Jason Licht Talks Playoff Expectations In 2016
December 28th, 2015
Jason Licht speaks
Though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have left a nasty skid mark on this season by losing to the lousy Saints, Rams and Bears these past few weeks, general manager Jason Licht is brimming with confidence.
In fact, Licht was talking playoffs yesterday. That’s right. Playoffs!
Licht joined the Buccaneers Radio Network before kickoff against the Bears. And as an eager fan and a thorough media member, Joe was listening closely.
Licht was asked what it means to play a full season with this young Bucs team and have some success.
“It’s incredible experience in that it’s invaluable,” Licht said. “And they’re only going to get better, better and better as the years go on. I think next year, the expectations are going to be set that we need to make the playoffs because we have the talent; we’re going to have the talent to do it.”
So there you have it. The GM, the man who nailed what might be the first grand slam in Bucs history, is surging forward with playoff talk and big goals.
Good for Licht. It’s great to hear him be consistently confident and realistic, versus tap dancing and covering his ass by spreading the disease of low expectations.
Are the Bucs close to being a playoff team? No. But he Bucs were a healthy Vincent Jackson away from being a ridiculously dangerous offense. Put that offense on the field next season, with a more seasoned version of America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and that could be enough to make the Bucs a good team for the first time since 2010.
December 28th, 2015 at 10:03 am
I wonder how badly he wishes he could fire Lovie. I wonder how much he hates that his career could go up in flames because he has a coach who can’t maximize talent. Must be killing him watching his guys Arians and Bowles killing it while we have a loser like Lovie.
December 28th, 2015 at 10:11 am
No excuses for Loser Lovie in 2016
Franchise QB, competent OC, pro bowl RB and DT, top 10 pick for a defensive player and full roster control.
Time to adapt or go back to the basement
December 28th, 2015 at 10:14 am
Can we get a freaking pass rush for next season !!!!!!
December 28th, 2015 at 10:14 am
Keep Licht dump lovie the guy flat out cant coach nor motivate a team to get ready to play, now they play derek anderson and the panthers, he will light the lovie 2 up
December 28th, 2015 at 10:16 am
I agree tony. If lovie can’t pull it off in 2016 then off with his head. Lmao.
December 28th, 2015 at 10:17 am
The problem we have is similar to the Eagles situation. A Head Coach with too much power who is underperforming.
December 28th, 2015 at 10:18 am
Can someone please go back 15 years and make a clone of Simeon rice. That’s all I want for Christmas and Santa didn’t do it. 😔
December 28th, 2015 at 10:19 am
So if we dont make it next year we fire Lovie it sounds like
December 28th, 2015 at 10:20 am
The last stretch of the seasons wasn’t an impossible task for our boys. Falcons, Rams, Bears – they were all beatable. I thought the Bucs were bound to surprise many, me included, but I guess they aren’t ready just yet. Lack of talent is the number one problem. Other things – like the head coach – are debatable, but here in Tampa we have a nasty tendency to idolize players who aren’t that good. And so, decent players become good players, and good players become great players. Evans comes to mind as a primary example. I really can’t understand why some of you believe him to be the second coming of Jerry Rice. The truth, in the end, is that this team simply lacks talent and is unable to develop talent. So many mistakes have been made in recent years. If the Bucs want to get in the playoff, now would be a good time to find GREAT players in the draft and perhaps acquire a few free agents who won’t turn out to be thieves coming to play in Tampa just for the great weather and the financial benefits.
December 28th, 2015 at 10:22 am
So what else is Licht suppose to say – “Sorry Bucs fans, we really stink but we want to keep our jobs” ?
Spin, Spin, Spin
December 28th, 2015 at 10:24 am
Crazy talk Jason, tell me how they make the playoffs next year playing vs 5 teams in the playoffs, 2 road games on the West Coast where the Bucs are horrible, divisional rival Panthers twice.
Couldn’t beat the Titans, Bears or Rams at home and you think this team will win against superior teams with better talent than the Bucs that don’t lead the league in penalties, drop catchable balls, settle for field goals, can’t cover wide receivers running basic slants and lose to the likes of Quarterbacks with the first names of Case, Derrick, Kirk, Ryan, Matt (Hasslebeck, not Matt Ryan) and Marcus.
Sure you’re gonna make the playoffs by beating-
Seattle
Denver
Panthers
Cardinals-away
Kansas City- away
Keep Lovie and his losing ways and you’ll be a 6-10 team or 7-9 if you can split your division games and beat the Rams and Raiders at home and take a game from Chargers or Niners on West Coast because Lovie’s Losers surely are not beating winning teams as Lovie has shown he can’t win a meaningful game.
December 28th, 2015 at 10:27 am
Nor close out a Redskin team he had a 24-0 lead against
December 28th, 2015 at 10:27 am
Some of u dumbassfarts have no clue.Its no wonder we can’t build anything here because some of you guys are crybaby ass men.If I didn’t have my own company I would love to be working next to one you maginas so I can complain about your ass to get you fired.Impatient like winey lil mitches.Ps find another team to root for .You guys are on Lovies balls like sweat.or maybe you guys like it there lol
December 28th, 2015 at 10:30 am
While I wanted to win as well no one can deny this team has been playing the last 3 weeks with no #2 or 3 receiver as they both are hurt. Without their starting middle linebacker who is suspended, with a hurt DT who is the only legit starter on the line cause the other DT is on injured reserved and a tight end they are trying to work back in as he had been hurt most of the year. Injuries have hit this team hard again and with our lack of depth from several years of horrible drafts what could we really expect?
December 28th, 2015 at 10:39 am
I wish I had a filter that would eliminate all posts that say “fire Lovie”…….it is like reading diarrhea on a daily basis…….how many times do posters need to repeat themselves…..it simply isn’t going to happen……do we have to have an entire off season of irrelevant posts?
Listen, I’m not a fan of Lovies…..but in this case I’m a “Realist”…..he’s here for another year……suck it up!!!
December 28th, 2015 at 10:42 am
U Suck: I’m not sure selling Amway to family & friends constitutes owning your own company…but that’s cool. Lay off the UFC watching….it doesn’t make you tough by proxy. Go Bucs.
December 28th, 2015 at 10:54 am
Don’t fire LOVIE!
December 28th, 2015 at 11:01 am
Isn’t Licht the same guy that set winning expectations when he arrived in 2014? I seem to recall some comments about Bucs fans have waited long enough, we don’t need a rebuilding process here. Right before the 2-14 season. Sounds like he’s selling tickets more than anything else.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:02 am
There is a poll on another website showing 60% don’t think Lovie should be fired…..I’d like to see a poll of JBF posters…..My suspicion is that it would be similar…..
Like I said, I’m not a fan of Lovie Smith….but I am a fan of the Bucs and as long as he is our coach….I will root for him to succeed.
I’m looking for one big piece added to the offense…WR
and, a complete house cleaning on the secondary…..with a premier DE added.
I think that will fix the problem and send us to at least 9 wins next year.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:04 am
Licht’s remarks(he had no reasonable alternative), Joe’s absolution and the usual posters posting non posts all announce it’s time to unbookmark Joe and Pewter Report and everything Buc associated until 2016 summer camp opens. Thanks for the rest while I laugh at the Dolphins.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:06 am
as usual players commit turnovers or tick tat penalties and people want lovie fired…unfortunately, I was stuck in the atl airport so I had to watch the atl vs panthers game because my phone went dead and didn’t see the whole game but no matter if your the bucs ,pittsburg or seattle, turnovers will kill you and its hard to win when you turn the ball over 3 times….GO BUCS!!!
December 28th, 2015 at 11:24 am
Here are some things that happened to the Bucs that caused the loss.
Terrible poorly timed facemask penalty
Bad Snap…..worst field position/missed FG
Dropped Passes
Two Fumbles
Interception in or near Red Zone
You have to play an incredible game otherwise to avoid losing or the other team has to do worse.
Aside from the blocked punt…..I think the Bucs forced no turnovers in their three losses…..
December 28th, 2015 at 11:25 am
Despite my not wanting change yet, I will say I am baffled by the Mike Jenkins love and hate on Banks that this coaching staff had shown time and time again. Jenkins clearly can’t cover and while Banks is not fast he usually plays with good technique and plays hard. Not to mention when put in man 2 man situations is probably the 2nd best corner we have behind Moore. Things like this bother me way more than the “scheme”problem.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:37 am
I think that’s a fair goal.
1. 10+ wins and playoffs
2. Dramatically improved pass D
I think if we are off the mark bad on those it’s time to move on.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:44 am
Thing is, Lovie, or whoever the coach is, is going shopping this offseason. This team is still quite bad and can’t compete for anything next year unless it has a ton of FAs rolling through. Considering Lovie struck out on almost all FAs so far, is that what people want? Letting him sign more bad players (and in doing so, likely letting better players go).
So if Lovie is crap again next year and we fire him, we’re also then stuck with a bunch of Lovie FAs we don’t want that will hamstring the team going forward. This truly is the perfect time to swap out coaches and let another coach make an instant impact. Instead we’re letting a guy we all know sucks as a coach lead us to another sub .500, probably 6 win at best team. People realize it’s gonna be even harder to start over next year right?
December 28th, 2015 at 11:53 am
I’ll bet anyone, anything they want to bet right now, that THIS team does NOT make the playoffs next season.
Place your bets kids.
December 28th, 2015 at 11:53 am
I would rather pick up a couple of proven superstars at WR & DE than a bunch of mediocre players…….add them with three really good draft picks and we are good to go.
I would also trade up using the Glennon pick and our 4-7th round picks….we simply don’t need a few experimental developing players.
We struck gold with Brate….and we may have a find with Howard Johnson going forward….perhaps Humphries….other than that…it’s time to move on.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
JonBuc
Lol, Classic
December 28th, 2015 at 12:27 pm
I’ve heard alot of talk about this team being up and coming; I don’t see it. In my opinion up and coming means that improvements have been made. A 6 and 10 record doesn’t show me up and coming. It shows me down and going. This team had a medieocor schedule and they could only manage a 6-10 record, and yes I’m counting on them losing to Carolina even if Carolina plays their back ups. Just because the Bucs started a bunch of rookies that doesn’t make them up and coming, it just makes them desperate. A lot of the announcers for the games say the Bucs are up and coming but they have to say something nice about each team. I don’t want to hear coaches say well your not a coach in the NFL so how do you know. All you have to do is see this team on the field to know they are not up and coming their a good 2 years from that at best. If I’m wrong I’ll be happy at that cause that would mean the Bucs are actually winning.
December 28th, 2015 at 12:40 pm
Dont forget Licht created the Arizona superbowl team. Everyone so quick to just bash Lovie. Its ignorant and shows a lack of understanding of the teams situation. Many younger guys got playing time in the secondary because they know job openings are available. This year was great for a bucs fan. Please let me know the last time you saw multiple exciting plays in Tampa… produced by Tampa… Our team showed flashes of greatness and actually seem to beleive and play with intensity. The past 5 years it seemed like they just shower up to get a check. With Winston Evans Martin and Chuck Sims makin plays and guys like Alexander Mccoy and Lavante as well as a bunch of DE’s the showed up this season. That ballhawk safety and All-Purpose corner are an offseason away for a future dynasty… Only issue I have is we need to close the stadium
so we win more games. Can we make it hard for teams to win in Tampa. Most of it is, you fans. Whiners, and you dont give “away”fans enough crap for trying to come in our house and cheer. Why were there so many Rams fans not being quiet or scared theyll get a beer dumped on there head. Instead of hating lovie. hate your opponents. Just buy em a beer after though..
December 28th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Jake- Licht was never a GM before, so I’m not sure what team you think he built?
Multiple exciting plays? 2012 when the Bucs had a top 10 offense with Martin, Jackson, Williams and Freeman and won 7 games.
It wasn’t that long ago, but some fans forget
December 28th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
@Armybucsfan,
There is one and guess what, he wants out of Buffalo. Can you hear me Jason Licht?
December 28th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Tampabaybucsfan says: “…..with a premier DE added.”
Would the one that wants out of Buffalo fill that void in your opinion?
December 28th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
GhostofSchiano Says:
December 28th, 2015 at 1:12 pm
Tampabaybucsfan says: “…..with a premier DE added.”
Would the one that wants out of Buffalo fill that void in your opinion?
________________________________________________________________
Why not? Potential locker room cancer who has made a ton of money already and is a prime candidate to take a contract here to shut it down like Michael Johnson? Sign me up!
December 28th, 2015 at 1:28 pm
@bucrightoff….so does lovie pick the FA’s and licht picks in the draft? or does lovie draft and licht pick the FA’s? or is there a combination of both GM and HC working together?…who’s the source that says lovie picks ALL the FA and licht picks ALL in the draft…I would love to know who does what or if they work together…GO BUCS!!!
December 28th, 2015 at 1:29 pm
I agree 100% with TBBF. Enough fire Lovie posts already. It’s not happening…it shouldn’t happen but everybody agrees he has to put up some numbers this year!
I thought we had 8-8 talent…could win 10…and like Joe thought six would save Lovie’s job for another year. OK so this team has expectations for next year.
Again I think we’re close enough that Aguayo can make a difference. An ELITE FG kicker can sometimes be the difference in 2-3 games a year and when it comes to the must win games it’s awesome to have that advantage.
Everything else is in place we just need some luck…mainly in terms of health. We must find a great DE…a solid cover DB…otherwise this team looks pretty solid to me.
December 28th, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Jason must be conducting new HC interviews.
December 28th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Lovie is still in the untouchable stage as Bucs coach. Why is a head scratcher. Like all the other loser coaches the Bucs have been saddled with over their history. He is one and the same.
December 28th, 2015 at 2:19 pm
@joe
Please don’t try and feed the real fans and the sheep on nonexistent expectations!!! We both know that the love excuses will come out next year when they fall short!! So and so was injured! Some rookie will have 2 to 3 good games and they want to see another year of the rookie potential! And the best excuse next year will be if we fire lovie that the Bucs would be starting over and they will waste another year for the new coach to implement his systems!!!
December 28th, 2015 at 2:34 pm
@ GhostofSchiano
Yes….I think Williams would do just fine…..all FA & draft picks are somewhat gambles….if you have to gamble….gamble on a player with a proven track record….not a one-year flash-in-the-pan……
Sure, he could come in and quit on us….but, I don’t think so….if he stays in Buffalo where he is unhappy…he likely would quit on them though.
December 28th, 2015 at 3:24 pm
Wow please excusse my lack of punctuation im in a hurry all of you guys hating are all garbage analyst’s with the best qb in the game barley doing better then jamies that wasnt supposed to be so we are ahead there all of are pass rushers are hurt learn how to read player reports they say it in there we one more games then expected to and yes kyle brindza cost us 3 out of four of first games we played and all football fans have to except bs fake penalties are alot to do with it refs had alot to do with us loosing and please tell me that all relationships blossem early and stay that way cause it doesnt it takes time i now speak for all smart bucs fans that we want to build a dynasty not be a one hit wonder
Finally please list all coaches that had turned a team from nobodys to somebodys over night and kept it that way not that many over sixty years but theres alot that took time did it right and created a dynasty
December 28th, 2015 at 3:39 pm
With a healthy VJ and Louis Murphy all season long, this offense would have been top 10 easily. Licht has the right to be confident. He’ll plug a few more holes this offseason and 10 wins next year is very possible, especially with another last place schedule. I’ll bet there will be more than a few free agent WR’s who will want to be catching passes from Jameis. This will make Lichts job even easier.
December 28th, 2015 at 3:52 pm
This team could be “up and coming” if each player played to their full potential, stopped having turnovers and stopped making stupid penalties. Think about it, that is the reason this team loses or we would have been in the playoffs. That comes down to Coaching. It is the reason we lose. Move on and get a Coach who teaches and motivates.
December 28th, 2015 at 4:34 pm
Relentless Buc Realist!
December 28th, 2015 at 4:59 pm
Realist I drew my line in the sand for this year and we barely met it. My line was a mediocre average D vs bottom of the league D. You assumed a bottom of the league D.
My expectations and line in the sand for next year is a top 12 D with improved pass D or I’m done. not sure where all these “sheep” that love Lovie are still. “Sheep” implies large numbers of these ppl when that doesn’t add up with the comments here. There are way more Lovie haters than not… By definition they fit closer into the “sheep” category.
Once again regardless of Lovie Smiths future go f*ck yourself
December 28th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
To clarify I want top 12 D in points allowed not yardage and a much improved pass D
December 28th, 2015 at 7:28 pm
Bears didn’t beat the Bucs; Bucs beat themselves. Now, some whiner on here explain how Carolina got beat by the Dixie Chicks Sunday? Youth as in rookies, 2nd year guys, etc. + injuries nailed us this season. Ignorant refs helped out. I’m looking forward to next season. Go Bucs!!
December 28th, 2015 at 7:28 pm
What a brilliant thought. Clean house yet again. Let Lovie try for a third time and watch as he brings in players that don’t pan out and are injury prone. And if you think they are going to draft all starters like Kwon this year, Well the State would love your lottery money.
December 28th, 2015 at 9:56 pm
Qb killa- what’s a last place schedule? All the teams in the NFC south will play the same schedule except 2 games. This isn’t the 80s where a team plays all the last place teams.
December 29th, 2015 at 12:49 am
So much ignorance comes out to play after a few good articles and loss of hope. If you think Lovie is a good coach, stick your head in the ground until 2017 when he’s out of the NFL. It will make you feel better I promise. And to the few people on JBF who don’t think we have a good football team in Tampa. It’s ok! Many people have overcome being deaf, dumb and blind to live wonderful lives. I only hope you can do the same!