Pressure From Above
February 28th, 2017
“Jason, splash somewhere other than in your pool.”
Interesting chatter on NFL Insiders today on BSPN.
The fancy people on the TV set were talking about how Packers Yoda general manager Ted Thompson, who despises free agency like Dirk Koetter seems to abhor gadget plays, could be feeling pressure from above to make a splash in free agency and sign Adrian Peterson.
Of course, “from above” means the top of the food chain in the publicly held Packers operation.
Thompson has been a stud GM in the draft while only plucking a few key free agents since he took over and drafted Aaron Rodgers late in the first round back in 2005, If Thompson, a true personnel genius, can feel heat from the top, then certainly Bucs general manager Jason Licht can, too.
This brings Joe to the question of who is setting the Bucs’ ultimate direction in free agency.
Koetter has his desires. Licht manages a huge team of advisors and personnel gurus, and he’s a film junkie himself. And Team Glazer has its own ideas when it comes to a master plan, just like a majority of other NFL owners do.
So suppose Team Glazer tells Licht, “Jason, make one big splash in free agency. Shop for your top target regardless of price. We’re $70 million under the cap and we’re sick of watching Arthur Blank dance.”
Yes, that kind of thing happens in the NFL. Owners don’t always sit on the sidelines and read Twitter to see what their teams will do.
That kind of ownership direction, if it exists in Tampa, could put Licht in a challenging spot. It could force him to slap his name forever on a guy who was severely overpaid and affect other decisions in free agency. Or, it could relax Licht from worrying about hunting big game, if that’s where his desire lies.
Team officials across the NFL love to offer the unified front speech, claiming there’s total personnel consensus. That’s all very pretty for the cameras, but Joe’s experience says there’s always one person driving the bus more than the others.
Who is that in Tampa this year? Joe has no idea.
February 28th, 2017 at 7:58 pm
I think the biggest “splash” we could/should make is paying Tony Jefferson and Terrel Pryor. Give them an offer they can’t refuse. Pryor would take top wr2 $ and Tony Jefferson wants 7 mill a year, and is said to be the most underrated safety in the league. Eric berry just got 13 mill a year! So what’s wrong with half that $?
February 28th, 2017 at 7:59 pm
And then he gives up two first rounders by signing JPP…
Yikes!
February 28th, 2017 at 8:00 pm
TJ McDonald
Dontari Poe
Calais Campbell
Trade up for Dalvin
February 28th, 2017 at 8:03 pm
Jets just released Revis
February 28th, 2017 at 8:07 pm
NO WAY!!!!^^^^^ STAY VERY FAR AWAY FROM THAT
February 28th, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Please do not even mention Revis. Besides, we don’t need him. We have Grimes, and VH is developing very well. No need to pave $18 million to a guy that was never worth the money.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:10 pm
Also, I would be against trading up more than two spots for Cook. Would just cost too much. Our picks are at a premium. Giving up too much would set us back another year, and regardless of what some people think, we can only win in the playoffs if we hit on 4 picks this year.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:12 pm
The Glazers screw up everything they put their hands on. So, here’s to hoping they stay out of it, and let JL and DK plot the future as they see fit.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:16 pm
What makes every1 think that trading from 19 to 15 will cost SOOOO MUCH? Have you ever watched the draft? Most of the time it is swapping picks and throw in some garbage 6th and 7th. Remember we only got a 4th to move back 2 spots. And that pick was a top ten(which is more expensive). A move from 19 to 15 (not for Cook, but instead for C. Davis) wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. I think the only instant impact player @ 19 is McCaffery or Howard. And I would much prefer Davis to either of those guys.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:18 pm
Bonsai, what what you say about VH! The great tmax has already stated that he is a waisted pick, much like GMC. That guy should really be the GM of Carolina
February 28th, 2017 at 8:19 pm
The only first round talent WRs this year are Mike Williams and Corey Davis. And niether of them is making it past Tennessees 2nd pick. We need to get in front of them to land a wr.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:24 pm
Unless you consider Cook in a class with Julio that would push us over the top, no trade up unless it’s a couple of spots, finally watched some Joe Mixon football highlights, he reminds me of Lev Bell, be willing to take a flyer on him even in the second round. I am of the belief, if you like a player where you are at, get em (unless he is a kicker)
February 28th, 2017 at 8:27 pm
Just keep hitting slams in the draft….and we won’t have to worry about free agency much longer 😉
February 28th, 2017 at 8:28 pm
Joe you know a heck of a lot more than I do about the owners and the internal workings of our favorite team. But, I’ve always thought they more like, “this is the amount of money you can spend”, and not, “this is the guy we want”. I could be completely wrong, but that is just the impression I’ve always had of them. BTW…thanks for keeping us entertained in the offseason, Joe.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:33 pm
@Rrsrq…I agree about Mixon…
February 28th, 2017 at 8:34 pm
Also those seeking Pryor…..need to remind them that he even admitted he was “garbage” after Adam Jones went looking for Pryor in the trash can post game. Yes, the guy has speed….but how many tds came against prevent defense coverage with the Browns trailing? He’s not a great route runner….Give me Britt for the win.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:48 pm
Funny how people can read something and think it means one thing and another think it means something else. Like Max’s comment that the Jets released Revis. Bonzai and Mike Evans Goat said no way. I took the comment simply as news that Revis was released.
February 28th, 2017 at 8:55 pm
@bucs_365
I wish I can screw up like the Glazers and land Man U and the Bucs lol
February 28th, 2017 at 8:58 pm
@buc37
Well every time someone is released we get people on here clamoring for us to pick him up. I was just trying to kill that notion from the get go. Lol
February 28th, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Great article Joe!!! Damn – Ira is rubbing off on you guys….
I’ll tell you exactly who is driving the bus. Jason Licht is large and in charge of this franchise. The Glazers finally realized that they need a bright, experienced, executive football mind to have sole control over personnel and franchise decision making and they have granted that trust and that power to GM Licht. No need from last year forward to wonder who is in control of player acquisition, spending, the hiring and firing of coaches, etc.
Licht is the man at OBP and the future successes (or failures) of this franchise ultimately rest completely in his hands. Licht drafted Winston and hired HC Koetter. He drafted Evans, Sims, Pamphile, D. Smith, Marpet, Kwon, Hargreaves, Spence…. Resigned GMC and LD54 – brought in Grimes and Ayers and Anger. Found UDFA gold in Humphries and Brate and Jac Smith. All the good and the success and the winning that this foundation will yield is Jason Licht’s doing.
There’s lots more work to be done and frankly maintaining a team at a high level of competition for a # of years – in the NFL especially – is much harder than building it up into a winner initially. So we’ll see how all this works out long term. So far though – Licht is making plenty of good decisions and the upward fortunes and young talent level of the Buccaneer franchise is proof positive.
Its OK to be excited Bucs fans. Its safe again. You can expect very good if not great results from your team this year and for the forseeable future. This GM – this coach – this Quarterback – this team is not going to allow your fragile hopes of success to be dashed any longer.
The future is NOW and its a very exciting time to be a Buccaneer fan.
February 28th, 2017 at 9:17 pm
Unless there’s not a C. Davis, Barnett, or O.J. at 19, I say trade far back in the first if not out of it. We could get a nice number of picks. We know Jason is good at pickin em but i think that with Dirk at his side now also, it could get real nasty. And I want Tony Jefferson soo badly!!
February 28th, 2017 at 9:19 pm
^^^Throw in Mike Smith for the defensive help with the picks^^^
February 28th, 2017 at 9:20 pm
That was a good 1/5th of an article. I get it tho. Tough time of yr. I’m a Carpenter so I have no advice really. No worries tho ’cause you are already in Indy with mucho to write about soon.
February 28th, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Coming from a family where I had to watch my dad hit and choke my mom while I broke my toy golf clubs over his back I can say one thing for sure. I Sincerely hope we don’t take a shot on him in ANY round. Just my personal opinion.
February 28th, 2017 at 9:25 pm
Sorry……should have clarified Mixon.
February 28th, 2017 at 9:27 pm
Oh……..the Chiefs reached a deal with Berry which means they can Franchise Poe.
Sux for us
February 28th, 2017 at 9:51 pm
Meanwhile: “Mariota Takes Next Step In Recovery, Moves into Walking Boot”
Try that one Busteis.
February 28th, 2017 at 9:53 pm
Pryor please!!
February 28th, 2017 at 10:26 pm
Chances are we are not going to the SB, we are not 1 player away. Keep building thru the draft and we have a 2-8 year window coming up, minimum.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:37 pm
This is what I find amusing. People say from time to time no to the idea of trading up for Dalvin an ACC all time great. (ACC been whipping the sec @$$ head to head the last few years by the way reg season and bowl games). But seem to be in favor of the same idea for western michigan’s own c. Davis. Who the h3ll is corey davis??? I never heard anyone here mention his name before the draft season began. I’m suppose to believe a guy that has been facing juco level competition is about to enter the league and tear it up. Really??? Do y’all realize how many WRs that have come from bigger schools that have just so so sonce entering the league. I think many of y’all are caught up in what happen in 2014. That may be an all time great WR draft class. As of late look the names up most just so so. But western michigan’s c. Davis about to tear it up. Riiiggght.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:39 pm
And save the whole Antonio Bryant noise, they two different people. No gaurantee because he became great this kid will. H3ll Eric Dickerson came from SMU when was the last time you saw another great mustang in the league..
February 28th, 2017 at 10:41 pm
Oh SB..that’s sad to read..sorry you had to witness that crap in your childhood..I understand about the mixon thing..not sure how I feel..I am very mixed..
As far as Revis, forget it..he’s done for his career..I think he doesn’t enjoy playing anymore..time to retire and wait for turn for the hOF..
I WANT big splash players..I want DJax and I want Calais..those two are my dream team right now..
My son though wants AP..period..
February 28th, 2017 at 10:42 pm
If he ends up with an elite QB maybe he’ll be alright. If not he’ll up just another forgotten about WR.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:44 pm
Life to be honest those twp are all we need. Tony Dungy “the Bucs are one playmaker away on both sides of the ball from being contenders”. Only part he left out was and draft Dalvin.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:52 pm
NOSBOS
Dalvin cook would take a trade into the top ten. C. Davis would only take a trade up of about 4 or 5 spots. (Just in front of Tennessee) not a knock on cook, but it is more realistic.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:02 pm
I jus want us to get Corey Davis. And my RB solution would be to get Alvin Kamara in 2nd. Or Maybe even Marlon Mack
February 28th, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Marlon Mack is obviously in the 4th rnd tho. So maybe even fill another need with our 2nd and draft our RB later i.e. Marlon Mack.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:11 pm
Thank you Life. Good to hear from a person that would understand. And check out the irony in how you said you feel.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:13 pm
About Mixon that is.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:28 pm
I feel what you saying GOAT I’m just trying to figure this davis fascination going on. I don’t wanna hate on the kid coming from a smaller school but I feel like he’s being hyped because this in truth is a weak class for WR. Had he entered in 2014 he would’ve been forced to play in the senior bowl.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:30 pm
Mixon …..Can he play? That should be the only question!!
February 28th, 2017 at 11:30 pm
Like Antonio was drafted late and motivated by being drafted late. Now if you tell me be has Antonio quickness,shiftiness, Ann’s sticky hands like him I’ll better understand. But I can think of a whole lot of guys that could’ve put up similar numbers had they went to western michigan.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:36 pm
BigHogHaynes Says:
February 28th, 2017 at 11:30 pm
Mixon …..Can he play? That should be the only question!!
………..
What an Ignorant statement. But coming from maybe the most ignorant poster here, carry on.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:47 pm
He also tore up the most NFL like defense in college when he played them. Alabama. He would have put up the same kind of numbers at a big school. He was jump academically ineligible.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:50 pm
Thinking about it even more..I really love Marlon Mack..I’ll take him..
February 28th, 2017 at 11:56 pm
Mack would be nice Life, especially the ‘local’ tag going on but the things I have read say he is not a 3 down back. Now that is fine if we are a Committee approach and he Would be available about the 4th. I think
March 1st, 2017 at 12:23 am
Okay GOAT that helps me understand a little better. He went there because of issues with grades not because he was dodging better competition.
March 1st, 2017 at 5:57 am
Nooooooooooo!
March 1st, 2017 at 6:47 am
Its beyond obvious that Corey Davis is a top level prospect. To try and claim he isn’t, is about as silly as claiming that there’s some kind of conspiracy that makes local prospects get drafted by a local Nfl team…