Licht: “They’re Not Afraid To Spend Money”
March 3rd, 2017
“Hey, Joel, if we cut the big check for DeSean Jackson, I’m on the next plane to Vegas.”
As happy hour nears on this glorious Friday, legions of Bucs fans are praying Team Glazer makes it rain when the free agency dinner bell rings in six short days.
General manager Jason Licht weighed in on Team Glazer’s influence and attitude this week on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Of course, Joe found time to listen while gobbling up info live at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Host Alex Marvez asked Licht about staying current on free agency realities in an annually changing marketplace.
It was a great question, and one Licht no doubt will confront as he shops for receivers not named Cecil Shorts in a matter of hours.
Licht’s answer went right to ownership.
Alex Marvez: …How do you not got trapped in yesterday’s prices? … Who do you lean on in the organization to remind you of the current economic realities?
Jason Licht: Well, I lean on my owners. They always give me, they’re very supportive. And they give great advice when I ask them, any time I ask them. …
Licht then threw massive praise on his salary cap/contract guru Mike Greenberg and called him among the very best at his job in the NFL.
Greenberg’s fine work aside, it’s interesting that Licht went right to Team Glazer when asked about the markets for players. It makes sense. Owners talk to owners, and they all talk to their GMs, who get barraged regularly by agents. Involved ownership, like Team Glazer is, should have valuable input into the top end of the free agency market.
So does Licht have the green Licht to make it rain?
“In our situation, no one’s a afraid to spend money,” Licht said of Team Glazer when asked about a Moneyball-type influence. “They give us every resource that we need. It’s phenomenal. They’re not afraid to spend money. It’s just, we just all want to get good value for what we’re paying for. And you can’t get stuck in yesterday’s prices all the time. You have to just realize that’s that what the market is. If you’re stuck in the year 2000, and you’re saying, ‘We’d never spend X amount of dollars on a defensive tackle that plays two downs.’ Well, you have to understand that’s what it is today.”
(Hmmm, was Licht backhandedly referencing two-down Will Gholston there?))
Great to hear Licht say so confidently that Team Glazer is very ready and willing to write checks for the common goal: another trip to the playoffs.
Of course, none of this means the Bucs make dumb, paralyzing moves for sexy names next, but Joe smells at least one big name will be pursued.
March 3rd, 2017 at 1:32 pm
They are just afraid of Licht spending money! March 2014 & March 2015 was not that long ago, yikes…
March 3rd, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Maybe brandon Williams from Baltimore. Nice compliment for Gerald
March 3rd, 2017 at 1:48 pm
14 and 15 was Lovie.
Last years FA class was rather productive as well as a positive influence In the locker room.
March 3rd, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Dalvin Cook runs a 4.5 40 at the combine today.
Idk if he’s fast enough to be a great NFL RB.
If he was more elusive and better at breaking tackles, I’d be fine with that speed.
But when you’re a pure speed guy, 4.5 in the 40 isn’t fast enough for the NFL, in my opinion.
Even whiteboy McCaffery outran him. Quite disappointing for Dalvin I’m sure.
Sorry for that take, NOSBOS.
March 3rd, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Granpappy…I’m sure Dallas will be here any moment now to explain to you why he agrees with you.
March 3rd, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Hope Licht is targeting Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson and the best FA WR we can find/afford that’s also a good fit.
Accomplish that or even 2/3 of that and it opens up our draft options quite a bit.
March 3rd, 2017 at 2:30 pm
To be good..to be great..You gotta want it more than…I’m just not sold on our Bucs wanting greatness..Dynasty. There is a great receiver out there in FA and others as well. Will out Bucs pull the trigger? I think not. We get a kick out of..bargain basement hunting. You got to go after greatness people.
March 3rd, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Would love Brandon Williams, if not Campbell is fine.
March 3rd, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Oh really?? Why don’t you ask Raheem about their willingness to spend. Don’t give me the it’s a new day in Tampa Bay speech either.
March 3rd, 2017 at 3:08 pm
40 time doesn’t really mean much to me for RB as long as its 4.6 or better.
Jordan Howard ran a 4.59 for example.
Cook is not a pure speed guy and broke a ton of tackles in all the games I watched. He’s a patient runner with great burst through the hole and good vision.
IMO great RB qualities in order of importance:
1-Vision/Timing
2-Balance
3-Short area acceleration/burst
4-Determination/Grit
5-Long speed
All that said I only like Cook if he falls in our lap. I don’t want to trade up and I’d prefer defense round 1 in general; or OJ Howard/Corey Davis.
March 3rd, 2017 at 3:13 pm
Good maybe Cook will drop to 19
March 3rd, 2017 at 3:20 pm
What % is the salary cap? Is like 45% and it’s at 167 million so that means there’s another 200 million for team Glazer. I think they will be OK. I mean they already have multiple houses, cars, planes. What else do they have to spend money on that they don’t already have.
March 3rd, 2017 at 3:53 pm
And who is this Great wr? There are good ones in fa this year but the great ones stay on there team! There is no great wide receiver in free agency this year or almost any year with a couple exceptions .imo
March 3rd, 2017 at 3:55 pm
Lord Cornelius, I appreciate that quick scouting report on Dalvin.
I’m not an FSU fan, so I’ve only seen a game or 2 of Dalvin’s and on his highlights he doesn’t look great in any regard other than vision and speed and the speed isn’t great at 4.5 compared to NFL LB’s, so I was a bit nervous when I saw that.
I feel a little better now.
March 3rd, 2017 at 4:04 pm
Buddy
Are you not aware of the Manchester United deal and the implications for the Bucs during the Raheem years…and the implications on today now that ManU is raking in the $$$?
March 3rd, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Dalvin ran a 4.49. If you don’t think he is fast on the football field you are on some fine drugs.
I will take Cook,” Hargreaves said. “We need him. He’s special.”
March 3rd, 2017 at 5:30 pm
The Glazers know they have the right GM and coaching staff to spend money now. Times have change.
Great times are ahead!!! Go Bucs!!!
March 3rd, 2017 at 6:26 pm
Cook’s running slower so he’ll drop to Jameis!
March 3rd, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Cook’s tanking for Jameis!
March 3rd, 2017 at 6:55 pm
87
Cook is tanking for NOS
March 3rd, 2017 at 7:25 pm
When it comes to running backs, watch the tape, not the combine numbers. Certain players time better with a ball in their hands than on a track.
Cooks tape speaks for itself.
March 3rd, 2017 at 9:22 pm
Since when is a 4.49 slow? I wish players ran the 40 in full pads and a helmet. Put these O and D lineman in full pads and see how fast they get up off the ground and move. Completely different world.
March 3rd, 2017 at 9:24 pm
I’m a supporter of NOSBOS and therefore hope we get Dalvin. I’ve just watched Dalvin enough to believe in his talent. But…..if we can’t get Dalvin I’m really warming up to McCaffery. Perhaps my reverse racism is fading after the numbers he put up today.
March 3rd, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Phil, the answer is hookers.
March 3rd, 2017 at 9:32 pm
StPete, it’s not reverse racism. It is what it is. When I look at white skill position players, I think the same thing… slow and un-athletic. I know I shouldn’t, and I don’t like it, but I think it just the same. The Black QB bias, which I’ve never had, is slowly and thankfully going away, but I can’t shake the white RB bias, and I’m a white guy.
March 3rd, 2017 at 10:04 pm
Cook would be awesome if he somehow slips. I love McCaf but after today he just proved it. Screw the bench press, his tape and measurables show he is going to cause havok in this league. The options he would give us would be something fun to watch. Whether in the backfield on lined up in the slot. And he has a huge chip on his shoulder. Those are the guys who are 1st in last out type players.
Of course I would prefer Cook but McCaf at #19 Is more realistic imo.
March 3rd, 2017 at 11:27 pm
What black RB bias. Have you seen Devin Hester run, I mean Jacob Hester , I mean…nevermind
March 3rd, 2017 at 11:49 pm
Dallas, I said “black QB bias”. Quarterback
March 3rd, 2017 at 11:49 pm
Zeke Elliot 4.47…..AP 4.40……so yeah Dalvin at 4.49 is def too slow play in the NFL.
March 4th, 2017 at 8:30 am
@ tmaxcon
You ok? You just posted and it had nothing to do about bashing GMC
March 5th, 2017 at 10:06 am
On ManU should be the disclaimer
March 5th, 2017 at 10:07 am
Glazerhouse Boys are only interested in one think. Making $$$$