News
Mariota or Winston No. 1? Bucs OC has ‘no idea’
If not falling prey to the media trap is in Dirk Koetter’s job description, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new offensive coordinator passed his first test with flying colors Tuesday.
It took all of one question for Koetter to be asked at his introductory press conference whether the Bucs should select Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota or Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston with the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
“It’s funny that would be the first question and you’re going to be disappointed in the answer: I have no idea,” Koetter said. “That’s somebody else – Jason (Licht) and coach (Lovie) Smith would be in charge of making that decision if that is it. I don’t even know if those guys (have declared) and if I can talk about them.
“That’s just it guys – when you’re coaching in the NFL, you’re watching college football in the distance. I’ll watch college football for fun. Once we get started and we start focusing on guys we’re going to draft, now you drill down and really watch guys and put grades on them and that sort of thing. But until then, heck, I watch college football for fun – I wouldn’t even be able to tell you (about those players).”
A native of Pocatello, Idaho, Koetter has spent the past eight years as an offensive coordinator, including the past three with the Atlanta Falcons, where he had the luxury of working with veteran quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White. Koetter became a coaching free agent after the Falcons let Mike Smith and his staff go following last season.
He does have experience working with young quarterbacks, having served as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ coordinator from 2007-11. Blaine Gabbert was selected with the 10th pick in the 2011 draft and went on to start 15 games as a rookie.
The Bucs still have to determine the plan with veteran quarterbacks Josh McCown and Mike Glennon, with the strong possibility the franchise could use the top pick on Mariota or Winston. Mariota is currently the No. 1-rated prospect by NFLDraftScout.com, with Winston No. 3.
“All I will say is Josh has played some good football in his career and when Tampa drafted Mike, I’ve watched Mike from afar – from the other side of the ball here in Atlanta – and from afar, I thought he had some of the same attributes as Matt Ryan,” Koetter said. “But that’s me looking at it from the outside, and until I get on the inside and get a chance to look at the tape and spend some time with those guys, I can’t give you much more than that.”
And what about Mariota or Winston?
“Who the Bucs are going to pick with the first pick, I’m the last guy to ask that question to right now – I have no idea,” he maintained. “But I’m excited about the guys we already have down there and the guys we believe we know we’re going to be working with for sure.”
News
Buccaneers admit mistake, boot Aguayo
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico
News
Did Bucs put too much pressure on Aguayo?
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico
News
Broncos holding their breath on Derek Wolfe
Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk
Powered by WPeMatico