Players Selling Players
April 18th, 2017
Player influence.
You know the saying, what Jameis wants Jameis gets?
When pictures surfaced on social media of America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, working out last month with free agent running back legend Adrian Peterson, many connected the dots and believed, knowing Jameis’ personality, that he was likely wearing out the ear of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to sign Peterson.
And while Jameis didn’t even try to hide his enthusiasm for Peterson yesterday at One Buc Palace, Licht seemed to throw cold water on the notion that Jameis heavily influences Licht’s construction of the roster.
Joe asked Licht how often Jameis, or another player, urges him to draft a specific player and/or sign a specific free agent.
“Not as much as you’d probably think,” Licht said. “It’s more so after we sign a player or draft a player, you get, ‘Hey, I’m glad you did this. He’s going to be a heck of a player.’
“Our players, the family thing gets thrown out there a lot, but it truly is. They know that if I have a question about a player and they have a relationship with that player, they know that I will ask them. They don’t throw that out there, if they do, then it’s usually, they feel very strongly about it, but they’re not coming in unsolicited all the time.”
Joe has a hunch it depends on the player. If it is some nondescript player from Cornfield State, Licht likely doesn’t get a sales pitch.
But with Jameis, who isn’t exactly a wallflower, and a guy like Peterson (or if Joe can dream, Dalvin Cook), Joe would be shocked if Jameis didn’t voluntarily offer his two cents to Licht.
April 18th, 2017 at 6:53 am
From listening to Winston’s presser I get the feeling he is respectful of Licht position as a GM. Yes Winston shows excitement over AP. But he also shows respect on Licht and their scouting team.
I really don’t believe Winston is “texting” or talking to Licht about who to get every day or or every other day in the draft. Winston seems to have a professional relationship with Licht. Licht also takes his job too seriously to have a young player even if is your franchise QB to be persuaded by them. He did say he would listen to them though which is far from taking their opinion as professional advice.
I would be concern if Licht would listen to players nuggets of information to override information from his scouting team.
In Licht We Trust!!!
April 18th, 2017 at 7:00 am
Good point. Licht learned that the hard way from drafting nebraska player cause dad gave ringing endorsement. Afro thunder turned out to be nacho libre. So who cares what a player says Even Jamies
April 18th, 2017 at 7:02 am
Getting Dalvin Cook would be a dream come true. We would become one of the top offenses in the league. That doesn’t happen in Tampa but it sure would be nice to see.
April 18th, 2017 at 7:08 am
Well said @tdtb2015
April 18th, 2017 at 7:26 am
No I don’t know the saying “what Jamies wants Jameis gets”
Are you telling me that the GM of the Bucs is not going to sign and draft whoever the quarterback wants? Shocking development. Keep em coming.
April 18th, 2017 at 8:03 am
Winston just finished his 2nd season. You really overestimate how much pull he has with Licht.
Licht is going to do what he thinks is best for the future of this team, not what Jameis is tugging at his pant legs asking for. If they don’t fit with the dynamic of the roster, they won’t be here, no matter how much Jameis begs.
April 18th, 2017 at 8:22 am
So what does that mean Joe? Thai when Jameis DOES praise a player Licht listens? also do you have any insight on what our receivers corps thinks about Ap
April 18th, 2017 at 8:39 am
AP has missed 28 games since 2012,Doug Martin 23. Can’t see the logic in signing either player with that many games missed.Misplaced optimism that I
and others may have over a players ability to overcome injury history has hurt
the team in the past. I have a feeling Licht has also seen the light after the failed DM22 sighning.
April 18th, 2017 at 8:43 am
15 of those games were for a bogus suspension.
April 18th, 2017 at 9:02 am
I feel like having Jamesis on the team, we can go 16-0. He wants to have a great team and recruit only the best.
April 18th, 2017 at 9:11 am
Phil Says
“Getting Dalvin Cook would be a dream come true.”
Licht also said that he doesn’t draft who the media and fans want, he drafts who they think will make the team better.
Considering the media and fans widely want Cook, I think he was sending a message that it is not going to happen.
April 18th, 2017 at 9:12 am
Pawel Says
“I feel like having Jamesis on the team, we can go 16-0.”
That would rock and finally make up for going winless for a season.
April 18th, 2017 at 9:52 am
Players can say whatever they want, but their real influence, in the end, is minimal to non-existent.
Filler story.
April 18th, 2017 at 9:52 am
The late Hank Stram once told me:
“You can’t let the inmates run the asylum”
I would think that’s why you have what is supposed to be a really good college scouting department within the franchise.
April 18th, 2017 at 9:54 am
Did Jameis want the bucs kicker from the same school ?
April 18th, 2017 at 10:06 am
I think one of the things that makes #3 so appealing, among the many, is that he is a fan like the rest of us. He’s more than just a player…he’s a fanatic.
This is why we get him and he gets us. Of course he chats up Licht but I agree with the posters who pointed out that he does it respectfully and as much as a fan as an employee. #3 is just havin’ fun like the rest of us.
April 18th, 2017 at 10:43 am
Joes- We appreciate you getting us through the off season. You keep our Pewter blood pumping!
Go Bucs!!!
April 18th, 2017 at 11:10 am
Rbs dnt matter if our offensive line open holes for people to run in
April 18th, 2017 at 11:23 am
Coaches coach, players play, and GMs manage. Thats why I laugh at the idiots that tried to blame JW3 for us getting a kicker in the 2nd round! That was 100% on Licht. Always has been
April 18th, 2017 at 11:33 am
Sign AP sign Martin draft Cook and Mixon. #TheFuture
April 18th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
If we don’t draft a RB in round 1. I think AP becomes a serious consideration.
April 18th, 2017 at 1:30 pm
If Rashad Greene, Devonta Freeman or Nick O’Leary came loose, it’d be a different story.
April 18th, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Jameis mentioned Petersen with assurance. He was really straight foward about it. So much so, that I believe he has talked to someone- pribably Licht.
My guess?
They gotta get a DE to help McCoy, or we are gonna loose him. Enough is enough.
Looks like no Cook. But They are gonna sign Petersen,to keep Jameis happy
Works for me
Draft DEs Taco Charelton or Malik McDowell
Works for me.
Draft a young RB in the 3rd or 4th- in this RB rich draft
Also all works for me.
April 18th, 2017 at 5:23 pm
@Blake
you are right , those 15 games were not due to injury. At least 6 were due Roger “God”dell suspension. Roger Goddell should not be the judge and jury
in disciplinary action.
April 18th, 2017 at 7:37 pm
Why do I keep hearing that we should draft a DE? We have McCoy, Baker, & McDonald in the middle. With Ayers, Gholston, Noah Spence, & possibly Smith on the edges. With only 4 down lineman
On the field at a time, seems silly to take a player in the 1st rdRd that won’t take at least 50% of the snaps
April 18th, 2017 at 7:40 pm
If Dalvin Cook is available the Bucs will be sprinting faster than John Ross to the podium!!! Going to happen