Koetter: Jameis/DeSean Still A Work In Progress

October 21st, 2018

On the opening drive against the Falcons, we all saw Jameis Winston throw a dart well behind wide open DeSean Jackson in the end zone and the easy interception was dropped by Falcons cornerback Robert Alford.

The next play? A 15-yard touchdown strike to Cameron Brate.

It was such a microcosm of America’s Quarterback and the Bucs passing attack. No matter how good Jameis was last Sunday, nobody can say he’s got good chemistry with Jackson. Joe doesn’t need to rehash the play-by-play of what went down — on the heels of what we witnessed last season.

(Fun fact, when in the red zone in 2017, Jameis only threw to Jackson once all season: incomplete.)

When asked about it Friday on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Dirk Koetter was not celebrating great chemistry between Jameis and Jackson. But Koetter was calling for perspective.

“I think they’re working at it,” Koetter said of connection issues with Jameis and Jackson.

“DeSean had four catches last week and had four explosives. … Let’s give it some time to see how it plays out. Again, DeSean had four catches and four explosives last week.”

Yes, something is missing between Jackson and Jameis, but Koetter is right. They still got plenty of good things done last week and there’s time to start to gel and sizzle. It was Jameis’ first start of the season.

Again, thankfully, that opening-drive pick was dropped. What a mess that would have been on so many levels.

34 Responses to “Koetter: Jameis/DeSean Still A Work In Progress”

  1. BigPoppaBuc Says:

    Just don’t force it, Jameis. If he’s open, hit him. But don’t force the issue and cause more turnovers. Remember Jameis, you must play absolutely perfect or this head case of a fan base is going to run you out of town and gladly watch you light it up and win championships elsewhere. So… perfection or bust Winston. GO BUCS!!!

  2. i like gunslingers Says:

    it sure would be nice, if these two professional football players, who by the way have played their perspective positions well, probably since pop warner, jr high, high school, college and now at the pro level, could somehow get it together, but hey i understand they’ve only had like 2 seasons, training camps,untold practices, preseason, and five games to click, i hear in some cases it could take up to 7-8 years for a QB and receiver to get on the same page. how nice since djax is what thirty something years old and will be losing a step or two in the near future, have a great buccing day ya’ll and as always go bucs

  3. Defense Rules Says:

    I’m not believing what I’m reading this morning Joe … Negative Joe has run amok.

    o Koetter: Jameis/DeSean Still A Work In Progress … “No matter how good Jameis was last Sunday, nobody can say he’s got good chemistry with Jackson.”

    o Time for Koetter to Shine … “Adding to the no-room-for-error line Joe used earlier, if the Bucs lose to the moribund Browns today, stretching the losing streak to four games, barring a total turnaround by the Bucs in the final 10 weeks, you can almost smell the bleach from the coming housecleaning.:

    o He Doesn’t Know How To Be Safe As a Quarterback … “In particular, Beckles is frustrated with America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. Beckles sees the talent but is frustrated Jameis doesn’t always play smart.”

    o It’s Rarely The Runner … “More often than not it’s the blockers or it’s something the defense did. It’s rarely the runner,” Koetter said. “You know, most runs are unsuccessful because the runner didn’t have a chance to get started, unless he made the wrong read.”

    o Dirk Koetter Expects A “Big Leap” From One Defensive Player … “And then Koetter said he believes second-year safety Justin Evans “still will take a big leap.” That really got Joe’s attention. It was sort of a validation that Evans hasn’t played well this season, despite being healthy.”

    Five articles in rapid succession Joe that point the finger (or fingers) at Jameis, our OLine, Justin Evans AND our HC & Company. Is THIS what we’ve come to now that Scapegoat Smitty has been safely launched?

  4. Bucnjim Says:

    I posted this earlier but it is more fitting for this post.
    It’s easy to figure out if you watch the games and rewind. Jameis who I am a fan of struggles with the same thing every strong armed QB struggles with…..touch on the ball. Every pass does not need to come out 90 or 100 miles an hour. Last week his passes to Evans were in his face before he could even get his head turned around. Evans made a fantastic grab on one but you could tell he’s like WTF. Jackson needs air on the ball! Give him some space to run under it or through it. If the ball is thrown on a rope there is zero room for adjustment to make the catch. If he eases up just a bit on his throws it will give these guys room for adjustments which will also increase YAC

  5. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Im so sorry desean that Jameis is such a bad QB that he cannot even get you the ball

    imagine if jameis was accurate with the deep ball??????

  6. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Jameis is the problem…………..he’s always been the problem

    Jameis career will go the way of alex smith……..great talent, just not a consistent player to be a franchise QB

  7. Reach87 Says:

    @defense. Spot on. Problem identified. Why pick at what’s good (not perfect) when what has been ineffective over several weeks is slapping you right in the face. We get past it this week though! Better tackling and coverage, more effective pressure on the QB (may not equate to more sacks) and effective complimentary offense will get us this win at home. Go Bucs!

  8. ben Says:

    WHY ??? isn’t Winston voted captain …says so much and yet ignored !!

  9. Jamesrunningwilder Says:

    It’s funny…. Fitzpatrick didn’t have any problems connecting with Desean. The pass that really sticks out at me is the Deep Pass he dropped into Jackson’s hands between Two defenders along the sidelines against the Steelers when the Bucs came Roaring back in the 2nd half. Of course the Bucs defense couldn’t get one last stop and the Steelers were able to run out the clock.

  10. Dapostman Says:

    Desean Jackson is a good NFL receiver. His speed is unquestioned. What he doesn’t do is make a contested catch like Brate, Evans or Godwin. You are not always ‘wide open’ in the NFL. I think they would have connected last week but it seemed the DB bumped DJax off his route and the ball fell incomplete in the end zone. Even the announcer stated how is that not PI? I’m sure the Bucs will take their shots once or twice a game with JDax. Hopefully Winston hits him.

    #Get After It!

  11. MadMax Says:

    HAHAHAHA! Really? So funny that Fitz stepped right in as “completely working”…..smdh!

  12. MadMax Says:

    At this point its no longer “progress” its been regressing and its stalling….is what it is.

  13. Resurrection of Duff Says:

    We should had traded DeSean for Hyde.

  14. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    ben Says:
    October 21st, 2018 at 9:01 am
    “WHY ??? isn’t Winston voted captain …says so much and yet ignored !!”

    A bunch of teams did not make QBs their captains, including the Packers. Does that mean Rogers isn’t respected by his team?

    As to DeSean Jackson, I’m tired of Jameis forcing the issue with him. Trade the man. His early games raised his value.

  15. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Gruden would take Jackson for a first rounder in a heartbeat. Jackson fits the Galloway mold.

  16. NPRSageBoy Says:

    DJax is a future HOF inductee. Maybe he’ll use the tape of the Saints and Eagle games during his induction ceremony as Fitz already has his jersey there.

  17. richbucsfan Says:

    chemistry? isn’t it more like JW is so inaccurate at the long pass he can’t complete a pass?

  18. Dooshlarue Says:

    Jameis is a pitcher…… period.

  19. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    DJAX IS NOT hall of fame material

    Just because he’s got hall of fame speed doesn’t put him in that class

    Joey Galloway had a similar career and he’ll never be considered a hall of fame receiver

  20. NPRSageBoy Says:

    TheBucsAnthem:
    Totally disagree. DJax is a future HOFer.
    The only way Jameis gets to Canton is if he buys an admission ticket.

  21. Jmarkbuc Says:

    How long they gonna work on this chemistry thingy?

  22. D-Rome Says:

    I don’t know what Jameis Winston’s future will be in Tampa, but no matter what happens, picking Winston over Mariota was the right call. Mariota is not very good and I don’t believe he’ll be better than what he is.

  23. Buc1987 Says:

    “Does that mean Rogers isn’t respected by his team?”

    Bonzai it should ….to fans like ben, but it won’t matter.

    Jameis is evil…thee end.

  24. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Joey Galloway

    SUMMARY

    Career G198 / AV 99 / Rec 701 / Yds 10950 / Y/R 15.6 / TD 77

    He is the NFL’s career leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns among players to not be selected for a Pro Bowl.

    ===========================================================================================================================
    Desean Jackson

    SUMMARY

    Career G146 / AV 84 / Rec 569 / Yds 9988 / Y/R 17.6 / TD 52

    —————————————————————

    Now DJAX could eclipse his numbers but that would mean he’d have to play for 16 yrs in the NFL and I don’t see that happening

  25. Greg Says:

    A work in progress? I dont remember ever hearing that from a team with a descent QB and receiver that has played more than a year together. If Jameis cant hit an open receiver downfield hes just not our guy! Im hoping for a breakout game today but if not its time to start cleaning house starting with the coach, gm, and Jameis.

  26. Blocked Says:

    I love this site

    So some of you answer this by saying trade DJaxs

    And some state well DJax doesn’t work hard enough for the catch

    The Backup hit DJax with no prob but you would have this guy QB when he CANNOT HIT THE FASTEST PLAYER

    HAHAHA
    STUPID

  27. Oneilbucs Says:

    What happen to fizpatrick when they took that play away ? Fizpatrick couldn’t do anything. But he played well in the second half of the game I don’t mind giving him credit for it . But when they started game planning for him he was trash . Then I saw 1 guy on this site say he never got a chance to come back and win . That’s not true he had a chance to take the lead all his passes went to the ground he threw . But I’ve seen Winston come back late in the 4th quarter and take the lead of the game and defense gives up the game and all y’all haters blame Winston for the lost. Cause of a first half turnover in yall would say that’s why we lost but with fizpatrick y all y’all

  28. Oneilbucs Says:

    What happen to fizpatrick when they took that play away ? Fizpatrick couldn’t do anything. But he played well in the second half of the game I don’t mind giving him credit for it . But when they started game planning for him he was trash . Then I saw 1 guy on this site say he never got a chance to come back and win . That’s not true he had a chance to take the lead all his passes went to the ground he threw . But I’ve seen Winston come back late in the 4th quarter and take the lead of the game and defense gives up the game and all y’all haters blame Winston for the lost. Cause of a first half turnover in yall would say that’s why we lost but with fizpatrick y’all say it’s not his fault. Jamies is 24 years old and fizpatrick is 36 years old. We all know it’s just hate now .

  29. BuccYa Says:

    Been saying it. Fitz has no problems hitting all of the receivers with no “chemistry” or “connection” excuses. Didn’t hear or see Fitz working with Djax over the off season.

  30. jmarkbuc Says:

    Jameis throw the ball like a pitcher aiming at the catcher’s mitt. No loft , sometimes too much velocity.. JW in football the targets are moving…

  31. Season Is Over Says:

    Did it take other QBs two years to get chemistry with Jackson? I am going to go with the common sense approach and just say that Winston sucks throwing a deep pass. Everyone has eyeballs as well. Mystery solved.

  32. Doctor Stroud Says:

    Based on this article, it seems that communication is not just a problem for the defense. Brate and DJax should also get together and share notes on JW’s tendencies. I just don’t see that happening, though. The offense should be scoring at will. It needs to in order to win games.

  33. lambchop Says:

    It’s still a WIP because Winston sucks. Stop working on it and let Fitz put the big boy pants on and play.

  34. David Swanson Says:

    If coach K continues to start Winston the Bucs will not have a winning season. Winston is a continuous turn over machine and will always have this issue throughout his career. Buccaneers can not make the playoffs because of these issues. Must go back to Fitzmagic because he does not have these continuing issues.