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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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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 22: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter during the third quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

James Yarcho

Injuries are a large part of the NFL. Not just for the Buccaneers, but for every team.

That doesn’t often save a head coach – or members of his staff – from getting the ax after a bad season. Now, are there exceptions to this rule? Of course. If a franchise quarterback goes down for the majority or entire season, they may get a pass.

However, when there are glaring needs across the board and there’s been some injuries here and there like any other team, impatient owners and general managers aren’t likely going to give coaches a mulligan.

"Like what James has to say? Check out even more on the Locked on Bucs podcast Week 14 Preview!"

All that considered, no, I do not believe the Buccaneers’ injury situation alone will be reason enough to give Dirk Koetter and his crew the benefit of the doubt and allow them to be retained. That also doesn’t mean they’re absolutely getting fired either.

The Glazers could decide continuity is important and this year was a fluke rather than a premonition of the future, allowing Koetter to stay with potentially a few changes to the staff. Mike Smith is already a popular name floating around regarding the New York Giants job, so perhaps there is a new defensive coordinator. Maybe there is a new offensive line coach. There could be changes made with Koetter still steering the ship, we just don’t know.

Ultimately though, if the question is should we give Koetter and Crew another season just because of the injury situation in 2017, the answer is an emphatic no. There were far more problems that led to this season of disappointment than a few injuries.

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