Two straight losses in vastly different fashions have Dirk Koetter ready to blow it up.
Surprisingly, the planned path of Tampa Bay destruction starts with a look in the mirror.
"Based on that game today, we couldn't make enough changes," Koetter said after the Buccaneers' 48-10 loss to the Chicago Bears. "We should fire every person that was on that field today, starting with me. That was horrific."
This is, of course, a postgame exaggeration, but Koetter has a point: The Buccaneers were abysmal in all facets of the game Sunday.
Mitchell Trubisky threw for six touchdowns and over 350 yards. Ryan Fitzpatrick posted a 49.8 passer rating that included an interception and a halftime benching. Jameis Winston doubled Fitzpatrick's interception total in the second half with two of his own.
And again: Mitchell Trubisky threw for six touchdown passes.
The Chicago romp was a far cry from Tampa Bay's first loss, a furious comeback effort that came just short against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. But in hindsight, some of the telltale signs were present in that loss: a long touchdown pass to a tight end; miscues on the part of Fitzpatrick; and a defense that fell into a deep hole and couldn't get a stop when it needed it most.
As the Fitzmagic ran out, the concern intensified for the Buccaneers, who after a red-hot start have come back to earth in a sobering fashion. The concerns: a non-existent running game and a defense that has been shredded through the air in the last two weeks.
Firing everyone won't solve anything, but it makes for a good headline. It also serves as an indicator that the Buccaneers are aware things need to change -- quickly.
