Following the Bucs’ 26-24 victory down in Miami for the first preseason game, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter took to the podium back at One Buc Place the following day to answer some of the media’s questions.

The first thing Koetter did was clear up the injury status of cornerback Vernon Hargreaves.

Hargreaves left Thursday night’s game with what was called a groin injury. It seems like that could keep him out for the remainder of the preseason.

Next, Koetter addressed giving offensive coordinator Todd Monken the play calling duties against Miami and the thought that went into that.

Monken will call plays for the rest of the preseason, and Koetter said he enjoyed managing the game with a new perspective without having to call plays.

Koetter also had plenty of high praise for his young defensive backs, Carlton Davis, M.J. Stewart and Jordan Whitehead. He was pleased with the job they did in their first game, and said most of all the game “didn’t look too big for them.”

Finally, after a great touchdown catch last night, Koetter was asked if tight end Alan Cross improved the chances of making the roster as a bubble player.

“I’d say he’s not on the bubble” is a great sign for Cross.

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About the Author: Trevor Sikkema

Trevor Sikkema is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat reporter and NFL Draft analyst for PewterReport.com. Sikkema, an alumnus of the University of Florida, has covered both college and professional football for much of his career. As a native of the Sunshine State, when he's not buried in social media, Sikkema can be found out and active, attempting to be the best athlete he never was. Sikkema can be reached at: [email protected]
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Alldaway 2.0
Alldaway 2.0
3 years ago

Wow…Hargreaves out for the rest of pre season? Javien Elliot has a golden opportunity with MJ Stewart.

macabee
macabee
3 years ago

Koetter then went out and signed two more CBs – Aaron Davis/UGA and former Central Michigan corner Amari Coleman.

fredster
fredster
3 years ago

Injuries already sucks. Hargreaves starting to seek injury prone. I guess laceration just dumb luck. Still getting annoying already with him.

Horse
Horse
3 years ago

I’m hoping Koetter will just be the head coach and let the offensive coordinator call the plays in the regular season.
I believe he needs to keep focused on the defensive side as to the play-calling by Smith.

Ken Grant
Ken Grant
Reply to  Horse
3 years ago

Yes, I pray Koetter embraces the freedom to manage the game without calling plays. I feel like other aspects suffer on game day when he has to devote so much of his attention to play-calling. You lose bigger picture perspective on things like time management, player rotations, in-game adjustments, and conversion decision-making. Areas I feel the team has struggled in the past.

Dman
Dman
Reply to  Horse
3 years ago

Monken did a good job. Hopefully Koetter continues this into the regular season and starts managing the whole team and the whole game. Seems like Koetter and Smith fell into a familiar track from their Atlanta days. Problem I see is that Smith hasn’t been getting the job done, but Koetter was just trusting him because of their past. As head coach, this is on him now. Let’s see if he starts acting like one.

plopes808
plopes808
3 years ago

The injury bug seems to get us every damn year! Fortunately though, this year our secondary looks talented and deep enough to weather the storm. Our 3 rookie DBs played lights out on Thursday! As far as play calling, “if it aint broke!” I would love to see Monken continue to call plays as he did so very well on Thursday. Plays seemed less predictable and most of all, the players seemed to take to them well. I didn’t see the usual slow start for Winston especially. I’m pulling for Alan Cross as he’s played well for us when called… Read more »