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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 reasons Dirk Koetter will be fired

By Erik Lambert

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stands on the sidelines in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled by Ronald Darby #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Raymond James Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled by Ronald Darby #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Raymond James Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

#4:  Dormant running game

The passing attack has turned into a monster and Koetter deserves credit for that. He’s been doing that sort of thing for years prior to becoming the head coach. However, his inability to balance the offense on the ground has led to a lot of the problems this team is having at closing out games and keeping the pressure off the defense.

Since taking over for Smith in 2016, Tampa Bay has ranked no higher than 24th in rushing for a season and it’s only gotten worse each year. Part of that might be explained by poor talent at the position but good offensive coaches are supposed to manufacture production even at weaker areas. Koetter hasn’t done that, and it’s put a ton of pressure on his QBs.

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