Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter is firing away six times a week on JoeBucsFan.com. In today’s column, the Custodian of Canton takes a look at general manager Jason Licht returning to the place that vaulted him into the NFL spotlight.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

This upcoming game against the Cardinals has the feel of Old Home Week for Jason Licht.

Jason Licht

The third-year GM of the Bucs built his NFL resumé by working for the Dolphins, Panthers, Patriots and Eagles, but Arizona was the organization that shaped Licht as a big-time executive.

It was in the Valley of the Sun that Licht saw the light in terms of building a successful team. Working with Steve Keim and Bruce Arians, he learned how the GM/head coach relationship can foster harmony throughout a franchise committed to winning.

“In Arizona, with Bruce and Steve, I saw a collective process, with everybody on the same page … being bold, not afraid to do things out of the ordinary,” says Licht.

Keim and Licht are particularly tight. The Bucs are leaving a day early for Phoenix and Licht hopes to spend time with the former NFL Executive of the Year before the Bucs and Cardinals clash Sunday in Glendale.

When owners, coaches and executives meet at a plush resort every March, Licht and Keim are never far apart. They enjoy each other’s company and both men are devoted to their families.

“Anyone that knows Jason recognizes not only what an outstanding evaluator he is but also a high-quality person,” Keim said when the Bucs hired Licht to replace Mark Dominik.. “His reputation is well-deserved and speaks for itself. There’s no doubt his talent and experience will be a tremendous asset for the Buccaneers.”

Like Licht, Keim has an uncanny knack for spotting talent.

Scouting-Focused

When Keim was named Arizona’s GM in 2013, Licht was promoted to Keim’s old job as VP of player personnel. In the span of four drafts, Keim has overhauled the Cardinals and transformed them into a league power, with critical help from Arians, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year.

Before Keim and Arians took control, Arizona was 18-30 in the previous three seasons. Since that point, the Cardinals are 34-15, including a 23-21 home setback against New England in last week’s season opener.

Five of Arizona’s 11 defensive starters arrived via those drafts, along with standout running back David Johnson.

“People gravitate to him (Keim), which makes him an exceptional leader,” Licht says. “He has a very unique way of pushing buttons and he empowers people to do their job. When you feel empowered and feel a part of everything, you do your best work.”

Licht has a varied list of responsibilities as head of Tampa Bay’s football operations, but he never strays very far from his personnel roots. He stays in constant communication with his scouting department and works closely with Dirk Koetter to serve the needs of a first-year head coach.

“Jason knows how to put a roster together,” Arians says. “And I think he feels very comfortable with Dirk Koetter. We had a great relationship in Arizona. You don’t always agree, but you get along and you make decisions for the team.

“Other teams might not have a player that high on the board — we don’t care. They fit us. You draft for your coach and your team, no matter what anyone else’s grades are, and that’s why Jason will succeed in Tampa.”

Licht and Keim are inclusive executives who also share a knack for speaking their minds.

Results Rule

Licht is understandably proud of a rich draft harvest in Tampa that landed Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, Kwon Alexander, Charles Sims, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kevin Pamphile in just his first two years calling the shots.

Ask Licht about his track record on the free-agent front and he offers no excuses. There have been more misses than hits, he acknowledges.

While the salty Arians remains one of the league’s most outspoken coaches, Keim doesn’t exactly walk around with a muzzle.

When asked about the NFL’s tolerance for regrettable off-field behavior, Keim once quipped: “If Hannibal Lecter ran a 4-3, we’d probably diagnose it as an eating disorder.”

Top that, Mr. Licht.