Licht “Doing A Nice Job”
July 6th, 2016
Secure.
Joe senses more optimism from the Bucs than Joe has in a long time, surely the most since the end of 2012, when it seemed former Bucs commander Greg Schiano was on the cusp of something.
From the fans to the pundits to the players themselves, there is a new vibe. Not sure if that means wins or a winning season, but it sure feels much different.
So it took Joe aback last week while listening to “Movin’ the Chains,” co-hosted by Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio. The duo fielded an e-mail from a Bucs fan wondering about the status of the team and in particular, asked if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht was in any hot water.
Kirwan, the former Jets personnel chief, linebackers coach, Bucs scout, and noted Xs and Os guru, scoffed at the notion.
“For me, Jason Licht deserves a lot of credit there,” Kirwan said, applauding Licht for not listening to the shrill lunatic fringe, fronted by Father Dungy, and pass on America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. “A lot of people would have said, ‘Oh, no! I’m not going to touch this. This has too much in it.’ You go back and look at the other things he has done. The Ali Marpet draft, Hobart Division-III kid? He hit a home run there as well.
“So [Licht] has done a nice job. He’s got nice players there now. The defense? Noah Spence is your big risk. We will see if he can handle being a pro and having money in his pocket and make the right decisions off the field. I believe he can, but I am an optimist. Jason Licht to me has done a nice job and there is no reason to believe he is in jeopardy.
“Firing a coach is always tough. And when you really think about this, Lovie [Smith] was there before him so Lovie had a lot to do with Jason being [in Tampa Bay]. […] Who is to doubt Jason now? He’s doing a nice job.”
Joe knows the following gets folks unnerved, but there were three things in two years that Lovie Smith got right, and Joe will forever thank him for them:
Lovie hired Licht.
Lovie signed off on drafting Jameis (always remember and never forget, Lovie had final say on the 53-man roster. If Lovie didn’t want Jameis, he wouldn’t be here, simple as that.).
Lovie agreed to bring Dirk Koetter onto the coaching staff.
One could accurately and honestly thank Lovie, if the Bucs have any type of success under Licht, Jameis and Koetter.
July 6th, 2016 at 8:03 am
He hired his replacements! Thanks Lovie!!!
July 6th, 2016 at 8:10 am
Lovie did some good things
…..but his coaching on the field ultimately got him fired
……..let’s not lose sight of that Joe
July 6th, 2016 at 8:21 am
Even with bringing in jameis, koetter and licht the incompetent lovie smith gets to spend the rest of his life looking up at Raheem Morris and Greg Schiano on the bucs all time win list. Worst head head coach in bucs history simple as that. Having 9 years experience and crapping all over himself like he did weekly the last 2 years makes it undeniable worst coach in team history. At least the other 2 stiffs in the discussion had very little to no nfl head coaching experience
July 6th, 2016 at 8:53 am
If Lovie didn’t have the history with this franchise in being one of the several coaches of Dungy’s coaching tree that went on to be succesfu,l who’s to say he wouldnt of never got a shot at being our HC or get that extra season that some ppl think he didn’t deserve. But then again, he prob wouldnt of ever been a HC if it wasn’t for his time with the Bucs as a LB coach. But when it’s all said and done I am grateful for the guys he brought in with Famous Jameis, our new HC Dirk Koetter, and the “draft guru” Jason Licht. They are the foundation of the new & improved team we have here in Tampa Bay, where the future looks very bright for our young & talented Buccaneers.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:01 am
DemBoyzFromDaBay727
don’t rewrite history… dungy’s coaching tree is pretty dismal. First of all, Mike Tomlin was not a dungy guy. He was only with dungy 1 year. Marinelli had the wonderful 0-16 season, Herm Edwards failed with 2 teams. Lovie had 1 lucky year in chicago. And remember just like Dungy was handed hall of fame defenders from Whyce… Lovie inherited the key members of the chicago defense. Lovies key defenders already had multiple pro bowls before he arrived. Again, another poster who is trying to make the legend of dungy greater than the actual facts. The jury is still out on Jim Caldwell I guess but dungy’s coaching tree just is not very good. Another classic case of the legend of Dungy being greater than the actual accomplishments and facts. I guess the best thing one could say about dungy’s assistants is that Dungy would have never won a Superbowl if he was not lucky enough to go up against the incompetent lovie smith.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:08 am
Licht reminds me of what was happening during the Dungy/McKay era, they were always drafting the next man up, the replacement of the starter that was there (exception: Brooks, Lynch, Sapp). So Lovie hired his replacement, now Licht drafts, Grimes, Ayers and Conte replacements on the defense. In other words, penciled in starters better play like starters.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:32 am
DemBoyzFromDaBay727
i respect what dungy did turning bucs around but he could not finished thus failed. I also remember the horrendous and often embarrassing offenses that Dungy fielded too. Dungy was a good defensive coach and a mediocre to below average head coach. There are plenty on this site that live in the past and conveniently forge those embarrassing offenses or conservative game day management that cost games and only remember the highlights which is not reality. Same with McKay he was hardly a legendary GM he was political, was well thought of by the right people and a good business guy but by no means was he Ted Thompson… Also the dungy years were 6 out of 40 with 4 really good years hardly enough of a track record to give the guy a lifetime free pass. Plus it really burns my arse a coach with a career losing playoff record is entering the hall of fame before the likes of Tom Flores, Dan Reeves and Jimmy Johnson. The hall of fame is getting to be like the meaningless pro bowl just a popularity contest. it used to be for the best of the best
July 6th, 2016 at 9:35 am
DemBoyzFromDaBay727
yo man, i am not attacking you the Dungy thing is a real soft spot with me … that hall of fame crap is getting bad. i enjoy your posts was not trying to be aggressive just a sore subject for me.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:35 am
Thank you Lovie. Us fans here in Tampa have waited over a decade for this team to get built properly. The losses were not fun but the foundation you established has Bucs fans around the globe buzzing!!
July 6th, 2016 at 9:37 am
Jason Licht has done a nice job ? This gotta be a joke.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:42 am
I thank God for creating Jameis Winston.
Thee end.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:55 am
I agree with Joe on the three things Lovie did for the Bucs: hiring Licht, signing off on Winston, and hiring Koetter.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:57 am
tmaxcon Says:
I wonder if anyone noticed that Dungy won with Sam Wyche’s team? 😉 😉 😉
July 6th, 2016 at 9:58 am
Dang Lakeland Buc, I know living in Polk county sucks……but try to lighten up man!
We are lucky to have Licht as our GM.
Maybe go take a long walk around Lake Hollingsworth. ….
July 6th, 2016 at 9:58 am
Lovie love fest, those are the good old days. Seems like ages ago. Reminiscing, RIP
July 6th, 2016 at 10:08 am
Jason Lichtt is doing a great job. I think the Glazers finally got one right in putting Light in charge of the team and basically giving him control over all personnel decisions.
A couple more drafts like these last 2 – and this team is going to be LOADED with young talent. Starting in 3-4 years, the capologist is going to have some serious juggling to do and Licht is going to have to make a few tough decisions year in and year out about what talent we can and can’t afford to keep long term. The problem solves itself if you can continually draft well – and teams in that position are usually getting high supplemental draft picks as well every year.
July 6th, 2016 at 10:15 am
Licht has a lot to proove this year. Hes never hired a head coach or coordinators as the head honcho. If Dirk don’t work out opinions will start to get really ugly on him.
He needs his FAs to work out too. This is an area that he has proven little worth in.
Also need to see continued success of his drafted players…….While the guys he has already drafted have looked good they need to take forward steps in development. And we need to see some value with the current draft class.
I have a good feeling about this year but the NFL is a fickle business. We haven’t had a winning season yet and the Glazers are not going to be impressed by potential alone. They want result just like all of us.
July 6th, 2016 at 10:21 am
So far, so good. I’m not yet ready to put the “great” label on him though. This is a work in progress.
Until we start winning, nobody’s getting those kind of props!
July 6th, 2016 at 10:25 am
Funny you were always calling Licht Lovies lapdog GM
July 6th, 2016 at 10:46 am
Lovie still might have his job if he wasn’t so bent on running that BS defense and hired a real D coordinator.
July 6th, 2016 at 11:36 am
this is an interesting take Joe. One that made me truly think. Its hard to argue that Jameis and Licht are home runs. Koetter was the perfect O.C. for Jameis and I like what he is appearing to do in Tampa. Being said, is Lovie simply miss cast as a head coach. Would he be better served as a president of football operations? Just a thought.
July 6th, 2016 at 12:05 pm
I don’t usually give Lovie much credit, but outside of the 3 DB coaches, he put together a good staff. Koetter kept all the offensive coaches but one, which says something.
July 6th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Licht has done a nice job when we no longer a loser. Until then he’s done nothing???? This is all such bs.
July 6th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
We will thank Lovie just like we thanks Josh McCown for putting us in the position to draft Jameis. Without Josh there would be no Jameis.
July 6th, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Jason Licht better be our GM ten years from now, along with Koetter our head coach. Coordinator positions obviously will be lost which sucks becasue in 5 to 6 years Hayes will be offered a hc gig after he takes over our defense when smith gets another hc gig but thats how it goes. As long as we have Licht, koetter and winston things are looking up. I think this is yhe most optomistic I have been about the bucs as long as ive been old enough to watch the game.
July 6th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Good job on the ryan smith and vitale picks as well
July 6th, 2016 at 1:21 pm
None of you know why Lovie was fired as I don’t, but he was not fired because he could not coach. Lovie has moved on; why are haven’t all of yours
July 6th, 2016 at 2:09 pm
One would think that after three drafts and free agent classes when you list the top five Bucs more would be from “good job” Jason Licht.
1. Winston
2. David
3. McCoy
4. Martin
5. V. Jackson
July 6th, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Licth did what he had to do to get the “POWER” it’s as simple as that!………we ain’t winning yet!
July 6th, 2016 at 2:52 pm
gruden won with dungy’s defense so what’s your point?….after 1 year of success he failed with his own built team and got canned….GO BUCS!!!!
July 6th, 2016 at 3:32 pm
One would think that after three drafts and free agent classes when you list the top five Bucs more would be from “good job” Jason Licht.
1. Winston
2. David
3. McCoy
4. Martin
5. V. Jackson
————————
silly assessment…licht draftees have only played two full seasons at most..
July 6th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
^^^Not to mention he didn’t draft LVD, Martin, or McCoy NOR did he sign VJax as a F/A.
Lets reserve our critique of Licht until we actually achieve something other than a top 5 draft pick.
It’s crazy to me how readily some are willing to prop up Licht and tear down GMC. Remind me again of what Licht has “accomplished.”
July 6th, 2016 at 3:47 pm
Loggedontosay Says:
I’m sure a complete collapse of the Bucs at the end of the season and a team looking just *bad* and lethargic had nothing to do with it…
:rilleyes:
July 6th, 2016 at 3:50 pm
I’d hve to say that Evans is better then Jackson at this point in time buddy
July 6th, 2016 at 4:02 pm
“For me, Jason Licht deserves a lot of credit there,” Kirwan said, applauding Licht for not listening to the shrill lunatic fringe, fronted by Father Dungy, and pass on America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Licht has stated he was against drafting Winston at first. He had to be convinced…by Lovie Smith.
Funny how people forget that.
July 6th, 2016 at 4:04 pm
That said, I think Jason Licht is doing a great job in the draft and rookie free agents (or younger free agents).
And I see growth in the other areas of his job as well.
As much as I talk about Lovie not being the only one to make mistakes, Licht started out as a rookie GM. It’s only natural that he have growing pains.
Lovie didn’t have that excuse.
July 6th, 2016 at 6:25 pm
Sometimes I swear Joe is smoking a bad batch. Jason Licht doing a nice job aye? You and the rest of these..postings clowns gotta be outta your GD minds!
July 6th, 2016 at 8:48 pm
@bonzai Licht had been scouting Jameis since he was at Arizona.If Licht is on record saying he had to be convinced by lovie please post a link to this.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:07 pm
OMG….Bonzai….on what record?
Bob and I want to see where Licht said that…
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Mike Johnson…Joe IS posting about what Pat Kirwan had to say about Licht. Then he gave his take like always. It’s early HOT July up in here with no end in sight. What else should we all do to appease you during this off-season?
Perhaps Joe should have just skipped this article about Kirwan for you big Mikey.
July 6th, 2016 at 9:26 pm
@bonsai
this may be where you got that idea but there was no convincing Licht knew
who he wanted but he gave Lovie first chance to say who he wanted. he has also gone on record as saying that if he liked a player he would be after the coach to get an agreement on him.Licht had already decided he wanted draftWinston and watched him since nhis red shirt freshman year.
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/05/04/jameis-winston-tampa-bay-buccaneers-nfl-draft
July 7th, 2016 at 1:56 am
Great picture of Licht btw. He looks completely wasted.
July 7th, 2016 at 9:29 am
If Licht is doin such a great job..Where are the wins?