Give The Bucs Time
March 7th, 2014
With the free agent dinner bell ready to ring in four days, Joe cannot help himself but to peek at what presents Bucs general manager Jason Licht may lay at the foot of the live oak tree Wednesday morning.
Offensive linemen, wide receivers, defensive ends, tight ends and, yes, even quarterbacks, Joe can easily see the Bucs pouncing on any of these positions in the early hours of free agency.
But one NFL insider believes Bucs fans should be granting Licht patience in the coming day, so writes Nate Davis of USA Today.
Our advice: Smith and new GM Jason Licht just came aboard the pewter pirate ship and should take advantage of the (relatively) pressure-free opportunity to evaluate the roster as they impress their stamps upon the organization. Previous GM Mark Dominik was a freewheeling spender whose moves didn’t pan out in most cases. Smith must determine if CB Darrelle Revis’ talents dovetail with his scheme. If not, the Bucs can recoup a lot of cap space in the future by parting with Revis’ non-guaranteed deal, which has five years and $80 million left.
There may no be a more overblown narrative in the NFL right now than if all-world cornerback Darrelle Revis fits Lovie’s scheme. Lovie runs mostly man-coverage. Geez, this is coming from the man’s own mouth.
Now while Davis believes Licht and Lovie should be take time, it sure doesn’t seem like the duo are granting themselves much time, which means they believe they can win pretty quickly, or at least turn the franchise around so it is no longer the doormat of the NFC South.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:20 am
I’m just glad that our hopes and dreams aren’t all on #5 this year. After that delay of game, timeout, delay of game, fumble we opened with last year….
March 7th, 2014 at 9:27 am
I’ll give you time fellas. When you say value picks in free agency, that tells me you wont go out and throw money around on day 1. And I’m totally fine with that. Pretty tired of over spending anyways. Just do your thing guys!! You’ve got my complete confidence.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:28 am
We need a kicker…not a lot of people think it’s a major need, but our kicker situation last year was a joke…..
JOE, who’s gonna be the Bucs kicker this year to kick the game winners for us?
March 7th, 2014 at 9:36 am
buchead407 – Connor Barth
March 7th, 2014 at 9:38 am
Those new uniforms will make a real hip doormat!
Seriously, we’ll just have to trust the new regime. We’ve been placated again by yet another staff change so that should last about a year. I do think Licht and Lovie will play the roster changes a little more conservatively than in years past by opting for proven and not splash players.
This draft and FA cycle will, and should be, dominated by changes along the OL and DL. It’s the most efficient path to making all other players look better. Mostly that skinny kid taking the snaps from center.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:39 am
i remember that JEts game LUtz, what a joke.
They had all offseason to prepare for that first drive and it looked like the first time they ever stepped on a field.
Pretty much sealed their fate.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:45 am
I forgot about Barth. Was he hurt all last year?
March 7th, 2014 at 9:50 am
The list of free agents is rather underwhelming. I’m not expecting anything huge.
I did hear the Steelers guy say its best draft in 30 years or so. So, I still favor the unpopular decision of trading Revis for picks and getting our third rounder back. Five picks plus this crummy FA class isn’t going to cut it.
I saw Johnny signed with Nike. The guys who designed our snazzy new uniforms. What does that tell you Glazers? Draft the guy and cha ching, cha ching.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:51 am
“I forgot about Barth. Was he hurt all last year?”
Tore his achilles playing in a charity basketball game like in June. The first sign that 2013 was going to be a disaster.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:59 am
I agree with Biff Barker. The Bucs do NOT need big-name, splash players.They need players who can do what Tedford and Frazier need them to do. That might include big-name, splash players, and it might not. The old adage is still true, “The game is won/lost in the trenches”. That is where the Lovie/Licht focus should be.
(I also agree about the uniforms)ROTFLOL
March 7th, 2014 at 10:04 am
TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK……….DOH!!!!
I don’t know about anyone else but I’m anxious with anticipation. Oh the possibilities!!!
March 7th, 2014 at 10:09 am
Hawk, glad you see it as I do. Both lines have had underperforming players riddled with injuries. I’d opt to trade back unless it’s Clowney and also unload as many players as we can to stock up on picks too. Gasp, that includes Revis.
This roster never did gel and hence requires the Vitamix treatment.
March 7th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Mark dominik: you build from the back end of the defense. Face palm /
March 7th, 2014 at 10:15 am
It’s been reported that Desean Jackson could be traded. Biting my tongue because I really hate his attitude. But maybe they could swap Mike Williams for him? One off the field question mark for another?
Apparently Chip Kelly likes bigger receivers. And Jackson seems like the speed in space type of player that might work for Tedford.
March 7th, 2014 at 10:19 am
Might work for tedford? Desean played for tedford
March 7th, 2014 at 10:26 am
@clue
My bad, I completely forgot about the Cal connection.
March 7th, 2014 at 10:43 am
Trade Williams for Jackson? Interesting scenario.
March 7th, 2014 at 10:44 am
We’re not gauging competence with this regime. With raheem and shiano we were looking for indications that these unproven guys knew what they were doing. Lovie has a history of success and Licht has a resume full of stops on winning teams. These guys know what they’re doing and don’t need us fans who know very little beating down their doors if the method they use doesn’t produce immediate results if they’re looking at building a long term winner
March 7th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
Oil Derrick Brooks Says:
March 7th, 2014 at 10:15 am
It’s been reported that Desean Jackson could be traded. Biting my tongue because I really hate his attitude. But maybe they could swap Mike Williams for him? One off the field question mark for another?
Apparently Chip Kelly likes bigger receivers. And Jackson seems like the speed in space type of player that might work for Tedford.
+++++++++++++++
Not a bad idea. I hated the direction your post began with but in a player for player bloated salary swap, I would be okay with that. Williams would look like a bargain compared to DeSean.
March 7th, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Patrick- That’s why I’m so hopeful, these guys know what winning looks like. I do think that we need to temper our enthusiasm a bit also. It’s rare to see KC like turn-arounds. I hope people keep that in mind before picking up the pitchforks if the Bucs don’t win 8 games.
March 7th, 2014 at 1:08 pm
Eric Says
“I did hear the Steelers guy say its best draft in 30 years or so. So, I still favor the unpopular decision of trading Revis for picks and getting our third rounder back. Five picks plus this crummy FA class isn’t going to cut it.”
I would understand it if they did that. The only problem is I think it would be unwise to do so BEFORE they have a replacement for Revis. Banks will improve this year, but I don’t expect him to fully develop before year 3 or 4, like Ronde.
March 7th, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Oil Derrick Brooks Says
“It’s been reported that Desean Jackson could be traded. Biting my tongue because I really hate his attitude. But maybe they could swap Mike Williams for him?”
Wait, you want to trade away someone who did a mere $200 damage to a door for a guy like that. Where is your common sense????
March 7th, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Btw Joe – greatest clock ever
March 7th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
@Bonzai
Jackson has the speed this team lacks. I don’t care for poor character guys. But, my only thought is that Smith could corral him.
I don’t have a great feeling about MW. Just my opinion.
March 7th, 2014 at 9:07 pm
best comment ever
Lutz Bucz Fan Says:
March 7th, 2014 at 9:20 am
“I’m just glad that our hopes and dreams aren’t all on #5 this year. After that delay of game, timeout, delay of game, fumble we opened with last year….”
Seriously. That was crazy.