Predraft Grade: “A” For Licht
April 5th, 2020
Gives Bucs GM props.
There is an outfit Joe doesn’t respect that is obsessed with grades.
This left tackle had a grade; that strongside backer had a grade, that punter had a grade.
Who is doing the grading? Bill Parcells? Mike Holmgren? John Madden? Jimmy Johnson? Bill Polian? Father Dungy? Gil Brandt? Nah, man. Some dude in an Irish dorm and a failed minor league pitcher.
So you can see why Joe puts no stock in those grades (regular readers know full well who Joe is referring to).
That brings Joe to former Bucs guard and current popular local sports radio personality Ian Beckles. On a recent edition of his podcast “In the Trenches,” Beckles discussed how he has been a harsh critic of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
But Beckles said he has to be fair. And what Licht had done this offseason, he deserves an “A” grade. And depending how Licht works the draft, he could get an A+ from Beckles for his offseason work.
“We have been critical of Jason Licht throughout the years,” Beckles said of his terrestrial radio show troupe. “And justifyingly so. Picking a kicker early in the draft and missing. That keeps on coming up and will never go away. The rest of it wasn’t pretty. The overall record isn’t pretty. Now I have been on him as much as anybody else.
“Right now [Licht] is the GM in the NFL that is getting the most done. Nobody is getting more done than Jason Licht. At the moment. … Signing Tom Brady. Re-signing the NFL’s top sacker in Shaq Barrett. Getting [Jason Pierre-Paul] to come back. Ndamukong Suh.
“If he can figure out a way to get the right, right tackle in the draft? Listen, he gets an “A+” for the offseason. He gets an “A” anyways, regardless of what happens in the draft. Nobody thought this could all get done. Not all of it. Some of it, yes. We will see how things proceed, how these things unfold.”
Beckles is right about the free agents. Joe figured of all the defensive starters who were free agents, the Bucs would lose at least one. Joe didn’t think the Bucs could hold on to Shaq, JPP and Suh. Joe was thinking the Bucs would likely lose Suh and would draft Javon Kinlaw to replace him.
That still might happen. But now with Suh back, there isn’t an urgency to go get Kinlaw.
So far this offseason? Job well done by Licht.
April 5th, 2020 at 8:14 am
I guess if you can’t draft, then you better be able to shop and buy!!!!!!!!!!! But the euphoria for shopping in the NFL is always short!!!!!!!!!!!! ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The licht bulb gm is in his 7th offseason with the Bucs, and there is a “real” possibility of only having 5 starters from opening day 2 years ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This unprecedented “reload” will come with a heavy price tag that the sheep are not yet seeing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They better cash in their chips this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 5th, 2020 at 8:22 am
I totally agree with Ian Beckles about Licht.
He has done a great job this year.
April 5th, 2020 at 8:26 am
We also thought Brate might be a casualty (release or trade) of the salary cap, but he’s still here. The only major losses were Nassib and Perriman. So I totally agree, Licht did a great job. With just a couple of good moves in the draft and remaining FA, this team will be in excellent position to make a run for Division title and the playoffs!
April 5th, 2020 at 8:28 am
Be a tough choice between Brown, Kinlaw, or one of the top RT’s. The Bucs need to come out of this draft with a RT, and a DT, the question is where? We picked up Haeg to replace Dotson, but we haven’t replaced Allen, and we need to.
April 5th, 2020 at 8:41 am
How does Brady count? He did do anything to sign him correct? He claimed Brady recruited the Bucs. Suh just wanted to play with Brady and only signed after Brady made it known he was coming to Tampa by his own choice. So honestly that’s like getting a C for him. Barrett resigning is news worthy so he should get credit for him only.
April 5th, 2020 at 8:41 am
We can’t evaluate Jason Licht in a vacuum…..he has BA & Bowles…..and I give them most of the credit for last year’s FAs……Shaq, Suh, Perriman & draft…..
They are also highly influential with Brady……and the re-signing of JPP & Suh…
I give Licht no credit for the franchise Tag on Shaq……all he did was exercise it.
To be fair…..he is certainly partly responsible for the success in the off-season.
April 5th, 2020 at 8:41 am
Didn’t do I meant in first sentence. Typo
April 5th, 2020 at 8:48 am
I think Licht has done a good job over the years with personnel. I think coaching has been the issue. Sure you have some swing and misses but everyone does. I love the JPP trade and the Brady signing. I think he will trade back in the first round and grab jones. If they play this is going to be a great year. They’ve given us something to be excited about. Go Bucs!!!
April 5th, 2020 at 8:49 am
Huge move. He got Arians!!
April 5th, 2020 at 9:20 am
I want some of that redfish Ian’s holding!
April 5th, 2020 at 9:23 am
Show me the W-L record being on the plus side , but oh that is right , you cannot. Until you win more than you lose , please stop with these insane grades , plaudits , and kudos for a franchise and GM that gets a BIG FAT F grade in the only stat that counts.
April 5th, 2020 at 9:26 am
One year out of seven. I’m going to wait to see if we win before I give him any love.
April 5th, 2020 at 9:56 am
Could be the Arians effect more than anything else but I’m not complaining. With plenty of options in the draft at OT, RB and WR , the remaining holes on offense will be filled.
April 5th, 2020 at 10:09 am
Jason had drafted a lot of good players . we really don’t know how many because all the suckiest coaches we had over the years that don’t know how to coach rookie . the Bucs are always giving away good players. Last year was the first time we actually got free agent that wanted to play not taking Bucs for the money. I think we should trade up with a second round pick next year ahead of the Raiders then let have some room for light to trade back and back and back and back and back to get as many second round and third round picks this this year draft filled with all kinds of good players. if we can end up 5 second round picks if we play our cards right. Thanks to all the good receivers in this draft. Come on Jason do your magic. Go bucs
April 5th, 2020 at 10:13 am
Arians has clearly been calling the shots., Licht is still a buffoon.
April 5th, 2020 at 10:22 am
Buddy…you’re giving him too much credit for Barrett who was just tagged.
Not too hard to get that done.
April 5th, 2020 at 10:24 am
Arians is calling the shots when things go right and Jason is when they go wrote. It must be nice to live in a world where you are never wrong.
April 5th, 2020 at 10:41 am
I have been pretty tough on GM Jason Licht but for good reason. His 2016 draft is enough ammo to fire his azz. I will never forgive him for drafting a worthless kicker in the second round while our offensive line sucked big time. His free agent signing up until last year have been lackluster at best. People give him credit for drafting Mike Evans – big freaking deal – was it really that difficult of a decision to make?
That being said – I have to give GM Licht some credit for the recent free agent signings and draft picks that have helped turn this team around. I do believe that BA is making most of the personnel decisions at this point so I’m not sure how much credit I’m willing to give our current GM.
I do believe that Licht was able to save his job because he helped deliver BA to the Bucs. That is the one thing I will give our GM a little credit for.
April 5th, 2020 at 10:45 am
love Ian, hes the man!! Ron and Ian have a great show. Joe who did you piss off over at 620? You have been off the air since the big dog signed off. Pewter Report is all over the radio. I remember your post here a a few years back that you and big dog had a pissing contest??
April 5th, 2020 at 10:47 am
Its unfortunate that the best bucs web site is not aligned with the only real sports talk radio in tampa.. just sayn
April 5th, 2020 at 11:03 am
I still would not give you a nickel for Licht. He’s all in on the big 43 yr old gamble. I hope it works for him and for us. Its win or nothin for this crew. They lose and they can join their hommies Schiano, and lovie dovie down in the clearwater fishing hole.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:09 am
I’m usually pretty critical of Licht, but Ian is absolutely right about him for this year.
April 5th, 2020 at 11:22 am
I think if Kinlaw is there at 14 you must pull the trigger. We can get a good RT in round 2. If Kinlaw is off board get best OT, or trade down and get OT, RB, or DT.
Plenty of talent in this draft if we trafe back & stock up!!!
April 5th, 2020 at 11:25 am
I totally agree that Light has had a killer offseason. He had to learn to be a GM on the fly & he has really step uped his game…This offseason has put a bright spot on these dark days…
April 5th, 2020 at 11:26 am
Agree with Ian. NFL GM’s should be graded on the curve. Even the most famous and successful have some clunker drafts and FA’s.
While I agree with Ian for this season…I find it hard to judge Licht overall….until last year…probably BA/Bowles..our FA’s were horrid!! IMO Licht has a mixed record drafting….whenever a #1 pick in the entire draft busts..the GM starts with an F3. But he has found some gems in the draft…3/5’s of our OL were Licht picks and they have worked out….still need a real RT and perhaps some more depth.
He found Godwin late…he may have missed on OJ…this year will provide that answer.
One thing Licht doesn’t seem to get credit where it is due is in the UDFA’s.
Just off the top of my head I can think of three UDFA’s who were solid starters for us…although Barber is no star he provided a body for a few seasons.
I read DR and his comments about expecting a starter out of our top two or three draft picks and I agree….that’s where you find your starters but if a GM can find a UDFA who breaks into the starting lineup and is more than just depth or ST….that’s a true win!
April 5th, 2020 at 11:36 am
It’s pretty easy to grade!!!!!!! One just has to remove their pewter tinted glasses!!!!!!!!!!! Then there is no other option, then a big, fat F !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 5th, 2020 at 12:51 pm
“He gets an “A” anyways, regardless of what happens in the draft”
Easy. Remember who we’re talking about here. That’s kiss of death material.
Spbf
The famous and successful don’t have a horrible W/L record for years… not if they want to remain that way.
The most impressive thing Licht did this off season is wriggle off the JW hook. Quietly, he got himself out of the fire and back into the frying pan.
The team he runs still has front line holes and no real depth. BA & Bowles are definitely influential, and it’s kinda cool having Tom Moore in the building.
If Licht can stand in the background and still get it done, great. I’m not ready to crown him just yet 👑.
April 5th, 2020 at 1:19 pm
I like Ian and he may have a valid point but I’m still not on board with the Gumpster Fire.
I believe BA may be the man behind the genius moves at One Buc Place.
Did anyone else see BA playing the guitar at the Grand Old Opry last night?
That dude is a jack of all trades.
April 5th, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Jmark
Agree about the W-L record. The Bucs simply MUST win this year for Licht to have any credibility left.
I think the five years of “blameless’ who has survived on stats other the w’s and l’s has influenced me…and not for the better because I agree with you…w’s should be the final metric.
I also agree that Licht wiggled out of his biggest blunder…JW…if indeed it was HIS blunder and not Lovies. I do not know.
April 5th, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Look, Licht missed on some draft picks and FA signings….but lately he’s been on target….especially when he listens to what some of us post here. I brought us Marpet, I brought us Big V, I brought us D. White.
Now hopefully I’ll bring Thomas…or in a trade up scenario Wirfs/Wills or Simmons. If we get Simmons, theres quite a few RT guys lower in the draft. I just hate losing draft capital in a trade up. But yeah, grade A from me for Mr. Licht!
April 5th, 2020 at 2:28 pm
The panthers are in rebuild mode….the more i think about us trading up to their 7th if Simmons is still there, the more I like it! Here’s a vid breaking him down (which is why i want him). It shows all the good and the little thats bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfMlcwAYS2Y
April 5th, 2020 at 5:05 pm
He may deserve an A for this offseason. However, he is judged on his full body of work. I would grade him a C-. My question, is does he have some sort of video of Darcy Glazier that has kept him employed when I was sure he was gonna get canned.
April 5th, 2020 at 8:17 pm
Hmmmmmm, Licht all the sudden gets way way better with B A in place , well whatever, however ,it’s a welcome change.
If you can’t do it surround yourself with people who can !!!
April 5th, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Joe thought Kinlaw was the pick and Haeg was the RT?!?
April 6th, 2020 at 5:03 am
Agreed! keeping that D together was a huge move, the 2nd half of the season showed so much promise and the secondary started to grow up a little .I can imagine those guys on the sideline praying for Winston not turn it over …so many short fields last year. BTW, nice bull red in your pic. Peace