More Gamesmanship By Jason Licht
May 13th, 2018
Genes matter
Joe already wrote about how Dirk Koetter implied yesterday that rookie third-round pick guard/tackle Alex Cappa was some sort of national pigskin secret, even though Cappa was invited to the Senior Bowl.
It was rather comical.
But that type of gamesmanship and a paranoid mentality is prevalent among NFL executives when it comes to the draft.
They don’t want anyone to know anything, especially not the player they’re interested in. Why? Because that player is going to talk — to his agent and to other teams interested.
It’s all about having a perceived edge on draft day.
Bucs sixth-round pick Jack Cichy, the talented but injury-prone linebacker out of Wisconsin, explained to his hometown paper that the Bucs drafting him was a curveball thrown his way.
Tampa Bay had talked with Cichy at his Pro Day at the University of Wisconsin.
“But then the talks died down. They said they wanted to fly under the radar,” Cichy said in reference to what he was told from Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht.
It became clear that Cichy’s injury history frightened some NFL management. He missed part of the 2016 season with a pectoral injury and all of the 2017 season with a knee injury. Cichy has been on the mend and is nearly at full health. He surprised many in attendance at the Pro Day with how much he was able to do.
The teams do their work in scouting players. Tampa knew about the athletic history of his family, that his dad, Steve, played football at Notre Dame; that his mom, Lisa, played basketball at Marquette and that his sister, Tessa, was a fellow Badger, playing on the women’s basketball team.
It’s interesting how Tampa Bay and other teams desire to know everything about the football minds and hearts of potential draft picks because they consider that a massive component to success, but then the teams sometimes will stop talking to a prospect in order to give the illusion they’re not interested.
That perceived disinterest is all part of the chess game of the late rounds. For example, say Miami was waiting out Cichy but didn’t think the Bucs wanted him, then the Bucs would have a better shot making a surprise (to Miami) pick of Cichy, or a trade up, to foil the Dolphins.
Still, Joe wonders whether it’s better to keep talks going with a player to better assess him versus the gamesmanship. Fun to think about.
Also, it was interesting to see Cichy’s athletic pedigree and the Bucs being dialed in to it. That certainly can’t hurt.
May 13th, 2018 at 5:58 pm
It surprised me that Licht drafted a LB as deep as our LB corps is…..but after I studied Cichy I realized that he can actually make this team….I expect him to be outstanding on ST and he’s a great athlete.
He would likely take the place of a player like Cameron Lynch (Sorry Cameron)
May 13th, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Might need to change philosophy to that of titans gm who has built a winning franchise, these kooky licht moves hasnt built anything
May 13th, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Surprised jason didn’t trade up….
We will regret not drafting bo Scarborough with that pick
May 13th, 2018 at 6:34 pm
I would think there will be 10-12 new faces on the bucs this season
May 13th, 2018 at 6:43 pm
“kooky licht moves”
Shows how little you know Dusthty
Licht told recently in an interview how a # of GMs that he spoke with 2 years ago had Cichy within their top 50 on their preliminary 2018 draft boards.
So our GM took a chance with a 6th rd pick on a guy who has mid 2nd rd talent but fell because of College injuries. That’s not “kooky” – that’s smart. Same-ish deal with our 5th Rd WR (aside from the injury part).
Both Cichy and Watson have enough talent to potentially bypass the 5th/6th players at their positions on the depth chart currently and make this team. Also enough talent to potentially one day become starters or at least valuable contributors as back-ups/ great special teamers.
With the talent level our team has at both WR and LB – its pretty hard to find talent in the 5th/6th rd of the draft that would typically be able to supplant solid (and at least somewhat experienced) existing members of the depth chart- but that is exactly what Jason Licht has brought in with those picks.
May 13th, 2018 at 6:48 pm
If you think genetics do not matter just ask the horse owners from the recent Kentucky Derby. Doesn’t always work but increases the odds. Problem is they do not account for attitude and work ethic.
May 13th, 2018 at 7:10 pm
It’s the nature of GMs to do all sorts of gamesmanship. Choosing when you play and when you do not is the difference between success and failure.
May 13th, 2018 at 7:22 pm
I love how people get their panties in a twist over a 6th round draft pick. Because, you know, all 6th round picks become all pros.
May 13th, 2018 at 7:35 pm
The off season is about hope. Picking up players in the draft who were once considered first or second round talent is just risk reward. Really like what we are doing and expect a much improved team. The thing we have been missing for ten years that no on will admit is toughness. We have addressed this across the board! The NFL is for men not for feel good players in it to make money and be friends with the opposing teams players.
May 13th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
There are players all over the draft that gets picked by a team that communications were dead. Some scouts and gms know a clean player when they see one. They dont need the one buc place 30 visit because everything is clean. You dont want to tip your hand all the time. Thats why some teams trade up in front of teams because they may know who the other team wants. The draft is nothing but a chess match
May 13th, 2018 at 7:53 pm
At least we have Charles sims…..
May 13th, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Jack Cichy is a low risk (6th rounder/injuries) vs high reward (if he pans out great, if not, it wasn’t a big investment).
The practice squad is there for him if he needs time.
May 13th, 2018 at 8:46 pm
I don’t see Cichy lasting on the practice squad very long. Maybe if they don’t play him during preseason. Still too much of a risk.
I agree with you Destin that it would’ve been nice to add depth at Rb with a late round pick. I thought it may not happen as soon as I saw we traded our 7th to Bills. BTW I think everyone knows how you feel about Bo at this pt.
Seems Rb Huff didn’t impress enough at his tryout. Maybe someone else’s sleeper.
Cb Mark Myers and OG Holcomb Are In and notables S Liddell, Wr Lucien, LB Simmons and Qb Ridley Ferguson Are Out.
May 13th, 2018 at 9:11 pm
I have been watching all his available film albeit all highlights and I have to say he played pretty damn good prior to his injuries. If he can get back to where he was before injuries he could find his way onto a NFL team sooner than later if he catch hitch on with the Bucs. He interviews well too.
May 13th, 2018 at 9:13 pm
he can’t hitch on
May 13th, 2018 at 9:14 pm
Soooo lemme get this right. Has D1 athletes in family. So do plenty of other NFL players… how is this relevant to saying how he may turn out? What’s more relevant as to how he may turn out is that Licht picked him. I hope he is able to heal up, help the team, and if not… be good and make money doing something else.. as much Of a fan of the bucs I am and a absolutely positive happy person!! 🙂 :-), Jason Licht dims the potential light of any pick made and leaves no confidence in any decision he makes.
May 13th, 2018 at 9:58 pm
Perhaps Jason can work for the CIA if this football thing doesn’t work out.
They could use folks that can keep a secret.
May 13th, 2018 at 10:42 pm
Well there goes the ECF pretty much. Vas is a letdown. Need to find a consistent goalie. 10 goals given up in 2 games when the stakes get raised. Vas might get the nod in Game 3 but doesn’t deserve it.
May 14th, 2018 at 6:30 am
Fire l,
“Has D1 athletes in the family. So do many other NFL players”
Exactly! You said it.
May 14th, 2018 at 7:21 am
all football players are “injury prone”.
May 14th, 2018 at 11:11 am
From the 4th round through the 7th if you can get a player that gives you a few good years it’s a win! Licht has turned a 4th round pick into a top middle linebacker in the league. You Jason Licht haters know nothing. Best manager we have ever had! EVER!
May 14th, 2018 at 11:12 am
Cichy Was a great pic just like all of our pics. I love the Watson pic, he’s got size, great speed and will take Humps spot in the slot next year. D Jax will be gone next year. Hump will hit free agency and will sign with someone else. We can’t afford either with all the contracts coming up next year. I say Jason did an awesome job with free agency and the draft !! We need to extend Jason’s contract NOW !! It’s up to the coach’s now !! I love the Buckner D Line coach !! No more stunts !! Strait ahead, fastest way from point a to b is a strait line !! GO BUCS !!!
May 14th, 2018 at 11:13 am
This is the only place I ever see Hason Licht Haters. Smh
May 14th, 2018 at 11:14 am
Jason*
May 14th, 2018 at 12:42 pm
BucsBall is a troll… Jason Licht is a proven bad GM… Bad free agent signings, bad drafting, and trading up to get a kicker. If he was a winner all Bucs fans would love him. If this season turns out better than what Vegas predicts, lets go! But all signs point to no…
May 14th, 2018 at 9:21 pm
I like cichy i cant wait to see him on the field. I kno he will make the team i get a luke keckly vibe / brian urlacher. He is a natural. Leader an a force. I never met the guy but i got a good feeling about him. Get this guy in rotation. Go bucs
May 15th, 2018 at 12:46 am
I’m not no troll bub. N your shot! Go Bucs!
May 15th, 2018 at 12:47 am
N when he gets an extension I will be looking for you on this website to give you a big ol smile. Go Bucs! 😆😆😆