“Jason Licht… Has Just Hired An Assistant General Manager. And His Name Is ‘Tom Brady'”
March 23rd, 2020
Ex-NFL GM Michael Lombardi.
Several bold remarks from a suit who actually worked in the same organization for three seasons where new Bucs quarterback Tom Brady came from.
That would be former NFL suit Michael Lombardi. The former coffee fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat and general manager of the Cleveland Browns claimed he talked to people concerning Brady coming to the Bucs and went so far as to say there has been a restructuring of the food chain at One Buc Palace.
Per Lombardi, the shots are called by Jason Licht. The new chain-of-command follows through Brady then Arians and lastly offensive coordinator Bryon Leftwich. Lombardi added Leftwich will have zero say over what Brady does with the Bucs’ offense.
“Tom gets to become a little bit like Peyton Manning,” Lombardi began on his podcast “GM Shuffle.”
“He gets to be able to go down to Tampa. He gets to run his offense. There’s just no chance — no chance! — Byron Leftwich is telling Tom Brady what he is going to run, all right? There’s just no chance of that. Nor is Bruce Arians.
“Jason Licht, the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has just hired an assistant general manager. And his name is Tom Brady. And they are going to do everything in their power to make Brady happy.”
Other nuggets Lombardi tossed out concerning the Bucs:
* Whackjob wide receiver Antonio Brown will be on the Bucs roster, Lombardi claims, in part to be a calming influence in the locker room. “I definitely think we will see Antonio Brown in a Bucs uniform to add more skill. … Brown will help the other players in the locker room to have a relationship [with Brady]. He’s the bridge.”
* “And I am sure [the Bucs] promised [Brady] they would rebuild the offensive line. He’s going to have a say.”
* Lombardi seemed to hint Brady didn’t deal well with young players on the Patriots. “Tom has got to be able to relate to the younger players. There’s a huge age gap.”
* Brady will have free-run of the offense. “I think Tom will want to do what Tom wants to do.”
* Lombardi believed Brady’s reflexes have eroded some in his 40s but he still has the arm to get the job done. “Licht… better hope Tom isn’t wilted in December and January.”
* Lombardi added he could see the Bucs drafting a quarterback in the first round to be ready to take over the team when Brady steps away or, God forbid, gets hurt. “That would be smart,” Lombardi said of drafting a quarterback.
(Interestingly, Ronde Barber said over the weekend he believes the Bucs may draft a quarterback on the second night of the draft.)
* A big reason the Bucs got Brady, Lombardi said, was that the team desperately needed “an adult in the locker room” and Brady’s predecessor, he said, was not it.
As for the mood at One Buc Palace since Brady signed, Lombardi added, “It is kind of euphoric for them.”
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:08 am
Seems a bit of a stretch that Brady would be dictating BA’s offensive scheme, but I guess it’s possible. No doubt Leftwich is NOT going to be calling the shot,but Arians? I can see them perhaps collectively developing a new scheme but doubt BA would agree to do anything and everything TB wants.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:10 am
Lombardy said> A BUNCH OF BULLS#IT!!!!
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:13 am
Lombardi is a carnival barker. There’s a reason he’s a talking head now.
Everything I’ve heard about Brady is that he wants to be coached. I’m sure he’ll have plenty of say in the game planning and play selection, but he’s not installing Josh McDaniel’s offense.
What does it mean he needs to connect with young players? Everything I’ve ever heard about him is that he’s an excellent teammate and leader. If you can’t connect with one of the GOATs we should cut you.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:14 am
I have ZERO confidence in bumbling Byron Suckwich
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:20 am
This can’t be right because I’ve been told the Jason L. isn’t really the GM since Arians arrived. Brady doesn’t like young players can’t relate to them but they need to draft a Qb next month to be ready when he gets injury or retires soon.
That makes perfect sense.
I’m sorry but this plan sounds like a disaster.
I just hope Brady has a bad season last year and it wasn’t his age finally catching up to him. I really do want this plan to succeed because I’ll always be a Bucs fan.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:21 am
I think BA made a great point about changing up the offense.
Do you want to bring one guy up to speed or about 20 other guys learning a new offense.
Will there be tweaks, of course, will TB have input on plays he likes, of course, will BL call the plays, he will call in what has been decided – he will have input.
The idea that Antonio Brown would have some kind of positive influence in the locker room sounds like complete BS to me!
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:23 am
C’mon man! This is kind of ridiculous. Brady is coming into be the QB. He can’t do all of that. I am sure he will have some say on an overall scheme approach to the offense, but he is not going to hand over a playbook to Arians and say here is our new offense. I also don’t think they will bring in A Brown, primarily because he would be the opposite of a calming influence in the locker room. This is utter garbage from another talking head just throwing sh## against the wall.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:23 am
I don’t believe Brady is coming in and implementing his offensive play book. Sure he’ll have plenty of say, and yes final say in what they run. I think one of the things that brought Tom here was being able to work with BA, Moore, BL, Clyde. You think those coaches are going to sit on their hands, throw away their play books, and say O.K. Tom, what do we do? This is going to be a meeting of the minds. I think if anything, Tom wants a different point of view of offensive football. Don’t make it sound like we replaced the coaching staff, and front office with Brady. What we did is add to what we already have.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:25 am
I agree that Brady will have a huge influence with the offense….but Jason Licht already had 2 Assistant GMs…..BA & Bowles….we saw that with last year’s draft & FA signings.
There is little reason to bring in Antonio Brown and I think Brady is smart enough not to push for that…..we don’t have a “Diva” problem with our WRs and don’t need to start one.
Every day Perriman goes unsigned is a day closer to us being able to bring him back.
I don’t think many understand the primary job of Jason Licht as GM….and that is to do contract work…..BA, Bowles & Brady want no part of that.
They may say….we’d like this player & Jason would try to get him or we’d like to keep this player & Jason would work that out, if possible.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:30 am
Somebody at OB is messing with Lombardi’s head.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:31 am
I thought Leftwich did a good job last year for a first time play caller. It’s not his fault that Jameis threw so many picks.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:31 am
BUCSANTHEM: You are 100% correct about Suckwitch. I also believe loser Licht is no more than BA’s & TB12’s puppet. BA is the main reason Brady came to the Bucs.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:35 am
Influence I can believe. The rest of that article is BS. Don’t know where you ran into this guy Joe. But he needs to stay fetching coffee for someone up north.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:36 am
* A big reason the Bucs got Brady, Lombardi said, was that the team desperately needed “an adult in the locker room” and Brady’s predecessor, he said, was not it.
Thats what I missed,that is why I say even if he doesn’t get us to the playoffs or SB his presents will change the locker room.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:37 am
Terrible take by Lombatdi. He’s clearly trying to be provocative, which is kind of his job now. Brady will have enough on his plate. No way he takes on all those added responsibilities. And how does antonio brown coming here to supposedly “calm” the locker room make sense to anyone with a brain?
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:56 am
AB lol. That would blow up everything that’s been built. Grenade at a campfire
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:57 am
I have a feeling that interview included LSD in mass quantities.
“And AB will take out his wings and fly over the opponents’ corners and be the perfect target for Brady.”
#GimmeABreak
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:58 am
Total bull.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:58 am
So what he is saying is nonsense, why…, BA allowed JW to have some say in creating a game plan, so nothing different there. Brady may add more check downs, Bucs were likely going to upgrade the offensive line anyway, the only young starters on the offense are ROjO and Cappa and they will be in their third year and I am pretty sure BA will give Brady some rope but he is still running the show. I expect BL will be part of the game plan as well, though his game day job may be less influential at least for the first few weeks as they learn each other.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:01 am
It will work like this:
Brady will review the playbook and decide which plays best suit him.
Brady will suggest plays that are not included in the playbook.
Brady will hold his fellow players accountable.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:08 am
Almost all of what Lombardi spewed was pure BS, except for one thing …
“A big reason the Bucs got Brady, Lombardi said, was that the team desperately needed “an adult in the locker room” and Brady’s predecessor, he said, was not it.”
I don’t know if it was Jameis’ London performance that doomed him or his last 2 games, but his LEADERSHIP of this team left a lot to be desired. Once BA came to grips with that, looks like he’d had enough of Jameis. And that ‘leadership thingie’ may well be the PRIMARY reason why Jameis is still unemployed.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:09 am
This guy is full of sh!t.
If Tom Brady was a complete control freak, he would have never lasted 20 years with Belicheat.
He will come in here and add a level of professionalism to the QB position.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:16 am
Sports writer Greg Auman writes, “Lots of you asking about Bucs and cap space. Recent re-signings have very minimal impact on cap. Spotrac lists Bucs with $23.8 million (about $7.3m needed for draft picks), which is still eighth-highest remaining space. @Jason_OTC has Bucs with $24.8m, 11th-most.”
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:20 am
I agree with Bonzai.
Brady will have enough on his table to take on even more responsibility.
And it’s hard to be “one of the guys” if “the guys” think he’s their boss. Not gonna work that way.
Remember the cliche: Too many cooks spoil the soup.
I also pooh-pooh the Brown as a Buc thing. They just got rid of a guy with questionable behaviors. Not gonna go down that path again. The Bucs don’t *need* more WR talent.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:33 am
No thanks on AB. He’s certifiably insane, it’s a deep WR draft, and we don’t another number 1 receiver we already have 2 of them.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:34 am
Michael Lombardi trying to stay relevant. AB is not coming here. He didn’t even last a week on the Patriots, no way. Tom Brady isn’t the GM over Arians, that is crazy talk. I don’t even think Licht is over Arians, from all we’ve heard and seen. He will get his input in though. And yeah, Brady will be more integral in calling the offense than Leftwich, but that was a given. Lombardi basically said nothing of any use whatsoever.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:41 am
This dude is delusional. Like many delusional people, he makes bold statements to get noticed with the ultimate goal of being right with one, so he has credibility for a couple of months. “See, I was right about…….” Notice he quotes ZERO sources. I wish Joe would refrain from posting un-sourced comments and articles.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:45 am
“I just hope Brady has a bad season last year and it wasn’t his age finally catching up to him.”
Actually by that metric I hope he has another bad season…I mean really would any of us gripe if he went 12-4 made the playoffs but got bounced?
Clearly the Bucs offensive talent blows away the Pats. If we had a mature QB last year..a Tannyhill for example we would have reached the playoffs.
Lombardi is just engaging in a time honored well worn sports custom-HYPEROLE.
Clearly he will have FAR MORE input than “blameless” because he’s earned it and he doesn’t choke. The power delegation questions are getting absurd and nitpicking.
Here is an area where Brady’s power give him more on his plate that “blameless” received…I suspect BA/BL will formulate game plans WITH Brady at the table. BA will ultimately have to remain as GW Bush used to refer to himself…the decider. Now how much BA trusts Brady or BL will evolve.
I also believe that Brady will have great power when it comes to audible out of one play to another. I’m not sure “blameless” got as much rope with that.
One thing that always makes the hair stand up on my neck is any jackwagon in ANY profession who claims only…” I”…can fix it.
Virtually every successful person I’ve met enjoys a collaborative effort.
Too many cooks spoil the broth…nonsense! Has anybody heard of a Sous-chef
Guys who the main chef trusts enough to be totally in charge of certain dishes…like which pass to throw when?
I know the virus is awful, depressing, it’s the off season and this is ALL we have to talk about that isn’t disturbing on so many levels.
But it almost sounds like people are searching for a stat in a world that is too frequently stat driven. BA has 40%…TB12 has 30%…BL has 20% and Tom Moore gets to toss in his 10%. Obviously that’s not how life works. Isn’t it enough to know that Brady will have PLENTY of input? That BA is comfortable enough in his own skin to share the team’s thinking and power with his braintrust.
One thing that has impressed me as much as anything about BA is his ability to delegate. He gave jobs to Bowles and BL and pretty much stepped back out of the way. It’ll be very similar with Brady.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:52 am
Hot garbage!
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:56 am
For the short time AB was with Tom Brady, What was the fascination Brady had with him? I guess I am not understanding this.
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:56 am
Arians was and is the real GM/HC at One Bucs Palace. Licht was his assistance. Now Licht is Brady’s assistance.
BA runs this ship!
Go Bucs!!!
March 23rd, 2020 at 9:58 am
Lombardi sounds pretty moronic here.
March 23rd, 2020 at 10:02 am
The real Brady story is how he is going to show the world his leadership will take the laughingstock of the NFL into a championship without Billycheat.
Go Bucs!!!
March 23rd, 2020 at 10:04 am
Classic example of dont know what he’s taking about or nor listening to the coach. Assistance GM um ok yea I guess that’s why Antonio brown is on the roster right.
Coach said will tom want to rework the entire offense and have everyone learning to do it his way or get one guy to learn what they already know probably being one of the most intelligent guys on the roster. He will run this offense and incorporate some of the things he likes to do. Tom didnt make any demands because they aren’t losing yet
March 23rd, 2020 at 10:35 am
This may be the worst most least accurate article I have ever read on joebucsfan. It seems Lombardi has ZERO insight into the Bucs or Bruce arians
March 23rd, 2020 at 10:48 am
Lombardi is deranged.
March 23rd, 2020 at 11:04 am
Antonio Brown a “calming influence”??? omg
That’s funny. Can you please stop quoting that clown? Unless you’re going to mock his lunacy, please just stop giving his fabrications life. He’s not wearing a big red nose, but he’s still working for the circus.
March 23rd, 2020 at 11:15 am
A lot of it makes sense to me but I cant see him having more say than Arians. If that were true then he might as well have more say than Licht also. Not buying that part.
March 23rd, 2020 at 11:28 am
Joe, What I said was half true and half my opinion. Nothing in that statement was obscene. Why did my comment get moderated and kicked out ? Language–Joe
March 23rd, 2020 at 12:59 pm
stpetebucsfan Says:
I understand what you are trying to say, but there is a substantial difference between collaboration and co-management.
Great executives delegate and encourage collaboration. But “at the end of the day” (I don’t like that expression because it is used waaaaay too much, but is appropriate here) someone has to be responsible, as in another cliche: “The buck stops here.”
That is the essence of accountability.
The front office and on field product are different. Fact is the Glazers are the bosses, and delegate to Licht, etc. The buck stops with them, not with Licht and Arians, and certainly not with Brady.
Of course Brady will have significant input in personnel and game planning. It would be football malpractice of the GOAT was not deeply consulted. But for some hack to claim Brady is co-GM” is just absurd attention-seeking behavior.
Good CEO’s delegate in a manner that does not seem like delegation, but co-management. That works until there is a conflict in direction. Then someone has to make the decision, and in this case I doubt it will be be Brady…
Even in a kitchen, while the sous chef has great latitude, it’s the chef who has his neck on the line.
I see the Bucs organization changing the last year. prior to Arians, Licht was in charge because Koetter had not earned that right and the Glazers had far more faith in Licht than Koetter. But when the Glazers brought in Arians—at Licht’s insistence, no doubt—more responsibility was shifted from Licht to Arians because of Arians’ enormous experience. But not all.
March 23rd, 2020 at 2:30 pm
BS….
BL orchestrated a top5 offense and got 5K passing yards out of a QB that had 30+ Turnovers….lol…
why would brady want to screw with that?…..
brady is a perfectionist….not a control freak…..brady just wants to play football and win…he’s not interested in playing QB/OC/GM/mentor…..
BA will control the roster….
BL and Brady will control the offense….
Bowles will control the defense….
Licht will control deals/contracts…..
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 23rd, 2020 at 7:58 pm
More and more nuggets tricking out about a fractured locker room. Players silence speaks volume about Jameis addiction to throwing INTs and turning over the ball.
March 23rd, 2020 at 8:15 pm
“He might be less qualified to coach a team than anyone I’ve ever seen in my 30-plus years in the NFL,” Lombardi said of Pederson in September. “Everybody knows Pederson isn’t a head coach. He might be less qualified to coach a team than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Lombardi continued. “When will the Eagles admit their mistake? Will they throw away 2017 by stubbornly sticking to the Pederson Principle?”
-Michael Lombardi
I always think of this quote when I hear a lombardi OPINION.
March 24th, 2020 at 12:17 am
That is all crap. Leftwich is the o coordinator. Everyone always says this about teams in the NFL. That it is one persons way or the highway. It’s nonsense.
It’s Bruce Arians offense with Byron Leftwich running it and adding his own flair and Tom Brady coming in and probably adding some stuff and all of them getting together and making sure they’re doing things Brady wants to do and is successful at. It’s just common sense and logical.
AB is not going to be on the roster. Why would they need him for a bridge to Brady? The guy played one game with him. That’s just nonsense. Brady will get to know the Bucs players and will have spent more time with them before the season even starts than he ever spent with AB.
And the old line does not need to be rebuilt. It’s a better line than New England had. They need to add another tackle and depth, like every o line every year.
This guy has no idea what he’s talking about. Make note of these things for later in the year.
March 24th, 2020 at 4:11 am
Antonio Brown is the bridge? To what? Hell? I get maybe Leftwich not having a say over what Brady runs, but Arians too? C’mon, that’s just silly, they’ll all work together. Lombardi is a clown.