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Dirk Koetter: Bucs finding 'too many ways to lose a game'

TAMPA, Fla. -- After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 37-32 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, head coach Dirk Koetter said that the team needed to overhaul its culture. He elaborated more Monday on what that meant, saying that it wasn't directed at ownership or fans, but at the players and coaching staff responsible for putting a game plan together and trying to win football games.

"I feel like sometimes we find too many ways to lose a game instead of creating ways to win a game," Koetter said, emphasizing that the change starts at the top with him. "Until we change that, we’re going to have nights like [Sunday]. We’re just missing something, I feel like -- and as my title suggests, it’s my job to speak up."

The Bucs turned the ball over twice Sunday and blew a 10-point lead against the Rams. Last season, when Koetter was the offensive coordinator, they blew a 24-point lead against the Washington Redskins -- the second-largest blown lead in team history. They also blew a 17-point lead against the Falcons, but managed to win 23-20 on a field goal in overtime.

"The best teams that I’ve been on beat with one heart and they count on the guy next to them to do their job every time and they win and lose together," Koetter said. "And maybe our fans have cheered for a team like that at one point; hopefully all of our players have played on a team [like that]. I know when I’ve been on teams like that, you can feel it and, man, you want to grab it and hold onto its tail because it’s elusive."

The self-destruction is nothing new. Even before Koetter's arrival, in 2014, the Bucs blew six fourth-quarter leads. They had 13- and 11-point leads against the New Orleans Saints both resulting in losses, including one that went into overtime. That season, they also blew 10-point leads against the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears.

Going back to Greg Schiano's tenure, they blew a 21-point lead in Seattle, tied for fourth largest in team history. There was also a 10-point lead lost in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals and a nine-point lead lost to the New York Jets in the final two seconds. Over the past decade, they've blown a total of 13 leads of 10 points or more.

What's the reason behind it? It's not for lack of talent, because they had enough talent to get a lead in those games. Does it boil down to belief? Is there an issue with confidence?

"It’s an elusive thing," Koetter said. "It’s not something that you can reach out there and put your fingers on. I think our guys believe for the most part."

Multiple players said that they were upbeat and optimistic heading into Sunday's final drive against the Rams. They believed they would win the game.

"When we got the ball to start that two-minute drive, we were going down the field, it was kind of like 'no doubt in my mind we were going to win this game,'" said offensive tackle Demar Dotson. "Every year it's the same thing. There's something in this organization that's not allowing us to get over that hump."

Dotson is one of just three members on the Bucs' current roster who was with the club in 2010, when the team went 10-6, the franchise's last winning season. It was arguably the least-talented group the Bucs have had in the past 10 years. It was an uncapped year for the salary cap and the Bucs actually spent the least amount of any team. They also had a head coach who not only lacked head-coaching experience, but coordinator experience in Raheem Morris. They may have been aided by an easier schedule, but the point is they found a way to win games that year.

"Every year, the games we should win, we find a way to lose them. We find a way to beat ourselves."
Buccaneers offensive tackle Demar Dotson

"Every year, the games we should win, we find a way to lose them," Dotson said. "We find a way to beat ourselves. We need to take hold of these games and win them. The good teams have it and don't let it go. The teams that don't have it, it seems like they can't get it. ... [We're] one of those teams that just can't get it yet."

Tight end Cameron Brate, who's been with the team since 2014, agreed.

"Those one-touchdown games the past couple of years," Brate said, "we haven't seemed to be on the right end of those. ... It's not something really you can define, but it's something we need to do -- we need to take that final step [and] not just compete in these final games but actually get the wins."

Cornerback Alterraun Verner agreed but pointed out that they have been able to win close games, too.

"It seems like that's the case, but you could say the opposite because we did pull out the Atlanta game," Verner said. "It's just unfortunate."

Koetter addressed the team specifically on the issue Monday during a team meeting, believing that the first step is acknowledging the need for change.

"I just don’t think we should sit back and act like it doesn’t exist because in my eyes it does," Koetter said. "I’ve been on those teams that have it and we’re going to keep looking for it until we find it.”