Koetter provides intel on Falcons playersBy Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff Published: October 30, 2015
TAMPA — Three seasons in Atlanta gave Dirk Koetter an appreciation for the skills of Falcons QB Matt Ryan. It also gave Tampa Bay’s first-year offensive coordinator valuable information to pass along at One Buc Place.“He’s a magnificent coordinator and he has been very helpful for us preparing for their offense with their personnel,’’ Bucs Pro Bowl DT Gerald McCoy said, regarding Sunday’s matchup at the Georgia Dome. “It’s a different scheme, but he knows the personnel. He knows a lot about Matt Ryan and his mindset, so it’s been helpful.”Koetter joined the Bucs in January, after the Falcons dismissed head coach Mike Smith. Tampa Bay is averaging 30 points in the past three games and Koetter has shared his insights about Atlanta’s personnel with Buc coaches.“Whenever you leave someplace, there a little bit of an advantage at least,’’ said Bucs coach Lovie Smith. “Each week, you have someone that’s familiar with an opponent coming in. In the end, that normally doesn’t help an awful lot.’’Stat of the dayRyan is 10-4 against the Bucs in his career, completing 63 percent of his pass attempts.Did you know?The Bucs have an opportunity to reach the 30-point plateau in three consecutive games for the first time since the middle of the 2012 season.Quote of the day“To come off a bad performance, where everything that could go wrong did, and you say, ‘Hey, this is what I need to clean up,’ and then you go out and do it ... that’s impressive,’’— Bucs coach Lovie Smith, on rookie QB Jameis Winston not throwing an interception the past two games after throwing four in a 37-23 loss to CarolinaUpcoming scheduleSunday: at Atlanta, 1 p.m. (Fox, Ch.13)Nov. 8: New York Giants, 4:05 p.m. (Fox, Ch.13)Nov. 15: Dallas, 1 p.m. (Fox, Ch.13)Nov. 22: at Philadelphia, 1 p.m. (Fox, Ch.13)
