TAMPA — When Dirk Koetter took over as Bucs coach, one of his top priorities was establishing discipline on a team that tied for the NFL lead in penalties and set franchise records for penalties and penalty yards last season.
After five games, he has taken major steps toward his goal. The Bucs have reduced penalty yards more than any other team, by 19.5 per game. They are on pace for their fewest penalties and penalty yards since 2012.
That's progress, but Koetter is focused on addressing the timing of penalties, making sure they don't come in crucial situations, as they did in last week's 17-14 win at Carolina.