Jason Licht Opens Up

You’ve heard it; Joe’s heard it: That Jameis Winston, on a greaseboard, is some sort of rare football savant.

It was the talk of NFL scouts at Shrine Game practices, and Joe heard much more at the NFL Scouting Combine. Word also trickled out that Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was so blown away by Winston’s football retention that Winston is Koetter’s new standard for football IQ. (more…)

Bucs GM Jason Licht refuses to do cartwheels, no matter how much he likes his recent draft.

Yesterday, when appearing on “The Blitz,” co-hosted by Bruce Murray and Rich Gannon heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Bucs general manager Jason Licht was peppered with all sorts of questions about the draft. (more…)

Usually, an undrafted quarterback or two heads to rookie minicamp with an NFL team.

They’re typically guys right out of college with recognizable names, but they’re rarely more than future Arena league stars or CFL meat. (more…)

How pumped up is Joe?

Joe already is counting the hours until the start of Bucs rookie minicamp. (more…)

Dirk Koetter has completed his film review of the Muscle Hamster. (more…)

Yes, Bucs general manager Jason Licht has long been on the Jameis Winston bandwagon. For good reason.

The way the guy played in college was legendary — the way he rallied his Seminoles from what seemed to be sure losses (yes, some graves Winston dug himself) week after week after week, including the 2013 national championship game. (more…)

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. (more…)

The Buccaneers’ seventh-round draft pick, Joey Iosefa, will compete to be the Bucs fullback, general manager Jason Licht said on Saturday.

But did the Bucs get a potential steal because of Iosefa’s past? (more…)

When Jameis Winston throws out the first pitch at a Rays game soon, that might be the last time he throws a baseball for 20 years. (more…)

New Bucs guard Ali Marpet, a second-round pick out of Division III Hobart, is a tremendous underdog story. The guy’s the highest ever draft pick out of the lowest ranks of college football, where scholarships don’t exist.

Marpet also represents Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht putting a hefty set of balls on the table. (more…)

It seems Doug Martin may be entering his last Tampa Bay season. Martin has learned it is show me time.

Per Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, the Bucs have elected to not pick up his fifth-year option, essentially turning this season into Martin’s contract year. (more…)

Regular readers know how much Joe detests BSPN, the TV outfit. It’s not sports, it’s schlock.

Good people work there. This is not a shot at those folks, like Ed Werder, John Clayton, Dickie V, Mike Wilbon and others. This is about the mentality of the suits at the four-letter. (more…)

We must give thanks to Josh McCown for this gift.

Well, the Bucs finally have a quarterback. Finally.

Joe has harped on this for years. The Bucs simply were going nowhere without a quarterback. Since leaky, sleepy Josh Freeman went mental, this team was doomed and the record reflected that. (more…)

Browsing the Interwebs you will find all sorts of things, both good and bad, about new Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith out of Penn State.

The second round pick seems to generate a wide range of reviews. One label Smith has been stuck with is “lazy” — but both NFL Network’s Mike Mayock and Charles Davis are not in this group. (more…)

Bucs general manager Jason Licht was quite forthright after the NFL Draft. He wasn’t just talking in generalities about the new Tampa Bay picks.

Hopes are pinned on these guys coming in and playing major roles. (more…)

Yes, there was nail-biting in Buccaneers’ draft war room.

The second round ticked down and the Bucs were like the playground captain afraid to get stuck with the dude wearing a skirt. (more…)

New Bucs WR Kenny Bell talks more about a chance to play with Jameis Winston, Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.

Yes,when wide receiver and fourth round draft pick Kenny Bell spoke with the Tampa Bay pen and mic club via conference call yesterday, Joe lost count how many times Bell said “excited.”

At one point, Bell admitted he was a “broken record” for using the word over and over.

By the tone of his voice, he wasn’t acting. (more…)

Joe doesn’t get all hot in the pants for undrafted free agents, as many fans do. These guys have a slim shot to earn a roster spot.

But there’s always an intriguing prospect or two in the bunch. (more…)