Report: Frantic Licht Was Trying To Trade For Dalvin Cook
September 24th, 2017
“So how many calls did you make, Jason?“
Bucs fans may soon forget what happened today on the field in Minnesota, but they might long remember what they heard on the FOX broadcast from a thoroughly reliable source.
Peter Schrager, the popular NFL Network host, was the sideline reporter for today’s Bucs-Vikings game on FOX. Schrager has long been a media friend of Bucs general manager Jason Licht, who used to sit down for extensive interviews on Schrager’s podcasts.
Schrager also is a personal friend of Joe.
Anyway, the FOX game announcers cut to Schrager for a take on Dalvin Cook during the game, and Schrager noted he met with Dirk Koetter last week (it’s typical that the broadcast team sits down with team officials on Friday or Saturday before a game) and Cook was very high on the Bucs’ draft board.
Cook was not only a guy the Bucs valued, per Schrager, but Licht was made phone call after call to trade up in the second round to draft Cook. Of course, at the end of the day, it was the Vikings who traded up to get Cook.
Minnesota sent the No. 48 pick and a fourth-round selection (No. 128) to the Bengals to take Cook at No. 41. The Bucs held their No. 50 overall pick and took safety Justin Evans. The Bengals snatched running back Joe Mixon at No. 48.
This is very interesting.
Did Licht really not have the juice to get the trade done? The Vikings didn’t exactly give up much. That’s hard to believe. Licht sure had more to give than the Vikings, based on the terms of the trade.
Or did Licht fail in a high-pressure negotiation with Cincinnati?
Or was Licht trying to trade up with the wrong team?
Or did Licht think controversial running back Joe Mixon would fall to the Bucs and he’d take him versus giving up picks for Cook?
There are other potential scenarios, too.
To date, based on three games by Cook, it sure looks like the Bucs missed out.
Joe wonders what Doug Martin thinks of this news, the second time it was made clear that key Buccaneers were “lobbying hard” for Cook.
September 24th, 2017 at 6:33 pm
Ha haha hahahaha
September 24th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Shoulda coulda woulda.
Doesn’t matter now. Major whiff.
September 24th, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Us FSU homers…told cha so!
September 24th, 2017 at 6:35 pm
Martin is happy because his job security is through the roof after this debacle.
September 24th, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Good thing we got Evan Smith… who never plays…
September 24th, 2017 at 6:37 pm
Justin Evans*
September 24th, 2017 at 6:40 pm
If you give up your 4th you don’t Beckwith.
I like Cook and think, well know, he’s going to be a good player, but we already have an all-pro runningback.
September 24th, 2017 at 6:43 pm
The Giants pass defense is great and their run defense is junk … and yet because of the missed bye we won’t have Doug Martin next week … ugh
September 24th, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Well…that will come back to bite us in the arse for the next 5-6 years…at least we have Drug Martin
September 24th, 2017 at 6:46 pm
They reported that during the draft. He was trying to trade up with GB early in the 2nd round.
September 24th, 2017 at 6:50 pm
NFLNut – Just looked up the box score on the Giants game, they gave up 193 yards rushing at a 4.9 average. Wow.
September 24th, 2017 at 6:52 pm
Why trade? He was there at 19. You already have a young TE who already leads the league in TDs. What you don’t have is a running game BUT Cook had “OFF FIELD ISSUES” which is code for “he’s a n*gg*r” and not wanted around these here parts.
Instead you drafted a guy who has 2 catches and 29 yards in 2 games. Smh. And if I’m not mistaken OJ is a Muslim which I find even more ironic. I thought you people were scared of Muslims more than n****s. I’m all confused now.
September 24th, 2017 at 6:55 pm
Dalvin has proved he was a first round talent.
OJ howard has 29 yards on the season.
September 24th, 2017 at 6:58 pm
This reeks to me of Licht seeing how good Dalvin is and telling Schrager he was trying to trade up to make himself look good and cover his ass…you think this would’ve come out had Cook not looked like a stud the first two weeks?
Not that I care if that’s the case. In Licht I trust, regardless of not acquiring Cook
September 24th, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Maybe the bengals didn’t want to drop to #50 and dropped instead to #48.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Horse malarkey. I heard my GM say “our draft will not be influenced by the fans”. Grave mistake.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:03 pm
OJ Howard could one day be a pro bowl tight end and won’t have the impact that a great RB will have.Brate is good enough to win with we shoulda took Dalvin at 19
September 24th, 2017 at 7:04 pm
So wait is it OJs fault no one throws him the ball? Lol.
OJ was the right choice in the 1st round. Not taking a running back until the 5th, maybe not so much. Anyone who watches the NFL should understand OJ is a long term investment, you’re not gonna see crazy production from a rookie TE right off the bat. That said, Jameis should be looking his way more already.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:05 pm
fsu homerism
“cook- told ya so”
“winston – superbowl in first 2, 3 5,10 years”
“aguayo – greatest kicker, great trade.”
so 1-1-1
September 24th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Another thing it’s clear these folks have coached all the Fameis out of Jameis Winston. On Hard Knock episode 4 Koetter said to Jameis “loosen up,you’re looking robotic today”. You see jimbo knew and occasional turnover came wit the package but he smartly got out of his way. It’s the soul has been taken,too many minds in Jameis head. Mike Holmgren was smart he got out of Bret Farve’s way and let him play having fun enjoying himself. Got’em a superbowl win for it. Too many damn minds in Jameis head right now.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:07 pm
good running backs are easier to get than good tightends
oj howard is already contributing
we still have drug martin, too
September 24th, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Bucs had like 8 rushes and Minn had Like 34 , all because the best Bucs back is on the bench, Koetter fails time and time again to establish the rush and Licht built a defense with the arguably worst dbs in the league !!! Does Cook help but Koetter would still have Rogers in the game and the Db’s would still be terrible.
If I was Licht I would just cut Rogers to get rid of half of dirks problem
Btw can we reassign our OC and hire Romo………The race in NFL should be on !!!
September 24th, 2017 at 7:21 pm
Member when we were 1-3 and pawloski was saying blow it up before the bars game? 5 weeks later we have the “stick carriers” who abandon their team every year after a bad loss. Jameis was bad and continues to disappoint defense was terrible team is very injured. And guess what? We are 1-1 and there’s a ton of football left. This is why the “stick carrier movement” and let’s take back rayjay podcasts make me sick and I used to listen weekly. Because. Every. Single. Time. And. Every. Single. Year. This. Happens. 1-3 to 8-5 and all but two people in these comment sections have forgotten. I never wanna hear anyone say “oh but the stick carriers” the dog pound brings it EVERY YEAR. Every. Game. And have been awful for longer most of us have been alive. Worst damn fanbase in sports
September 24th, 2017 at 7:24 pm
Like come on people. I’m not saying Winston is a hall of famer not saying cook is better than Justin Evans. I’m saying Winston is a 23 year old who had zero run game. Again. And was forced to come back down big against a great d on the road. Let’s all just kumbayah and come to agreement that the secondary was awful. Joe you’re clueless if you think there was no pass rush. There were no sacks as you love to equate the two. Keenum had wide open flat routes and everywhere else every time we got close. Sacks work both ways. Most sacks qb’s take the hit and concede because there’s nowhere to throw combined with good peessure. People saying “I’m done no playoffs again” are BEYOND clueless
September 24th, 2017 at 7:26 pm
Haggins DC is a bonafide threat. Mike Smith’s super conservative gameplan was clearly influenced by said threat.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:27 pm
Pablo says this story is fake. Pablo is sure Light told that to Shreager but Pablo doesn’t believe it. It’s a fake story so criticism can be deflected away from him
September 24th, 2017 at 7:30 pm
34 my argument then (draft season) was if we’re on the cusp then what provides us the greatest chance to advance the quickest. Mind you I love OJ,he was already in the bag. That noise shrager mention during the game I ain’t buying because of what I heard my GM say. Sounded like to me a point was being made. Me and him share a birthday so I’m familar wit the stubbornness.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:33 pm
I wanted Dalvin…
However, not taking Hunt is looking like the real hurter. Licht has no excuse there.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:33 pm
What vexes me the most is Dalvin stood infront of the nfl at the combine and had the heart to risk alot and tell everyone he wants to be a Buc.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:34 pm
The Bucs ran for 26 yards on attempts 9 attempts. Rodgers ran for 15 yards on 5 attempts.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
People were round here talking bout shoulders and inability to run between the tackles. He showed no FEAR TODAY😠.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:37 pm
DB they had no respect for Jac the minute he walkwd into the building. Koetter knew it. Now minny not world beaters. Steelers handled them just last week. I’m not mad about a lost,in disheartened by the way we look. Screw injuries everyone has those.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Jameis right on… or donat foreman among others, it was a bad licht personnel move and he has a bunch of really bad moves
September 24th, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Wow, DB55,
You are a joke to play that card. Why are people so quick to go all racial? Your comment should be banned by the Joe’s.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Kareem Hunt is murdering the league and he went in the 3rd. If Winston needs all pros at every position….he was the wrong pick.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:44 pm
Dusthty Rhothdes
Its just amazing to me that Licht takes WR for granted last year (we miss the playoffs)
This year he takes the rbs for granted.
Vincent Jackson going down an injury cost us big time in 2015. Does Licht stock up on WRs the following year? No. We miss the playoffs again.
Running game was a mess in 2016. Do we load up at that position this year? No.
That draft was LOADED with RBs making plays day one in the league. Instead Licht gets a guy who wanted to get the hell away from him.
Just sad. Get a Hunt, Foreman, Cohen, Kamara, Cook (trade up) etc etc..
sigh
September 24th, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Bobby M
its not that Winston needs all pros. Its clear in year 3 he’s not ready to carry the Bucs with no running game.
Even guys like Big Ben needed to lean on the running game his first few years in the league.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
What a bunch of soft fans on here. Didn’t Ira write an article about how things are going well now but there will certainly be times when things aren’t going so well? We are 1 and 1 and all the bandwagoners are jumping off so fast it’s ridiculous. Just have patience and let things play out before you freak out ladies.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Dalvin Cook is not the reason we lost today. And neither is O.J. Howard. And that’s all I’m gonna say.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
The only huge miss pick is the Roberto pick….that one will hang around Licht’s neck until we win a playoff game.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Licht is starting to rack up the embarrassing misses as GM.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:57 pm
TE is notoriously the hardest position to adapt to in the NFL. RB is one of the easiest and has the shortest lifespan in 1,000,000% good wit the Howard pick in RD1. Cook wasn’t there when we picked in RD 2 so the point is moot.
September 24th, 2017 at 7:59 pm
I didn’t like the offensive gameplan by Koetter. I think he needed to spread the formations out more and try to get Winston in more of a throwing rhythm. Everyone already knew we weren’t going to be able to run on them so why even try traditional runs? I saw no screens, delays, roll-outs, bubble screens, etc. The play-calling in my opinion was very vanilla against an excellent defense. A recipe for failure… With the defense playing as bad as they did, the offense was going to have to get aggressive and score.
September 24th, 2017 at 8:00 pm
You right Blake.. I wonder if I’ll live long enough to see a press coverage. To play off all game every week says soft @$$ defense.
September 24th, 2017 at 8:01 pm
And I sent that Friday,should be there tomorrow.
September 24th, 2017 at 8:04 pm
NJ y’all caught up on that position thang. To me bro DC a great football player that just happens to play rb. The kid loves the game man and gives up his body for his team. Dude played a whole season wit two bad hammys.
September 24th, 2017 at 8:06 pm
Living in the past…
September 24th, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Forget Dalvin Cook. Coulda had Kareem Hunt instead of Chris Godwin – that’s real pain.
September 24th, 2017 at 8:14 pm
Give him a participation trophy.
That’s the only kind he will ever get.
Time to clean house.
September 24th, 2017 at 8:17 pm
You lose and this board is all doom and gloom. Every draft pick is a miss. Destined to go 1-15.
September 24th, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Hunt > Cook
That’s the real disappointment
September 24th, 2017 at 9:05 pm
Percolate it Nos. Agree with you whole-heartedly on the coverage. I was hollering at my tv about that ish. Them dudes were literally lining up behind the 1st down marker on 3rd downs the entire game.
September 24th, 2017 at 9:18 pm
Lol wtf I mean to say preciate it Nos. stupid auto correct.
September 24th, 2017 at 9:29 pm
I disagree, the real miss was drafting Jameis and not Mariotta. I’m starting to wonder if Jameis can hit the broad side of a barn.
Oh, and we should have gotten Hunt.
September 24th, 2017 at 9:29 pm
Mariota*
September 24th, 2017 at 9:45 pm
These fair weather fans make me sick.
September 24th, 2017 at 9:49 pm
Skyline Crew…nice of you to show up. Haven’t seen you on this site for what is it 2 years now?
September 24th, 2017 at 10:32 pm
Yeah, just about. I got tired of coming here and hearing all the BS. Doesn’t seem much has changed.
September 24th, 2017 at 10:37 pm
Who cares lets talk about the issues in our country!!!
Wheres a good place to start???
September 24th, 2017 at 10:38 pm
Everyone relax, it’s one game. Every team loses a game, look at the 2007 Patriots. They had a great team and even they lost a game.
September 24th, 2017 at 11:09 pm
I will say this for Jameis, there are times when he does well, but his inaccuracy has been a big issue and it doesn’t appear to be getting better. Stop comparing him to Brett Favre. He isn’t close. We can’t move the ball if he can’t get it to the receiver. The GM and Coaches can’t play for the team.
September 24th, 2017 at 11:37 pm
OH. PO BABY. There is there is that stupid excuse. He is only 23. Enough already.
He has shown he can drive the team down field. But either come away with 3 points or a pick. Very rarely 6 points. He is not accurate on his long ball. He wants to be elite but never will be. The #Weapons For Winston was just an excuse to cover for his faults. A lot of us did not fall for the 2nd coming of The Greatest Show On Turf.
September 24th, 2017 at 11:39 pm
TWO THINGS: ANYBODY WHO THINKS RYAN SMITH WAS NOT THE WEAKEST LINK OUT THERE AND BLAME VH3 BY SAYING HE GOT PICKED ON MORE…DID NOT WATCH THIS GAME!!! YES VH3 WAS BAD IN COVERAGE…BUT HE CONTINUED TO TACKLE AND MAKE SOME PLAYS…
RYAN SMITH SHOULD BE CUT IMMEDIATELY… HE IS NOT AN NFL CORNERBACK… HE GOT SMOKED AND PICKED ON ALL GAME… GAVE UP MULTILPLE BIG PLAYS…HE JUST SUCKS.
VH3 IS NOT A CB1 BUT WILL SUFFICE AS A CB2. MIKE SMITH SHOULD HAVE MOVED ROBERT MCCLAIN IN RYAN SMITHS OUTSIDE CORNER SLOT… THIS LOSS IS DEF ON MIKE SMITHS GAMEPLAN AND JAMEIS WINSTONS INTS.
ALSO… PLEASE SIGN REVIS NOW!!! HES BETTER THAN RYAN SMITH POINT BLANK PERIOD!!!
LAST THING… JASON LITCH SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE TO GET DALVIN COOK IN PEWTER AND RED….COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA…
September 24th, 2017 at 11:53 pm
Check your keyboard, I think caps lock is stuck. Or maybe you’re one of those idiots who think that posting in all caps disguises a simple mind.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:24 am
Alright, bygones be bygones.
I give credit to Licht for sticking to his guns, not giving away too much, and remaining confident in your draft board (granite his next pick has looked like an absolute whiff, emphasis on the H)
He got gems with Beckwith and Godwin, and clearly feels comfortable with a 1-2-3 punch of Martin, Rodgers/barber, and Sims.
I’m just not freaking out about us not having trading up.
I would like to know why though our first round pick (STUD) has one catch for 17 yards, and then we never hear from him again. Was he covered, or was Jameis not finding him?
Speaking of Jameis, he looked like wet dog fart. He literally knows going into that game he was going to be severely handicapped on defense AND going against a (backup) QB that’s had his way with us every time. He knows that he will need to put up at least 30 points to win the game, and he goes out and gives us 3 points and a horribly undertrhrown pick on the goal line, and then another 2 later in the game. I’m getting irritated watchin him underthrow deep balls that Case Keenum throws with ease, regularly.
Speaking of Keenums deep ball, wtf is going on with VH3? Is this a proces we’re waiting here to watch him develop. Because I honestly, expected a lot more up to this point. I’m getting sick of watching a 10- 45 yard pass being completed down the field, looking for the closest corner back (chasing him), and it’s more often than not #28. My man, get better, please start to suck a little less. Do you realize what our secondary would look like without a 35 year old corner back on it. Laugh with me for a second, picturing our starters being VH3 and Ryan Smith/Tandy. What exactly is the game plan there Licht, when really your entire season is leaning on a 35 y/o corner?
But, I digress.
Moral of the story, what is Mike Smith telling himself in the mirror tonight?
What is Jameis telling himself in the mirror tonight?
VH3, please dude work on your technique. You’ve got the athletic ability but if you don’t watch out, you won’t even get that lucrative second contract… from any team.
And Koetter, keep doing what you’re doing because you’ve got the right idea.
Buuuuuuuut, pull your f’n stars if the game is out of reach. Pack it up, fix that wet dog $hit (and fix it quickly sir, because after this next game you’ve got a VERY short week leading into the Pats. If you don’t come out and play to your capabilities, this could quickly become 1-3), and praise the Lord your franchise guy didn’t have any injuries.
Also, realize too that there is a real cultural problem going on with this team. 2 years in a row you’ve seen the same thing happen: your team comes out strong week 1, (reads their press clippings?), and drops a dud the very next week with several key injuries. Today, your secondary couldn’t stop a nose bleed, the front 4 (and eventually 7) excluding GMC were picking their noses while Keenum enjoyed iced tea following his fantasy teams throughout the day, your franchise QB wilted and your star receiver(s) were either having a sideline meltdown or running incorrect routes that lead to INTs.
The sky isn’t falling but Koetter and Licht have a lot of work ahead of them this week. Sunday night football against the Giants is going to something I’m very eager to see.
On a personal note, 2 things:
1. I would like to formally apologize for speaking out against GMC being a team captain. Aside from Lavonte, he’s been our only captain. Sir, you are playing like a super hero, please don’t giggle. Thank you for being a leader and playing with a foot you could no longer feel, while your teammates were out with the flu.
And 2.
I’d like to express my disdain with some posters here (who I won’t mention but ya know who you are) who tried to bring politics into the game day feed, while the game was actually still being played. Look, you can do whatever you want, I can’t stop you from posting. But I just think it invites divide into our chat, when all we really want to talk about is Bucs football. We literally get that for 24hours x 7 days a week, minus 4 hours. Please, please..
Anyways, I wonder if Mom is done w the meatloaf …
September 25th, 2017 at 12:26 am
Holy crap, someone just reminded me about McClain. Why the hell was Smith starting ahead of him???
September 25th, 2017 at 6:32 am
Burn the film and move forward – at 2-1 this game means nothing
September 25th, 2017 at 8:43 am
the best back in the draft was sitting there for us and we took the safety.
Too bad we didn’t go safety last year.
September 25th, 2017 at 9:15 am
YEs==Sir Reeee. Another..Coulda..Woulda..Shoulda..somebody done me wrong song!! Welcome to Tampa Bays favorite Country Western show folks..Next up? Theres a..Tear in my Beer..By slide guitarist..coach Koetter and his sidekick..Coach Smith!!
September 25th, 2017 at 9:31 am
Cook is good, is he special, time will tell. There are not many TE’s in the league that can get separation and good blocking from a TE, very few in the league. OJ will pay off when this offense gets going, if it doesn’t click right now that is ok as long as it does in these games ahead and I believe it will when DM22 return, our present backfield does not scare anyone, thats why teams like the Vikings with a good front four can leave a safety back there and not up in the box. Get the running game going and you will see this offense take off.
No sure thing, but next years draft will have some potential exciting RB’s that may be worth trading up for, hoping we are picking real late in the draft.
Though I am talking next year, I fully expect this team to move past the lost and hopefully healthy enough to make some noise in the division.
September 25th, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Where in the hell was Barber?
September 25th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
O.J. Howard was the right pick. However, Justin Evans over Kareem Hunt is a huge mistake (Aguayoesque)…….
September 25th, 2017 at 6:45 pm
running back should of been job 1 and saying we tried this we tried that but this team cannot compete with out a solid running game . Now the team will pay for this howard is good but who is he blocking for . sorry buc fans but were not there yet another bad season of what ifs
September 25th, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Jamis cannot carry this team and if he doesn’t pick his game up all the rah rah is falling on deaf ears .This is a big game coming up if Jamis is a player he needs to show it sunday