“One Of The Things That I Wrote Down Just About Every Game”
April 22nd, 2017
Jason Licht takes notes and perhaps issues another clue into his draft mind
General manager Jason Licht got into some habits last season.
First, he got in the habit of watching a defensive coordinator who wasn’t ridiculously stubborn and committed to playing washed up cornerbacks like Lovie Smith was. What a pleasure that must have been.
Second, Licht got in the habit of watching who was lined up at receiver across from Mike Evans and then grabbing his pen.
“I know that during the season this year, we like our roster, but one of things that I wrote down just about every game is, ‘We need more speed. More speed,'” Licht told ESPN Radio this week. “And we definitely checked that box with DeSean [Jackson].”
Yes, speed, the Bucs were lacking it desperately before signing Jackson to be their No. 1a wide receiver in March.
For those concerned about Jackson losing a step at 30 years old, Licht added there’s been no loss of even a half- step.
“No decline to the naked eye,” Licht said, noting Jackson was even the “second-fastest” player in the NFL last year according to the fancy computer chips the NFL shoves in players equipment to track motion.
“It doesn’t look like he’s declining at all,” Licht said.
That’s all very nice, but it brings Joe to the NFL Draft. The Bucs still need speed. They’re one Jackson twisted ankle for being the same flimsy receiving corps they were last season.
Would the Bucs dare draft a slot receiver to push and press team favorite Adam “Rudy” Humphries? Joe doubts it. That’s why Joe’s big on Penn State receiver Chris Godwin and the wideout Licht cleary has on the brain: East Carolina standout Zay Jones.
The Bucs simply can’t go wrong drafting a receiver with juice early, even in the first round.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Ishmael Zamora….this kid is going to be one of the best receivers in this draft when its all said and down. A later round gem…
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:02 pm
said and done, rather
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Been singing praise on Zay since the senior bowl (then watching his tape). Cant go wrong with him OR Godwin. Would have to spend a 2nd on “Zay all day” Jones though.
Barnett, Zay, Perine….CB “Krazy Kazee”…..doable! and very much hits needs with quality talent! Why do I do this for free….lol. Cuz I LOVE MY BUCS!!!
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Djax talking about John Ross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0y8lrja3Nk
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:06 pm
Bucs better have a plan B, if Davis or Ross falls, it would be worth the pick at 19, even though there are other needs, the more speed on the outside, most any second or third round RB can succeed because you can’t stack the box. So even a Perine or Foreman would be a solid back. You still got Chuck Sims in a prove it year for a third down back.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:13 pm
Randy Moss had one of his best season’s in his tenth year in the league.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Joe it’s sounding like you want Cook in the 1st rnd, a fast WR in the 1st rnd, and several others (like DE or a Safety) sound like they’d be totally acceptable at #19. Curious now … What’s YOUR top priority in this draft?
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Zay Jones isn’t necessarily a speed WR or someone with great YAC.
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:35 pm
^ Ha….ok
http://www.buccaneers.com/videos/videos/Watch-Zay-Jones-40-Yard-Dash/c104055f-47d1-4076-8ca2-59d8367a4895
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:36 pm
I like Zay Jones but I like the speed of Godwin better. I am hoping the Bucs bring in a few of these later round UDFA types like Zamora, Davis, Adams to see if they can beat out the other WR we already have
April 22nd, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Ty mad max I could swear I saw some where that Jones ran slower. They actually look like clones of each other upon closer inspection
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:02 pm
@Madmax, Mike Evans ran a 4.46. Is he a speed receiver? Zay Jones ran 4.45.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:10 pm
For Mike’s size, yes and he was a top WR pick. We’re talking 2nd round. Zay might not be the fastest but the kid produces. We have DJax, so theres our speed.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Okay but the gist of this post was how the Bucs need more speed, DJax is just one guy and if he gets hurt, we need to have another receiver with jets.
So how does drafting Zay Jones bring more speed?
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:17 pm
I get it. He wont. So who do you want, Ross? You’re talking 1st round. Or maybe we could go with Godwin, He’s 4.3 if I recall.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:18 pm
*4.42
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:22 pm
Speed+ross, lattimore, McCaffrey, Godwin, NOT cook
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:26 pm
Curtis Samuel, 4.3 and returns kicks.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:28 pm
I like him too Afo.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:36 pm
“He’s not a running back and his routes and hands really aren’t that good”
So sell me on him Afo. I know speed cant be taught, but natural ball catching is also one of those things you just have or dont. We’ve experienced with speed that cant catch though. I dont know.
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:36 pm
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/curtis-samuel?id=2558066
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:54 pm
http://www.tomahawknation.com/2017/4/17/15322912/florida-state-football-recruiting-news-john-ross-dalvin-cook-brian-burns-demarcus-walker-nfl-draft
April 22nd, 2017 at 8:57 pm
I am hoping Koetter and Licht noticed what I did, and I’m sure others. Why is it on key pass yardage type plays, Mike Evans was a bit too often OUT of the game?
April 22nd, 2017 at 10:09 pm
That video with DJax helping and guiding Ross, now I want Bucs to draft Ross. That would be gold.
April 22nd, 2017 at 11:19 pm
Jackson will not play 16 games Licht needs to be smart and draft at least 1 maybe 2 wrs
April 22nd, 2017 at 11:29 pm
In the first 2 rounds priority needs to be a WR or TE plus a DE
April 23rd, 2017 at 4:17 am
Definitely agree. But let’s be real; Evans is 1a. Albeit close.
April 23rd, 2017 at 7:06 am
Another article about the team needing help with speed and WR and another article where the Joe’s don’t mention Curtis Samuel ‘s name. 4.31. That was his Combine speed and he actually plays to that speed. Godwin ran 4.42… but didn’t really play to that speed. Zay Jones? Ran under 4.5, which was fat better than expected BECAUSE he doesn’t play fast. Joe’s. Do some research. Look at Curtis Samuel. By far most impressive tape if any guy you’ve mentioned.
First, Joe already has written about Samuel. Do some research! (To quote you).He’s more of a project, which is undeniable. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad pick, just not Joe’s choice. –Joe
April 23rd, 2017 at 7:11 am
The next Julio Jones=Engram.
April 23rd, 2017 at 8:09 am
Thanks for joining in licht. I could have passed you my notes when you were hired. Better late than never. This year please draft a wr and rb and te with speed. Thanks. Go bucs
April 23rd, 2017 at 9:03 am
I’m hearing John Ross could fall in our lap.
April 23rd, 2017 at 9:37 am
Corey Davis might fall to 19, he’s a number 1 all day, Evans, Djax, and Davis, won’t matter who’s in the backfield, it gonna be 6-7 man fronts all day
April 23rd, 2017 at 10:10 am
taywan taylor anybody ?? i know he only ran a 4.5 but look at the nfl antonio brown only ran a 4.6 same with jarvis landry so this 40 time thing is so overblown it’s crazy maybe if they had them do a real football sprint not track sprint itd make more sense but there’s plenty of receivers and others in the nfl that didn’t run in the 4.3s but are constantly taking catches or punt returns to the house
April 23rd, 2017 at 10:34 am
No to Ross, dude will spend most of his days on IR.