:1 or better ratio.

    Now it’s true, Jameis did cut down on the INTs over the last handful of games in 2018, and I hope that trend continues in 2019! but I’m still convinced we should draft another QB as insurance just in case. A solid running game would also help!

  33. The Coroner Says:

    “Dang” Leveon Bell?

  34. JIMMY T Says:

    Hey DISLOCATED BUCS FAN
    JAMEIS didn’t get DIRK FIRED NO F ING WAY! If anything DIRK keeping Jameis in purgatory after ONE FREAKING BAD GAME, not starting him at home after Panthers loss sealed his fate. Jameis easily wins that game and the Giants game and maybe saves KOETTERS ASS! Your analysis is ASS backwards!!

  35. JIMMY T Says:

    Jameis should have been benched for ONE GAME after Bengals debacle! But since FITZ WAS HORRIBLE AT PANTHERS he should NOT have started against Skins at home!!! That was it 500 plus yards and 3 points because of FITZ stinky play yet Jameis stays on the BENCH. To add insult to this KOETTER triples down and starts FITZ at Giants! Bad move BUCS lose. With Jameis after one game benching we beat Skins and Giants and 49ers and Panthers! KOETTER blew it, PERIOD!!

  36. Erik w/ Clean Athletics Says:

    Bruce Arians, please.

  37. LargoBuc Says:

    Licht has built a solid core of talent for the most part. No, not every draft pick has panned out and some have been flat out awful. I do agree, however, that we are a close, particularly on offense. We need a couple tweaks to the oline and an upgrade at rb.
    Defensively is where the challenge lies. If we do hire Arians, he likely brings in a 3-4 coordinator. I see alot of changes on the horizon.

  38. Aceofaerospace Says:

    I’ve been hoping for Jim harbaugh since he left San Fran. Love the energy, love his record. Still my first choice, just I wonder if he would demand control that Licht won’t relinquish. That could be the deal killer.

  39. Bucko40 Says:

    For all those awesome stats they accounted for 5 wins. 2 by Fitzpatrick, 3 by Winston. Fitzpatrick beat 2 playoff teams(Saints and Eagles) Winston’s beat 3 non playoff teams(49ers, Browns and Panthers) all with losing records. What does that tell you about stats. Can someone post red zone effectiveness stats.

  40. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    Licht has already said that when it comes to the right guy he doesn’t mind giving up final say of the roster.

  41. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Can anyone look at the Falcons game and really believe that we lost because of Winston? He played one of his best games as a pro and gave us the lead late in the 4th quarter. The only knock I can give him is that we scored too fast on that last possession. Just like the Bills game last year. Winston isn’t an all pro, but can we look at the other side of the ball too? We scored 32 points and they weren’t “ garbage time “. If Koetter kicks we have 34 and go to overtime, but Dirk didn’t want overtime in a meaningless game. Is 32 not enough points? Bad Jameis, bad.

  42. Buccaneerscotty Says:

    I hope it’s BA because the other names I’m seeing don’t impress me very much…

  43. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    Bucko40, all good QBs put up stats. How good would you feel with a QB that goes 12-30 for 120 yards? Probably not too good unless he had the 85’ Bears defense. Feel me?

  44. BigMacAttack Says:

    Arians makes a lot of sense for the Bucs. Richard from the Cowboys makes more sense.

  45. Greg Says:

    Jim Harbaugh definitely as a former player has the credibiliy and with his coaching success has the resume to get excited about. His energy is a go. I just can’t stop thinking though with him he is one misstep away from snapping. No thanks!

  46. Owlykat Says:

    Bruce Arians will not bring in a 3-4 Defensive Coordinator. He will listen to what our DL Coach tells him about keeping our front four together. Our best hope is Bruce Arians. Get it done Licht!

  47. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Jim Harbaugh (Age: 55)

    Regular season:
    • 44–19–1 (.695) (NFL)
    • 96–41 (.701) (college)

    Postseason:
    • 5–3 (.625) (NFL)
    • 2–4 (.333) (college)

    Note: Jim Harbaugh lead the 49ers to three straight NFC Championship Games

    Vs

    Bruce Arians (Age: 66)

    Regular season:
    • NCAA: 21–39 (.350)
    • NFL: 49–30–1 (.619)

    Postseason:
    • 1–2 (.333) (NFL) ← Ouch

    Note: Jim Harbaugh (49ers) were 3-1 vs. Bruce Arians (Cardinals)

  48. Destinjohnny Says:

    Harness the talent??
    Ya Caleb and Donovan and our over priced center and oya 47 year old Dotson are just waiting to be coached up…
    Our great secondary talent needs coaching as well.
    Same with Ronald Jones and the rest of our elite backs.
    All of a sudden Jameis will turn into Tom Brady meets Aaron Rodgers
    The tampa browns….

  49. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    If Glazers are serious about winning – Hire Jim Harbaugh!

  50. Matts17 Says:

    A singular coach is the not the simple cure with what ails this team. As stated above in other posts, a serious lack of talent on D and Oline are the areas that must be addressed. Unfortunately, Jason Licht will be making the decisions on retooling those areas. Yuck.

  51. Wausa Says:

    Joe don’t forget the Bucs special teams have been the worst in the NFL during the time Koetter has been with the Bucs.
    That area needs a major overhaul as well.

  52. AlteredEgo Says:

    LUVMYBUCS Says:
    January 1st, 2019 at 11:15 am
    If Glazers are serious about winning –
    they take their $2,000,000,000.00
    and GO……

  53. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Ego

    Then there’s that too. But we’ll save that for conversation for another time. lol

    There’s on the clock now. They can’t fu*K this one up.

  54. Jim Says:

    What Bucko said…

  55. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    LUV, we can say hire Harbaugh all we want, but he has to want to come here. Licht can’t snap his fingers and make it happen.

  56. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    I wish Bruce Arians all the Best.

    And I was extremely happy to hear that the brotha recovered from prostate cancer. But still, that’s nothing to be playing with. Especially given his age – and the stress of the job.

  57. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    BuccaneEric75

    No doubt – but if you’ve got’em at the table. And your posturing over incremental bullsh!t. Then your a table negotiator – and maybe you do need someone like Corn Fair or Hendrick & Struggle to help you close a damn deal.

  58. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    *They’re on the clock now. So they can’t fu*K this one up

  59. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    then your a terrible negotiator

  60. MTM Says:

    The Glazers fall in live with their GM’s to a fault. They let them run the franchise into the ground. See Mark Dominick.

  61. AlteredEgo Says:

    LUVMYBUCS Says:
    January 1st, 2019 at 11:29 am
    I wish Bruce Arians all the Best.

    And I was extremely happy to hear that the brotha recovered from prostate cancer.
    Kidney cancer was the latest
    not good having it lick around in more than one spot…I wish him a complete recovery
    PS… I had PC in 2015 and it is very common and successfully treated if caught early

  62. Jigstick Says:

    A coach and QB away.

  63. vince picolo Says:

    Jameis didn’t get Koetter fired. Koetter and Licht got Koetter fired because they didn’t build and defense or a running game capable of supporting play action. And, despite no play action threat, Jameis leads the league in vertical distance per attempt on zillions of throws, due to the design of Koetter’s offense. Then, it gets easy, press, coaches and fans blame the QB for the interception and losses.

  64. Dave Says:

    You know what, I’m not really buying into the Arians rumors at all. Yes, Arians did publicly state he would listen if the Bucs contact him. Key word in that is “IF.” Yes, there is talk that the Bucs tried to lure Jim Harbaugh last year. Again, key word…. “LAST YEAR.” So far, no indication they have tried this year.

    Many are saying the Glazers want to make a “splash” hire. Really? What makes you say that? Did Joel say something to suggest that is what they want? So far the actions don’t show it. They’ve kept Licht and the front office in place. And they hired an executive search firm. They have requested interviews with Eric Bieniemy (Chiefs OC), Josh McDaniels (Pats OC), and George Edwards (Vikings DC). These are all coordinators. They have not asked for an interview with McCarthy. And they have not asked Arizona for permission to talk to Arians. And that permission would have to come before we can even call him because he is still under contract.

    The Bucs are right now seem to be going the smart way with this. They are going to take their time and do their due diligence. This year’s coaching pool isn’t very deep. Chances are we are going to be hiring someone without a ton of head coaching experience. Which wont make the fans all that happy.

  65. vince picolo Says:

    Harbaugh would blow here. His offense completely lacks imagination. It’s worse than Koetter’s.

  66. BigMacAttack Says:

    Common thread with last 4 coaches is they had GMs that sucked. Licht is a box of rocks. I can’t imagine any coach wanting to work with dumb azz.

  67. #1bucfan Says:

    I’m so excited JOE. We are seriously so close. Fix the coaching , trenches an secondary an this team will be a contender

  68. MadMax Says:

    Ok, only a Coach away….in that case, trade away all of this year’s draft picks for next years and get ready to make some noise….at least the first 2 picks (we dont have a 3rd)….trade away and dont even pick.

  69. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    You all have it wrong, including Joe.

    Two things are holding up back…defense and a KICKER.

    The offensive line is fine…we just need to promote Wester and Cappa to starting roles on the right side. Let Dot walk. Demote Caleb, and decide between Smith and Leidke.

  70. donuts Says:

    The NFL is a what have you done lately league. My question marks on Arians are:

    He was 7-9 and 8-8 in last 2 seasons as HC
    His offenses were ranked 9 and 22nd those 2 years.
    Rushing rank was 18 and 30th in the NFL
    In those same 2 years, his DEF was ranked 2 and 6th

    Did Arians get credit for a great DEF while doing little on his side of the ball? I think we need to look around some more before committing to Arians.

  71. BigMacAttack Says:

    Just trade 2 first round picks for Gruden 😂😂😂

  72. donuts Says:

    Bonzai

    Did you drink the Buc koolaid? You sound like Licht….the OL is fine?? Really? If you didnt notice, our QBs ran for their lives a lot and we had no running lanes at all. Adding a rookie in Cappa is not going to change that at all. We need another OL FA pickup IMHO unless they see a gem in this draft.

    BTW I think we are going after the DT from Alabama at 5 – Quinnen Williams hence the GMC sadness. I am pretty sure he was told he was not coming back. Its time and change is good. Bucs can get another 2-3 rounder for GMC I think we should take it. GOBucs!

  73. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Coaches I like in order of preference are Jim Harbaugh (doubtful because of buyout cost), McCarthy, Flores.

    Jim is my dav, but I just don’t see the Glazers paying his 10m buyout & 7m+ salary for 3-5 years or more. That’s a $31m – $45m Contract for 3-5 years. I just don’t see it happening.

  74. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Dave, splash hire is being said because Jay Glazer reported it was what Bucs told him.

    To me a splash hire would be an out of the park hire. Someone with an extremely high chanch of success.

    Arians has been out of the league dealing with health, has never built a defense, and is not my choice.

    McCarthy coached the Packers for 13 years, had a good offense AND DEFENSE, and won a superbowl. Yes, he had Rodgers. Arians had Palmer in his prime and still did not win a superbowl.

    We already have a good offense outaide of the running game. We need a coach good with both sides of the ball.

    And a kicker.

  75. donuts Says:

    https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/AriaBr0.htm

    Arians and DEF…..look at the Yards allowed rankings. 5,2 and 6 and he is an OC/HC.

  76. Licht Fan Says:

    The irony from this thread is astounding. This article is showing everyone who reads it the potential this team has. I agree completely with JBF that we are only the right coach away from making a huge leap forward.

    Yet, the Licht haters continue to spew their ignorance. Well guess what, Licht is the person who put these players together. The potential is there BECUSE of Licht you idiots. Players play, coaches coach, and GM’s find players. All GM’s miss here and there. It goes with the territory.

    The defense was so horrible due to injuries and bad coaching. Look how much better the D played after Smith was fired. It proves my point. Same players, better coaching. Are you haters keeping up with me ?

    I can’t wait until next season. I don’t which I will enjoy more. The Bucs turn around or all you Licht haters eating crow. Go Bucs !!!!!!!!

  77. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Donuts

    Good points on Arians.

    I’m not opposed to some free agent oline help, but only to buy time while the young guys develop. I do like Jensen though.

    But the draft needs to be defense heavy.

    Bet Joe wants a RB with the first pick 😉

  78. SenileSenior Says:

    What Hodad said.

    Licht will present the coaches. The Glazers will decide.
    __________
    Go Bucs!!!

  79. AlteredEgo Says:

    SenileSenior Says:
    January 1st, 2019 at 12:51 pm
    What Hodad said.

    Licht will present the coaches. The Glazers will decide.

    This is part of the problem “plural” Glazers…decision by committee
    _

  80. TOM Says:

    YADA, YADA, YADA

  81. GoBucsinOhio Says:

    Were not getting Harbaugh give it a rest

  82. Buc believer Says:

    @altered ego… your so correct! THAT is the problem selection by committee. Also the committee has no clue on sports! Look what they are doing to Man U!!!

  83. Jameis Almighty! Says:

    Don’t want harborough or anything to do with that family. Find a coach that doesn’t suck. That’s not asking much.

  84. Rod Munch Says:

    Winston lead the NFL in throwing PAST the first down stick – mearning Winston was throwing to move the ball, even on 3rd and 13 he’s throwing it downfield, not running a screen post for 5 yards and a higher completion percentage.

  85. SchwiftyBuc Says:

    Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
    January 1st, 2019 at 12:44 pm

    …”McCarthy coached the Packers for 13 years, had a good offense AND DEFENSE, and won a superbowl. Yes, he had Rodgers. Arians had Palmer in his prime and still did not win a superbowl.”

    Bonzai you are straight up delusional. You were refuted by numerous posters yesterday on every single one of those points.

    McCarthy consistently had defenses that ranked in the bottom half of the league, even having the 32nd ranked defense in one year.

    Bruce Arians first 4 seasons in AZ they had a top 10 defense. And 34-37 year old Carson Palmer post ACL surgery, struggling with shoulder and back issues late nearly every year forcing back ups into the game, Is not Carson Palmer in his prime.

    You are flat out wrong.

  86. Mark2001 Says:

    Time to be optimistic.

  87. Mark2001 Says:

    What happened to Mike McCarthy is similar to what happened to Koetter..except instead of Smith the name was Capers.

  88. RealBucFan Says:

    Hire Arians, trade this years 2nd and next years 3rd for David Johnson from Arizona. Boom. Running game unstoppable.

  89. adam from ny Says:

    fugg all this nonsense…let’s get belichick…steal the hoody away from the pats…brady is old and kinda done…steal the hoody

    #WishfulThinking

  90. mark2001 Says:

    Arians would be great…if he will come here.

  91. mark2001 Says:

    Let’s hope so.