Hot Seat
May 20th, 2019
National voice fingers Bucs’ GM.
A top NFL insider who has a large audience thinks if the Bucs falter this season, it could spell the end of Jason Licht’s days with the Bucs.
The creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, the great Mike Florio, took to his TV show, “PFT Live,” which intelligent football fans enjoy weekday mornings on NBC Sports Network. There, Florio said of all general managers, Licht, the Bucs’ AC/DC-loving GM, is third on the list of hottest of general manager hot seats.
“Jameis Winston in his fifth year,” Florio began. “This is his opportunity to finally become a franchise quarterback. Jason Licht has a lot invested in that happening. The Bruce Arians hire, an all-in move by Jason Licht to try to get the kind of boom that they need to turn this team around quickly.
“And I think Bruce Arians is either going to be a spectacular success or is going to implode quickly, almost like what is going to happen to the Jets. There is no middle ground.
“I hope the Buccaneers turn it around. I hope they end up being great. But if they are not, it’s going to be Jason Licht out the door sooner rather than later in Tampa Bay.”
Joe doesn’t think it is a stretch to suggest Bucco Bruce Arians may have saved Licht’s job. But if this season unravels and Arians decides he was better off staying at his lake house in Georgia, then all bets are off.
As the roster is currently constructed, it seems the Bucs are putting a whole lot of pressure and expectations on defensive rookies to hold down the fort against some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Joe thinks that is not only unfair to the rookies, but a recipe for disaster.
Imagine having your arse twist in the wind hoping a bunch of rookies all play like Pro Bowlers.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:07 am
Wow…… none of us saw this coming.
I’m truly shocked.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:08 am
I’m cheering for this young group of already proven leaders to become the new Legion of Boom.
Imagine that!
I mean, imagine that Todd Bowles and BA actually know what they’re doing!
I can’t wait.
Hate, hate, HATE this time of year.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:09 am
I do think the hiring of BA saved Licht’s job…..
The only variable in all of this is the army of coaches that BA brought in…..I think that alone will cause BA to hang in there…..I also think that if BA leaves, the Glazers would not opt for a massive overhaul….but go with a BA mentored HC.
Much of this will fall on Winston…..if he fails….we draft a QB….if he succeeds he gets a Cap Crippling new contract (double edged sword)
May 20th, 2019 at 8:14 am
“There Ain’t No Hope in Football “…….
May 20th, 2019 at 8:15 am
Hopefully Florio bought Licht a few drinks before he “fingered” him
May 20th, 2019 at 8:21 am
Licht has just about nothing
to hang his incredibly oversized hat on.
Tons of money spent on free agent failures.
Terrible drafts.
Horrendous win-loss record.
Too dumb to put on a swim suit.
I remember seeing a video of him drinking beer while working. (not a good look)
I wouldn’t be mad if they brought back the Traitor, Rich McKay.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:27 am
Hope if this somehow does go South that the glazers fire the 50 coaches the entire scouting dept and lichts crew and START brand new…
May 20th, 2019 at 8:30 am
Dusthty Rhothdes Says:
May 20th, 2019 at 8:27 am
Hope if this somehow does go South that the glazers fire the 50 coaches the entire scouting dept and lichts crew and START brand new…
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I’ve often thought on bad Buc team ( I think a lot !)….that after firing the HC…let the players on both sides of the ball call the plays….it would certainly be more fun and entertaining and probably more successful
May 20th, 2019 at 8:32 am
Tampabay. So tru these rookies are going to have plenty of growing pains but with proper coaching I think our defense will turn the corner an I also think with better coaching our draft picks for the last couple of drafts will be able to rid themselves of the bust labels. It’s not like these guys don’t have talent but wen you stunt a players development then they gets the bust label
May 20th, 2019 at 8:33 am
“Saved” is the absolute wrong term!!!!!! More like “prolonged” or “extended life-support”!!!!!!!!!!!!! If team glazer is not already coming up with a short list of new gm’s then that is totally irresponsible by them!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you wait to call the fire department when your house is on fire????? Or keep waiting until there is nothing but ashes????????? And the sheep’s fascination with an ole stale biscuit succession plan or having ole stale biscuit select from friends to be promoted is beyond the worse than any incompetent lovie decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If ole stale biscuit can not tell how bad the roster is???? how do you expect him to select a qualified candidate????????? Is that what ole stale biscuit is known for, selecting head coaches now???????? I hope ole stale biscuit does not run for public office, because we know how the sheep would vote already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How long????? Not Long!!!!!!!!! Because what you reap!!!!! Is what you SOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 8:42 am
TBBF … It sounds like you’re seeing EXACTLY the same thing I’m seeing. BA has made a very successful career out of LOYALTY … demanding loyalty from others & him being loyal back to them. ALL of these very experienced assistant coaches signed on with him to coach the Bucs, and barring a serious health issue, he’ll see it through I’m convinced.
Also convinced that he was hired by the Glazers because he put forward a very clear plan for FIXING THE BUCS. That plan has just started to unfold. I think that this year will be quite successful in the Glazers’ eyes IF they can see PROGRESS. That’s been our biggest problem IMO; we take 1 step forward (2016) then 2 steps back (2017 & 2018). Maybe the Glazer Boyz need HOPE too. After all, it is THEIR billions on the line.
And I disagree with Florio that Jason Licht is on the hot seat this year, and NOT because he brought in Bruce Arians. BA is ‘El Jefe’ and JL knows it. He’ll be VERY supportive of what Arians wants … and that’s all he needs to do. This is BA’s show.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:50 am
This guy should have been fired with Koetter. This team is just a toy to the Glazer boys. They have no idea how too built anything their just playing with daddys money.
May 20th, 2019 at 8:55 am
expectations on defensive rookies to hold down the fort against some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. (And Wide Receivers)
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Joe stop using logic and reason it’s nOt PoSiTiVe EnOuGH
May 20th, 2019 at 9:09 am
The Buc Realist Says
Do you wait to call the fire department when your house is on fire?????
—————————————————-
Realist!!!! You’ve said some dumb spit before and this might be the dumbest!!!!
911 operator: 911. What’s your emergency?
Realist!!!!: I need the Fire Department immediately!!!
911 operator: How bad is the fire?
Realist!!!!: Oh, it’s not on fire yet!!!!
911 operator: (Click)
May 20th, 2019 at 9:12 am
“expectations on rookies to hold down the fort against some of the best in the NFL.”
You can say this every year since 2009!!!!!!!!!!! 11 offseasons and you can say this!!!!!!!!!!
That means there is a major gm problem in Tampa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How long????? Not Long!!!!!!!!! Because what you reap!!!!! Is what you SOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 9:18 am
Dave Pear, you took the words out of my mouth. Realist is a buffoon of the first order.
May 20th, 2019 at 9:21 am
The Backstabbin’ Jason Licht reign of terror should have ended when Inept Irk Koetter was given the pink slip. Is there a GM in the NFL that has a worse record over five years than the Backstabber? Probably not.
My prediction for this season is 6-10 and I can’t wait for December 30, 2019!
May 20th, 2019 at 9:25 am
folks …the bucs have a crummy team and NO money .. That makes Licht a joke of a gm and the nfl !!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 9:27 am
D-Rome Says:
May 20th, 2019 at 9:21 am
The Backstabbin’ Jason Licht reign of terror should have ended when Inept Irk Koetter was given the pink slip.
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[There’s no evidence of that. As Joe has typed many times, Lovie got Lovie fired. Simple as that. — Joe]
May 20th, 2019 at 9:30 am
Actually Florio had Gump #2 on his list of dead GM’s walking. He was alternating picks with some other guy who selected some one else #1. Florio’s #1 was the Cardinal’s GM who moved up last year for Rosen and then gave him away at a fire sale price to the Dolphins.
If Gump gets fired, who would be the best choice……….Hmmmm?
May 20th, 2019 at 9:32 am
Many of His draft moves and most of his FA signings have backfired.
Should have been shown the door along with koetter.
Not a sheep.
May 20th, 2019 at 9:33 am
Even Lichts kids ask him these same questions at the dinner table…LOL..
May 20th, 2019 at 9:35 am
Chris Simms 2020
What has chris simms accomplished that makes you think he can run a team???
May 20th, 2019 at 9:46 am
“If you don’t draft the best available talent and draft for the position you are going to get fired.” Lol. Gump needs to be fired today before the start of the season.
May 20th, 2019 at 10:02 am
Licht is the perfect glazer gm… he follows the company directive of collecting basement titles while laughing at optimists who actually believe in glazers
May 20th, 2019 at 10:12 am
“The only cure for this Franchise is to have a man(President of operations)
between the Glazers and the next GM
Glazers are too attached and influential to the GM
this cure is now delayed and will happen at the earliest of 2 years because of the hiring of BA (Band Aid)”
Kobe Faker
May 20th, 2019 at 10:15 am
In other news: It has been recently discovered that water is wet!
I’m in agreement with TBBF. The hiring of Arians most likely spared Licht. It remains to be seen whether or not he deserved to be retained. I, for one, thought he should’ve been shown the door already.
May 20th, 2019 at 10:19 am
Fantastic nickname, I love it! Right now BA is a small band aid trying to cover a giant dagger wound to the back.
May 20th, 2019 at 10:34 am
what if its 7-9 / 8-8 kinda season? the glazers have their favorite saying: “arrow is pointing up”..
May 20th, 2019 at 10:54 am
if we have a good season(playoffs or 10-6, no playoffs) licht stays GM….
we come up short, i could see BA taking over that PFO/GM role….
GO BUCS!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 11:01 am
@813broccoli
We don’t need to see loser lovie chapter two!!!!!!! Now stop talking fantasies and go sit back down at the kids table while the adults talk football!!!!!!!!!!!
its 11 am!!!!! That means you just got told what time it is for the second time today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How long????? Not Long!!!!!!!!! Because what you reap!!!!! Is what you SOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 11:15 am
How about the Glazers selling the team to someone who cares about wins & losses. Then they can fire inept Licht & move forward in the right direction.
May 20th, 2019 at 11:17 am
Found this on ESPN…………………..
In 1981, the 49ers went DB crazy in the draft, selecting Ronnie Lott in the first round, Eric Wright as the second of two second-rounders, Carlton Williamson in the third round and Lynn Thomas in the fifth. Lott and Wright were immediate starters at cornerback as rookies, while Williamson started at strong safety that first year. The revamped Niners secondary served as a springboard on the defensive side of the ball for the NFL’s team of the ’80s.
…………….We won’t really know what we have in this 2019 Bucs draft until they play the games.
May 20th, 2019 at 11:28 am
I agree with the one comment about a president of football ops for the Bucs. It’s been my long time argument about structure for this team.
May 20th, 2019 at 11:55 am
AlteredEgo Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:
May 20th, 2019 at 9:27 am
D-Rome Says:
May 20th, 2019 at 9:21 am
The Backstabbin’ Jason Licht reign of terror should have ended when Inept Irk Koetter was given the pink slip.
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[There’s no evidence of that. As Joe has typed many times, Lovie got Lovie fired. Simple as that. — Joe]
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wasn’t referring to Lovie…Keotter is the coach referenced in this thread
May 20th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
I saw this piece…and appreciate that Florio tips his hat to The Joes and cites them both early and often. The Bucs are very much under the national media radar…most would be appalled at Licht Weight’s 5 year mark of .3375 winning/losing percentage.
May 20th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
realist
when was lovie GM or president of FB operations?……
now stop living in fantasy land and get back to updating smittys resume!!!!!!!…he’s still living without football!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 12:31 pm
The Buc Realist Says:
June 21st, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Huge pass to the coaching staff issued by the “real” Buc fans!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Defense Rules Says:
May 20th, 2019 at 8:42 am
ALL of these very experienced assistant coaches
Byron Leftwich has TWO TOTAL years of coaching exp on any level. He’s our OC. Very experienced. LOL.
Pollyannas have been screaming the same BS for yrs.
May 20th, 2019 at 1:38 pm
Come on T Rex, I’d expect that kind of cherry-picking from some of the JBF commenters, but not from you. I’ve commented before that this staff is a very good mix of old & young; of experienced coaches & some newer up-and-comers (hopefully). The ‘ALL” was intended to encompass those assistant coaches who are very experienced. Check the coaching list & their experiences if you don’t agree.
May 20th, 2019 at 1:48 pm
@ Defense – Ok. You got me. I’m not happy with Leftwich calling plays FYI. I think it is a huge mistake but what do I know.
May 20th, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Legion of boom? You’re an F-ing idiot if you truly believe a group of rookies, 1st yr players and a bust 11th pick cb whom can’t get his mind right is gonna magically turn into the legion of boom. With no pass rush. Idiots in this fanbase seriously. Licht should’ve been fired after the Agauyo pick
May 20th, 2019 at 3:01 pm
He is changing his name to Kelvin.
May 20th, 2019 at 4:36 pm
When I see frustration against the owners I am lost. The Glazers have spent good money after bad taking the advice of Bruce Allen, Mark Dominik, Lovie Smith and Jason Licht for mostly overpaid and underwhelming free agents, and several draft busts as well. Maybe it is not the owners but the worst football executives we have been blessed with.
May 20th, 2019 at 6:38 pm
I just dont understand how we are a bad team ANNNNND broke!
May 20th, 2019 at 7:02 pm
The caption on that picture, Joe……lol
May 20th, 2019 at 8:21 pm
Hear that Lou from Port Richey is negotiating with the Glazers for GM. True?