Licht Body Slams NFC South Peers
January 20th, 2016
Last year’s NFL Draft sort of felt like general manager Jason Licht looked at the hot mess of a product delivered by Lovie Smith and decided he was sick and tired of eating rotten fruit week after week.
Licht waved off the many doubters and haters of America’s Quarterback. Licht shook his head at the multiple experts who considered his new left tackle fat and lazy. Licht traded up to draft a Division-III left tackle so he could play right guard for Tampa Bay. And Licht was the guy who ended up with the crazy-fast, 20-year-old, 225-pound linebacker every NFL suit (after the draft) conveniently said they loved but didn’t select.
Those four Buccaneers, Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet, Donovan Smith and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, were named to the All-Rookie team yesterday.
Combined, the Saints, Panthers and Falcons put one player on that team 27-position team: New Orleans linebacker Stephone Anthony.
Bucs fans, that’s how you get a leg up on your division. The extremely rare grand slam by Licht is what builds a champion.
Now it’s time for Licht to nail another drat and bag a couple more impact free agents, like he did last summer with right tackle Gosder Cherilus and center Joe Hawley.
Another last-place finish and will not be — and should not be — tolerated by any Bucs fan.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Use the Glennon pick….and the 5, 6 & 6 round picks to trade up for 3 starters….DE, CB, S
January 20th, 2016 at 9:20 am
Oh he hit it out of the park alright! Could do it once again with moving up for Ramsey, then go after DE Jonathan Allen. Those picks are possible. I know there’s a team willing to accept Glennon as trade bait. Work your magic Licht.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:20 am
The best part about Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander is that we have already gone through the growing pains of their rookie year by making each one a starter. You can’t quantify what that experience means. I can’t wait to see what their performance is like next year, with a year of experience and a new HC.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:21 am
CB Fuller could be a key steal in late 1st or early 2nd…coming off knee injury but would have been in the top corner conversation…
January 20th, 2016 at 9:23 am
don’t like the trade up usually but Bosa or Ramsey might be worth it to plug huge holes…
January 20th, 2016 at 9:24 am
Who ever our GM brings in I am on board. GO get e’m Mr Licht
January 20th, 2016 at 9:33 am
Someone needs to be on the phone to Hue Jackson about his QB need, I like Glennon, but this is his last season under contract and you can’t let a guy with his experience walk with no compensation. Time to cut the cord and let the big man blossom in Cleveland.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:36 am
“Those four Buccaneers, Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet, Donovan Smith and America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, were named to the All-Rookie team yesterday.” – Joe.
Wow.
That is awesome!
I wouldn’t count out Kenny Bell yet either. I suspect he’s going to be our return machine.
I had Kwon Alexander, Ali Marpet and Kenny Bell on my wish list that I posted. Winston was my second choice at QB…but I’m more than happy with him. Kind of glad I didn’t get my way on the first pick for now. Mariota isn’t all that bad though.
I really hope Kenny Bell gets time returning kicks. He did good at it in college and high school. He’s got soft hands too, but probably needs work on catching right now.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:37 am
@flmike
I don’t think trades are permitted right now.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:38 am
godzilla13 Says
“The best part about Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander is that we have already gone through the growing pains of their rookie year by making each one a starter.”
They’ll still have plenty of growing pains. You are right though. That experience is going to serve them well.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:39 am
“Who ever our GM brings in I am on board.”……careful saying that. You loose all credibility with a comment like that and will eat crow soon enough. I’ll give him credit, great draft (so far) last year, but this is the same GM that brought you Josh McCown, Michael Johnson, Alteron Verner, and cut Darrelle Revis….
I’m of the belief you don’t grade a draft class until after year 3. Hoping for the best for these men, as they are off to a very nice start.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:45 am
If licht can have consistent success in the draft. we will be a major contender very quickly
January 20th, 2016 at 9:47 am
I think that because Lovie got fired, people are going out of their way to give Licht credit for all the good things and blame Lovie for all the bad.
The scouting department reports to the GM, not to the head coach. Trades and free agent signings are handled by the GM, not the head coach. Cuts for cap reasons are the work of the GM, not the head coach.
And yet…Lovie get’s blamed for all of those things.
Jason Licht actually has a horrible record in every area except the draft.
January 20th, 2016 at 9:57 am
Lovie had total control until he was fired.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:01 am
Is it too much to ask that Kenny Bell develop into a legitimate #2? Also, imagine if the 6th rounder would’ve been L’ael Collins. Just being greedy now.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:09 am
I love Licht’s drafts…
If he nails it again this year we could make an argument that we have one the best GM in the game…It’ll be interesting to see how this upcoming draft unfolds…I know everyone wants pass-rushers and DB’s…Me personally, I like Treadwell in the first…Call me crazy but the idea of having him and Evans on the outside and V-Jax working the slot would make our offense a nightmare for opposing defenses…we’ve swung and missed on so many DE’s over the years I’m almost scared to draft one early; that said, I do trust Lichts eye for talent so I’d be happy with anyone he picks…
January 20th, 2016 at 10:17 am
Cody…I’m with you. If the talent level drops off at DE after Bosa is taken. Then I’m most certainly with you and there’s not much anyone can say about my opinion on the matter. Draft another stud WR with speed in the first. Then again we really don’t know what Kenny Bell might turn out to be yet.
I really haven’t taken the time to scout out any players coming out of college. So perhaps I better get a move on, because I do want them to go defense, defense, defense. Yet that WR pick is still lingering in the back of my mind.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:21 am
I sincerely hope the BUCS sign Martin, Mankins, Cherilus and Demar Dotson for the 2016 season. Building on success, with veterans, will be a major benefit for any rookie. Smith credits Mankins for his success and I am sure others benefited as well. Already looking forward to the draft!
January 20th, 2016 at 10:21 am
James Says
“Lovie had total control until he was fired.”
That’s not what we’re being told now.
According to what we are hearing, Lovie never really had much control. He was forced to focus on offense, and then never got to build his defense through the draft. He never had control.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:23 am
@Bill Byrne
I’m against signing Martin right now. Would rather franchise tag him.
The man had a good rookie year and then sucked until his contract year. Blame it on injuries if you like, but it still shows a pattern. Make him prove himself again.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:25 am
Well said Godzilla13 here he here he!!!!!!!!
January 20th, 2016 at 10:28 am
I wish they would have spent a pick on L’ael collins but that is in the past and maybe didnt want him in there with Jameis but we were at the bottom so wasting a 6th or 7th pick on Lael Collins would never have hurt the future
January 20th, 2016 at 10:31 am
How often does the head coach HIRE the GM?
Let’s not act like this is conventional. Let’s also not act like the conventional norms of the GM/Heach Coach relationship were in effect.
Like the quote from a Licht contemporary on Licht drafting almost all offense. – “He LET me” Meaning Lovie let him draft all offense.
What does LET ME mean? It means Lovie had control.
Licht took over control of the 53 roster AFTER Lovie was fired.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:33 am
I watched three OSU games this year and every time I focused in on Bosa.
He’s obviously a talented player but he scares me. He simply was not a major disruptive force in any of those games.
I read..Walter Football i think..but some draft analysis that says Bosa is NOT an elite edge rusher but is competent in the rush, and also good against the run.
IE…he’s a solid player but not as spectacular as his rep.
I can’t believe I’m saying this since I’m not really an FSU fan..nor hater..just a person who respects what Jimbo has done up there…but again I would like an FSU player…Ramsey is a super talent…and again I’m lobbying for Aguayo so we can finally have a dominant kicker.
I swear Gator fans I love you guys as much as FSU! It seems it’s just how the draft picks are falling and if the Bucs took Hargreaves instead of Ramsey I wouldn’t really have a problem. I think it’s a very close call between the two.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:40 am
Absolutely not. The Bucs must continue to show they are improving. I don’t believe they are that far away from being successful and having a winning record.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:54 am
@Stpete
Love Ramsey. Hargreaves is awesome, and I would be happy with him. But, Ramsey has size on him, and has played 3 positions more than competently (CB, Safety and Star – a LB/DB hybrid).
That’s said, I doubt either guy is there at nine.
January 20th, 2016 at 11:14 am
I love how bucs have consistently used late round picks to bargain with and move up in early rounds to select the player they really want.
It means they did some very thorough scouting on those players and know exactly what they are getting. They didn’t trade up to get Marpet because they heard he was decent. They dug deep and fell in love with him.
And you do sacrifice the later rounds when you do this. But we rarely lose picks, it’s often times a swap of a 5th rounder for 6th rounder or something like that. i’ll gladly take top end talent over middle road talent.
January 20th, 2016 at 11:33 am
You want a WR pick? Pharoh Cooper if he makes it to the 3rd…..move up and grab him!
January 20th, 2016 at 11:37 am
BTW, Lael Collins agent said he wouldnt accept a draft after the 3rd round…..just reminding you guys. It wouldve screwed up his money signing after round 3.
January 20th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
MadMax Says:
January 20th, 2016 at 11:37 am
BTW, Lael Collins agent said he wouldnt accept a draft after the 3rd round…..just reminding you guys. It wouldve screwed up his money signing after round 3.
\————–
It’s called calling the guy’s bluff. You either play for us, or you play for nobody and go back in the pool for next season. Plain and simple. The dude didn’t skip his last season of football so he could not play football. He would’ve played.
January 20th, 2016 at 12:24 pm
1.65 million and the potential for a 3rd year pick up at a lot more if he plays well. I dont blame him.
January 20th, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Whoa, just read Jonathan Allen is returning for his senior year….news 2 days ago. Crap!
January 20th, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Whoa….4 Bucs on the All-Rookie team?? And we finished in the NFC South cellar (yet) again. No wonder Lovie got canned. I know worse than nothing about college ball so I just follow the comments. I DO hope the scouts and Licht go after guys with good character as well as awesome talent. No Randy Moss garbage on my Bucs team, please. Go Bucs!!
P.S.: I have stated that I consider Famous Jameis a kid of good character. I was
skeptical at first, but have since changed my mind. 🙂
January 20th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
Lovie had total control of the entire operation. The Glazers gave him that. But someway somehow, Lovie let Licht take control of the draft. This was smart of Lovie because Licht has a background in scouting and it looks like he is very very good at it……Drafting four freaking stud players is no accident.
I firmly believe the Glazers figured at the end of the year that they had to make a change to fix the teams field performance. At the same time, they knew whoever was making these great draft selection absolutely had to stay here in Tampa. That is why Licht was given full control of the football operations and why Lovie was canned.
January 20th, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Thank You Lovie for hiring a good GM. And thank you for letting your best talent evaluator control the draft.
Lovie doesnt be much, if any credit, for this. But he should because giving up power that way is not easy. There are a thousand ways Lovies tenure could have totally ruined our drafts. We could easily be in rebuilding mode once again.
The last two drafts have been huge for this franchise moving forward. Anybody who doesn’t think the draft is the most essential part of fielding a competitive team is completely wrong.
January 20th, 2016 at 3:01 pm
And if you want a good reason why this team has been awful for a decade now lets start with the draft…….. You go back and look at every draft we have had since the turn of the century and you will see dud, dud and more duds.
The Glazers have handed there football team to be led by a pile of bumbling idiots that couldn’t find a talented player. Now for the first time in forever, we may actually have somebody competent calling the shots with Licht.
Ye
January 20th, 2016 at 4:00 pm
Joe, I remember the 2012 draft being considered a homerun or whatever…..never fully panned out…..michael clayton was dynamite after one season…..then got hurt and was never the same. Tough to grade a draft on one season, and many rookies slump their second season….between that and likely tougher schedule. So well see…hopefully the “grandslam” does eventually carry us conference titles and championships in the years to come.
January 20th, 2016 at 5:42 pm
No franchise tag in Martin. Sign him for 4 years – his prime
January 20th, 2016 at 7:39 pm
Four guys on the all rookie team is amazing. I wonder if any other teams had that many. And we have a chance again this draft to get some studs. In the 1st round I hope either Hargreaves or the OT Stanley fall to us. In the 2nd I would go for a guard like Whitehair from KSU if he falls or Joshua Garnett from Stanford.
If Stanley falls to #9 he would be my pick unless something crazy happens and Jalen Ramsey falls down, which won’t happen. We have to worry about protecting Jameis. And a combo of Stanley and Donovan Smith would be a great pairing for many years to come. Throw in Garnett in the 2nd to be our LG to take over for Mankins when ready, would give us 4 young studs all in either their 1st or 2nd seasons on our O Line.
There is also a ton of talent in the FA pool. We can sign our CB from there and focus on the O Line in the draft. William Gay, Janoris Jenkins, Sean Smith, and Greg Toler are all possibly available as UFA. I doubt KC will let it happen, but Eric Berry is a UFA and would be a huge upgrade at safety.
The FA pool is deep in DB’s, DE’s, DT’s, ILB, OLB, TE, WR, and solid RBs as well. Chris Ivory and Lamar Miller could be available. Alshon Jeffery, Marvin Jones, Rishard Matthews, Mohamed Sanu are all solid WRs. Greg Hardy and Muhammad Wilkerson are both stud DEs. Nick Fairly, BJ Raji, and Devon Still are stud DTs. Courtney Upshaw, Chad Greenway, and Bruce Irvin are solid OLB. Esp Upshaw. Derrick Johnson and Rolando McClain are both UFA at ILB. Jake Long, Russell Okung and guard Alex Boone are all available as well.
We have a chance to do something amazing with a high pick and $50 mil to spend on the right players. I would try to sign Marvin Jones at WR or Sanu. Wilkerson would be a huge get at DE. Derrick Johnson and McClain would be great additions as well. Alex Boone would make a great guard on our line too. William Gay or Toler would be great as well. So many options this off season. I can’t wait for it all to begin. Go Bucs!!!
January 20th, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Free agency is for filling NEEDS. This will allow the Bucs to draft the best player available to them at their draft positions.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:08 pm
@bucbonzai
I agree with you about not resigning Martin. I would consider the franchise tag. It shouldn’t cost too much since RB is such a devalued position. He def isn’t worth a long term high dollar deal. Either let him go or tag him. He did absolutely nothing for 2 seasons. Then magically in his contract year he goes off. That is the biggest red flag you can get. No thank you.
January 20th, 2016 at 10:56 pm
Lol, another big mistake if we let Martin go. He was healthy and FINALLY playing behind a good O line.
He was 2nd in rushing behind Adrian Peterson for crying out loud….the man started his career here, give him a contract and let him work!!! Come on guys….really??
January 20th, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Not letting go, sorry, I know “franchise”….nice way to make a player not want to play hard for you…..
January 21st, 2016 at 2:15 am
No offense Joe, but your editor needs to step it up a bit. Lot of stories getting posted with mistakes that a simple one last read could fix.