Joe Maddon And The Bucs’ 2016 Draft
May 3rd, 2016
Yes, there’s a place in Bucs history books for former Rays skipper Merlot Joe Maddon, and that was long before last week’s NFL Draft.
During the Raheem Morris era, Maddon was a mentor to the Bucs’ young head coach. The two would lunch in South Tampa and discuss management and motivational philosophies.
Remember the “Race To 10,” Raheem’s mantra entering the magical 2010 season? It was Maddon who helped him craft the message and the delivery. Hell, it worked!
And then there was Joe, by chance, getting welcomed into Maddon’s birthday suite at a Lightning game in February 2011. It was Raheem, Maddon, Joe and friends. That will be a chapter in Joe’s book one day.
Maddon’s tenure as a Buccaneers fan did not end with him leaving Tampa to take over the Chicago Cubs.
Lovie Smith was not one to mingle with Maddon, but general manager Jason Licht is a friend. In fact, Licht told Joe he was a guest of Maddon last year during the National League playoffs in Chicago.
It just so happens Licht incorporated the visit to Maddon with a scouting trip to Northwestern University, where he got a hands-on look at Tampa Bay’s new sixth-round pick Dan Vitale, the “superback” fullback.
Yes, Licht’s scouting staff deserves a lion’s share of credit for last year’s famous grand slam in the draft. And Licht absolutely relies heavily on his personnel team. He’s not one of those ego-driven GMs who only drafts personal favorites. But Licht is extremely high on Vitale, and Maddon had a very small hand in making that happen.
May 3rd, 2016 at 10:09 am
That’s a cool story!!! Kudos to you Joe. That’s the kind of background analysis we have to come to JBF to find,
May 3rd, 2016 at 10:10 am
When it comes to the draft, Jason Licht is anointed by God…because he takes chances that normally would not pay off for the Bucs. It’s supernatural.
If only that same anointing was there fore free agency…at least a few times.
I still think he needs better negotiating skills when it comes to trades though.
May 3rd, 2016 at 10:25 am
Cant wait till the preseason so we can see Vitale in action. Preseason games do not mean anything of course but I am still excited to see what we have in game action and I am very intrigued by what Vitale’s skill sets can do for the offense.
May 3rd, 2016 at 10:36 am
Will be surprised if some so called realBucfan isn’t in this blog once again about this, crying about Lovie not mixing it up with Maddon. I look forward to seeing Vitale becoming the next Alstott. He can because he does it all but one advantage he has ive 40 is he runs faster.
May 3rd, 2016 at 10:40 am
David…Lovie who?
May 3rd, 2016 at 10:48 am
I’m reminded more of Dallas Clark than Alstott when I watch Vitale… Such good hands and a clean rout runner. If they teach him to protect JW properly he’ll be one hell of an asset on third down. With Vitale, Simms and ASJ on the field on a third down…. Man… Good luck D coordinators.
May 3rd, 2016 at 10:51 am
I hope the Cubs lose before or during the WS again.
May 3rd, 2016 at 10:53 am
Can I have the last 5 minutes of my life back. #Sickbrag that was the most pointless rambling of a “story” I’ve ever read. Now I know why I don’t read your advertisment filled malarkey of a blog anymore. Joe you haven’t been tight with the suits at OneBuc in a very long time because you’re as bland as your website.
May 3rd, 2016 at 11:12 am
Great story Joe!
I’m a big Madden fan for many reasons. I also think Koetter has some similar traits and will be our coach for quite a few years.
May 3rd, 2016 at 11:28 am
The Rays are completely irrelevant without Maddon, he meant more to that team than any of the players. The Rays hired an absolute 3rd rate bore to replace him and a team that already had little support now has less. I don’t blame Joe for leaving, having to work in what looks like a lifeless empty shopping mall built in the mid-80s has to eventually get you down.
May 3rd, 2016 at 11:33 am
Miss Madden, havent watched a rays game since he left. They should at least get rid of shelton….he coundnt coach hitting then and he cant now. Get rid.of.him but doesnt matter tou let the best manager in baseball walk. Dumbasses
May 3rd, 2016 at 2:38 pm
LOL!
May 3rd, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Joe
Are you actually planning a book at some point? You’re preaching to the choir on your own website, but I’d be interested in reading it.
May 3rd, 2016 at 3:50 pm
Can we please get Maddon back… Rays are an absolute eye sore to watch…
May 3rd, 2016 at 6:34 pm
LOL I used to read on these here pages fans trashing Maddon. I’m an admitted Red Sox fan (BOO I know) and never understood the hate for Maddon. When he left I said to myself these Rays fans are going truly see how good they actually had it.
Rude awakening isn’t it?
May 3rd, 2016 at 11:10 pm
Spoken like a true Red Sox fan. On behalf of Fever Pitch, that was the most hypocritical comment you could have made..