The Pewter Plank
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Buccaneers Round Table: Should the Glazers care about injuries?

By David Harrison

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks with Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter before the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers speaks with Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter before the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on August 15, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Buccaneers 26-16. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Dirk Koetter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on November 12, 2017 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /

Bailey Adams

I don’t think the Buccaneers’ injury issues in 2017 have much to do with their lack of success. So, bluntly, the Glazers shouldn’t weigh the injury issues at all when it comes to the decision of whether or not to retain the current coaching staff.

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I’m not saying the Glazers should 100 percent fire the entire staff at the end of this year (although I am leaning that way). What I’m saying is this: The Glazers need to make their decision based on what they think is best for the future of the franchise. They can’t let injuries be an excuse. If they evaluate the staff as a whole, without giving stock to built-in excuses, and decide that retaining the staff gives Tampa Bay the best chance to win next year and for years to come, then fine. But injuries can’t be an excuse for the implosion that we’ve seen this season.

Every team deals with injuries. Some adapt, while others can’t. The Bucs haven’t been able to, which is a problem. Whether that’s on Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith for failing to make adjustments or on Jason Licht for failing to find depth for this roster, that’s up for debate. But if Koetter leans on injuries as an excuse for why this team isn’t winning games, he should probably go. The injury bug is unfortunate, sure. But coaching decisions, play-calling and defensive scheme have let the Bucs down the most. If he or his staff can’t own up to their own mistakes, that’s simply another reason that the franchise needs to go in a new direction.

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