TAMPA, Fla (WFLA)- Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, Dirk Koetter, sat down with News Channel 8’s Dan Lucas to discuss the Bucs opening day 31-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The exclusive chat came on a day the Bucs learned they will be without defensive end, Jacquies Smith, for the remainder of the season. Smith injured his knee Sunday, in a non-contact manner, while playing special teams. Koetter noted the way the defensive line adjusted immediately and will have to do the same thing moving forward.
Quarterback, Jameis Winston, continues his rise following a four touchdown performance that actually began poorly. After beginning the day 3 for 7, with back to back overthrows to open receivers in the end zone, Winston led three consecutive touchdown drives, all in no-huddle, a strategy loved by the players. Koetter likes the no-huddle as well but discussed the dangers in play, on Sunday, that made the move a risky choice.
The Bucs defense was led by defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy and linebacker, Kwon Alexander. McCoy deflected the final 4th down pass attempt by Falcons quarterback, Matt Ryan, to seal the victory. Alexander led the entire defense with 17 total tackles. Each player also recorded a quarterback sack but were assessed a 15-yard personal foul penalty for an “organized celebration”, following McCoy’s sack. Koetter explains exactly what happened and what he was thinking when the penalty flag was thrown.
