Jason Licht Called It Just Before Kickoff
September 9th, 2018
Prognosticator GM Jason Licht
Minutes before kickoff in the Superdome, Bucs general manager Jason Licht did his first interview in a while and was asked to name one player he was looking at in this game to deliver big things.
Licht did not hesitate. “Vernon Hargreaves.” It was the second time Licht lauded Hargreaves in the Buccaneers Radio Network interview.
Licht emphasized how much Hargreaves, he and coaches believe, “has grown as a player and a person” on and off the field through the 2018 offseason and training camp.
And there was Hargreaves with a big forced fumble that led to a key Bucs touchdown today. And he was a bright spot on a bad Bucs defense before leaving with what looked like some sort of serious arm injury.
In the pregame interview, Licht also showered love on Gerald McCoy, saying he’s had his best summer since Licht arrived in 2014. Also, getting love from the head man was Jason Pierre-Paul and Donovan Smith.
Licht called Smith’s consecutive-starts streak an “amazing feat” and said Smith proved he has “great DNA” for coming back so quickly from his August knee injury. Joe must say, Smith had a heck of a game considering he was on the shelf for two weeks and limited in practice last week.
September 9th, 2018 at 5:54 pm
One forced fumble and a couple key pass breakups!
September 9th, 2018 at 5:55 pm
The VH3 injury could be very costly for this team.
September 9th, 2018 at 5:57 pm
Wait!!!!!! I thought we were told that the coaching staff cannot “develop” the secondary????????? or make halftime adjustments to pitch the third quarter shutout!!!!!!!!!!
Hold them Accountable!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 9th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Hargreaves needed a big game and many more so the bust label can’t be put on it
September 9th, 2018 at 6:04 pm
M. Smith needs to change his Defensive scheme or he needs to go. We have the talent of the Defense to be in the top 10. I blame the 40 points on Mike Smith’s Defense not the players. He is making the DBs look worse than they true are.
September 9th, 2018 at 6:06 pm
@Joe: please do a feature story on how Hargreaves “‘has grown as a player and a person’ on and off the field through the 2018 offseason and training camp.” Licht mentioned GMC. I am a big fan, but I am sorry to say that I just didn’t see anything from him today. He was getting pushed around all day long, and he looked tired. I hope that he can pick it up next week.
September 9th, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Hope his injury isn’t serious. Grimes now vh3. Talk about throwing our new DBs to the fire lol
September 9th, 2018 at 6:11 pm
Sorry licht I called it in July 😁
Glad to have a positive news cycle for a week. Apparently Mike Smith is the weak link of this team. Unfortunately gmc did exactly what he detractors said he would with the new defensive line, absolutely the same thing he’s done his entire career it’s just disappointing Jpp joined him
September 9th, 2018 at 6:14 pm
..and to think there were some who wanted VH3 gone just like the same people who want to chase Ryan Smith. This is an example of letting players have time to acclimate, learn, and grow at the NFL level
September 9th, 2018 at 6:14 pm
Jaboo Who????
September 9th, 2018 at 6:14 pm
Just incase you didnt notice… 2 turnovers a QB sack and a TD…
#BestDinTheLeague
September 9th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
Good job VH3–credit when credit is due!
September 9th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
Just trade away our 2nd round picks from now on.
September 9th, 2018 at 6:26 pm
Again….this game was a rout except for one thing.
We missed another game clinching FG. Catanazaro was perfect on his other kicks so I’m not calling for his head and I couldn’t really see if he choked it wide right or if it was tipped at the line.
Still the game was over if we just make a FG. Are we snakebit or what? Make the kick and N.O. knew the game was over…our D doesn’t have to worry about prevent…but no that miss not only fired up Brees it brought the loud crowd back into the contest. Make that kick and fans head for the exits.
Make a freaking kick!!!
September 9th, 2018 at 6:33 pm
I swear most of the people on this site have no concept of reality. Drew Brees is a hall of famed people. One of the hardest QBs to pressure because he gets rid of the ball on time and with accuracy. Couple that with a monster at RB in Kumara and a WR like Michael Thomas and any defense is going to have problems.
I give Smith credit today because after that opening drive, they made adjustments and began to slow the Saints down. Plus, this secondary is banged up with rookies playing a significant part. Helluva a job Bucs!
September 9th, 2018 at 7:10 pm
That dude played one solid game today. And he threw in a splash play. What more could you ask for?
September 9th, 2018 at 7:21 pm
For those people saying Mike Smith did a good job of making adjustments, Michael Thomas had 16 receptions on 17 targets. Now think about that, he was targeted 17 times. Everyone in the dome knew where the ball was going, yet Smith’s “adjustments” couldn’t figure out how to stop it
September 9th, 2018 at 7:24 pm
VHIII played well today. He also seemed to be directing players and coverages with confidence. Hopefully he has turned “the corner”.
September 9th, 2018 at 7:53 pm
It doesn’t matter if Drew Brees is a Hall of Fame quarterback our team has pressured him before in to making four interceptions in a game.there was just simply no pass rush on our side. Pass rush is key. Where was McCoy? Where was JPP?
September 9th, 2018 at 8:49 pm
Who got the Game Ball? Wasn’t Hargreaves…
September 9th, 2018 at 8:56 pm
Proudbucsfan: the point is that we stopped them more than they stopped us. Considering the fact that it was against Bree’s in our division on the road and without JW and Grimes, the fact that you people are complaining about the defense giving up 40 is just ridiculous.
September 10th, 2018 at 12:08 am
I’m sorry Jason but you have to fire Mike Smith now. We scored 48 and almost lost wtf . Lol how much bigger of a sign do you need?
September 10th, 2018 at 2:42 am
no more grievances with hargreaves…that’s a good sign…hopefully his arm is ok…
September 10th, 2018 at 1:17 pm
Great…I am looking forward to a good game out of Ronald Jones in 2022