In Dad We Trust
May 4th, 2015
Jason Licht said his dad’s influence was felt in the Bucs’ draft room for fifth-round pick Kenny Bell. So Joe just had to pick up the phone and call dad.
At heart, Joe’s an old school journalist, so how could Joe not pick up the phone and call Ron Licht, the now famous father of Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht.
It was Jason Licht who said his dad in Nebraska texted Lovie Smith and him during Day 3 of the draft to say they would be bananas not to take Nebraska wide receiver Kenny Bell in the fifth round.
Licht told the tale a couple of times — after the Bucs drafted Bell.
The elder Licht says his son “embellished a bit,” but the sentiment was accurate.
Mr. Licht is a diehard Cornhuskers fan. Actually, he’s a step and a half beyond diehard. Mr. Licht has had the “same seats at the Husker games since 1962.” That’s the year Nebraska’s historic streak of sellouts started, he told Joe proudly. And Licht travels to many road games, as well.
Mr. Licht called Bell a “high character kid” first and foremost, and said he works tirelessly and has good soft hands, as well as really strong hands.
“He probably was one of the best receivers we’ve had at Nebraska,” Ron Licht said, while acknowledging the Cornhuskers haven’t produced many NFL receivers.
Ron Licht said he’s had a chance to meet Bell and many Cornhuskers players, and Bell really is impressive on a personal level. But Mr. Licht wasn’t overselling Bell. He believed the fifth round was about where the speedy receiver/returner would land. He was just nervous Bell would be snatched up before the Bucs were on the clock because he believes Bell will be a solid NFL player and turn into a steal.
Joe’s hoping the elder Licht is a great scout of his Cornhuskers. He told Joe he was sold on Lavonte David as an NFL stud very early in David’s two-year Nebraska career.
May 4th, 2015 at 12:51 pm
I agree with Jason’s dad.
May 4th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
Perhaps pops can pick my fantasy team or find the Bucs an edge rusher.
May 4th, 2015 at 1:14 pm
I think everyone across the board is excited about this pick, no if, ands or butts about it.
Maybe fans DO know as much if not more than the people who get paid to do this.
Thanks mr. Licht maybe we can get you a consulting fee for your efforts.
May 4th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
He may be good pick, he may not. We’ll have to see once he starts catching footballs from the 4th best quarterback in the division.
May 4th, 2015 at 2:40 pm
T in Orlando….I only wish fans could tell Winston that rather than on a blog site.
Those kinds of words would be music to his ears.
May 4th, 2015 at 3:34 pm
[…] to JoeBucsFan, Ron says that his son “’embellished a bit,’ but the sentiment was […]
May 4th, 2015 at 10:48 pm
“He may be good pick, he may not. We’ll have to see once he starts catching footballs from the 4th best quarterback in the division.”
glennon might be throwing him balls while winston works with the first team. you silly goose.
May 5th, 2015 at 5:59 am
Great pick!
if anyone is really into scouting they should watch this scouts videos on Bell:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19OVxvFhZyY
he raves about the kid… his also has some interesting things to say about Winston.