Licht Refuses To Discuss Calais Campbell
March 1st, 2018
How serious were the Bucs in any contract talks last year with then-free agent Calais Campbell? We may never know.
Interesting words yesterday from Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Rather, an interesting cone of silence.
When Licht had a closed-curtains sidebar yesterday morning with Bucs beat writers, Joe mentioned to Licht how many readers want to know how serious talks did or did not get between him and then-free agent defensive lineman/manbeast Calais Campbell.
Licht would not answer the question. Wouldn’t even entertain it.
Partially, Licht used tampering as a shield in not discussing Campbell, even though Joe was very specific with the question. Joe asked about the Bucs’ free agent dance with Campbell last year, which had absolutely nothing to do with his tenure with the Jaguars.
Licht wouldn’t budge. Just wouldn’t discuss it in any way.
The tampering element is very odd to Joe. After Campbell had signed with the Jags, Bucs coach Dirk Koetter talked openly about Campbell at the NFL owners meetings in Arizona last spring. To the best of Joe’s knowledge, NFL strongman Roger Goodell did not lift any cash from Koetter’s wallet as a result.
Now Joe has to be fair. First, it takes two to tango. If Campbell didn’t want to play for the Bucs, what was Licht supposed to do? Free agency is not a draft. Both parties have to come to an agreement. The core element in that agreement is the free agent wants to play for said team.
Joe has no idea if Campbell said he had zero interest in playing for the Bucs, or his agent told Licht he wouldn’t listen to any offer below $25 million a year, whatever.
Joe does know the two parties at least had a preliminary, tire-kicking communication. How far it went after that? If it went any further, we may never know.
Given the rich, baseball-bat-to-the-balls recent history of abject ineptitude this franchise has with developing any sort of a pass rush that might make a four-year old girl blink, this Campbell mystery will hang like a dark cloud over One Buc Palace for some time.
March 1st, 2018 at 5:32 am
The people that are still upset about not landing Campbell need to just get over it already. Same with the people still upset about passing on Dalvin Cook. Its a new year.
March 1st, 2018 at 5:46 am
The same people mad about passing on Jimmy Garoppolo
March 1st, 2018 at 6:15 am
Joe,
Thank you for asking the all important question!
All other DEs in FA this year are obsolete. Joeypoppems, you need
March 1st, 2018 at 6:19 am
Joe,
Thank you for asking the all important question!
All other DEs in FA this year are obsolete. Joeypoppems, you need to understand that this pass rush is beyond brutal. I refuse to get over ineptitude.
Especially if signing a lesser talented pass rusher in FA this year costs more $ or possibly draft compensation is ludicrous.
I wish Licht would answer the question and be real with fans. It’s oonif Campbell was offered the same deal or better by the Bucs and he chose otherwise. It’s NOT OK to think Licht did not make a competitive offer to our decade long are of need, DE.
Keep on trucking, Joe. I’m so damn proud of your ability to keep it real and ask tough questions to those in power who “cringe at expectations”.
Campbell should have been offered the same or better deal by the Bucs. If we failed to deliver, and Licht thought signing Swaggy Baker and retaining Doug Martin were better moves, than his ass is grass!
Go Joe!
March 1st, 2018 at 6:22 am
Buccaneer scotty,
Not mad at alll about not trading for Garoppollo.
Super pissed off about Lovht’s refusal to acknowledge an offer was/wasn’t made Ron camobell.
Simeon Rice played over a decade ago, and we still can’t get a double digit sacked since him.
For the life of me, any fan that is “ok” with this cowardice answer from Licht must fully be ok with losing and having s toothless defense.
March 1st, 2018 at 6:26 am
Joe,
The lack of a move for Campbell is more like the baseball bat scene off Good Fellas.
The lack of an answer from Licht means they DID NOR TRY AS HARD AS JACKSONVILLE to retain Campbell’s services. And that my friends is terrible decision making at its finest.
We have the cap space, but someone is too busy with their thumb up their arse, cringing at expectations.
Can you ask Licht if he cringes at his soft ass defense he built and overseas? Lord knows I do.
March 1st, 2018 at 6:28 am
We need to have 3 great drafts before we even think about adding any free agents. With our lack of talent it would be a waste.
Kinda like the 2002 bucs
March 1st, 2018 at 6:32 am
Licht needs to step up and be accountable for the lack of pass rush on his roster. 5 years in, and it’s just as bad as it was when he got here.
Fix it, and if you don’t we will ask why you passed on supreme FA talent.
Fans deserve to know why Licht chose not to sign/pursue Campbell.
The lack of an answer only makes it smell worse.
March 1st, 2018 at 6:33 am
Destinjonny,
What!?!?
So you think we might as well suck for 3 more years and draft well? No sir!
Campbell was a chance for an instant improvement. Teams can bounce back from year to year, as long as their GM isn’t too busy cringing at expectations.
March 1st, 2018 at 6:35 am
I’ll have to call into Buccaneer radionto ask the Calais Camobell question each week after a Bucs loss.
No more being ok with a lack of transparency when your results are dog sh!t
March 1st, 2018 at 7:33 am
“I’m glad you asked that, JBF.” By re-upping Will Gholston and outsmarting the rest of the league ( per usual ) by snagging Saggy Pastry Baker, I felt there was no need/use for Campbell.”
Licht’s Out
March 1st, 2018 at 7:43 am
Lmao, Jon Buc!
You know it, bro!
This quest On warrants answering for as lon as Licht is lighting the way to the NFCS basement!
March 1st, 2018 at 7:50 am
If Campbell signed with the Bucs he would have been a free agent bust. It’s a Bucs Life.
March 1st, 2018 at 7:53 am
Licht probably doesn’t even know who Calais Campbell is
March 1st, 2018 at 8:02 am
SteveK- You’re missing a huge part of the equation. Campbell had to WANT to come here, regardless of the money. He didn’t want to come here, it’s that simple.
I understand the frustration, but he’s a Jaguar now. I’m a Bucs fan, man (see what I did there?!).
Besides, in my mind, failing to land Campbell pales in comparison to drafting Aguayo.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:04 am
Between this fiasco and aguyo licht is on thin ice. razor thin. at least in my book
March 1st, 2018 at 8:06 am
Joe, you really do hold to strongly to the past. Revis. Bennett. Campbell. Etc.
The future is where its at!
March 1st, 2018 at 8:09 am
Bucsfanman Says:
March 1st, 2018 at 8:02 am
SteveK- You’re missing a huge part of the equation. Campbell had to WANT to come here, regardless of the money. He didn’t want to come here, it’s that simple.
I understand the frustration, but he’s a Jaguar now. I’m a Bucs fan, man (see what I did there?!).
Besides, in my mind, failing to land Campbell pales in comparison to drafting Aguayo.
———————
Totally agree that Campbell had to “want”
To come here.
My point is: did the Bucs offer the same or better deal that he got, bc that’s all that we can control and all that matters for my argument.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:10 am
Imagine the horror show it’d be to see 2 Defensive Ends named Da’Quan Bowers, and 2 Defensive Tackles named Chris Baker as your starting DL…
March 1st, 2018 at 8:10 am
Trading up for a kicker was a solid kick in the balls. But not pursuing an AllPro level DE in FA is ludicrous.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:10 am
Heck, if we are going to raise a fuss about Campbell, let’s dig deeper into the past. Why didn’t the Bucs sign Drew Brees instead of the Saints? We’d have been top of the division for a decade!
Or Peyton Manning. Or any number of other free agents that hit the market in the past and could have made a huge difference.
Like the monkey in Lion King said…
“What does it matter? It’s in the past.”
I prefer to focus on what happens now, not before. We already know the results of past actions. I want to see things get better, and guess what? The past can’t change for better or worse.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:13 am
SteveK- We have to assume they offered him market value at least. Otherwise, his agent never would’ve let him walk through the door. We’ll see what they do in FA this year. The clock is ticking for this regime.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:29 am
Did anybody happen to ask him about the horrible Chris Baker signing????
March 1st, 2018 at 8:29 am
Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:32 am
^ exactly Joe!
And we Buc fans are stuck in a spin cycle of suck: rinse, lather, repeat as last place in the NFCS.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:32 am
Maybe try drafting a DE, Spence isn’t a DE he’s a 3-4 LB, 1 true DL was drafted in the 4 Licht drafts and that was a 7th round nose tackle, and everyone is surprised our DL is a weakness
March 1st, 2018 at 8:32 am
Team JBF-
If you want to know the answer to this question, why not ask Tom Condon off the record? I am sure he will be at the combine.
Go get em Lee!
March 1st, 2018 at 8:34 am
Bonzai,
I see you’re point and thanks for elaborating and not just hurling childish insults.
You’re right, but you can’t tell me that the Bucs don’t have a Grand Canyon size hole at DE and Campbell would’ve fixed that.
Campbell played his college ball on Miami, so you know the man can handle the FL heat. Additionally, the last time we signed a FA DE from AZ it worked out more than well: Simeon Rice.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:36 am
Donuts,
Phuck yeah!
Ask the agents and get the real.
I called in to 620 this korninb and asked about Campbell, TKras mentioned, “if you look at Campbell’s social media, he did a documentary on his FA last off-season, and no where did it mention the Buccaneers as interested/contenders for his services.”
A damn shame if you ask me, just as bad as the Mike Bennett gaffe.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:56 am
NO TOP TIER FREE AGENT WILL EVER CHOSE BUCS AS A FIRST, SECOND OR EVEN THIRD OPRION.
small market team ran by clowns with no desire to be great is only attractive to career losers and heartless chumps like cancer93
March 1st, 2018 at 9:21 am
SteveK Says
“Bonzai,
I see you’re point and thanks for elaborating and not just hurling childish insults.
You’re right, but you can’t tell me that the Bucs don’t have a Grand Canyon size hole at DE and Campbell would’ve fixed that. ”
I can’t argue against your point, Steve. You are right. 100%.
But hindsight never helps. I prefer foresight.
March 1st, 2018 at 9:33 am
Wow can we ever get over crying over spilt milk? I agree with Joey. It’s a done deal and all the hand wringing and panties wadding in the world is not going to change it.
And if we do have to beat this horse to death how about the appropriate question.
Is the fact the Glazers are soooo far under the cap an accident or intentional?
IE Are they being cheap?
So who can you ask? NOBODY. It’s not like Koetter could just say…well you know Jason and I really wanted him but our owners were just too cheap.
Licht can’t say it either. Who is going to throw their bosses under the bus?
March 1st, 2018 at 9:41 am
@StpeterBucsfan
It would have to be a 31 million guaranteed contract for a DE that will turn 32 before the first game this year!!!! If he came to Tampa and had only half the sacks because he was doubled teamed, the “so called fans” would be killing NFL GM Licht!!!!!
Just like if they would have drafted Dalvin Cook in the first to only see him play 3 and 1/2 games!!!!!!!!!!! The “so called fans” are a very fickle bunch around here!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 1st, 2018 at 9:49 am
Realist,
I’m a diehard fan and and I would NOT be roasting Licht if he had signed Campbell and his production was down.
I’m down on Licht for sitting on his hands AND for the 5-11 sh!t show last year.
Win some damn games or get roasted
March 1st, 2018 at 9:56 am
So silly to assume Dalvin would have been injured in week 4, He made a jump cut on turf, freak accident. However, he may have been killed behind this sieve of an offensive line. I ask again, anyone wanna give Donovan Smith NFL LT money? That will probably be minimum 12-14 million a year. I hope they sign Nate Solder, move D Smith to LG, move Marpet to RG again and sign Jensen from Baltimore. Draft a RT in 4th or 5th, Dot is getting old and injured pretty often. JMO
March 1st, 2018 at 10:49 am
that’s BS!!!!!!!!!
first Campbell signed without even talking to the HC or tom coughlin……that tells me he was only interested in the highest bidder……had licht convinced the glazers to open up the check book he would be a buc…..
and if he were to get double teamed on every play the DC would be in charge of moving him around like some many other good DC’s do…..plus he would be taking double teams off GMC so he would be able to dominate……
licht needs to hold himself accountable and admit he screwed up!!!!!….as someone pointed out above, now we’ll have to over pay for a DT or DE that probably has half the talent Campbell does……
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!!
March 1st, 2018 at 11:32 am
You keep throwing hundred dollar bills in his direction until “no” becomes a “yes”.
March 1st, 2018 at 11:39 am
It’s a jackass question. No GM wants to answer questions about players he didn’t sign a year ago. He has no responsibility to play Joe’s games. Most coaches and GMs don’t wanna talk about players on other teams.
March 1st, 2018 at 11:44 am
Joes, stop dwelling on Campbell. Last year’s news. They probably regret it now in hindsight, who wouldn’t? Like 31 teams regret not drafting Tom Brady before the 6th round. Hindsight is 20-20. It’s also for losers.
How about asking Licht something about the upcoming season? That might be interesting.
March 1st, 2018 at 11:59 am
Why are we still talking about this? Campbell scheduled his visit to Jax first. He was coming to Tampa next. Jaguars never let him leave. Coffee is for closers. Move on.
March 1st, 2018 at 1:03 pm
This is relevant because our beloved Buccaneer defense lacks talent on the line.
Licht screwed the god damn pooch, and he deserves no pass what so ever.
I’d like to interview for the job of the scout that told him “let’s resign Gholston, count on the Muscle shamster at his normal salary, and sign palm tree humping Baker.
Not getting those three would’ve been enough money to pay Campbell.
Hell, we have the cap space to sign him outright.
Damn shame we let a BEAST walk to another team in FL. Licht needs to jump back in his pool and get it together.
March 1st, 2018 at 3:49 pm
I refuse to whine about something that happened a year ago. Especially when you read the article and as it says we fans don’t really know what happened with the situation. We are debating an issue we really know next to nothing about.
My gripe with last offseason is not obsessing about one player……my gripe is how we spent most of our money on WR and DT which were lesser needs then other spots and didn’t produce anyway…….Licht made some awful decisions but I’m sure he was going in tune with his HCs evaluation(DJax has Dirk written all over it). Last offseason was a failure by Licht in FA but more accurately it was a complete and total front office failure.
March 1st, 2018 at 4:14 pm
This is in no way a defense for Licht but, I’m sure he only considered CC’s age and monetary demands. Why, oh why, can’t we ever scout worth a crap!?!?
How long will CC perform at last years’ level and warrant such a lucrative contract? I sure would have liked to have him find out here. In this instance, Father Time is Licht’s only saving grace.
March 1st, 2018 at 7:00 pm
I agree with Buc365 (except for the jackass characterization). Valid question but very understandable that he wouldn’t answer. Probably never will while cambell is still playing. I’m moving on to this year’s FA period and draft.
March 1st, 2018 at 8:26 pm
Calais Campbell is 31 and will be 32 when the season gets going. He is entering his 11th NFL season. Campbell has been to the Pro-Bowl four years in a row. He is making $17,000,000 a year and his contract is until 2021. He will be 35 years old when his contract is up. I would still have tried to sign him. Does all of this remind you of something. 28 year old Muhammad Wilkerson.