Jason Licht’s Battle Royale
February 26th, 2021
Joe does not envy Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht for the next month or so.
Upon reading a list compiled by The33rdTeam.com, a football thinktank launched by former Jets and Dolphins general manager and current BSPN talking head Mike Tannenbaum, Joe immediately felt sorry for Licht.
It seems most Bucs free agents, in particular, five of the Big 8, are the most coveted players at their respective positions. In other words, Licht is likely in for many fights with his NFL colleagues in trying to keep the Big 8, which he and Super Bowl-winning Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians have stated is their offseason goal.
Joe sort of pictured Licht as Andre the Giant in a battle royale, fighting off the likes of Nature Boy Ric Flair, Harley Race, Macho Man Savage, Rowdy Roddy Piper, George “The Animal” Steele and The Undertaker, among others.
Tannenbaum’s outfit has the following Bucs free agents ranked:
Linebackers (no specific designation): No. 1 Shaq Barrett, No. 4 Lavonte David.
Defensive tackles: No. 4 Ndamukong Suh.
Wide receivers: No. 2 Chris Godwin.
Tight end: No. 4 Rob Gronkowski.
Interestingly, neither Playoff Lenny nor furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing Antonio Brown are listed. And there is no rankings for kickers, so you won’t find Ryan Succop on the list.
So Licht might spend much of his time winging fellow general managers over the top rope in an effort to keep them away from his targeted Big 8, if he can’t sign them before the free agency bell rings next in a few weeks.
Will Licht be the last man standing? It would be a helluva feat to pull off.
February 26th, 2021 at 11:12 am
It’s simple. Suh, small bump. Succor, bump. Godwin or Shaq, long term and the other Franchise. Gronk won’t be leaving unless they disrespect him, and that ain’t happening. Fournette will sign a short term deal. No one else will have AB.
Everything is about making one more run. They can borrow from 2022 and 2023 by extending deals.
After next year, they start a new 3 year plan. That will involve a new QB for after Tom Brady leaves, and if he wants to stay to age 50, he has earned that right. If he would win 3 SB here, would he go in HOF as a Buc or Patriot? Primacy v. Recency!
February 26th, 2021 at 11:14 am
It syarts with extending deals of players here – Jensen, Smith, Brady and Evans.
February 26th, 2021 at 11:17 am
Jason is gonna have his work cut out for him, trying to keep our team together.
I would not be surprised to see the Tag used to keep Shaq.
February 26th, 2021 at 11:23 am
I think AB isn’t listed as he isn’t seen as a top free agent. Due to pass actions, distractions, age, and possible suspensions, I think the market is thin for his services.
I’d like to see him back. He should consider signing another single year deal which would be at a team-friendly rate. If Godwin leaves, AB will get a helluva lot more targets. If he keeps his nose clean, he might be looking at one last good contract in this league.
February 26th, 2021 at 11:25 am
SC Bucs Fan
I agree…..and you can add JPP…..and figure out a way to get Gronk & Suh to take less money for a 2-year deal.
February 26th, 2021 at 11:27 am
Great photo. That might be Madison Square Garden. –Championship Wrestling from Florida in the 70s and early 80s with Gordon Solie was the best.
February 26th, 2021 at 11:56 am
This should be very easy for Licht…..just read JBF……take posters advice (many of them)……simply restructure all existing contracts…..somehow come up with $50 million to sign FAs….no problem….
February 26th, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Suh isn’t going anywhere for just money. AB is a wild card it it appears the only person that’s been able to tame him is Brady. Gronk is staying maybe a small cut. Lenny can go, focus on Shaq & David, if push comes to shove don’t be surprised if Brady takes a cut to keep Hodwin. He’s done it many times in the past.
February 26th, 2021 at 12:00 pm
@ ’79 Defense: maybe Ft. Homer Hesterly?
February 26th, 2021 at 12:37 pm
The franchise tag if used makes much more sense for Godwin given the numbers involved. The difference between Godwin and Barrett in terms of franchise money owed would be around 6 to 7 million dollars, money that can and should be used for signing our other worthy free agents.
February 26th, 2021 at 12:44 pm
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February 26th, 2021 at 12:46 pm
Cobraboy,
I don’t remember Andre the Giant wrestling there. He’s in the middle of the photo. That’s why I was thinking MSG.
February 26th, 2021 at 1:12 pm
@ ’79: I saw AtG at the Ft. At one time that was THE Mecca of wrestling.
We used to go there every Wednesday night. We’d wear white t-shirts so we could see ourselves on TV that Saturday night.,
February 26th, 2021 at 1:17 pm
Rocky Johnson pictured in the center, grabbing the rope…father of Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson. Nostalgic.
February 26th, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Whattttt?!?!?! Bucs listed that high?? Where are all of the “Bucs have no talent” groupies of the past few years now? Bunch of dumbos dont like them apples? Every team has very similar “talent” as they choose from the same pool. Who’s got the right coaches and qb is what it comes down to. Yep Joe I didn’t say DE. If Shaq wants a short term raise over a long term jewelry collection then they’ll find a guy to win one on ones as long as Vea’s still home. Once Vea leaves then spend it all on DE’s
February 26th, 2021 at 2:06 pm
Ft homer hesterly armory: Dusty Rhodes the great American Dream, the Great Malenko , Eddie and Mike Graham, Cowboy Luttrall, Harley Race, Lex Luger and of course the Hulk. Remember Gordon Solie? Crazy days as a kid.
February 26th, 2021 at 2:40 pm
Cobraboy,
Wow, I didn’t know Andre had been there. Being from Orlando, for me it was going to the Orlando Sports Stadium on Sunday night, later on to become the Eddie Graham Sports Stadium, for wrestling. That was too much fun.
February 26th, 2021 at 3:29 pm
That dumbass evaluation started at the beginning with Shaq over LVD if that’s what was meant to be said.
February 26th, 2021 at 3:55 pm
So sign Lenny, Succop and AB !ST! then you have leverage on CG, the kicking game is solid and we have a solid 1-2 RB combo. Suh should come cheaper or not at all. Shaq depends on what CG wants and I think they keep LVD.
February 26th, 2021 at 4:08 pm
My preference is to keep one side of the team totally together…….and that would be the defense….
Shaq, LVD & Suh are doable…….not easy….but doable.
I am quite convinced that with most of our offense under contract….we will be fine
Brady, Evans, Miller, Johnson, OJ, Brate, Rojo, Vaughn, D. Smith, Marpet, Jensen, Cappa & Wirfs….
Think somehow they’ll keep Gronk
We can draft a WR…..& pick up a cheap FA 3rd down back….
Will miss Godwin….but Brady can make do.
February 26th, 2021 at 4:56 pm
Is that really a wrestling match, I thought it was a gay nightspot in Greenwich Village, just before they “get down”. There’s nothing wrong with that.
February 26th, 2021 at 4:57 pm
Those who leave Godwin out are idiots.
Shaq only bring pressure when vea and suh are playing next to him. Hahaha
Godwin 24yrs old.
Those who think Tyler Johnson , scooter can replace Godwin are idiots.
“He brings so much more than targets,” Arians said, via Greg Auman of TheAthletic.com. “Look at what he does as an outside receiver and a slot receiver. He’s so unique in that regard. You put his blocking in there, he’s a huge part of what we do offensively. It’s more than stats. It’s also what the guy brings to the huddle. Chris is very, very unique.”
February 26th, 2021 at 5:01 pm
Vikings are rumor to do whatever it takes to sign suh.
LISTNFRMAFAR Says:
February 26th, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Suh isn’t going anywhere for just money
February 26th, 2021 at 5:07 pm
Here you go so you can wet your muffin …
shaq Barrett 2020 stats – sacks 8 tackles 56 ?
Wants $$19m a yr
Devin white 2020 stats- 9sacks 140tackles?
Lavonte David 2020 stats – 1.5 sacks 129tackles?
Lose David. Lose devin white production. Lose the heart of the defense.
Lose Godwin lose the offense.
February 26th, 2021 at 5:54 pm
Cool reference, Joe!
Andre, in the middle of the ring, was a pretty impressive sight
February 26th, 2021 at 6:18 pm
We as fans must separate emotion from business. The cap space the team has is also the space needed to sign draft picks. There are players who haven’t gotten paid big bucks yet who are looking at it as their only chance to break the bank.
Think about it:
Shaq-Undrafted player, played under tag last season, and is 28. This man has a family to set up long after his playing days.
Godwin-Played under a 3rd round deal and this will be his only chance at a big deal. He would be foolish to turn it down just because Brady is here. There are good teams with good QBs he could go to. I’m not a fan of paying two receivers top dollar and you can’t spread the tag around. If Scotty Miller and Tyler Johnson is as good as everyone says they are, the Bucs would be able to withstand losing Godwin.
Lavonte-Dude is 31 and this will be his last deal. David would be smart to cash out and get ready for his ring of honor ceremony in the coming years.
This is a business and I expect Shaq to remain a Buc. I expect Godwin and David to play elsewhere. You also have factor in young players on this team who have deals coming up. Smith and Jensen’s deals are up after this season. You can kick the can and extend everyone, but look at the Saints. The are in cap purgatory. There will be tough choices to be made and I don’t envy this front office.
February 26th, 2021 at 6:36 pm
Ppl who think keeping shaq and letting David , Godwin makes the team way better. Those ppl drink too much toilet water.
Shaq had 8 sacks all year =16 games. I can name 20 LB/DE that can gives us 8+. And not pay 19M and I can careless if he hasn’t gotten a deal. Remember it’s a business.
February 26th, 2021 at 6:37 pm
*Ppl who think keeping shaq and letting David , Godwin leave makes the team way better.
February 26th, 2021 at 7:27 pm
If Brady wins three with the Bucs that party boat of his will be enshrined in Canton also.
February 26th, 2021 at 8:26 pm
I thought that was the Brosco brothers on the right. Jack and jerry.
February 26th, 2021 at 10:02 pm
Chris Godwin is Hines Ward.
He should be the #1 priority.
February 26th, 2021 at 10:44 pm
Great pic Joe !!
February 26th, 2021 at 11:11 pm
I am all for keeping Shaq as #1 priority.
Last two years combined Shaq is number 2 in total quarterback sacks and #2 in total quarterback hits. He also handles the run very well.
Is there anyone else the Buc’s should make more a priority?
Plus the freaking eyeball test just tells how good he is.
He was also amazing in the last two playoff games.
As good as anyone on the team.
Just my opinion.