Peek Inside Free Agent War Room
March 29th, 2016
Just from talking to rabid Bucs fans and seeing the traffic that comes Joe’s way when the dinner bell rings to open free agent season, Joe senses the stress on fans.
They sweat the Bucs signing their guy. A guy the fan has targeted since before Thanksgiving.
The fan constantly hits F5 on his keyboard hoping, praying, for news the Bucs are talking turkey with said player, or better, inked him to a contract.
Work be damned, the Bucs are the priority of the week!
Well, for those fans, there is interesting insight from Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. You are not too much different than he is.
In a sitdown with good guy Peter Schrager of FOX Sports last week for an episode of “The Peter Schrager Podcast,” Licht gave Schrager a look inside the Bucs’ free agent war room — yes, Licht has such a thing — and what it is like in the opening days of free agency.
Licht described a scene that sounds just like a draft war room, replete with a free agent board and stress-filled hours. Schrager, in a roundabout way, asked if free agency was sort of like a fantasy football draft where general managers get high off the rush, stress and intrigue of waiting for a player to make a decision.
“There is always some stress there,” Licht explained. “You are always – I don’t want to say ‘worried’ – but there is always some stress. You want to make sure you get some of the guys you targeted, or all of them.
“We do (have a free agent board) and we make that board [up] over time. It’s not like we magically just put it up there. You started on this process during the season last year of guys we could hopefully target. When the [free agent signing] works out, there’s no better feeling.
“There are some lulls in time and then it just heats up. That’s the beauty of it. As long as you get your guy, you are happy and things are good.”
Joe thought it was pretty cool Licht admitted he was targeting guys during the season last year. While obviously, that’s prudent, it also shows Licht isn’t a whole lot different than your typical beer-swilling Bucs fan, disgusted with the lack of production from a particular position and researching who the Bucs could pluck off another roster.
March 29th, 2016 at 11:19 am
We need defensive players who fit the Tampa-2.
We just need more time find those guys.
.
.
(hides under the table to avoid high-velocity beer bottles)
March 29th, 2016 at 11:29 am
we need defensive players but must importantly we need talented defensive players…this teams major problem is lack of talented players and youth…drafting talented players is step #1…GO BUCS!!!
March 29th, 2016 at 11:29 am
Keep puttin that Aquarius mind on display Lichtenstein.
March 29th, 2016 at 11:31 am
I bet they had their eyes on Grimes since last season. What an awesome addition.
March 29th, 2016 at 12:24 pm
This was an excellent interview. Thanks for posting it Joe.
22 minutes of great in-depth questions and responses.
And the Buccaneer gods said – “Let there be Licht”.
And all the Buccaneer faithful said – “Yes – we can finally-once-again-see the Licht”.
And the Messiah smiled and said – “Indeed – and now its time to Licht up this league…”
And the Orange Pirate winked at the Pewter skull & crossbones – and they saw that it was good.
March 29th, 2016 at 12:24 pm
It would have been nice if Jason had of made a play for Mario Williams. It doesn’t even look like we tried.
March 29th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Phil – for all we know – Mario’s agent said “We are not interested in playing in Tampa” as soon as he answered the phone. And that was that.
Nobody in the organization is going to waste time thinking or talking about a player that won’t negotiate with you.
March 29th, 2016 at 1:12 pm
@ Pickgrin
EPIC post, bro!
March 29th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
I’ve been sayin for quite a while our Defense needs revamping. We have about 3 very good talented players on Defense. Well now, maybe 4. We need to draft more talent on Defense. If we get say 3 more talented players? we are on our way to making this Defense as good as our offense.
March 29th, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Pickgrin
Lol, U burnt out for that one. Good Sh!t though
I agree – great Interview.
March 29th, 2016 at 4:25 pm
You almost forget how nice it is hear a interview with a prepared professional like Peter Schrager who knows his stuff. Great job, thanks for posting it Joe.
March 29th, 2016 at 7:50 pm
I wish we could find out who we actually targeted and which players did and did not show interest? WR is the position group it appeared as though we made no effort to sign anyone. Why didn’t we make a run at the former Dolphin Rishard Matthews or the former Brown Travis Benjamin? Why have we not signed WR Anquan Boldin? He is a quarterback’s best friend, a possession receiver who will fight for positioning and fight to secure the football on every single snap he plays. Is Jason Licht seriously going to put Donteea Dye back on the field this year? Then we have Reggie Nelson? I read he is looking for a three- to four-year deal. That explains why he still is not signed. Walter Thurmond is only 28 and is excellent in coverage and that is what we need.
March 29th, 2016 at 9:52 pm
I think the Bucs have some good and some great starters
One of theBucs biggest problem last year was depth
The Bucs may have had the worst bottom roster in the NFL last year from player 25-43.
No better proof was when Kwon was suspended and we used Orie Lemon against St Louis.
Not trying to be mean but I don’t think that guy would start in the CFL.
March 29th, 2016 at 9:53 pm
Sorry I meant player 25-53