Jason Licht Talks Secondary Improvement, Jameis Dealing With Bucs Officials’ Harsh Talk
February 29th, 2020
GM Jason Licht
Joe was so pleased to hear general manager Jason Licht this week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The man emerged from his 10-month pass on news conferences and even talked on live radio with someone not named Gene Deckerhoff.
Team Glazer and the Bucs media relations staff should encourage this kind of behavior from Licht. It’s good for fans to see and hear their GM. It helps many stay engaged, which is good for the organization on many levels. And Joe will assume Licht is deeply committed to helping the team on all fronts.
During Licht’s chat with SiriusXM NFL Radio (after saying “I hate free agency,”), he glowed about Todd Bowles and the emergence of the young Bucs secondary in the second half of the season.
After Tampa Bay’s 40-34 loss to Seattle in overtime, Licht explained that the young defensive backs were hungry to improve.
“It was after that [Seattle game in Week 9], all those young guys, Carlton [Davis], Jamel [Dean], Sean [Murphy-Bunting], our safeties, Mike Edwards, they all expressed a desire to get better,” Licht said. “So they were coming in at 6:30 in the morning and meeting an extra hour with Todd [Bowles] and Kevin Ross and Nick Rapone. And it paid off. Todd’s a great coach. He can develop players.
“And as a general manager, it’s great to have coaches that have a passion for developing players.”
That last line has Joe’s attention because not every coaching staff truly is committed to grooming young players.
Joe had a private chat with Bucs QB coach Clyde Christensen this week, and Christensen talked about how the NFL as a whole is lacking coaches who teach fundamentals at all positions. Too many coaches are overly focused on schemes and playcalls over basic player improvement, he said.
Shifting gears to America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, Licht was asked on radio about how Jameis deals with Bucs officials critiquing his 30 interceptions and publicly questioning whether Jameis is their best quarterback option.
It’s not a problem, Licht said, “He’s good like that.”
The GM told a story of how he said publicly before the 2018 season that Jameis might not retain his starting job after his suspension for unauthorized crotch-grabbing in Weeks 1, 2 and 3.
Licht said he soon after reached out to Jameis to explain his comment and be certain Jameis understood the context.
Jameis, per Licht, cut him off to assure his GM that it was a non-issue. “‘No, man. I appreciate you keeping it real,'” Jameis said, according to Licht.
February 29th, 2020 at 6:38 am
It’s not just developing young players that Bowles brings to the table….it’s selecting young players……..Dean, SMB, White & Edwards….and perhaps Nelson are developable…..
And…..you can best believe that Bowles had a huge influence in bringing Shaq & Suh to the Bucs.
February 29th, 2020 at 6:42 am
It’s good to know JW double checked his ‘sheet’ and realized he s getting exactly what he earned.
Let’s see what the market is for Mr 30-30. My guess is it’s a lot lower than $30M+ a year.
In BA I Trust!
February 29th, 2020 at 6:45 am
As for Bowles – he is directly responsible for solidifying this Band of Brothers!
Great Job!
In BA I Trust!
February 29th, 2020 at 7:16 am
You see the problem for Licht is back when that conversation that he is referring to with Jameis happened Jameis had no choice this time he can do whatever he wants. Like I said a week ago we are going to end up being the ones standing in the game of musical chairs when the music stops. If that happens and we end up having to trade for freaking Andy Dalton or a broke down Stafford both Arains and Licht should be fired immediately.
February 29th, 2020 at 7:22 am
Our DBs are young but talented…I was hoping to see Justin Evans this year; he showed alot of promise when he was healthy… Hopefully we can add him into the mix this season…
Jameis is used to the criticism; no matter what he just keeps ballin…
February 29th, 2020 at 7:31 am
Ndog,
The Bucs offense, team, defense, and WR targets are appealing for any QB. We will get our guy. I’m confident in that.
Where is Jameis going? I saw a Mariota to NE article. No mention of Jameis.
Before you call me clueless, where do you really see Jameis going other than here and starting? I foresee a backup deal.
February 29th, 2020 at 7:35 am
I’d have a hard time holding my tounge if he was calling me out
Just because he sucks at his job.
February 29th, 2020 at 7:44 am
Ndog: “…or a broke down Stafford…”
I know you want Jameis back, but Stafford coming here would be like when the Saints got Brees. Back then, people said Brees was washed up. Look what he’s done since.
Stafford is the best candidate to do the same.
However, no need to fear. The Lions said trading him is a laughable media created rumor.
February 29th, 2020 at 7:48 am
Yes! I been saying that from week 10 that those DBs especially Dean took that Seattle game personally. The difference between winning and losing is having one or more over-my-dead-body-mentality players. We haven’t had that since Lynch, Sapp and Brooks. We have one or more of these type of players at each level of defense and I think Chris Godwin will be more vocal this year now that he proved his leadership credentials by having a big year.
After seeing Jalen Hurts I wouldn’t be upset at all if we took a round 3 flyer on him this year. Whatever happens Sean Payton or Andy Reid better not get ahold of him.
Wirfs is my guy now after that combine performance. Wow!!!
I think the chiefs have an easy arbitrage situation, just draft 3-4 round QBS, put them thru Andy Reid’s offense and in the same room as Patrick Mahomes and he’ll be worth a 2nd round pick on 2 years lol. Rinse repeat. We could do this with Pass rushers as long as Vv Stays healthy and TB is our coordinator.
February 29th, 2020 at 7:50 am
So far as whether a team would want Jameis or not, naysayers have nothing to base their opinions on except fansites blogs and media speculation.
And that applies to both sides of the argument.
All I know is that if Mike Glennon got what he got, Winston should be able to get a lot more, which would put him in the $30m range.
And the question remains…if two tags are applied now, will they be grandfathered into this year?
February 29th, 2020 at 7:53 am
I wouldn’t mind Eason in the draft. Herbert is interesting. Tua is very interesting.
Honestly, Eason strikes me as a Tom Brady type.
But I really know next to nothing about these guys.
February 29th, 2020 at 7:54 am
Bonzai sorry brother but trading a premium pick for a QB that literally had a broken back last year and MAY be ready by training camp is not my idea of a good plan. Let’s see you could do that OR simply resign your current QB that just threw for 5,000 plus yards, 33 TDs and led the #4 scoring offense in the NFL with basically no running game and average, at best, oline. And oh yeah your current QB is 6 YEARS YOUNGER!!!!!
February 29th, 2020 at 8:14 am
^ America’s Turnover Machine also averaged 7.5 ppg for opposing Defenses!
His third leading TD receiver was opposing Defenses with a record 7 pick 6’s!
Don’t forget the horrible when describing the yards and points. It’s irresponsible and lying about the reality and the entire scope of the situation.
February 29th, 2020 at 8:21 am
There are many NFL QB’s that would love to play for Arians with Evans and Godwin at receiver.
Probable scenario:
Bucs have 2-3 FA QB’s targeted- if they don’t get any of them, then they will probably transition Jameis.
If Jameis walks (unlikely because he probably won’t get a better offer) , Bucs will get premium picks as compensation.
Jameis is intelligent- he knows it’s business and he will make alot of money in any scenario.
Drama it will be…
February 29th, 2020 at 8:27 am
As many of us have said here, this appears to be the best coaching staff we have had in awhile.
I will trust in them whether it is Jameis Winston who is coming back or another quarterback that they select.
I think they really have been pretty honest that they see some value in some other quarterbacks a little over Jameis Winston but still have some consideration to Jameis.
Certainly the business is to get the quarterback they feel will get them the most wins over the next 2-3 years. Who are we kidding when we say that this or that quarterback either in the NFL or as a draft prospect is that good or not that good. We have analyzed them only a fraction of what this coaching staff and player personnel department have done.
OK to have an opinion. Just when you act for certainty that you know for sure all the qualities of these other QB’s is absurd.
I speak to you mostly NDOG.
I have asked you before. Who is the one other quarterback besides Burrows that you would be ok with having? At least equal to Winston in your opinion?
February 29th, 2020 at 8:32 am
They already said they are going to tag Barrett and let Winston see what’s out there because they don’t believe there is a market for him. He could possibly get a backup offer for max of 8 or 9 million. Then come crawling back to us but it will be to late and he will end up backing up Big Ben on a on year deal .
February 29th, 2020 at 8:34 am
Whenever B.A. retires Bowls can move over to head coach nice and easy peasy.
February 29th, 2020 at 8:36 am
Don’t bother replying to Ndoggy hard to reply logically with Slurping on another man so much
February 29th, 2020 at 8:39 am
BuccaneerScotty,
Agree w you. I can see a Bowles succession plan if we can get everything I order. I like our D and the idea of less turnovers from the QB position.
February 29th, 2020 at 8:57 am
Jameis was probably relieved that Licht wasn’t calling to tell him he was being released.
February 29th, 2020 at 9:02 am
Released? Um, Jameis is a free agent.
February 29th, 2020 at 10:48 am
While I can’t deny that Stanford’s injuries are a problem, we can’t act like stafford and Winston aren’t two of the same qbs, stats wise. Here, let’s take a look.
Staffords best season: 5038 yards, 41 tds, 16 ints, 97.2 rating
Winstons best season: 5109 yards, 33 tds, 30 ints, 84.3 rating.
Let’s dive into their career numbers, shall we?
Stafford per game: 62.5 completion rate, 275 yards, 1.71 tds, .89 ints
Winston per game: 61.3 completion rate, 274 yards, 1.68 tds, 1.22 ints
So, call stafford a bum, hack or what ever but stafford and winstons numbers are VERY similar, except for the ints of course!
AGAIN, WE CANT FORGET THE 121 POINTS OFF OF WINSTON TURNOVERS WHICH EQUATE TO 7.5 POINTS PER GAME!!!!
February 29th, 2020 at 11:08 am
@951,
Please compare Stafford n Winston’s first 5 years.
They are a lot closer than throwing Stafford’s career numbers out there because Stafford like most NFL QB’s improved after his early career.
But I understand that would not fit your narrative.
February 29th, 2020 at 11:32 am
This emphasizes the current shape of the NFL. Training camp is not long enough to develop players.
If they want to get better, they have to find a way to do it themselves. The next CBA doesn’t look any better.
I can’t fully understand why the players don’t want to be better trained. Proper training does reduce injury.
Jameis seems detached from reality. “He’s good like that” doesn’t inspire me to think that Jameis is going to start next season anyway other than rusty. That means, if he is a starter somewhere, they will start in a hole they spend the rest of the season climbing out of.
After Goff’s bad first year he hired a QB whisperer and went all the way. Jameis needs to do the same. He might not have the results Goff did, but he needs to improve himself and he never has done it that way.
February 29th, 2020 at 11:50 am
The problem for jameis is there’s a more available qbs than teams need. Nobody but Brady and dak are going to sign for more than $30
February 29th, 2020 at 11:53 am
Bucfan951:
Nice recap, follow the Lions a bit as I grew up there. Stafford has a better arm then JW, makes better decisions but still doesn’t play that great against winning teams quite honestly if you check his record. Gets a lot of padded stats in 4th like JW as well. The thing that I will say about him he’s very tough, and he’s truly done it without any running game and good offensive line his entire career. Not just a few years like JW. I don’t think the Lions have even had a 1,000 rusher since Stafford has been there if I am correct, maybe barely a year or 2 but usually they finish dead last or near it.
I think the cap hit would be too much for the Lions to trade him unless they drafted a QB at 3 and decided to start him and got a good package from steam as well.
February 29th, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Back stabbing incompetent licht can’t handle free agency but he sure can dish it out with his sidekick senile BS
February 29th, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Licht has no plan, no team identity. that’s clear…
He tries to solve his own problems as he creates them.
I believe BS operates off a vague idea as well
February 29th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Shaq Barrett was a
Helluva FA pickup.
It’s not all terrible, just mostly. 😀👍👍
February 29th, 2020 at 3:19 pm
Jacob Eason throws footballs around like they are croissants 🥐 from Burger King breakfast
TRASH 🗑 MAN LICHT will 4 sure find a way to F this Draft up like all other drafts. Don’t get your hopes up. He is WEAK!!! Will never pull the trigger on a big move. He likes to think he is an “Innovator” a “crafty” guy who isn’t afraid to draft 16 straight DBs in a row.
February 29th, 2020 at 3:32 pm
I did finally see a comment begging for Jameis in Chicago to compete with Trubisky that expressed comfort that their D was strong enough to minimize any points off JW’s turnovers. It didn’t offer any thoughts on how they were going to fit JW at a rate any where near $30 into their cap… leading me to guess the assumption was he would be available at high backup to low starter money. This appears to synch with several articles out of the Combine.
If JW really is available at $15-20, wouldn’t we want him? Is it possible that there are no crazy teams out there who will fixate on the 5,000 yards and pay him at least close to $30 multi-year?