Bucs GM Jason Licht Talks Analytics
March 26th, 2015
Regular readers here know Joe is annoyed by the spreadsheeters, the guys (and businessmen) who pour over game film with little qualifications or knowledge of what they’re seeing, and then emerge with player data and rankings that they and millions claim are gospel.
Joe often wants to slap these guys in the head. They’re they same group who, before the 2014 season, pronounced Donald Penn to be a stinky load and proclaimed Anthony Collins a flawless pass blocker.
But Joe is fascinated by how analytics are changing football. Teams, the Bucs included, have growing staffs of data geeks dedicated to in-season trends, college player evaluation, and more.
Joe sat down with Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht this week at the NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix. One thing Joe wanted to know was in what areas the Bucs’ analytics team is oozing optimism for 2015.
Of course, Licht is not a geek and was not carrying spreadsheets, so Joe will highlight some areas Licht mentioned:
1) “Leaps and bounds” made defensively in various categories after a horrible start in 2014
2) Young roster moving into Year 2 of the regime
3) Ascending superstar in 21-year-old Mike Evans
4) Planned addition of a franchise quarterback (Joe loved that one.)
Licht went on to stress how leaguewide analytics back building through the draft, especially with offensive linemen. “Homegrown” is critical at that position,” Licht said, adding that time for the line to jell isn’t a fallacy.
Joe knows fans love to read between the lines, and these nuggets should provide plenty of fodder.
Joe agrees with Licht. (Remember, this is simply a data perspective here.) On paper, the Bucs should be much improved this season.
March 26th, 2015 at 11:17 am
wins and losses are the only thing that can prove analytics to be valid. joe when we get to that point lets get back to this analytics post of yours…..on paper we’ve looked like champions for years lol then again you cant be taken seriously when you sign a player like eric wright to a huge contract
March 26th, 2015 at 11:21 am
The addition of Koetter and (hopefully) Jameis almost guarantee we wil be alot better in 2015. Now if Lovie had been fired and we had another roster upheaval I would feel very uneasy about this year.
March 26th, 2015 at 11:25 am
the OL is the big question mark, everyone agrees…with the current OL lineup, my question is what it will look like next year and beyond? It’s imperative that this draft includes MANY OL prospects and begin to build a cohesive unit…2 major holes right now and the 3 “pillars” aren’t spring chickens >> Mankins is 33, Dotson is 29, EDS is 28…Rounds 2-3-4 should ALL be OL picks
March 26th, 2015 at 11:28 am
QB….2 Olinemen & a DE….and I think we will show significant improvement
That’s 4 draft picks and if we are fortunate to get a 3rd rounder for Glennon…all four could be 1-3rd round….
March 26th, 2015 at 11:31 am
Well, at least he confirmed that we’re drafting a QB #1…. I just hope it’s MM!!!
March 26th, 2015 at 11:34 am
It’s so exciting to know that we’re at least trying to draft a franchise QB
March 26th, 2015 at 11:40 am
Erik with CleanAthletics.com Says:
March 26th, 2015 at 11:31 am
Well, at least he confirmed that we’re drafting a QB #1…. I just hope it’s MM!!!
I’m pretty sure you previously posted that you knew for a fact we were drafting MM. Interesting lack of confidence showing through. Just as I thought, you know nothing about what is going on behind closed doors at One Buc…..and I just hope it’s Winston!!
March 26th, 2015 at 11:42 am
Agreed with TBBF, from the comments made by L & L, they are absolutely targeting a QB and DE in the draft, and let’s hope at least 2 competent OL. If we can get 1 of them starting week 1, that would be great.
My biggest concern is LT. Dotson should stay on the right side, he plays well over there. So who is gonna take the LT spot? I haven’t heard many draft analysts too high on anyone coming out this year at that position.
March 26th, 2015 at 11:50 am
@TBBF
You and I agree on Glennon’s value as trade bait. And so I’m not against it. But I’m a little worried about pulling that trigger.
I accept that MG8 is not a “franchise QB” capable of carrying a team. I think he IS good enough to get a good team into the playoffs where his shortcomings would eventually be exposed.
But as even Joe concedes Glennon is a servicable NFL backup. He has experience with this team, and as you point out he’s still cheap.
If we trade Glennon who will back up Fameis?
March 26th, 2015 at 11:52 am
@St. Pete, I imagine if they get rid of Glennon they would be signing an older veteran like Hassleback or, god forbid, Jason Campell (Nooooooo!)
March 26th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Unbelievable
I think you are correct but I still do not understand. If McCown was worth 5 freaking million what would one of these guys cost us.
MG8 sucks up next to no room in our cap space and has experience with our team. He’s probably already been dozens of times to visit with Koetter who would know how to work around MG8’s weaknesses.
If dealing him ASSURED us of getting a starting DE or LT then do it. IF not he has tons of value right here.
March 26th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
Real talent at QB provides a lot of hope for the future. Teams that have a great QB are legitimately in the running for a Super Bowl every year (see Indianapolis for the next 10 years). Teams that don’t have at least a good QB basically have no shot at reaching the SB unless every other aspect of the team is almost perfect.
March 26th, 2015 at 1:56 pm
@Joe
Player analytic’s. Have you researched the NFL player tracking system we’re deploying to all NFL stadiums? Not sure if you remember, but I mentioned this a couple of months ago.
March 26th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Bucs have had more than their share of season-ending injuries these past few years.
They also have a history of developing a player then giving him away … for peanuts.
Mike Glennon has 2 more years under contract with the Bucs. He may not know Dirk Koetter’s playbook yet, but he knows the Bucs personnel, and that’s important. He may or may not be a ‘franchise QB’ as some have said, but neither was Brad Johnson. Even if he doesn’t start, he’s a tremendous asset to our team. Any starting QB is only one injury away from riding the bench.
Let’s stop giving away talent for peanuts. We spent a 3rd-round pick on Mike 3 years ago, and he’s gotten quite a bit of playing time since then. Keep him as either a starter or backup for 2 more years, then see what happens.
March 26th, 2015 at 3:12 pm
@ St. Pete, agreed with you on that, unless you’re getting a 3rd round pick for him, or maybe a very high 4th you can package into a 3rd, he has more value on our team.
But who the hell knows what Lovie and co will do? There’s still a chance they roll with Glennon after all.
March 26th, 2015 at 8:38 pm
It sounds like he has learned his lesson from last year.