Arians: Licht Was A Draw
January 9th, 2019
GM Jason Licht.
UPDATED 3:35 p.m. – Today, new Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians appeared on the “Rich Eisen Show” and explained some of the basics Bucs fans wanted to know.
Yes, Todd Bowles is coming to be his defensive coordinator. Yes, the Bucs need to beef up the defense. Yes, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, is the signal-caller the team will be built around.
However, Arians confessed what lured him to Tampa Bay initially, outside of Jameis of course, was the chance to reunite with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Remember, it was Licht, then Arizona’s player personnel director, who worked with Arians and Cardinals shot-caller Steve Keim to build a playoff team.
Arians explained how he and the Bucs came together when the coaching itch began to scratch for him in the past month.
“Jason Licht is a good friend,” Arians said. “That intrigued me having a general manager I know and I trust and is really good. And then, gosh, my whole staff became available, assistant coaches, and I was like, ‘What’s going on here? Everything’s just falling into place.’ And I got more and more excited about it.”
Arians later admitted the Bucs need help on defense and that the defense essentially needs to be rebuilt. He added he knew of no better defensive coordinator to build a defense with than Bowles, who goes back with Arians to the mid-1980s when Arians coached Bowles at Temple.
You can watch the full interview with Arians below.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Hopefully they can trade down out of #5…yeah I know all the good names ranked around #5…..too many holes on the roster
January 9th, 2019 at 3:09 pm
so we got our staff…..
draft talk now!!!!
#WINSTON=2019SCAPEGOAT!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 3:11 pm
Licht has no idea how to build a team. In five years he has managed to draft two highly talented players (Evans and Howard). And those were easy picks, even though a large portion of fans wanted Aaron Donald! Just off the top of my head, Licht has passed over Derwin, Kerryon, Tunsil, and Rankins.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:18 pm
Altered has a point, we could trade down to 8,9 or 10 and still come away with a premium player. As far as Licht drafting, he is a lap dog for BA. BA will be calling all the shots.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:18 pm
What’s the news on Bowles ? Heard he may back out.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
Bucs defensive coordinator.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:20 pm
I’m excited. He sounds like he really wants to come back and coach and he has the Player of Personal as his GM and basically his entire staff (apparently not Buck) when this guy was doing a great job coaching. I’ve been saying since I knew Koetter would be taking the walk that I’ve wanted a proven vet HC with playoff experience. We’ve certainly done that now, so let’s make it happen. GO BUCS!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 3:23 pm
Altered I think it’s definitely possible.
The QBs aren’t as highly touted this draft but I’d still imagine teams who need them will reach.
Giants (6)
Jaguars (7)
Broncos (10)
Dolphins (13)
All seem like potential trade partners. The price to jump to 5 may be more appealing than going to the top 2 or 3.
Also will depend on the combine and if we see consensus top talents emerge. Nick Bosa seems to be the only player consistently mocked top 2 or 3.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:23 pm
How do you know Licht doesn’t know how to build a team? Were the Bucs signing/drafting players that Koetter wanted? Was Licht selecting the best players he could but Koetter wasn’t utilizing properly.
I think the jury is still out. If Bucs personnel is still an issue with a competent coaching staff, that would be damning for Licht.
Don’t jump to conclusions. Let it play out further before rushing to judgement.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:24 pm
Someone tell him it’s “Creamsicle”
January 9th, 2019 at 3:24 pm
Oliver out of Houston or Williams out of Alabama, both available with the #5 pick. Either could start day one. Decide which side of the trench you want to fix first and go for it.
No risk it no biscuit.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:28 pm
We FINALLY have a real Head Coach. After a decade-plus of clown shown after clown show, we have FINALLY landed a respected HC.
#CultureChange
January 9th, 2019 at 3:28 pm
Quinnen, Ed Olivier, or Greedy please. Will know more after combine but if greedy runs 4.3/4.4 he needs to be the pick.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:29 pm
Love the Arians/Bowles tandem. However…
Is there no concern about Leftwich being named Offensive Coordinator/play caller?
When he was Arizona’s O. C. in 2018, he presided over an offense that was the league’s least efficient and scored the fewest points.
Thoughts?
January 9th, 2019 at 3:30 pm
Agreed Ludicrous, not sure what to think of that but if the offense isn’t humming the fans with have Byron’s head!
January 9th, 2019 at 3:30 pm
Thanks, Joe.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:32 pm
AlteredEgo, you do not know what you are talking about. As much as you talk, one would think you would make at least one relevant statement. BUT NOOO! Not you!
January 9th, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Adam Schefter reports Bowles is coming to Tampa
January 9th, 2019 at 3:34 pm
this guy is tempting…hopefully he’ll temp another team…but he has the future of the NFL written all over him….
” Rising Texas junior WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey announced earlier today that he will be forgoing his senior season and declaring for the 2019 draft. And Humphrey figures to an interesting prospect. Indeed, he’s a full-sized 6-4, 225 – in fact we be interested in seeing Big’Jordan – with projected 4.50 speed “
January 9th, 2019 at 3:35 pm
Defensive Coordinator Bowles is great at building a defense, but Head Coach Bowles is terrible at building a defense?
January 9th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
I’ve thought of trading down, also. Have too many holes on the roster. Greg Little is a player we could get in the 15-20 range and get some major incentives for moving back that far. We got OJ at 21(?) when he was projected to be top 10 or before 15 at the most. Almost no one is safe now on this current roster (JPP, Vea, JW, ME13, Ali). Expecting big things in offseason with cuts and signs.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
outstanding
just one lastr thing. back to the SB uniforms!
January 9th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
Do not trade out of top 10! Too many mediocre players already. Need some young studs
January 9th, 2019 at 3:42 pm
“And then, gosh, my whole staff became available, assistant coaches, and I thought, ‘My gosh, what’s going on here?’ And I got me more and more excited about it.”
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Guys, I’m telling you this is LOVE S 2.0. Listing to him sound more old that I though, and the interview remind me old bands of ’70 that want to get together one more time, to understand that their time is gone. We are doomed, no excitement at all.I’m telling you there is NO FUTURE HERE AT ALL.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
Leftwich was on Arians staff, but I’m thinking it’s gonna be all Arians calling plays and they just got Leftwich cheaper than someone like Kitchens. Arians pretty much just said it right now that that’s what is gonna be.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
Lichts “ability” to get Arians is the ONLY reason the Glazer Boys kept him Licht around.
Like a scene from the God Father or something…
Licht : “no no Mr Glazer…don’t fire me….I get bring you BA, I promise”
January 9th, 2019 at 3:43 pm
SOEbuc, sorry but they already announced Leftwich will be calling plays
January 9th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Media is so F’d up….
All the time saying Arians and Winston have a “relationship”. Nine year old at a football camp…once.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Todd bowles , Byron Leftwich … really, are you kidding me… With this crew.and JW, we never going to have more then 9 wins per season. 5 more years in toilet.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:51 pm
can Licht prove to be a better gm then the last 5 years have shown?
January 9th, 2019 at 3:57 pm
We actually may have an opportunity to trade down twice…….
6. Giants
7, Jaguars
9. Bills
10. Broncos
13. Dolphins
15. Redskins
That is 6 teams needing QBs behind us in the draft and all top 15 picks.
January 9th, 2019 at 3:58 pm
Re concerna about Leftwich and the offensive play calling. The Bucs have the talent on offense already and have proven they can move the ball, despite suspect O-line play and Koetter’s play-calling predictability. The new staff will work on revamping the O-line and establishing a running game. So, the Bucs offense should be just fine. It will be interesting if the running back issue is addressed through the draft, FA, or better scheming for Barber and RJ.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:00 pm
“BuccoBruce Says:
January 9th, 2019 at 3:23 pm
How do you know Licht doesn’t know how to build a team? Were the Bucs signing/drafting players that Koetter wanted? Was Licht selecting the best players he could but Koetter wasn’t utilizing properly.”
Agree with this. We really just don’t know. Unless Kobe Faker really is some mole at OneBuc lol.
In general teams are built best when everyone is on the same page and everyone has a good team building philosophy combined with player evaluation.
If I had to guess – Licht mostly wiffed on ASJ / Noah Spence / Aguayo (if that wasn’t the Glazers) / and not finding an O-lineman later than R2.
I’d imagine Charles Sims was a Lovie influenced pick. That Rojo/McNichols were Koetter influenced picks. That MJ Stewart & VHIII were Mike Smith picks.
Still have hope for VHIII. These are just guesses tho really
January 9th, 2019 at 4:01 pm
^^ Tampabaybucfan
Very good observation, man. Could be some great trade opportunities there.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:02 pm
Leftwhich is intriguing because he’s super new to coaching. To have already somehow gotten an OC position that fast in 2018 was crazy regardless of how well AZ did. No OC could fix that mess quick. Rookie QB behind terrible O-line.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:13 pm
Bucs need a new RG, maybe a better RT, a new runner. Maybe a new DT, maybe another corner. People who say the D needs to be rebuilt forget about Smith’s awful scheme and all the injuries Duff had to work with.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
@Ludicrous Speed Mike McCoy was the OC until he was fired in Oct. When Byron was promoted, the offense was markedly better.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
Christopher
Right on.
To me, CB MUST be drafted in round one. We can’t go on without a true shutdown corner in this division or the NFL in general. RG also absolutely must be addressed. Whether Cappa steps up or not, Benenoch absolutely cannot be starting at RG in 2019. As for RT, hopefully BA and Licht can find a gem in rounds 3-4 because Dotson will not last much longer, if he makes it this year at all.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:24 pm
Williams/LSU is the best player in this draft- and should be atop our board!
January 9th, 2019 at 4:26 pm
Lord Cornelius Says: Unless Kobe Faker really is some mole at OneBuc lol.
He’s a 16 year old high school kid, plays the flute in the high school band, president of the glee club, captain of the chess club, has an invisible girlfriend named “Candy”, works part time at Publix bagging groceries and flirting with 60-70 year olds, drives a white 1989 chevy Corsica with a green drivers side door. About 5-7 Bucs bumper stickers adorn this classic treasure.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:34 pm
cw_buc_crazy Says:
“5 more years in toilet.”
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Lol ok man, see ya around!
January 9th, 2019 at 4:36 pm
All this trade down business is easier said than done ……
Your not gonna fix everything in one draft….you better off to stay there and pick a impact player ….your not in the top 5 easily
January 9th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Is anyone worried about Bruce Arians in the 100 degree heat everyday at training camp?
I am not sure what his health problems are, but that heat is really no joke, as Mr. Chris Swaggy Baker that POS.
Some people just can’t handle the heat. We’ll see I guess,
January 9th, 2019 at 4:46 pm
Licht still needs to go don’t let this hiring fool you.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:55 pm
I like me some AC/DC as well…as long as these guys are not planning to take us on “The Highway to Hell” in 2019. LOL
That’s a true AC/DC classic. About six years ago or so wife and I went to see Billy Joel and Elton John in concert at the Amalie arena or whatever they called it back then.
You can imagine the audience…sold out with a lot of other old fart white people like me and the wife.
Brian Johnson drives up from Sarasota to catch the show. Billy and Elton invite him up on the stage. All three break into an awesome rendition of “Highway” and the place goes crazy!!!!
I was waiting to see some old dude break into a Beavis and Butthead head shaking routine. The song was the highlight of the evening with all due respect to Billy and Elton.
‘
January 9th, 2019 at 4:55 pm
^^ Good question, Buddhaboy19, but my understanding that his previous health issues were not really heart related. He should be ok. Keep in mind that he did coach in Arizona too.
January 9th, 2019 at 4:56 pm
@BuccoBruce … “How do you know Licht doesn’t know how to build a team? Were the Bucs signing/drafting players that Koetter wanted? Was Licht selecting the best players he could but Koetter wasn’t utilizing properly.”
Bucco, Licht has been here for FIVE years. Folks blamed Lovie for the first 2 years of poor personnel moves, and now folks are blaming Koetter for the last 3 years of bad personnel moves? Sorry, not buying it. Koetter said many times that when it came to players, Licht was the one with the final say. And as far as “selecting the best players he could” goes, not buying that either. 1st & 2nd rounders should be no-brainers … period. Simply can’t afford to miss on those if you expect to ‘build through the draft’. Those guys have to become starters or at the very least key rotational players. They should be the ones who become your team leaders. And to go one step further, FAs getting paid decent money (not the fill-ins & fringe players & camp meat) should be no-brainers too for the most part. Guys like JPP should be the standard, not the exception.
My gut still tells me that BA will be calling the shots when it comes to the draft & FAs. THAT’S why he’s excited to work with Lapdog … he’ll get what he wants. Very little doubt in my mind that’s what the Glazers expect too. Bruce is now the adult steering the pirate ship. Toe the line or walk the plank.
January 9th, 2019 at 5:01 pm
@GhostofSchiano … “has an invisible girlfriend named “Candy”. Wait a minute Ghost. You’re the one, with the handle ‘GHOST’, who’s claiming that Kobe has an INVISIBLE girlfriend? Please tell me that you do see the irony there.
January 9th, 2019 at 5:03 pm
Corner first to pair with Carlton who will finally get some coaching something I argued with the joes about. Coaching staff sucked or defensive end or running back at 5. I’d be happy with any of this scenarios. Trading down getting one of the top 3 at those positions is even better. Personally can’t trade down every single year just get the best players and try trading the malcontents for extra picks instead
January 9th, 2019 at 5:09 pm
#7, #10, #13, and #15…..at a minimum, will ALL need to trade in front of #6 Giants. And the Giants likely won’t move. No reason. Kings ransom to be paid to get to #5.
Question is, who’s willing and foolish enough to move down from #1-4, to take NYG’s bait to get Haskins…..?
NO ONE will KNOW THAT, till the night of, on the clock.
January 9th, 2019 at 5:14 pm
If we trade down from 5 we would probably lose out on the chance to get OT Jonah Williams or CB Greedy Williams. How would you feel about grabbing DE Clelin Ferrell, DE Jachai Polite or DT Ed Oliver?
How about it AlteredEgo, DeweySelmon … anyone?
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Go Bucs!!!!
January 9th, 2019 at 5:17 pm
@SOEbuc
OJ Howard=Pick #19
January 9th, 2019 at 5:20 pm
Tampabaybucfan Says:
January 9th, 2019 at 3:57 pm
We actually may have an opportunity to trade down twice…….
6. Giants
7, Jaguars
9. Bills
10. Broncos
13. Dolphins
15. Redskins
That is 6 teams needing QBs behind us
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Don’t you pay attention? We already traded down with the Bills in the last draft, where they already drafted their franchise quarterback.
I’d tell you his name, but if you have to look it up for yourself, you’ll probably have a better chance of remembering it.
January 9th, 2019 at 5:30 pm
^ Yea he made a mistake listing the Bills (Josh Allen looks like a keeper), but the other 5 teams are spot on.
January 9th, 2019 at 5:39 pm
My bad on listing Bills…….was in a hurry…..sloppy of me. But my point is still valid.
January 9th, 2019 at 5:41 pm
PSLBob Says:
January 9th, 2019 at 3:58 pm
Re concerna about Leftwich and the offensive play calling. The Bucs have the talent on offense already and have proven they can move the ball, So, the Bucs offense should be just fine.
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So… just put the talent out there and things will just naturally fall into place?
I wish I had your optimism, but I believe it takes a clever scheme and creativity – not just tossing good components together and hoping they turn themselves into a watch. Leftwich hasn’t shown me anything other than an ability to design an offense that’s at the bottom of the league.
January 9th, 2019 at 6:02 pm
VA2SCBUC Says:
January 9th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
@Ludicrous Speed Mike McCoy was the OC until he was fired in Oct. When Byron was promoted, the offense was markedly better.
Thanks for the tip. I wasn’t aware of that. Well, here’s hoping…
January 9th, 2019 at 6:09 pm
I’m not into trading back too far like some are. A bunch of picks each with the value of Ronald Jones does not interest me. Maybe you have more confidence in Licht making good on second round picks but not me.
January 9th, 2019 at 6:23 pm
The Licht hate makes me laugh.
January 9th, 2019 at 6:46 pm
Devin White please
January 9th, 2019 at 6:48 pm
Film don’t lie on this dude. EVER
January 9th, 2019 at 6:52 pm
No doubt TBBF,, great post!
January 9th, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Has coach Arians, seen our Oline play? We need help there or we wo t have Winston 16/16 games. Coach Arians does not believe in a fullback so we better get better at Oline as well as Defense. Because if coach Arians does not have the “franchise” who is to be the QB to take us to the playoffs?
January 9th, 2019 at 10:05 pm
Not drinking the kool aid. Ready for 7-9
January 9th, 2019 at 10:44 pm
I wonder if we’ll switch to a 3-4, any thoughts Joe? (Seem like you have the hot hand of info around here lol)
January 9th, 2019 at 11:04 pm
enileSenior Says:
January 9th, 2019 at 5:14 pm
If we trade down from 5 we would probably lose out on the chance to get OT Jonah Williams or CB Greedy Williams. How would you feel about grabbing DE Clelin Ferrell, DE Jachai Polite or DT Ed Oliver?
I thought Jonah Williams looked like a technician but not super dominant physically. Just my opinion. Liked what Ferrell did against him. Although 5 is too high for Ferrell.