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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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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 11: Team Owner Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Falcons and Mike Smith, defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers converse during pregame warmups at Georgia Dome on September 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 11: Team Owner Arthur Blank of the Atlanta Falcons and Mike Smith, defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers converse during pregame warmups at Georgia Dome on September 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Zain Ahmed

The Buccaneers have been very injury prone this season and this is no big secret. Several key defensive players and offensive players have suffered injuries.

On the defensive side, Kwon Alexander, Lavonte David, Brent Grimes and Robert Ayers have all missed time this season.

Offensively, Jameis Winston and Doug Martin have missed time.

These injuries have been costly, and while these players as individuals are very good players, their respective units have not been good.

Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith have not been very good as play-callers this season either.

Koetter’s offense has been one of the worst, even with the surplus of weapons.

Smith’s defense – healthy or not – continues to be torn apart by offenses.

While you can make the claim the Bucs lack of pass rush can contribute to the defense’s lackluster performance, it is a defensive coordinator’s job to adjust to the team’s strengths.

Mike smith has not done this. So to be frank, no injuries really do not have any impact as to whether or not the coaching staff is retained.

The offense and defense even at full health were not top units. After last year, you would’ve expected the Bucs to have a Top-10 offense, and one of the better defenses (in the 12-13th range).

2017’s Bucs were suppose to be in the playoff race. Instead they’re positioned to be picking in the Top-10 in the 2018 NFL Draft.

It is unfortunate the Bucs have to keep cycling through coaching staffs, but it is necessary with how poor both units have performed.

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