Jason Licht Talks Draft Approach With Tom Brady On The Roster
April 9th, 2020
There is massive win-now urgency at One Buc Palace with the presence of Tom Brady.
So Joe asked general manager Jason Licht today about how that’s changed his draft approach.
Licht gave an insightful answer and said this may be the year for especially intelligent players.
JoeBucsFan.com: Wanted to ask about the urgency in this draft for you now that Tom Brady is on board. Does that change sort of your approach toward finding quick-impact guys versus more developmental type players?
Bucs GM Jason Licht: In terms of having Tom on our roster and looking for immediate-impact players, you know, there’s a balance here. Obviously Tom isn’t probably going to play for the next 10 years. He’s been kind of a freak of nature in terms of playing at the level that he has at his age because he takes care of himself so well. So I can’t put a timeline on how long he is going to play. But you have to think about the future, as well. So if you try to go for the guy that you think is only going to be able to play [this season], and if you expect him to come in and make an instant impact, I think you’re fooling yourself a little bit. All these players are going to need developmental time, especially with the backdrop that we’re in right now — a little bit of uncertainty of when we’re going to start. Players need reps, so there may be a little bit of a focus on the intelligence and the ability to pick up things than there have been in prior years.
Interesting stuff. No spring practice (or worse) means you need smart players to pick things up very quickly.
Joe appreciated Licht’s thorough answer, but Joe is convinced the Bucs are shopping with a laser-focus for fast-impact guys to complement Brady and go for the ring in February.
April 9th, 2020 at 3:35 pm
Any RBs taken must be able to block superbly. Protect our guy.
April 9th, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Hey if you want a quick impact why not look for a RB? That position just transitions quicker.
You could even get a RB with a lot less practice time and just tell the guy what to do in the huddle if he doesn’t have the whole offense down. If the guy can play he will produce.
April 9th, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Idk if we’ll go for an RB considering we’re in need of a smart one that can P***S B***K. I feel like the plug and play RBs are the ones that are just athletic freaks you play on early downs. I think RoJo is good enough in that role.
April 9th, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Regarding picking a back in the first round**, I think you can probably find a third down back in a later round
April 9th, 2020 at 3:49 pm
Can’t wait to see how Jean is able to use this article to bash Jameis.
April 9th, 2020 at 3:57 pm
Offensive tackles usually take time developmental time so maybe that’s not the pick at #14? Pass-rushers, Dlineman and RBs usually dont. I smell a trade down coming in the 1st rd.
April 9th, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Joe
Was this in person?
Or are you guys on zoom /skype
Just curious
April 9th, 2020 at 3:59 pm
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if we used next year’s first or 2nd round pick to move up to get the players we need….
We need 3 starters……RB, RT, S……..I think we can get that done.
April 9th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
People talk about the Bucs throwing up $50 million for two years to Brady like this was played out a week before FA dinner bell rang. First thing BA said probably was “Jameis F’s up then you give me Brady or I’ll retire before year two.”
April 9th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
It was zoom.
April 9th, 2020 at 4:27 pm
2 years max
April 9th, 2020 at 4:31 pm
I guess this rules out Jameis
April 9th, 2020 at 4:32 pm
I don’t think you gotta get a RB in the first round. Quite a few guesses are saying there’s a chance no RBs get taken til round 2.
I think it’s worth it to pay attention to guys with some insider knowledge. Just listen to It’s on his podcast. Half joking I’m sure but says he’ll turn in his credentials (or something that effect) if the Bucs don’t take a RB by Day 2………That should tell us he knows the Bucs got RB high up on their priority list.
Another thing It’s keeps saying is that Bruce said they are looking for a three down back. Not a third down back. And that don’t have to mean they outright replace RoJo……..You can get a back that s gonna get around 8-10 runs per game and catch 8 balls. That would certainly qualify as a 3down back and leave plenty of carries for RoJo.
So I’ll take Iras word for it. Great chance the Bucs get a RB in first three rounds this year.
April 9th, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Irv***
April 9th, 2020 at 4:36 pm
That’s been the problem all this time we’re looking for developmental players while the rest of the league is drafting impact and immediate starters. Problem solved now let’s start working our way out of having the worst lose percentage in all of sports.
April 9th, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Joe … I wish someone would ask JL why he’s waiting so long to sign a couple more FAs, specifically a quality backup veteran QB and a quality veteran Safety. We could go into the season with Gabbert, Griffin, Adams & Edwards but WHY? We’ve got enough $$$ to sign quality vets in both of those positions. If we’re truly going to make a run for it, we NEED a good backup QB & an experienced starting safety.
Seems like our draft priorities should be pretty straight-forward. We NEED to find a starting RT … using our Rnd 1 pick there makes the most sense. We also NEED to improve our RB stable … using a Rnd 2 pick there makes the most sense. We NEED to replace Allen & Nassib … using a Rnd 3 or at worst Rnd 4 pick there makes sense. We NEED to replace Perriman as our WR#3 … using a Rnd 3 or at worst Rnd 4 pick there makes sense. That leaves us 1 each Rnd 4, 5 & 6 picks to play with. Another OLineman, another RB/FB (AJ Dillon) & whoever would suit me just fine.
April 9th, 2020 at 4:48 pm
Just draft good players. There’s no need to reach for anybody (ie, if the Big 4 are gone, reach for an OT). If we get on OT later on, such as Ben Bartch, look into signing Jason Peters. If not, look into re-signing Dot or trade for a vet that might be getting replaced by the Big 4.
April 9th, 2020 at 4:55 pm
the bucs are looking for intelligent players now? i would hope so. we havent had that in a long time. i think not since the schiano days.
April 9th, 2020 at 5:01 pm
Licht looked like he was in a hostage video, only thing missing was him holding up a news paper with today’s date to prove the kidnappers have not killed him yet.
April 9th, 2020 at 5:18 pm
D.R.
I believe it was Maya Angelou who said…”When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time”
For all the carping from the JW crowd calling BA a liar I think he’s been refreshingly honest. We may not always agree with what he has said but I’ve tried to remember when he went back on it. He felt good about our running game…our DB’s…and that’s who he rolled with last year. Joe and the gang here may criticize those decisions he didn’t lie about them or try to hide.
For some reason people have difficulty believing BA is comfortable with Gabbert. I’m not sure why other than Gabbert laid a huge egg as a #10 pick in the entire draft…first impressions and all of that with HIGH expectations for a top 10 pick. Of course he went to a rotten team like most high picks but he has largely failed to distinguish himself and I realize that.
However…if you simply look at his 2015 season.
He started half the 49er games under the failed Jim Tomsula regime. The team finished 5-11 with Gabbert going 3-5 in his half season. So Gabbert was slightly better than the team as a whole..but I realize that stat base is too small to be predictive.
It’s his on field production that got my attention.
He completed 63% of his passes for 2031 yards a higher TD% than int %.
He tossed 10TD’s with 7 ints and had his highest Yardage per completion in his career at 7.2 yards per pass and he passed for 85 first downs.
You can do the math and see that these numbers project to be mediocre not horrible over the entire season.
It’s not that I advocate for mediocrity but in an expensive position like QB mediocre may be the best we can afford.
He has experience…if he’s healthy he has upside with our improved D. And IMO…perhaps you agree…I do not expect TB12 to “save” us from ourselves.
We’ve either improved our D as dramatically as we hope/believe or we’re toast anyway..TB12 or not. If the D performs they will be good enough to carry Gabbert for even an extended period of time.
Bottom line for me is that with our D Gabbert can easily be a .500 QB and maybe even better. In BA I trust and he seems to trust Gabbert.
Just like those decisions last year we may not agree with this…although I happen to believe for the $$ Gabbert will work fine. Again BA has never really lied about his intentions.
I do not wish to spend $$ on a FA QB and I don’t wish to spend too much drafg capital If we take a QB I want a project 4th round or later. I want to spend that draft capital on 2 RB’s 2 OL..a safety and another DL. And I’m hopeful that Licht can also hit a home run or two with UDFA’s.
April 9th, 2020 at 5:18 pm
Just take the highest rated player on your board. If it’s close, and you can fill a need, like with White last year you’re doing both.
April 9th, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Well, that kind of explains Jason’s lack of success in general, to be honest. In my mind, ALWAYS err on the side of intelligent players. Funny how Belichick and Bill Walsh figured that out long ago.
April 9th, 2020 at 5:55 pm
Yeah right like this team cares anything about the future of this franchise. Freaking liars.
April 9th, 2020 at 6:02 pm
Tom Brady will become the Bucs GM with a small ownership in the franchise
April 9th, 2020 at 6:10 pm
Defense Rules…..Waiting might make the most sense. Players will get cut after the draft and there’s usually a couple really good ones avialable. Plus waiting til after the draft gives us a opportunity to see which spots we really need to address.
And I don’t know why you think wee need a experienced safety. Bowles has done great work with rookies at that position. Just look at what he does d in Arizona and with the Jets with rookie safety’s. Safety might be a great position to wait on. Their me get be a guy Bowles loves in the draft and if we don’t get that guy you can see whose put there after the draft. If nothing pans out there’s still a chance we can trade for one. Plenty of options plenty of time.
I also think Gabbett is a decent option for backup. He has the pro experience and familiarity with the offense. They already signed him too so I wouldn’t expect much except for maybe a rookie. I won’t ble you if you aren’t that high on Gabbert though.
April 9th, 2020 at 6:17 pm
NDog…..The fact that you don’t realize how Bruce has a vested interest into the future of this team shows just how little you know.
Let me clue you in(again). The future plan for this franchise is that Bruce’s predecessor is his own guy who is already on staff. Bruce has every reason to want to set his own guy up for success which includes having a QB prepared for them to carry the torch.
And this is hardly news. This has been something that’s been discussed since Bruce came here and assembled his staff.
You are just closing your eyes and ears to what’s going on because they didn’t do what you wanted. Now you have to have somebody to blame and namecall.
You put your own opinion above the team and are not living in reality. You disgust me.
April 9th, 2020 at 6:20 pm
Can someone please explain how the NFL will have a 2020 season?
I keep hearing about rushing leagues back into play. This is delirium. Don’t they realize that a lower virus infection rate does nothing to eradicate the disease? Until they have a vaccine, folks, it ain’t gonna happen.
If any sports league begins play, no matter the number of players in the league, and one person gets infected the entire league will shut its doors again immediately. Now think NFL and 60+ players, not to mention the multitudes that will play and get cut during preseason.
Hope is great, but irrational hope makes no sense at all.
All indications are that TB43 will be TB44 before he takes the field for the Bucs.
April 9th, 2020 at 6:34 pm
JJ, with every post he proves he’s a JW fan more than a Bucs fan. I know he will protest this as he has in the past but I can only go by what I read.
April 9th, 2020 at 6:35 pm
WR Devin Duverney (Texas) in the fifth would be a huge steal. Peep the track stars film.
April 9th, 2020 at 6:36 pm
(cont’d) – I gave an example and another thread earlier about how big a Sapp fan I was. Sapp, a better player as he regressed than JW has ever been. But once he was gone I went back to rooting for the DT’s who took his place. Team over player. It’s that simple.
April 9th, 2020 at 6:54 pm
AlteredEgo Say: Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:
If he brings the long-suffering Bic fans a Lombardi in their home stadium, I hope he gets it…
April 9th, 2020 at 6:57 pm
Trade #14, 45 & 2021 1st to NYG for #4 & draft Oregon QB J.Herbert.
(4yr starter w/ 37 Wonderlic & all the physical tools to be a great one mold behind TB12).
Go RB/WR w/ #76 & 117…Developmental OL/DL/DB w/ #139/161/194.
April 9th, 2020 at 7:02 pm
Not sure why they are even holding 2020 draft this year since there will be mo Professional sports played until 2021 at the earliest if indeed we are a year and a half away from a vacine there may ne no sports in 2022 as well, it could be 2023 before sports is played again, sad but a reality
April 9th, 2020 at 7:25 pm
Jameis who?
April 9th, 2020 at 7:54 pm
The future is NOW as this team just sold it’s future down the river. Put all your resources on now cause there is no tommorow with no QB in the fold beyond two years. Add that to good old Mr. Biscuit/liar bailing after two more years it will be full rebuild, cause if he has proven anything here so far it is that all he cares about is himself/legacy and nothing or no one else.
April 9th, 2020 at 7:55 pm
so this rules out any players from gainesville
April 9th, 2020 at 7:56 pm
Reading between those lines sounds like QB. They’d be foolish to not bring one on now. Arians AND Brady? A young QB with potential couldn’t ask for a better situation.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:01 pm
JimmyJack your so cute thinking this guy gives a crap about anyone but himself. Boy he must have sure cared a lot for those folks in Arizona when he left them with an absolute trash roster and no set future. Wow I can’t wait till he bails on us the same way.
The Cardinals went a tremendous 8-23-1 the years after he left, what a great setup, man sounds great JimmyJack.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:02 pm
There is still a simple solution for this entire situation – just resign Winston as the backup. The Bucs desperately need a backup, and if the market is as soft as it appears, they can afford to sign him for year. That gives the team a legit safety net if Brady suddenly looks his age. From Winston, he said it himself, he can’t get mad at losing his job to the best ever.
This protects the team, protects the coaches, protects the future of the team.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:11 pm
NDog the future with JW was paved with 8-8 seasons at 30m a year. Nice future.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:19 pm
Rod …that would put Ndog in tears…
April 9th, 2020 at 8:27 pm
Buc1987 – It would be the best thing for the team, in particular considering the team already should have been 9-7 last year with decent kicking, and that was with a defense that was on pace the first half of the year to be the worst in the history of the NFL, and losing two pro-bowl WRs down the strech.
People pretending that Winston was what kept the team from winning are 100% fake news, and 100% boring, the type of people that just repeat what they read on bumper stickers and then repeat it to others.
In any case the Bucs should try to keep Winston. What an amazing situation if they could have both, let Winston sit behind Brady for a year or two, then take his job back.
Or, in what is the worst possible case. Lets say instead that Winston goes to the Saints as a backup for a year then, with Payton as coach, became the starter. Is there anyone that doesn’t think Winston wouldn’t light up the Bucs for 40-points a game for the next decade plus? If you know your Bucs history, you know this is exactly how the story ends.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:28 pm
StPete … I get it about Gabbert (BA & he go back a ways). Thought the same thing about Bucannon last season, then … bye bye birdie. Watford was another who he had trust in … still hasn’t been re-signed.
Gabbert’s a big boy (6’4″ & 235 lbs) and he has experience, plus he’s only averaging 1 INT/game that he started. However, he also sports a 13-35 career average (not anything to write home about), and a 56% completion percentage. I’ll give you that he MIGHT turn out to be an awesome backup to Tom Brady, but if I were a betting man I wouldn’t put money on it.
I don’t mind seeing us spend $4 – $5 mil on a backup QB IF the rest of the team has the potential to reach the playoffs (with a solid draft, I THINK we could pull that off this year). No idea if our 43-year-old starting QB can make it through 16 regular season games and up to 4 post-season games, but I sure would feel a lot more comfortable with a backup QB with better career stats than what I’m seeing in Gabbert.
JimmyJack … Our Secondary came on strong last season, but it still lacks a veteran presence. Whitehead’s probably entrenched as 1 starter, but it looks like our choices opposite him are Edwards or Adams. With so much youth in the Secondary, we need someone back there who understands Bowles system & can help keep the youngsters focused on the field (a ‘field general’ so to speak like John Lynch used to be). And yes, Tony Jefferson keeps coming to mind (2013-2016 with Arizona then 2017-2019 with Baltimore). Besides, the last thing we need is for everyone in the Secondary to come up on contract within just a 2-year window. Now’s not the time to be breaking in ANOTHER rookie in the Secondary (we did that with 3 last season).
April 9th, 2020 at 8:31 pm
Ndog please tell me how they mortgaged the future???????
I mean I know your silly answer but I wanna actually see you type that bull
April 9th, 2020 at 8:32 pm
Fool in talking like we gave up draft capital
Did I miss something
It’s called addition by subtraction
April 9th, 2020 at 8:34 pm
So NDog……Is Arians responsible for the Cardinals bringing in Sam Bradford who totally flopped? That’s his freaking fault? Are you that touched in the head?
Is he responsible for them drafting a complete and utter bust with a Top 5 pick. Rosen who they freaking traded after a year?
How about one of the worst coaching hires of all time who was so bad they didn’t even get a second year.
How about adding a bust at Guard in the off-season and a bust at RT..
two busts at CB, a bust at WR and a bust at HB………All this done after Arians and your blaming him?……..You need to check your facts dude. You sound ignorant as hell.
Meanwhile Bruce comes here and who do we get? A sack king, a top end run stopper and a receiver who gets himself paid. Now we get a elite QB.
What a ignorant post you just made. Why don’t you do a little research before you embarrassing yourself again spitting out peabrained thoughts with no facts.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:35 pm
You heard LVD this is what the locker room wanted. U gon tell him want they want it how they feel ???
April 9th, 2020 at 8:36 pm
Youngbucs no QB means no chance and if you or anyone seriously thinks a QB is a finished product after 5 years in the league, especially at the age of 26, I have a long line of players that history begs to disagree with you on.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:42 pm
JimmyJack he went out and got and old QB, sound familiar, didn’t develop a young QB, sound familiar and please name all of the great young players he developed at Arizona?
I won’t wait cause the answer is zero. So yeah go on and tell me how he left them in a position to succeed.
This should be good, go ahead smart guy please tell us how a team that went 8-23-1 was setup for success.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:43 pm
The fact is the Cardinals had pie es to work with all over that team. They still did have a top defense and many weapons on offense.
Bruce rode it out with Palmer and lost him to injury I’m back to back seasons. Those are the facts.
If the Cardinals could have hired the right coach and brought him the right QB they had the pieces in place to be a winning team.
But they hired Will’s who was a epic failure. His OC was fired Midway through year one hahahaha. It was considered one of the worst assembled staffs top to bottom.
And their answer at QB was a bust free agent and a bust draft choice.
To supplement the awful choices at QB and HC their free agent signings we’re almost exclusively busts.
Why don’t you go talk to a Cardinal fan that actually follows the team to see what the real problem was(I know I did)…..Instead of blurting out stupid crap that makes you sound completely and utterly clueless.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:45 pm
Plus JimmyJack why are so scared of the win it all now mentality? You got what you wanted, a old as heck QB and got rid of any future embrace it man, or are you scared what you wish for might just fail?
April 9th, 2020 at 8:46 pm
Ndog all wise 1 so how long does it take for Jameis to develop enlighten me
April 9th, 2020 at 8:48 pm
How coaches/teams is it gonna take for him to develop enlighten me please
April 9th, 2020 at 8:51 pm
Him not developing a young QB is supposted to sound familiar? Hey numbnuts in case you didn’t realize this is a different situation then Arizona. I’ll tell you again the plan is for Arians to handpick his replacement so he’s got a vested interest in having a QB for the to succeed with ……..But that doesn’t mean you’ll listen.
As far as which players he developed? You want me do research every player he coached now? Get freaking real. I’m not doing that and neither are you. Off the top of my head I can say D.Johndon and that Honey Hair guy. I don’t follow much Cardinals football.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:53 pm
You tell me one time how we gave up a future to get Brady. You can’t cause you won’t.
It takes a real numbnuts to not realize you can draft a QB in any year you want. Not to mention find a replacement in free agency like we just freaking did.
April 9th, 2020 at 8:54 pm
Guys. Stop bantering with Ndog. It’s obvious he is just playing with y’all … or he is a 7 year old with his parents computer… or he’s got Jameis’s bone in his mouth.. or he is just an IDIOT…
April 9th, 2020 at 8:58 pm
YoungBucs……Can you please share with me where LVD said that?
I missed it. Would add more fuel to the growing speculation that Winston lost the belief in his teammates. He failed as a leader.
Very likely a huge reason why he’s gone. NDog will never admitt it but it’s a real chance that if we bring Winston back JPP and Suh move on……Maybe even followed by Shaq next off-season.
You resign Winston and ya gotta rebuild the whole defense all over again…….So it’s likely the real way you mortage the future is tesigning Winston. Not the other way around.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:02 pm
Im going with bone in the mouth
😂
April 9th, 2020 at 9:07 pm
In his interview joe also had it up the other day
April 9th, 2020 at 9:29 pm
Thank you YoungBucs. Just went back and checked it out.
Another source claiming leadership being a reason for the change at QB……This time coming directly from the lockerroom.
The verdict is basically in. Winston was a poor leader. My opinion is he lost belief in these players with awful and repeated mistakes on the field. I would think the Texans game might of been the final straw……followed by that OT abomination 7 days later.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:37 pm
^^^^
Pretty sure those end of year interviews from players were not kind to the former QB
April 9th, 2020 at 9:43 pm
MARK MY WORDS…
Bucs will draft WR HENRY RUGGS if he’s still no the board when the Bucs are on the clock with the 14th pick.
He makes too much sense… he’d be our Edelman. We need fast, slippery slot guy. He’d be great for quick passes Brady loves to throw after his pre-snap read of a Defense, and he’s also a massive home-run hitter for deep balls that Arians loves.
Just like the previous analyst that Joe posted above here several days ago that also predicted Ruggs. He just makes too much sense.
Evans & Godwin on the outside with Ruggs on the inside to go along with Howard & Brate??? That’s a RIDICULOUS WR/TE group.
If Ruggs is off the board at #14, look for the Bucs to go RB. They may trade down a few spots and then grab a RB. But they’ll go RB in the 1st if Ruggs isn’t available at 14.
They can get a solid RT in the 2rd or 3rd round. The OT grades beyond the top 3 or 4 guys (of which Becton is a risk) are all very similar for the next group of 7-10 lineman.
You gotta go IMPACT player in the 1st round. No better way to do than with Ruggs or Swift or Taylor.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:44 pm
Licht : Obviously Tom isn’t probably going to play for the next 10 years.
Of course not. He’s here to be the next joe Montana.
Licht : But you have to think about the future.
Ok understandable it’s a SB or bust.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Ivan the dingleberry. You’re drinking too much toilet water. Ruggs in the 1st ? Lol. You’re the biggest idiot.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Ndog, what are you babbling about “no future” stuff? The overall team is a very YOUNG CORE.
The only difference is Jameis is gone. Seriously, bro, you’re that worked up that Jameis is gone that you think the Bucs have no future beyond a couple of years with Brady starting?
C’mon, man… the Bucs could draft a decent QB prospect during that time or sign someone in free agency. Jameis Winston wasn’t the Bucs ONLY future option at QB outside of Brady. And it’s not like they just traded the next 5 years of draft picks to get Brady or something.
Man… you really are a piece of work. Your Jameis-obsession is truly unbelievable.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:47 pm
Adrnagy,
Ruggs is being mocked to go to the 49ers right before us, or the Broncos right after us in many mocks. So he certainly wouldn’t be a reach.
Ruggs would be a great fit with our offense and make the perfect slot guy for Brady. Brady throws to the slot more than anyone.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:50 pm
So you think ruggs Over a OT? Or kinlaw? You gotta be intoxicated with that toilet water you been drinking.
49ers need a receiver. They lost Sanders to the saints.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:51 pm
Imo. Licht will trade for amendola or Edelman.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:52 pm
D.R.
Certainly take your points. Spotrac has Gabbert at 1.6 million. I’d be open to tripling that if you could excite me with a clear move up…somebody like Dalton..if you could get him for 5…maybe Flacco…Who did you have in mind for 5 million?
April 9th, 2020 at 9:55 pm
Ivan………I don’t see how that Ruggs guy is a fit here. You gotta think about how that kid thinks he’s getting an opportunity to get drafted and be the main target for some team and make a huge name for himself. The Bucs can’t give him that opportunity.
As a WR 3 here we will be taking him off the field a lot. I just don’t think that’s going to sit well with somebody who wants a bigger slice of the pie. I just don’t see it as a good fit and think it adds the wrong kind of element to our WR room when we already are led but two good football players that keep their egos in check.
I think we’d be much better off getting one a little later where your getting a guy who is more willing to play the role of a #3.
April 9th, 2020 at 9:57 pm
Brady is not relying on no rookie and we better off getting Gronk or Edelman someone he is comfortable with. Please include our great Wrs were in bottom of separation and off the line so get what Brady wants
April 9th, 2020 at 9:59 pm
Jimmy Jack,
What “that kid thinks” is pointless. He’ll play where he’s told to play and will play for whatever team he’s luck enough to get drafted by.
April 9th, 2020 at 10:00 pm
And plus you can’t just say he’s a slot guy either. Arians has a different view of that position as seen with Chris playing there and Fitzgerald in Arizona.
Brady might have some different concepts we adjust with. Or we might keep Chris there a lot like he did last year. It will be interesting to see how that role plays out next year.
Even if we did get Ruggs he might be better off outside and leaving Chris in the slot. Like we did with Perriman.
April 9th, 2020 at 10:02 pm
The problem is we have a average team and we added Brady
To kick this up a notch. Trade OJ he sucks for Gronk. Trade for Edelman. Get whatever Tom Brady needs
Bench Ronald Jones and get draft a rb 1st round and cut Dorian Stewart draft 3 more safties until 1 hits and the rest o line
April 9th, 2020 at 10:03 pm
Ndog who do you got for the 1-3 picks ?
April 9th, 2020 at 10:03 pm
Ivan sure in a perfect world that sounds fine and dandy. But the NFL is loaded with diva receivers. Always has been.
I’m not calling Ruggs a diva. I don’t know him. But to think he will be happy to just take a lower role and do it with a smile might be niave. And maybe he has the right attitude and would do it…….I’m just thinking about if he doesn’t have that attitude. It’s worth consideration
April 9th, 2020 at 10:11 pm
StPete … Teddy Bridgewater last year made $3,250,000 as Drew Brees’ backup. From what I’d read, he wanted to learn AND ultimately rejuvenate his career. He apparently felt that being Drew Brees’ backup and playing for a top coach like Sean Payton was a good way to do that. I’d say it was a good decision on his part.
Right now there are 17 unsigned free agent QBs. After this draft there might be even more (such as Dalton?). If BA feels that Gabbert is the best of the lot, so be it. If he sees the opportunity though to sign an even better backup to Tom Brady, my guess is that he’ll pull the trigger and go for it.
April 9th, 2020 at 10:11 pm
I also think the biggest impact you could make on offense would be a RB who can catch the ball………Quite simply it would add an element to our attack that we didn’t have before. It would force teams to cover even more of the field.
I’m hoping we can get somebody in Round 2-3 for that role. Been hearing a lot of good things about the RBs available in that range.
April 9th, 2020 at 10:12 pm
Adrnagy,
I think the OT thing is a smokescreen for the 1st round. Only way we go OT in the first is if we trade up and get the “sure thing starter” we have our eyes on. And I am 90% sure that guy (or guys as in two) aren’t going to be their at #14. Getting the 3rd or 4th rated OT in the draft isn’t something I see us doing at #14.
Kinlaw is good but he’s not elite. I don’t see the Bucs drafting him. I think they’ll get some DT rotation players a bit later in the draft (3rd or 4th round?)
I see the Bucs going RB in the 1st or 2nd round guaranteed.
ONLY EXCEPTION…
If the Bucs can somehow TRADE UP to go get Jedrick Wills, someone who has played RT for the past 2 years at Alabama and a tremendous run-blocker, then they’d do that in a heartbeat. I just don’t know that they’d be able to pull that off.
April 9th, 2020 at 10:15 pm
JimmyJack,
Ruggs is a SLOT RECEIVER. He already plays that position and did for Alabama. And that’s his strength.
I’d hardly think a known slot receiver is going to whine about being drafted in the NFL and used as… a slot receiver.
That doesn’t make a lot of sense.
April 9th, 2020 at 10:25 pm
Ivan I think your missing the point. I’m not suggesting Ruggs will take issues to being in the slot. His issue would be with being the third option…….Not getting enough balls and being the guy pulled off the field in 2 TE sets. Just assuming Ruggs wants to be a #1 WR in this league.
As far as the slot position. I don’t think that would be his spot on this team. With Brady things might change but if we run the same you would put him in Perrimans spot right? Where he could use his speed. I was just pointing out that Bruce likes to do different things at slot. Like he did with Chris there and Larry Fitzgerald……..Won’t say that adding Ruggs won’t change that but could definitely see Chris staying there where he thrived last year……..Overall I just think it will be interesting to see if we make any changes at slot this year with Brady or if we keep it the same and address the outside WR role.
April 9th, 2020 at 10:32 pm
If we have a brain we come out of the first 3 rounds with a RT, RB and best DL or Safety.
April 9th, 2020 at 10:42 pm
JimmyJack – Ruggs is a more natural slot guy as a small receiver. And the fact that he runs an insane 4.24 40. He’s the perfect interior guy. They’d shift Godwin to the outside for most formations. They could certainly mix things up, but having Ruggs would give Arians a dedicated interior guy. They can also run reverses with him and it opens up all kinds of crazy stuff.
Ndog – I actually think the Bucs could draft safety, Xavier McKinney in the 1st at #14 and it wouldn’t be too shocking of a pick. I still think we go Ruggs or trade down a few spots and then take the RB we like best.
April 9th, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Ivan……Understood. Ruggs could be a great fit to work from the slot. I’m just saying that Bruce likes to use a different type then most normal offenses use in that role.
Again, that’s why Chris was there and Fitzgerald worked there. What am I missing?
April 9th, 2020 at 11:14 pm
Where are so many people talking running back in rd 1?
No chance that happens. Round one running back’s should only be a generational type back. DeAndre swift is awesome but Cam Akers and several others might be in available in round two.
Rd 1- O-LINE
Rd 2- RB (Cam Akers?)
Rd 3- DB/DE or QB (Jake Fromm?)
Rd 4- QB or DB/DE
April 10th, 2020 at 7:57 am
Well here we go again with the stupid safety talk with 1st pick. Let me say again safety is NOT a prioity. The biggest prioity is OT. Even if that means moving up in the draft, although I would stay put & take my chances. As far as drafting intelligent players, I think top prioity would be to get an intelligent GM.
April 10th, 2020 at 10:28 am
Jake Fromm is too short and was too hot and cold at Georgia. We also don’t want a short great running QB more suited to the Ravens. There are three good QB prospects late in the draft and one of them is all we need this year; they are all tall and have great arms and can throw deep with accuracy. For RB they only need to wait for Dillon in the third round and then take Gibson in the fourth who can catch screen passes and is a great runner after the catch! We need a top OT in the first round, and an excellent pass receiver like Pittman with skills similar to Thomas with the Saints, and his Dad was our RB when we won the Super Bowl. We have plenty of good Safeties without having to waste our cap on a veteran. Both Whitehead and D’cota Dixon can play Strong Safety and Evans and Edwards can play Free Safety and Adams can backup both positions. So 1. Top OT or draft down for Jones 2. Pittman 3. Dillon 4. Gibson, 2d 4. Best
backup NT in draft. 5. Best QB 6. Backup CB or G or sacker who either of the three can contribute on special teams.
April 10th, 2020 at 10:39 am
The above draft picks can fill all our needs and you know Licht can bring in some good undrafted prospects, sign some cheap veteran backups, and pickup some other prospects on the waiver wire to provide good depth for our many Asst. Coaches to develop, so we are then set for a real Super Bowl run this year or next. Trust BA, Licht, and Brady! Go Bucs!!!
April 10th, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Jason Licht is channeling Rojo and Snoop McPlaybook when he answers this question. I can’t throw Roberto in here because that was clearly a Jason Licht/team failure to put so much pressure on a guy who couldn’t kick accurately over 40 yards any way.
April 10th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
I think the pundits are going to be proven wrong. The Bucs will draft D’Andre Swift with #14 and I’ll be happy.
They are not going to screw this up with a deep OL class this year.
April 10th, 2020 at 12:36 pm
I think the Bucs smartest play is to trade back into the 20s on draft day. The Vkings are likely going to be needing a WR and Bucs could go back to their 25th slot, and also pick up MIN second round pick based on the trade value chart.
April 10th, 2020 at 8:32 pm
For those wanting a Veteran Safety to help our young safeties, we already have one that has played for us two years in a row, Adams, and the Bucs have signed him for another year this year. He played with a number of different teams until Licht signed him the first time and he didn’t disappoint contributing three interceptions in one game his first year for us!