Jason Licht Explains Week 4 Quarterback Call Is Up In The Air
August 31st, 2018
“Ronde, dude, you’re not supposed to put me on the spot like that on an official Bucs broadcast.”
It appears that Dirk Koetter and Jason Licht have no interest in messing with what the head coach calls “Big Mo.”
If you don’t know what “Big Mo” is, you can follow the link above. It’s a way Koetter’s renowned-football-coach father referred to the power of momentum.
On last night’s Bucs-Jaguars broadcast, Licht joined the broadcast booth and was pinned by analyst Ronde Barber to answer the question on the minds of many Bucs fans: Is Jameis Winston the guy at quarterback as soon as he returns following a three-game suspension?
Barber said he thinks Jameis should be in the lineup before immediately putting Licht on the spot.
Licht made it clear that how Jameis’ replacement is playing and the team’s record will be major factors in the decision for Week 4 against the Bears in Chicago following the Week 3 Monday Night Football game against Pittsburgh.
“I don’t think it would be fair to anybody right now to just lay out that plan and to say definitively what it’s going to be,” Licht said when asked whether Jameis will start when he’s eligible to return in Week 4.
“I think, you know, the circumstances at hand at that point in the season, where we’re at, how Ryan [Fitzpatrick’s] playing, you know, it’s a short week; there’s a lot of factors at play there. So, you know, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, whoever it is is playing lights out, I don’t think it’s fair right now just to say, ‘Yes, automatically, [Jameis] is going to be the guy.’ Now, he may be. Dirk and I, Dirk in particular, he’s got some time to think about that.”
So Licht, with more detail, basically echoed what Koetter had to say a month ago on the subject. There are no guarantees for Jameis.
Last night, Jameis was asked about starting in Week 4 and said he just hopes the team plays well without him.
Licht added that Jameis has had “his best preseason” and is “playing to where we thought he could be and there’s even more potential there.”
Joe’s hit on this subject many times. If Fitzpatrick somehow plays very well against the Saints, Eagles and Steelers — a minor miracle — and the Bucs are winning, then there’s no harm in letting him roll into Week 4 and then bring back Jameis after the Week 5 bye.
August 31st, 2018 at 1:00 am
Really depends on the record Joe’s…
Keep hitting the raquet ball up against the wall though if it helps!
As for Fitzy…..Roses are red, Stars are in space, You have one sexy beard, attached to your face.
Now go win us some freaking games pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease. I KNOW you already made a good chunk of change throughout your career…but our team HAS sucked for a very long time. So please help at a high level until Jameis gets back.
Go Bucs!!!
August 31st, 2018 at 2:05 am
There is no way Fitz lights up the Steelers. After that loss Winston is back in.
August 31st, 2018 at 3:02 am
Jameis starts week 4
Even if the bucs are 3-0
August 31st, 2018 at 4:31 am
If he really believes in “Big Mo” then he’ll let Monken keep calling the plays..
August 31st, 2018 at 4:48 am
Jameis starts regardless….It’s just gamesmanship for a short week to try and make the opponent prepare for both QBs
August 31st, 2018 at 5:10 am
Whoever’s playing light’s out, huh? Could it be they’re seriously considering Griffin? Obviously it would take brass balls to throw him in week 1. Ain’t gonna happen. But if Fitz struggles in the opener, wouldn’t be surprised if they throw him in game 2. But then again Doug Martin…
August 31st, 2018 at 6:36 am
Joe, where’s your Noah Spence story? I know it’s coming! Noah Spence does not deserve to make this football team. The Bucs can’t be in a position to give away roster spots.
Wrote about Spence last night. –Joe
August 31st, 2018 at 6:47 am
He also mentioned a “sense of urgency” in the locker room. Exactly! I hope that’s the case. #PaidFloridaVacation
August 31st, 2018 at 7:06 am
Even if their was a plan to bring in JW3 as the unquestioned starter for week 4, the real fans know that the Head Coach and GM cannot say that!!!!!!! The Bucs should hold out who is the starter as long as they can!!!!!!! Let the other team spend half of their film study watching the wrong guy on a short week!!!!!!!!
The real fans know and appreciate when a GM can be deceptive and throw up smoke screen in the name of gamesmanship!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#trust the coaches!!!!!!!!!! Fix the “real” problem, the roster!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
August 31st, 2018 at 7:41 am
I’ve said it before….Nick Foles won the eagles a super bowl…..Wentz will start as soon as he’s healed….without question.
Tom Brady was suspended for deflate-gate…..started as soon as suspension ended.
Bucs are committed to Winston, they kept Koetter/fired Lovie for Winston….Picked up Winston’s option….Winston plays regardless of the week. Winston’s issue isn’t preparation or rust or health….Its decision making in the game when the pressure is on. That wont change in week 4 or after the bye. He’ll either improve across the board or he’ll continue to struggle.
August 31st, 2018 at 7:53 am
If they start Fitz in the forth game and he loses, what would be the reaction?
It’s been said many times, Koetter’s future is tied to Jameis. The only way to justify starting Fitz that game is if he is 3-0. Licht cannot say that, but its true.
He also cannot say that its unlikely Fitz will go 3-0, even though that is the case.
He will hopefully win one game. He might get lucky and win two games. Licht would not verbally commit because it might affect Fitz’s attitude or confidence…but it will be Winston in game four.
Fitz is not Foles. It’s time to grasp that. Just because one backup did well last season does not mean our will this season. Fitz could not beat a winning team last year. He beat two teams who were worse than the Bucs.
I’ll be happy with 1-2. Extremely happy with 2-1. But come game 4, Jameis returns for an easy win, and will win the next five after the bye week. Making us probably 7-2. Would anyone here complain about that?
I’m more curious as to what would happen if Fitz wins one and then gets injured, forcing Griffin to play.
August 31st, 2018 at 8:00 am
When Licht was asked that question, I thought “What kind of dumbass would ask a GM a question of confidential strategery? Sheesh…” And of course, Licht used about 300 words to say absolutely nothing. As he should have.
August 31st, 2018 at 8:00 am
D-Rome Says
“Joe, where’s your Noah Spence story? I know it’s coming! Noah Spence does not deserve to make this football team. The Bucs can’t be in a position to give away roster spots.”
I agree that he has not done enough to deserve to make the team yet, but he will make the team regardless.
Licht said it last night. They view Spence as a project and they understand they need to develop him.
August 31st, 2018 at 8:22 am
Translation: keep the Bears guessing, and allow room for the remote possibility the Fitz and the offense might be on fire to start the season
August 31st, 2018 at 8:49 am
Let’s just hope that JW NEVER sees the field again for the Bucs. Trade him now for a couple Olinemen.
August 31st, 2018 at 8:50 am
I would’ve like to hear Ron day ask the same question without specifying week four. Is Jay Miss Winston still our future would’ve been a good question on TV. I have not heard any coach or GM acknowledge that.
August 31st, 2018 at 9:32 am
“I don’t think it’s fair right now just to say, ‘Yes, automatically, [Jameis] is going to be the guy.’ ”
Licht is correct of course but when did fairness ever have anything to do with who gets the reps.
It’s obvious to most that JW is the future and Fitz is just a patch. But if Fitz somehow shock us all and gets on a roll with this team and goes 3-0 it’ll be hard to bench him. So he’s not the future…JW has more talent..we all (except for a tiny minority here) get that. But we’re talking about NOW at that point…that game not the future.
And starting is not the end all and be all for JW. If we start Fitz and he falters and JW comes off the bench in a road game there’s a lot less pressure and JW will have a chance to redeem himself with a great relief performance.
I have no opinion on who should start game four. Too many variables still to unfold. EG What if Fitz gets a minor injury and Griffin comes in and stars?
Will you keep Fitz in or go with Griffin?
August 31st, 2018 at 10:07 am
Licht can beat around the bush until the leaves are stripped clean and not say anything.
August 31st, 2018 at 10:51 am
well for what it’s worth Jameis only has himself to blame. Quit chastising Licht and Koetter for using logic.
August 31st, 2018 at 10:59 am
Big trades are coming.
August 31st, 2018 at 11:01 am
I had a fantasy football draft last night. 12 teams with 16 players per team. JW did not get drafted. 9 of the 12 are hard core Bucs fans in which 5 of those are FSU alum…..what does that tell you circle jerk JW loving fans??? He is done!!!!
August 31st, 2018 at 8:44 pm
3-0 no. 2-1 no. 1-2 yes. 0-3 yes. Ta daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
September 1st, 2018 at 8:59 pm
I hope everyone is watching next year’s first round draft pick, Will Grier. Will the Thrill!!!
September 2nd, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Jason Licht has a lot of in the office issues. The decisions he make in his office have been bad or lucky for the most part. Boo this man. Get rid of the rest of Lovie and friends…