“It’s Evolved Into Something I’m Very Confident In”
March 25th, 2017
Confident
Yes, Jason Licht has drafted and signed guys with mental issues. Austin Seferian-Jackwagon comes to mind, in addition to Roberto Aguayo, Michael Johnson and Anthony Collins.
And Joe will throw in Kenny Bell, Robert Herron and Kaelin Clay as guys who weren’t mentally ready for the NFL’s bright lights.
Thankfully, Licht has landed many tough-minded players to balance out those messes and lead the Bucs to a 9-7 record.
Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio about a month ago, Licht said he’s very pleased with the growth in his team’s mental evaluation process.
“When you miss on players, 90 percent of the time you miss on the person not the player,” Licht said. “So, you want to make sure that you’re doing your vetting job, your vetting process works, which we’re really happy with at our place right now. It’s evolved into something I’m very confident in.”
There is no perfect process to figure out if a player will be a take-the-money-and-coast guy or a hard worker with the mental toughness to succeed.
The fact Licht actually referenced the evolution of his personnel team’s vetting operation strongly suggests changes were made since 2014, and success has been quantifiable.
March 25th, 2017 at 2:51 pm
The other 10% = aguayo
March 25th, 2017 at 2:54 pm
I firmly believe coach Smitty loves GMC… But he’s gotta be flexible as far as where he lines up.
Last year I said we were a team being geared towards a 3-4 D and I was damn near burned at the stake. Lol…. Now look at the players we got. We will screw with ALL of cord this year going forward.
Lining up 4-3 switching to a 3-4 and vice versa before the snap!
Also… DE with the first pick if Barnett is there
March 25th, 2017 at 2:57 pm
OK last time I’ll ask
EDIT BUTTON please
March 25th, 2017 at 3:08 pm
But they’re asking for an edit button for over five years. You can give that one up Whatda 😁
March 25th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
@Joe:
I don’t get the Clay hate. I understood him to have been chosen as a return artist. That is still his role and he remains in the league at Baltimore. (Injured last year, but still). I regarded that as a Lovie personnel decision — a good late-round choice that got cut and showed his stuff elsewhere.
Likewise, Herron and Bell were later round shots (5th and 6th, IIRC) and didn’t’ pan out. Like Kadeem Edwards — worth a shot but didn’t come through. We will see with last year’s lower rounders.
March 25th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
*I have
March 25th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Great line Joe … “the evolution of his personnel team’s vetting operation strongly suggests changes were made since 2014, and success has been quantifiable.”
Change = Bye bye Lovie.
Change = Hired Koetter and Smith.
Change = Better players and better play.
Quantifiable = 9-7 record last year.
March 25th, 2017 at 3:26 pm
I remember our first few years. We played a 3-4 defense, that became as dominant as our 2003 defense. Well, close at least.
We had Leeroy Selmon at DE- who was the single most dominant player I have ever seen in a Buc Uniform. And 4 big, Bad, punishing Linebackers.
Was a big Fan of Richard “Batman” Wood.
I think throwing in a 3-4 occasionally is a good Idea. Especially on running plays.
Im glad that Licht is looking deeply into the Character and mental makeup of potential Buccaneers. It is the one quality that keeps the Patriots on top.
they build a core of high character, hard working players. If they bring in a low character player- hes ussually gone after one season
Again the attacks on Aguayo.
Damn, kid was a rookie. Most rookies suck.
This kid is the most acurate kicker in college fotball history! He kicked in HUGE GAMES, and had nerves of steel
I told this story already- but its worth repeating
The last kicker drafted as high as Aguayo, sucked his first year. His coach begged to cut him.
The next year, the kid smoothed out. And became one of the best kickers in football for nearly two decades. Kid was also from FSU.
Coach was Jon Gruden.
Player was Sabastian Janakoski
March 25th, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Great post, Capt. Tim!
Pumped for the draft. I can easily see us going with BOA, even an OT.
March 25th, 2017 at 3:51 pm
Please explain in great detail how honest critique is somehow “hate?” Joe is a literal person and fully knows the definition of “hate.”
Guessing you define that word rather differently.
March 25th, 2017 at 3:57 pm
Capt T.
Patriots do bring in low character guys like Moss and Blount but they fall in line with the winning culture. Jameis is building that now.
March 25th, 2017 at 4:17 pm
I’ll give jason a c plus
March 25th, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Ive definitely noticed changes in the last 2 years. Like you stated before the draft is a low percentage affair. Even 2nd round picks, i think i read, are a 50 percent hit or miss. N i think a hit was someone who played in the league more than 3 years. Its a tough thing to hit on, so all you couch gms bad mothing licht chillllllll. Or start scouting n studying tape n work ur way up the ranks.
March 25th, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Jason Licht has drafted and signed guys with mental issues. Austin Seferian-Jackwagon comes to mind, in addition to Roberto Aguayo, Michael Johnson and Anthony Collins.
What the hell are you talking about? MAYBE Roberto has issues but by your logic how the hell is it ghost Johnson and Collins fault that Licht didn’t evaluate Talent. Licht is the head case for making them rich. Anthony Collins got so much money maybe he doesn’t care to play football anymore.
Clay and bell and the others that’s a talent issue nothing to do with mental weakness. You guys out the most buc content but maybe you should consider dialing it back a bit so you actually match quantity with quality. Just saying Licht isn’t going to hit on every draft pick obviously but the only one we know that could have fear is Roberto and that has yet to be determined, I’ve never seen someone go after a rookie kicker in every post it’s borderline pathetic. He’s a buc until he’s not a buc I really hope you know if he bears or folk you’re credibility will take a hit just like the players you criticize
March 25th, 2017 at 5:38 pm
I agree, edit button (or at least delete button) would be good. Always wondered to why we can’t reply to others comments, or at least “up” or “down” them. I mean, heck, there is a local newspaper that bears the name “Tampa Bay” in it, and they’ve got all this, and they’ve only got three commenters and five people who subscribe at all…JBF definitely is killin’ it.
March 25th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
What Fred just said
March 25th, 2017 at 7:23 pm
“And Joe will throw in . . . Kaelin Clay as a player who wasn’t ready for the NFL’s bright lights.”
But is that true?
He was ready enough for the Ravens and scored return touchdown for them. No Buc has done that the last few years.
Always thought Clay was more than adequate for the limited role Licht selected him for. It seemed like cutting him, not drafting him, was a mistake. Late round picks are often specialty role prospects, and hitting on a 6th rounder is
rarer than making a wise selection in the first ten picks.
Of course, Joe may well know some history or background about Clay that the rest of us haven’t heard. But even in retrospect that seems like a “hit” on a specific need that Lovie had made a fuss about. And IIRC his career numbers would be a strong improvement over the Bucs’ return averages.
I just always felt Licht hit the pick but Lovie was wrong on that.
March 25th, 2017 at 7:33 pm
They have a test given to all players we are considering.
One of the questions is ” Are you immune to MRSSA” ?
March 25th, 2017 at 8:11 pm
I’d give licht the benefit of doubt that he had much to do with the FA class of 2014. He was only here about a month before FA started. I pin the moves mostly on lovie. Yes licht signed off on the moves but lovie was in charge then. Now, I believe we are seeing the real Jason Licht the GM. He gained control in 2015 which I feel that was one of the deciding factors in retaining lovie smith for a second year. Hence the Grand Slam
March 25th, 2017 at 8:32 pm
I get it that the kicker may not have been a good pick but we have some dumb fans that want to get rid of Licht even though he is probably one of the top 10 GM’s in the league.
March 25th, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Hell, I was confident in my 1st marriage..Until I got to court and the judge hit that gavel and said…$$$$Pay da Piper!!
March 26th, 2017 at 8:28 am
Some bosses are better at judging who works best for their business. If they miss, they slowly find ways to eliminate the problem or the person they hired. Some just let it fester to the detriment of their business. Licht apparently doesn’t let misses fester. Smart dude.
March 26th, 2017 at 3:59 pm
Grade jason at a C
He stands out cause Dominick was a F-
March 26th, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Lie detector test