Former NFL GM: Bucs Must Keep Shaq Barrett
March 5th, 2021
Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett.
Joe imagines Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht smiles at night each time he thinks of this.
Once upon a time, Licht worked four seasons for the Eagles and was high up the food chain climbing to Vice President of Player Personnel. There, he answered to then-Eagles general manager Joe Banner. Joe isn’t sure how to put this, but Joe thinks it is fair to say the two are not best of friends.
After Licht took over as Bucs general manager, Banner, who in recent years has been something of an NFL analyst for various media outlets, has been quite critical of Licht at times. Well, now that Licht has one more Super Bowl win to his resume than Banner (who has none), Joe is fairly confident Licht gets some satisfaction out of that.
So it interested Joe that Banner put out a piece today on the33rdTeam.com, the football thinktank hatched by former Jets and Dolphins general manager and current BSPN talking head Mike Tannenbaun, explaining what his former underling should do to make another run at a Super Bowl.
In short, Banner typed that priority No. 1 for Licht is to keep Bucs sack king Shaq Barrett.
I know they value Godwin, but if they are unable to get either [Shaq or Godwin] signed, I think the wiser decision is to tag Barrett for the second straight season. I am already a proponent of the value of defensive linemen being more impactful than receivers, but I also believe Barrett is more valuable for them due to the skill they already have in that receiver room.
In fact, Banner suggested rather than keeping aging veteran free agents like Lavonte David, foot-rubbing, car-littering tight end Rob Gronkowski and running back Playoff Lenny or Ndamukong Suh, Licht should extend Vita Vea and Carlton Davis while it is cheaper.
Unlike in Banner’s Eagles days, the Bucs this year are aiming for a Super Bowl, not a division title. So the need to keep Suh and Gronk is much greater.
Joe does like Banner’s suggestion to extend Vea and Davis now (if Licht were not going to bring back Suh, David, Gronk or Playoff Lenny). It won’t get any cheaper to re-sign those guys next year.
But at the end of the day, Licht has a Super Bowl ring. Banner does not.
March 5th, 2021 at 1:24 pm
Banner went the same place as most utter GM failures go. Inter web analysis. Say hi to Markie Dominik, Banner.
March 5th, 2021 at 1:24 pm
Due to cost and the fact that WR is the deepest part of our team, I agree that Godwin is the most likely Buc to leave. Hope no one does leave but we do (including AB) have superb depth at his position.
March 5th, 2021 at 1:33 pm
Cmon let’s get this free agency period over so we can stop hearing someone’s opinion over n over. Some of us were Bucs fans from day one. We all said they “must” sign Steve Young, Bo Jackson etc etc. Whoever’s in there we will root for.
March 5th, 2021 at 1:36 pm
From his lips to God’s ears. A no brainer at this point. #Floopis
March 5th, 2021 at 1:48 pm
In business, if you want a friend buy a dog. This love fest with Shaq is kind of funny to some degree. I agree we are weak at edge rushers, but to overpay for someone because you are thin there is a recipe for disaster. If he want to “break the bank”…let him do it elsewhere. I guarantee you he will get no more than 7 sacks after getting a fat contract and being on an inferior DL where he gets pummeled. He’s a B player who had an A+ year and got paid as such and then turned back into a B player short of the SB. I know it’s just talking heads, and these guys gotta make a living, but at some point you just have to say no thank you and walk away. Let CG walk for sure, and if SB wants to break the bank….well let him walk and bring in a lot of bodies to evaluate and draft his replacement as well. Everyone is expendable short of TB.
March 5th, 2021 at 1:49 pm
Gotta keep Barrett.
Most important FA this year.
March 5th, 2021 at 1:53 pm
No he’s not.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:03 pm
LFG Licht, time to make some moves. Soo many teams restructuring deals, why has nothing been done yet? Beware, slow on the draw and Bucs may regret it. Tick tock
March 5th, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Any idiot should know that Shaquille Barrett cannot do what he does without Lavante David back there. Shaking my head
March 5th, 2021 at 2:18 pm
Joe is like a dog on a bone with Shaq, WE get it Joe, you REALLY think the Bucs should keep him.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:26 pm
In fact Devin White and LVD have as much impact on pass rushers as Shaq because Todd Bowles will drop the edges and blitz LBS.
Shaq cannot be the focal point of you wanna sign Davis and Vea that’s for sure.
Let our home grown picks break the bank.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:46 pm
Keep the D together. I love CG but Bucs can find other WRs. Tom made Chris Hogan look good.
March 5th, 2021 at 2:59 pm
It might be kind of cold, but I think we should tag LD–he’s only got a couple years at best until his skills start eroding. Tag him THIS year (don’t know the tag price of a middle linebacker, but it’s gotta be far less than a edge rusher) Them next year, sign a 1-2 year contract
March 5th, 2021 at 5:20 pm
Of all if the above mentioned if Lavonte David doesn’t get resigned a lot of it would be for nothing, OG Bucs draft talent that still balls out on the pass rush, dropping back in pass coverage, playing sideline to sideline, all with the ability to be a part of #1run stop Defensive force, and stats on stats that every fan of has seen without analytics telling us: “This dude is a football Guy” . I’m just sayin…he’s pretty damn decent to the community as well.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:21 pm
In the 4 playoff games, David had 28 tackles, 4 pass defensed and a QB hit – he still has plenty in the tank.
March 5th, 2021 at 6:28 pm
Honestly, this remains a “no brainer.” Of course you need Shaq! He must be resigned! Again, I love Godwin, but we have Evans, Brown (must be resigned), Miller and Johnson.
Stop with all the crap about the Brown trial. It is a civil trial. There is no way in hell that case is going to trial in December. Civil trials haven’t been happening for a year due to Covid. Judges clear their respective calendars based on age of the case. Every court docket is very overcrowded. Better chance of a snowstorm in Miami (not cocaine) than this case going to trial in December.
And yes, I am a 30 year attorney who has worked on the criminal and civil side.
March 5th, 2021 at 10:46 pm
If Shaq wants to “BREAK the Bank” to set up his family for life, I get it and support him. Dude has his Ring, and is ready to let his accountant manage the cash.
Bucs NEED Shaq! Will be interesting to see where the money chips land in JL world of balancing the roster needs. I expect JL to work out a deal….But there will be some casualties… and will be worth it.
March 6th, 2021 at 7:18 am
Gronk will be resigned and LVD will not be tagged. Hard to see how people think LVD is more important than Barrett. They are both LBs and would cost the same amount so if you tag one of them, Barrett gets the tag.
March 6th, 2021 at 8:46 am
Tag your it Shaq!!! Pass Rush= Winning GO BUCS!!!!
March 6th, 2021 at 8:46 am
Shaq is by far the most important FA. For those that think he is only good bc of VV or LVD, you are off. Sure, the players around him make Shaq better – duh, its a team game. And the players around Godwin don’t make him better? CG is a beast, but, he does not draw the top DB, ME does. That obviously helps. And I LOVE the comments that Shaq is easily replaced. Like with who?
Further, I am not concerned about Shaq losing his drive bc he gets his payday. First and most obvious, he has had two years of demonstrating his desire to be great. Second, and one nobody mentions, is the work he did with Von Miller and company in Denver to become great.
I would LOVE to keep ALL of our FA. And some write that we can. But I doubt that. If we can’t, Shaq is #1 on our FA list. If Licht has to, throw the tag on him again.
March 6th, 2021 at 9:06 am
Gronk isn’t playing without Brady. Yes he’s an FA but he is a lock to sign.
March 6th, 2021 at 9:12 am
I will be surprised if we don’t use the Tag on Shaq, again.