Harsh On Bucs’ Front Office
August 29th, 2019
Blamed.
A lot of Bucs fans were unhappy earlier this month when they learned Team Glazer gave Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht an extension back in January.
As Joe has stated previously, Licht is not the most popular man in Tampa Bay. Not by a long shot. And this unpopularity stems from one thing. Well, two, but the Bucs have had ample chances to move past drafting a failed kicker in the second round.
It’s all about the win-loss record. The Bucs, under Licht, have had but one winning season. The team hasn’t eaten enough W’s.
Now to be fair, Joe gives Licht a total and complete clean slate the first two seasons. Inept Lovie Smith ruled the team when he was here. There wasn’t a player on the roster Lovie didn’t approve of.
(Alterraun Verner, Mike Jenkins, Ghost Johnson, Stewart McClown, Anthony Collins, Oniel Cousins, Austin Seferian-Jackwagon, Garrett “Whoops!” Gilkey, Robert Herron and Orie Lemon still send Lovie heartfelt Christmas cards each December for Team Glazer’s generous donations to their childrens’ college fund.)
But if you think it’s only Bucs fans who are anti-Licht, think again. Andrew Potter of Football Outsiders absolutely tore into Licht and essentially said Licht alone is holding the Bucs back from winning and he alone will prevent Bucco Bruce Arians from success with Tampa Bay.
In an article breaking down teams in the NFC South, Potter wasted no time throwing darts at Licht.
The extension given to general manager Jason Licht was one of the most perplexing in recent memory. Sure, it’s great that he got Arians on board. The reason he had to go get Arians is that he utterly failed to give the previous regime 90 percent of what it needed to be successful. The offensive line is bad, yet it has one of the highest cap hits in the game (fourth-highest, according to Spotrac). Three separate Bucs linemen are on $10-million contracts. The running game has been an abomination, and Doug Martin was on a $7-million contract two years ago. The defensive secondary has been the worst unit in the league longer than Corey Taylor has been staring at his TV screen. …
The receiving corps is the only thing stopping the roster from being considered the worst in the league. Their best front-seven defender from the past decade is now in Carolina. Their best edge rusher in forever is set to miss the season with a broken neck. They don’t have many obvious answers on the roster.
Well, there are a few things at work here. Is Potter trying to suggest Licht should have been a tarot card reader and seen months in advance that Jason Pierre-Paul would hydroplane his rig on I-95 in South Florida resulting in a broken neck? That’s really outrageous!
And Joe is of the mind you could have given disgraced defensive coordinator Mike Smith a roster that included Ronnie Lott, Lawrence Taylor and Bruce Smith and the defense would have been wretched.
Also remember it was Licht who stole JPP from Dave Gettleman and the Giants.
The Bucs obviously and clearly believed Gerald McCoy was past his prime and not worth his salary. Is Potter blaming Licht for GMC aging like most humans?
It seems Potter doesn’t grasp that Arians wanted Licht. And if Licht wasn’t here, Arians wouldn’t be. It’s not that difficult to figure out.
Has Licht made mistakes? Certainly. For example, for reasons not quite clear, Licht believes — at least based on his actions — that a pass rush is a back-burner issue and that a quality running attack is trivial. It is both frustrating and hard for Bucs fans to wrap their minds around this philosophy.
For a team in a division facing potentially three Hall of Fame quarterbacks twice a year, this roster-building angle of no-pass rush, no-competent running game seems to be like a northbound tractor-trailer rolling down I-75 in the southbound lanes. The Bucs cannot rush those guys nor can they play keepaway (running the ball).
Joe could argue the salary cap has been mismanaged. How many teams that have lost 53 games in the past five years are strangled by the salary cap? Then again, not many teams have lost 53 games in five years.
Simply put, the Bucs in general and Licht in particular are banking a whole lot on players who weren’t developed by the previous coaching regime, specifically on defense.
Joe thinks it is fair to suggest with Arians on board, this is Licht’s last shot. If Arians can’t turn this franchise around before he leaves, then someone else will be handing a new coach the keys to the team.
Derrick Brooks serves up his player perspective on the retirement of Andrew Luck. (Great Cadillac Williams reflection) And there’s more on TAMPA TWO with Ira Kaufman, presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating, a JoeBucsFan and The Identity Tampa Bay production.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:08 am
This year’s draft will only have 2 starters at this point……White & Gay…
We drafted Bunting, Dean & Edwards to make up for VH3, Davis & Whitehead….
So, we’ve got some depth at DB…. and this may mean that VH3, Davis & Whitehead are better than we thought….
August 29th, 2019 at 9:22 am
I don’t him nay-thang because of Lovie why…because he didn’t learn a damn thing..you say lovie ruled for 2years and the back stabbed has been here since with all power and this O/Line will have to add at least two high draft picks to it next season! Man I hope I’m wrong! If we keep going back to lovie we will never see the problem is with THE BACK/STABBER! SMILLIG IN YA FACE!!
August 29th, 2019 at 9:26 am
>>> This year’s draft will only have 2 starters at this point……White & Gay… <<<
No wonder this team sucks! And all the guys dimLicht drafted early other than a GD middle linebacker were defensive backs. Not like this team didn't need a freaking pass rusher or running back or a right guard. Good thing Bucs have a biker bar bartender at right guard!
August 29th, 2019 at 9:36 am
As far as I’m concerned Gump’s refusal to deal with the pathetic defense until this year and his refusal to deal with the pathetic o-line for years is reason enough to fire him. The kicker situation and piss poor drafting is just icing on the cake. He will be gone In December after the Bucs post another losing season.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:36 am
You can say the same for Bruce Arians now. You can say the same for most GM’s. The truth of the matter is that Backstabbin’ Jason Licht has done a very poor job as GM on a whole. Quite frankly, apart from the JPP trade, his best work and most creative work as GM was during Lovie’s years.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:41 am
I still don’t blame Licht for anyone drafted this year or in 2014 and maybe even 2015. But he owns 2016, 2017 and 2018. He’s gone from being Lovie’s lapdog to being BA’s lapdog IMO. What I’m most disappointed in him is that problem areas just keep festering, they never seem to get solved (OLine, RBs? ). Team lacks depth and too many starting ‘holes’. Deep hole to get out of, and it’s not a 1-year ‘restocking’ to fix it.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:42 am
Someone opened the keg early today.
The 2 Smiths are mostly at fault.
Arians will give licht his last shot. Arians and Bowles are the closest we have been to having competent coaches.
Don’t tell this to The Bucs Realist. We are about to brake the downward cycle of the past 10 years. Bowles will gift us with an aggressive defense. That is all Winston needed last year.
Go Bucs!!!
August 29th, 2019 at 9:44 am
True!
August 29th, 2019 at 9:50 am
Gump’s claim to fame is his comprehensive knowledge of the offensive line and Division 3 athletes.
God help us.
Gumpster Fire – Buc Fan Misery Index 1582 days left
August 29th, 2019 at 9:50 am
I was slightly optimistic until that Cleveland game. Our offensive line is below average (I’m being nice) and I blame GM Licht 100%. I cant believe the lack of foresight as we have the same crap line we had last year except swapping Benenoch for Cappa.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:52 am
Andrew Potter is clearly an idiot with bias.
And, regarding the salary cap…I know it’s the popular thing to claim we have cap issues…but do we really? We signed who we wanted to sign. Licht freed up cash by releasing players.
If a player can be released without a cap hit, is that a salary cap issue? Or flexibility?
By the team the season starts, most teams will have less than $10 million left. It really is not a big deal. It would be if we could not free up cap money, but we can…and that is the big difference.
August 29th, 2019 at 9:53 am
How many of you before BA thought that Jones, Ryan Smith, VHIII, Stewart, Vea, Cappa, Taco, Gholston, and Smith were all Licht busts. Come on and admit it! You all were dead wrong and BA has proven it. Licht brought them here!
August 29th, 2019 at 9:53 am
Why do the bucs need to keep the worst gm in the league??
August 29th, 2019 at 9:55 am
Let’s look at Licht’s picks objectively-
Aguayo was a mistake- no doubt
Austin Seferian Jenkins – did Licht know he would have an alcohol and substance problem? This bust resulted in need for drafting Howard, when pick might have been used on OLine.
D Martin extension- did Light know Martin was going to ruin his career with party drugs?
OLine- Bucs have not drafted OLinemen in 1st round with Licht- but he probably had Q Nelson targeted before Colts jumped him- he did get Vea moving down. OLine drafting is a priority for next year.
J Evans – good player, is Licht responsible for his injuries ?
RoJo- jury is out- verdict this year
The Defense is pretty well staffed with this year’s additions.
Offense has alot of weapons for Jameis.
This is probably 1st year Licht had say in coaching staff .
Bucs have alot of cap room next year.
Change the culture this year, contend next year…
August 29th, 2019 at 10:00 am
Very simple: Bruce Arians. No Licht, no Arians.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:03 am
Agree with Defense Rules. Very upsetting to see that this team has absolutely no depth, & huge issues at a couple of position groups. It would take multiple years of good GM’ing to dig us out of the hole that Licht has dug
August 29th, 2019 at 10:05 am
For those who are on board with justifying keeping Licht for the sole reason that he recruited Arians… we need a better GM, not a new coach! just trying to polish a turd
August 29th, 2019 at 10:06 am
I agree with some of what you wrote but there’s a lot more that goes into being a GM than who you draft. His tenure here has been a reign of terror that he should not have survived.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:07 am
Alan- agree with your assessment except for 2 things- we had plenty of rounds to draft O-lineman which we have needed for years. I am not a Licht hater at all. However, he should have fired Mike Smith and probably Koetter earlier in the year. Monkey should have been interim HC. JMO
August 29th, 2019 at 10:12 am
That was a little heavy handed but clearly Licht has struggled to get a handle on this curse. Maybe this season will finally be that “Cinderella” season? The offensive line needs to man-up! Fourth highest paid line is not a good look, especially for Licht.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:14 am
My biggest issue with Licht is not addressing the offense and defense line more in the draft.
It is never a good thing when you are forced to draft a position as a result of neglect, but now the Bucs are going to be forced to draft at least two offensive linemen in the first 4 rounds of the draft next year, because of the neglect.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:21 am
JJBucfan-
Martin drug problem resulted in need for RoJo
ASF problems resulted in need for Howard
Both those picks could/should have been OLinemen.
As for Smith and Koetter- how much control of that situation did Glazers give Licht? We all know Koetter is a good salesman.
If we see a big turnaround in Bucs record this year, which , barring injuries, I think we will, then Licht is on track-
I’m not happy about not drafting OLinemen with top picks either, and in contrast to Joe’s opinion, I think they have several players (not named Spence) who can pressure qb – JPP, Barrett, David, Nassib, Bucannon…
August 29th, 2019 at 10:23 am
Potters article was spot on, Licht is the problem with this team, terrible draft pics, free agent signings and no cap space and a 5-11 record to show for it. This season will fare no better without offensive and defensive help. You can have the best coach in the world but if he does not have talent around him he will fail. Thanks Licht
August 29th, 2019 at 10:26 am
Life as a Bucs fan
With the first pic the Bucs take
Vincent Bo Jackson running back auburn
August 29th, 2019 at 10:27 am
So if the team continues their losing ways over the next two years and Arians decides to retire with the grandkids in GA, will Licht get the pass because Bruce was calling the shots?
I mean, at some point the Backstabber has to take responsibility for his reign of terror.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:29 am
Joe, you are to Licht what Jim Acosta is to Trump.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:34 am
Not even close. Not even remotely close. Unless you have no clue who Acosta is or what he does.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:35 am
If this happens it won’t matter. Licht will be gone.
August 29th, 2019 at 10:52 am
Ive been saying this for the last 2 years…..now is to late Joe…….We are far from having a talented roster….Salary cap hell…….And we keep on pointing fingers to Lovie, Koetter……Is so ridiculous……The problem is and has been managment…….HGow many straters we will have this years from last draft? How many Corners have we draft on the last 3/4 drafts? are they that good?
And now we have to turn a canddle on, praying to BA, that was the main supporter of GM new contract…..And absolute JOKE!!!!! Only in Tampa!!!!
August 29th, 2019 at 10:56 am
For those who bang on Licht for taking a MLB so high in the draft, go ahead and revisit the 2012 draft. Knowing what you know NOW, tell me where MLB Luke Kuechly goes…
#1? #2? Definitely no lower than #5.
August 29th, 2019 at 11:00 am
That’s because the awful decisions of those two are still felt to this day. Many of the players on the roster currently, players many consider underwhelming players, were drafted/signed either to replace unnecessary mistakes by Lovie/Koetter or were drafted because of Lovie/Koetter.
Lovie set this team back years.
August 29th, 2019 at 11:20 am
The Glazers search for Star head coaches goes back before hiring Gruden (pursuit of Parcells)! They were told NO thanks by many high profile head coaches…. Licht knows this as does BA.. Licht got with Arians and they contrived “ I Bruce Arians will agree to be your head coach if you give an extension to Meathead as GM”. Glazers wanting their high profile head coach of course agreed to do it! Ownership and GM suck!
August 29th, 2019 at 11:32 am
You are correct Joe! Interesting none of these naysayers answered my question above! They don’t want to reveal that those players were considered a bust because of bad coaching. It was not bad drafting at all. I suspect that Licht has hit on more low draft picks than most GMs in this NFL. It is why Licht was a scout for both the Patriots and BA, and BA sees him as a big asset to him like the old Dallas Cowboys loved Gil Brant who was equally successful like Licht but Dallas also had Coaches who could develop the potential of the Small School Players and undrafted gems.
August 29th, 2019 at 12:14 pm
@ JOE. Just reading that list of Lovie approved players made me spit coffee through my nose.
August 29th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
Quick question on Josh McCown:
How does that guy keep getting jobs? I looked it up… since he started in Tampa back in 2014, his W-L record is 7-31.
That’s a win percentage of 18.4%
August 29th, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Licht isn’t really the GM here. In name only. Does anyone really think Licht makes any moves these days that aren’t directed by BA?
Remember, BA has a huge coaching staff to carry out his orders. Don’t you think that extends to GM as well? Pretty simple to see that.
August 29th, 2019 at 12:31 pm
So here’s the rub J0e, if you’re gonna knock Lovie for all those guys you listed (which is fair) then you also must credit him for Mike Evans, Jameis, D Smith, Ali Marpet, etc…
Licht has been decent in drafting, slightly above average maybe. He’s great with u drafted free agency. But he’s been lousy with free agents.
But the real killer has been him blatantly ignoring areas of dire need (o-line, d-line), especially in years when drafts were loaded with prospects at those positions. He tries to outsmart everyone but ends up outsmarting himself too often. That’s my biggest issue with him. That said, he’s way better than the pop star was.
August 29th, 2019 at 12:31 pm
*great with undrafted free agents.
August 29th, 2019 at 12:36 pm
BA FAN:
I raise my hand! I do admire your positive outlook but….
“How many of you before BA thought that Jones, Ryan Smith, VHIII, Stewart, Vea, Cappa, Taco, Gholston, and Smith were all Licht busts. Come on and admit it! You all were dead wrong and BA has proven it. Licht brought them here!”
Seriously…your going to defend Licht on those pics and signings?
The reason this TEAM STINKS to high heaven is because Licht has missed on so many premium draft choices…Look at all the second & third round BUSTS this guy has..he misses on premium draft choices more than Jaimis misses open receivers down field.
History for ya
ASJ-2nd round
Sims – 3rd round
Aguoyo-2nd round
Spence-2nd round
Ryan Smith 4th round
Justin Evans-2nd Round …ALWAYS HURT
OJ HOWARD-Good pic but–ALWAYS HURT
VV-ALWAYS HURT
Rojo-?????
Gholston…WAY OVER PAID
Cappa–ARE YOU KIDDING..did you see the multiple ole blocks last weekend
Licht has killed this team with poor drafting decsions..the Glazers like to hide behind we want to build a team around our nucleus..however, the nucleus will be so old or have moved on by the Licht can draft enough players to make a difference…his % of hitting on premium draft picks is killing this team…and fan base…
August 29th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
When you’ve been the GM this long and have cap issues and holes all over the roster you suck at your job
August 29th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Jason Licht is pure trash. We are a joke around the league.
He should be fired but the Glaxers are garbage too.
So…it’s a bucs life.
August 29th, 2019 at 1:11 pm
In 1991, Belichick was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. He was so bad they fired him in 1995. My point is that it takes a complete organization to be successful. In science, if you want to understand cause and effect you can’t change everything at once. I believe that the Glazers made the right call. If the talent from this year’s draft and free agency are substandard it will be time to let Licht go. A lot of Licht’s failures, of the past, resulted from giving coaches what they wanted and poor coaching. This season will provide a lot of information about how much blame should fall at Licht feet.
August 29th, 2019 at 1:27 pm
Leadership starts at the top. If the Glazers hired the right people to begin with, we might not be in such a mess.
Licht’s record speaks for itself. There is no other way to spin it. It was a perplexing decision and one that solid, winning franchise do not make.
August 29th, 2019 at 1:48 pm
K2
Belichick won 36 games in 4 years and won a playoff game
In 5 years Licht has had one winning season and has won 9 less games
Awful comparison
August 29th, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Sorry meant Belichick was there for 5 years
Stupid giant thumbs
August 29th, 2019 at 3:02 pm
Ouch! 😳
August 29th, 2019 at 4:41 pm
Joe, I agree with your response to Potter’s statement. I had never heard of him, but I disagree with pretty much everything he said.
Yes, Jason has had his share of busts, but show me a GM who hasn’t. He has also brought in some legit talent. The first thing people always bring up is Aguayo. What they forget is he was one of the best kickers ever in college football and we hadn’t had a solid kicker since Bryant. How was Jason supposed to know he was gonna come unwound?
I know fans are frustrated. I’m frustrated. But I’m also hopeful. Hopeful because we have what I see as the most competent coaching staff we’ve had in a long time, accountability and some young guys that seem hungry to win. We have BA thanks to JL and I expect JL’s future status was discussed while BA was negotiating with the team. It wouldn’t make sense – to me at least – to use a GM to bring in a new coach and then run him off.
If there isn’t significant improvement, then I will join the angry masses on here who are already standing by with their flaming swords.
August 29th, 2019 at 4:53 pm
It’s not Licht’s fault he’s a failure. Just like it’s not Lovies, Schiano, Raheems, Dominicks, you name it’s fault. It’s the owners fault, all of it. They hired these losers. It was their dad that brought in Dungy, and Gruden, since his stroke, and death, his idiot sons have completely flushed the team down the toilet. Lay the blame where it belongs, on his three stooge sons.
August 29th, 2019 at 5:38 pm
Lichts biggest failures have been not drafting trenches or premium important foundational positions with good players.
He also has sucked 4ss playing the compensatory game and spent 2 future mid round picks on a punter / marginal low k free agents this year. Arians is his only hope right now.
GO BUCS!
August 29th, 2019 at 8:19 pm
Jason Licht could be the worst GM in the league. His record here is horrible, his bad team is in Salary cap hell, and if it werent for the reciever group his roster would be the worst in the league.
Licht had to talk an old coach out of retirement to try to save his job. It is clear that Arians is now running the show with Licht just being his “yes man” like Bruce Allen was for Gruden.
Licht’s recent contract extension shows just how little the Glazers actually know about football
August 29th, 2019 at 9:33 pm
it’s all moot. Bucs over/under 2019 wins: 4 1/2
August 30th, 2019 at 12:02 am
Belichick learned a valuable lesson at Cleveland that changed his career !!! Always Always do what it takes to protect your number one investment and the teams most important position !!! Protect the QB
Licht has failed miserably!!!
Licht wants the qb to overcome with their talent
Belichick protects the qb so the QB talent can be fully utilized
Licht has failed and the record and beating that his number one overall pick has taken speak for themselves !!! It is what it is and the Bucs o line is outside the top 25 in the NFL !!! Licht has failed !!! Licht has failed to build a decent line and Winston will continue to try and overcome it all while taking twice the hits he should and shortening his career by 1/3 . Not the return on investment for the Glazers or not near what it could be !!! Not one 1 st round pick protecting your biggest investment, oh ya Licht will out smart us !! I’m waiting !!