Licht Won’t “Get Too Cute”
March 2nd, 2015
Who wants to play Let’s Make A Trade?
One might think Bucs general manager Jason Licht would raise his hand, considering he made a pile of trades last season — in a league that doesn’t see many trades.
So would Licht play all kinds of negotiation games to see what the Bucs could bag for the No. 1 overall pick next month? Not if he is sure the Bucs want to draft Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. That was the word today from pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-listening, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame.
In his must-read Monday column, King shared some trade-down chatter he had with Licht.
6. I think many of you wanted to know in the wake of my mock(able) draft last week what the chances really are that the Eagles will trade up from the 20th pick to get in position to draft Marcus Mariota. The answer: I have no idea. I didn’t write that because of inside information, and quite frankly, more than eight weeks before the first round is picked in Chicago, the teams are ill-suited to know much of anything—with finality. For instance, if Tampa Bay decides it likes Mariota over Jameis Winston and is bullish on him being its long-term quarterback, it’s doubtful the Bucs would listen to any offer for Mariota. When I met with GM Jason Licht of the Bucs nine days ago, he told me he wouldn’t “get too cute” when it came to trade offers if the Bucs were certain one quarterback or the other had the feel of a franchise quarterback. The larger issue here is this: I believe Mariota is going to get very attractive as the scouting process progresses in the next two months. If he’s not the number one pick, and if Tennessee is being honest in affirming often how much they like Zach Mettenberger and passes on Mariota, then the jockeying will begin to get him. Right now, Philadelphia is the most logical team to move into position. The question: Is a package of, say, two first-round picks, a second- and a fourth- enough to get in position to do so? We’ll see.
Joe finds any talk of trading the No. 1 overall pick to be vomit inducing.
The Bucs are desperate for a franchise quarterback, and there are two good prospects to choose from. Simple as that.
But if Licht does want to entertain trade offers, (keyword: entertain) then Joe hopes Licht would get the word out that no team should waste his time without putting three first-round picks on the table and a couple of second-rounders. Maybe Joe would alter that qualifying stance if the Rams put Robert Quinn up along with an impressive package of picks.
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:08 am
“Joe finds any talk of trading the No. 1 overall pick to be vomit inducing”…….hysterical!
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:11 am
Why would you want to trade down when you can pick whoever you want before any other team? The higher you pick, the better chances you have of getting a good player, right? They wont trade out of the number one pick. This team needs a QB (among other things). If they dont get Winston or Mariota is back to square one. Draft Winston, beef up the o-line and take it from there.
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:14 am
I have to agree with you on this one Joe. Trading the #1 would be a serious gut punch.
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:17 am
Licht will listen to offers. It’s a matter of how valuable Winston or Mariota are to them versus a package of picks. If a team makes a ridiculous and unlikely trade offer, the Bucs might be intrigued enough to pull the trigger. In the end, I think the Glazers want a QB, which means the pick will be used on a QB.
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:33 am
Nah, they are picking their QB at #1. You better believe the Glazers got L&L’s balls in a vice to get their first “franchise” QB.
I will say that I would be surprised if the Bucs don’t start trading away players to build up their roster of picks for the draft. Lots of depth at a lot of positions that the Bucs could def use more talent – OT, DE, WR, RB. The Dougernaut, VJax, Michael Johnson, Glennon – looking at you!
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:37 am
I was all for trading down until the combine. One of those QB’s will be ours, preferably Winston.
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:43 am
I hear Suh is going to be a free agent….just got an alert in ky phone….I know thats not the topic here but i thought Joe would be all over that by now.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000475734/article/detroit-lions-do-not-franchise-ndamukong-suh
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:46 am
It all depends on what is offered. If a team…Philly let’s say….offered 3-1’s (2016, 2017, 2018) would you take it? Some might, many would not. Now what if they also included a couple of 2’s (2015 & 2016), how about now…that’s 5 high picks for our 1? Maybe it’s still not enough for most…what if they threw in some players too….Foles (undoubtedly), but what if WR Jeremy Maclin and a good young defensive player or O-lineman was included (maybe Jason Peter, or Michael Kendricks)…. Who knows what MIGHT be offered. There are some who wouldn’t even consider trading the #1 pick, but history shows that if the price is right, deals can and will happen! I wouldn’t be against it…if some team made an offer that was just to good to ignore.
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:46 am
trading down only works when you do it how the patriots do it….trading down has done nothing for the rams because they have no quarterback, trading down because you could miss on the first pick lol you could miss much more easily on 2nd and 3rd round picks you would get…..if you listen to mel kipper and mcshay there are 32 teams but not 32 players that have first round talent….it’s silly talk for the silly season, winning franchise isn’t afraid of taking a chance on a quarterback if they know how to evaluate….
if this fanbase had confidence in the bucs ability to evaluate talent theres no way anyone would want them trading down
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:52 am
Joe, I’m proud of you for admitting that there are 2 good franchise QB options for the Bucs…. Although, I disagree that Winston is a good option for a franchise QB. If we didn’t have the #1 pick, I would settle for Winston and try to be happy with that…
March 2nd, 2015 at 11:55 am
Joe already wrote an article on how unlikely it is for Suh to come here. Madden dream, at best.. That is why I’m sure that he hasn’t written about it; again.
More to the topic:
I don’t remember the last time that the #1 pick was traded (that didn’t involve the player refusing to play for the team). I don’t see this being the year that it happens either. In theory, i think the best position to be in in the draft would be the #2 pick. To me, that is the more valuable spot to trade into/out of.
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:00 pm
I’d trade down to #2 and be happy with either QB and a pick. No lower.
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:22 pm
If professional evaluators conclude that neither Mariota or the accused rapist-criminal #TheCreepyCrab are not franchise QBs then trade the pick or draft L.Williams. I think MG8 can be a very good NFL QB, so I say draft Williams and let the MG8 era begin.
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:27 pm
As long
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:29 pm
As long as we don’t draft Jamis the rapist Winston I will be happy with whatever they do
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Joe has a thread where he laments depth saying no way the Bucs sniff playoffs because of it, then he finds a trade to specifically address the talent/depth issue “vomit inducing?”
Really?
I’d be 100% A-OK for a trade that fleeces some team, a couple of 1’s & 2’s & 3’s…and maybe a proven QB thrown in for good measure.
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:30 pm
I am now in mariotas camp. It would be awesome to trade down 1-2 spots and still get mm. Other than that I say we just go a head and get him with out number 1
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:34 pm
Winston is the only choice… Safer pick and much better player. Go Jaboo!
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:43 pm
Once again, tmaxcon is 100% wrong. LOL, you would’ve probably would’ve wanted Ryan Leaf over Manning, wouldn’t you? You, 87, Couch Fan, Luther & the others are soooo wrong on this. #SuperMariotascomingtoTampa
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:44 pm
Typo
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:47 pm
Stop with this stupid Suh talk. One area where we have both talent and depth is at the DT position. Akeem Spence had three sacks last year in backup duty. McDonald and MCCoy did great when healthy. Spence has two more years on his contract.
Talking about signingSuh just shows how ignorant you are of this team and it’s needs.
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Indybucfan what brought you to the Marcus Mariota side was it that Winston is a rapist or the fact that Marcus is just a better quarterback
March 2nd, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Sources reporting Eagles willing to give Foles,McCoy, & 2 conditional 1st for the #1 pick.
March 2nd, 2015 at 1:07 pm
No thanks. I’ll take Winston first.
March 2nd, 2015 at 1:09 pm
If anyone can tell when the last time the #1 pick was traded for multiple picks – then MAYBE the idea of trading down would even be worth mentioning.
Since its never happened – then anyone saying we should trade down is wasting their breath.
March 2nd, 2015 at 1:18 pm
I’m still hopeful the Bucs can work out a trade deal with the Raiders for this year’s 1st round pick (#4) and next year’s first round…it’s the Raiders so you can feel safe about it being in the top 10 or maybe even top 5. There will still be top tier talent at #4
March 2nd, 2015 at 1:32 pm
I’ve been saying this for a while now, were more than a quarterback away from being anything. I’d listen too all trade offers, if nothing comes around that doesn’t blow our socks off, draft Mariota.
March 2nd, 2015 at 1:43 pm
Being reported Detroit not Franchise tagging Suh, Bucs hot and heavy for him.
March 2nd, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Not a message board link parade here. Thanks.–Joe
March 2nd, 2015 at 4:03 pm
Was reading about the most botched pick in the NFL draft. It so happens that it was the Booker Reese fiasco of 82′ for the Bucs. Man, the way that went down was crazy. Good thing stupid stuff like that doesn’t happen now. Could you imagine?
March 2nd, 2015 at 4:37 pm
The only consolation for Bucs fans enduring the sore foreheads from banging them against the wall and hangovers from drinking away our sorrows while watching the joke of a product that was the 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the opportunity to have the excitement of the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. We need a franchise QB and that is exactly what we have the opportunity to address this April. If we trade down and miss out on this rare opportunity, then we should boycott this franchise for the next 10 years!!!
March 2nd, 2015 at 4:40 pm
When you get an answer to that, PLEASE share it with the group. I have yet to receive even a response to that question.
Not only can I not remember the last time it was done (sans a trade of players at that spot…Manning/Rivers) I SPECIFICALLY don’t think a team with the #1 pick has ever traded with the #2 pick.
LOL.
I’m going to need more proof than just your word on that one.
March 2nd, 2015 at 4:50 pm
I know their are teams that have shopped their #1 pick out there, but don’t know of a team that actually did it. Texans tried to shop theirs last year, but nobody wanted to kill their franchise. All the Texans asked for at a minimum was 3 first round picks.
March 2nd, 2015 at 4:56 pm
I want your whole draft for pur number 1 pick… and next years 1st..