Jason Licht Talks Panic & Pass Rush
August 10th, 2014
The GM is focused on the trenches
Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht always talk about how they’re constantly trying to improve their football team and scouring other teams to do it.
But Licht emphasized a couple of specific areas during a chat on SiriusXM NFL Radio this afternoon.
Of course, Licht said the Bucs would “not panic” about the state of offensive line, but he acknowledged the strong concerns out of Friday’s preseason opener to co-hosts Zig Fracassi and Booger McFarland.
“We want to see guys step up into those couple of [guard] positions there on offense,” Licht said. “That’s basically right now the focus we’ve been talking about the last couple of days. It’s not panic time yet.”
But Licht also said there’s an emphasis on obtaining better pass rushers.
“We could always use more,” Licht said. “That’s one thing we’ll always keep our eye on.”
Joe was intrigued by the pass rush interest. It’s hardly surprising, and it fits Lovie’s defense-first focus.
The Bucs simply don’t have much chance of winning without a Grade A rush.
August 10th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Panic….the opponents pass/run rush ?
August 10th, 2014 at 6:02 pm
Joe, I have been telling you for a while that clayborn is on thin ice. He just cannot beat 1 on 1 ( except maybe our o-line). I know that lovie and licht can easily replace and upgrade clayborn.
August 10th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Yet he is playing on the first team
August 10th, 2014 at 6:41 pm
Realist, do you think it’s healthy for a person to think so much about another person? It’s a little sick in my opinion. Funny thing is, Clayborn isn’t half as bad as you make him out to be, and there is zero chance he doesn’t make the team. So on a team that covets pass rushers, you really believe they are going to get rid of a starter, especially when Lovie praises him regularly in his press conferences? Keep dreaming!
August 10th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Adrian Clayborne should be on a 3-4 team as a DE.
Hes mean, tough, and violent.
he hustles, plays hard, but slow.
he would do well in cleveland, pittsburgh, NE, Buffalo, or baltimore, or green bay.
someplace cold. with a 3-4 défense.
tough, slow players, are meant for cold stadiums.
and clayborne is perfect for a 3-4 “tough guy” team like pittsburgh
TRADE HIM for a 5th rounder
August 10th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
Glad to see that you made it thru the little rain and wind you had over there hawaiin, hopefully no pineapples were lost!
He will be on the team, this year, but its just wasting time. would rather give some guys with a higher ceiling and better skills, then a guy who has just accrued more playing time due to his draft status.
August 10th, 2014 at 7:23 pm
If he continues to play like he did Saturday, Bowers will be doing the swap with Clayborn.
Bowers has always played RDE. Clayborn got shifted there for the first time- this offseason. Bowers has burst- Clayborn has constant motor.
I’ve said it for a while- Clayborn has the size and motor to excell at DT.
While Bowers can do both- he has the Burst that no one else has shown on the team.
RDE will play out. I’m much more interested to see what Mr. Johnson brings us at LDE. He has shown some real speed. Playing next to McCoy- he should get some sweet 1 on 1 matchups.
He will have the chance to be a star.
August 10th, 2014 at 7:26 pm
Yeah, Lovie gave Clayborn props in his presser today too. So not everyone thinks he’s a dud. He has a motor and even though he didn’t get the honored fifth year, he’s young enough and has enough upside to continue to develop him.
I’ve been here a while (hello Thomas!) and I remember when McCoy used to get his daily dose of vitriol too. But things change and sometimes for the better (where’s Thomas?). Let’s hope that Clayborn can turn that corner (or come off the corner if you will) and be the DE we all hoped he would be when we drafted him!
August 10th, 2014 at 7:32 pm
But more importantly,
Have they Fired our O-line coach, and Aquired Two new guards yet?
I’m not giving up on Meridith- he’s played well in the past.
But Collins play scared the heck out of me Saturday! He was a frickin windmill, waving at the Jags, and giving up two sacks in about 3 minutes time!
And Cousins looked like ge always has, over 3 years of Tape.
Like he doesn’t belong in the NFL. Much less starting.
I know Liught and Lovie are telling us not to overreact.
Lovie said that same thing in Chicago, his entire time there.
Yet his line always sucked badly- which is why Cutler, Marshall, and the rest of his talked Skill players could never get that Offense to work.
Crappy O-Line
It’s up to you, Mr.Liught. Save Lovie from his O-Line hating self.
Because the line is the only part of this team I’m in a panic over. I actually feel good about the rest.
And that’s a HUGE improvement
August 10th, 2014 at 8:14 pm
Good point capt Tim, did you notice how much better the Bears O-line was last year? I am still hoping Lovie has learned from his past. I was here (in Chi-town)to see it. (poor O-line year after year)
August 10th, 2014 at 8:30 pm
Joe Says:
August 10th, 2014 at 6:04 pm
Joe, I have been telling you for a while that clayborn is on thin ice.
Yet he is playing on the first team
_________________________________
@Realist,
Man, you are too funny. Never, never give up. What, you want the baby daddy hanging out more with your daughter? If he is not working you know they are likely moving in with you, right? LMAO
August 10th, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Yes, and “…The Bucs simply don’t have much chance of winning…” if their O is constantly going 3 and out and keeping the Bucs D on the field.
August 10th, 2014 at 9:30 pm
Why is this GM in front of the camera all the time ?
Shut up, let Lovie do the talking.
And figure out how you managed to pick the wrong
Aggie at #7. It will eventually cost you your job !
August 10th, 2014 at 10:22 pm
i like it danimal!!!
August 10th, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Glad to hear Licht say he needs some Guards to step up. If they had been smart enough to start Omameh and Daniels at Guard they would have seen some Guards step up. I feel certain Warhol from the Browns was the one who pushed for Cousins to be hired in free agency, but Licht being a great scout should have watched tape on Cousins and seen he was a bust and refused to waste cap money on that fool, and warned Lovie not to start him. Also Pro Football Focus rated our RT our highest rating on the Offensive Line, and Licht should remind Lovie of that and that Collins also played some RT at the Bengals and he needs to switch his Tackles. However, I think Licht was mainly responsible for our not taking a Franchise QB because he has never used a first pick previously for a QB, and after bombing on lower picked QBs he became an NFL Nomad, which is how we got him. You would think he would have learned from that. Also Johnson, who he gave a huge contract, was rated by PFF as the worst tackler on our Defense. That won’t be good facing Charlotte’s QB!!!
August 10th, 2014 at 11:14 pm
#askjameis where can we find some OL
August 11th, 2014 at 9:19 am
O-kat. Another rookie at qb won’ t save us this year. No matter who. No Glennon jabs?