Trust Has Been Earned
March 10th, 2021
Jason Licht and Bruce Arians.
In the first installment of the world-renowned “Ira Kaufman Podcast” this week, you will hear Joe become very nervous and upset over the status of Shaq Barrett, the Bucs’ sack king who will likely hit the free agent market.
Depending on who you listen to on SiriusXM NFL Radio, some expect Shaq will get tossed (by some team) $20 million a year for his services. How could Shaq turn that down, unless Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht somehow finds spare Team Glazer loot laying around to match?
Shaq represents the most important position on defense: pass rusher.
Don’t believe that’s not the most important position? Then why do those players who excel there get paid more than an East African nation’s GNP?
Nothing hides holes in a defense quite like a good pass rush. It is invaluable in a passing league.
And stop with this nonsense that Vita Vea makes Shaq. Not only is that simply and patently false — Joe has pointed this out in previous stories — what does that even mean?
Hell, park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, Bucs Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady makes the entire team better, does that mean Licht should have a firesale of the full roster?
Good players make their teammates better. Duh. Isn’t that what you want?
The Bucs don’t make the Super Bowl last year without Shaq going nuts on Aaron Rodgers in the NFC title game, a five-point Bucs win.
As Joe was stressing this last night, it dawned on Joe: general manager Jason Licht deserves Joe’s respect and latitude here. Licht built this Bucs Super Bowl-winning team. Joe decided to step back and watch the replay of the Super Bowl win over the Chiefs on NFL Network, and Joe again believes that whatever Licht is doing in his ploy to bring back Shaq, he deserves Joe’s patience and belief that he knows what he’s doing and has a plan.
Joe has a hunch the reason Licht franchised Chris Godwin and not Shaq is that Licht and Godwin’s representatives were likely farther apart than Licht is with oily Drew Rosenhaus, who is Shaq’s agent.
Licht punched all the right buttons the past two seasons to get the Bucs to their second Super Bowl title. He has earned respect for whatever strategy he is using to bring Shaq back for 2021, and perhaps beyond.
March 10th, 2021 at 12:07 am
I believe we will get Shaq signed. Licht frikkin amazes me–They manage to get BRADY….then they manage to get BRONK……then they manage to get MCCOY (well, 2 of 3 there) THEN, they get playoff Lenny. Vita goes down…they get Steve McClendon. We lose Alex before the biggets game in 20 years—Aaron Stinnie. Guy plays under the lights like he’s been doing this for decades. Licht will find a way to keep Shaq, else find someone just as good for 1/3 the price
March 10th, 2021 at 12:11 am
JOE
You’re right, we have to trust the process here. I just hope they’re not so far apart that they just threw in the towel.
With the signings of Godwin, LVD, and some others, do we know what’s left under the cap?
Any word on Brady and how much they’ll save with his restructuring?
Any chance Donovan Smith restructures?
Any rumors on anyone who may be cut?
March 10th, 2021 at 12:14 am
JOE!! After the Tampa lightning win I watched that replay of the Super Bowl as well. When they were talking about KC missing their tackles, it pissed me off. They act like both of them were back ups. One guy played damn near the whole year. At that point, he wasn’t a back up.
There wasn’t one mention of the Bucs playing with a back up guard.
And no one has mentioned how the Buccaneers played without a starting safety against Aaron Rodgers.
March 10th, 2021 at 12:22 am
David all that doesn’t fit the narrative. Before the game there was no way we could win. They didn’t need their 2 tackles they had Mahomes. Then after we get at him and have him running for his life behind the line of scrimmage it’s because they didn’t have their starting tackles and the refs were cheating for us. I didn’t see a single ref holding that offense to no touchdowns and 3 field goals.
March 10th, 2021 at 12:22 am
I feel Shaq is coming back but Licht knows how to find 3-4 LBs. Kwon, JPP, White and Shaq. Shaq was found on the end of a bench.
Licht will have a lot of FA talent and a draft to pick from.
Cam Gill also looks promising.
March 10th, 2021 at 12:25 am
Yup.
March 10th, 2021 at 12:28 am
Spotrac has the info but that will change likely before the end of today.
No word when it will be finished.
Sure, always a chance. He should be a high-target to get restructed. Same as Ryan Jensen.
Not yet. Honestly don’t think anyone will get cut. Bucs are trying to keep the whole team together.
March 10th, 2021 at 12:29 am
Will
Good point, it was in the fourth quarter when they started mentioning the tackles missing and the line being shuffled around.
I guess when it was 31 to 9 it suddenly mattered! 😂
March 10th, 2021 at 12:32 am
And stop with this nonsense that Vita Vea makes Shaq. Not only is that simply and patently false — Joe has pointed this out in previous stories — what does that even mean?
What is so difficult to understand?
Joe you hate this fact so much. It’s not selling Shaq short. It’s just a fact homie. Vea is the key cog in that D Line. The absolute demolition of the middle of every O Line Vea goes against forces the offense’s hand. They have to double Vita and he still collapses the pocket. It makes it easier for Shaq and JPP to work their mojo. Shaq is a great player but he’s not 20+ million great. He’s just not. If he’s truly all about “breaking the bank”, it ain’t happening here. We shall see. Don’t blame me Joe. You asked what that means.
March 10th, 2021 at 12:59 am
NFL radio (can’t remember who was saying it, maybe Jim Miller) was saying exactly that, Godwin is most likely to actually get a deal done while Shaq wants to hit free agency
March 10th, 2021 at 1:00 am
He very much is worth that much if that is what the market says he’s worth. Are the Bucs trying to win the Accounting Bowl or the Super Bowl?
Until or unless the Bucs find someone that produces as well or better than Shaq, he is worth what the market says he is worth and maybe moreso. If a team overpays to keep a premiere pass rusher, that’s money well spent.
Ask the Glazers if the Bucs win the Super Bowl again how much cash they will make. Promise you it’s a helluva lot more than $2-3 million you think Shaq will be overpaid by.
You know who else knows this? Oily Drew Rosenhaus.
Joe can just see cmurda standing on a street corner after the Bucs lose in the first round of the playoffs because they couldn’t get pressure on a quarterback hollering at p!ssed off Bucs fans leaving the bar, “SEE! I TOLD YA SHAQ BARRETT ISN’T WORTH $20 MILLION!”
March 10th, 2021 at 1:00 am
Cmurda … I’ll second that.
1. Vea takes up two OL. That leaves 1-1 for everyone else.
2. Vea collapses the pocket preventing the QB from stepping up or flushing him out.
It’s not a dig on Shaq. Football is a team game.
March 10th, 2021 at 1:00 am
I believe Shaq will break the bank on another team. I also believe the Bucs will be a better team next season with or without him. I am confident Licht will find the players we need, and I’m confident these coaches know how to adjust the Defense to make it work. This defense isn’t a one man band. They’re not going to drop out of the top ten without Shaq. The offense will improve. They will be even more efficient in their second year together. We have never had this much talent on both sides of the ball. We have never had a coaching staff to rival this one. Jason Licht has done an amazing job so far. I expect that to continue with or without Shaq.
March 10th, 2021 at 1:09 am
SlyPirate:
(Sigh). Joe dug up the stats. In short, Shaq had five of his eight sacks in games Vea missed. Shaq was also was fifth in the NFL with quarterback pressures (which includes hits and hurries). Yet Vea was gone the last 11 games.
People act like Vea makes Shaq, like Shaq is no better than Pat O’Connor or Anthony Nelson without Vea. That’s just straight up bullspit.
Does Vea make Shaq (and JPP) better? Of course! Don’t you want your players to make their teammates better? Why is this all of a sudden a bad thing?
Not sure why people don’t want Shaq. That just tells Joe they don’t want the Bucs to win the Super Bowl in 2021. Otherwise, you would your best players to return, especially your most important player on defense.
March 10th, 2021 at 1:37 am
We’re losing Shaq, im sorry….i mean if we can pound out a deal and he’s friendly, then great, but Im not counting on it…thats a lotta $$$$
March 10th, 2021 at 1:37 am
Weren’t people saying JPP made Shaq last year? I’m with Joe, pass rushers with 10+ sacks don’t usually hit the FA market and all Shaq has done is produce since he got here. Pay the man.
March 10th, 2021 at 1:46 am
Did you guys ever thought that Shaq decided himself to wait for free agency and then decide?
March 10th, 2021 at 1:46 am
I’ve been on board for a long time. But it’s official they need and hopefully will dump Donovan Smith. I don’t even want any kind of restructure. I’ve always thought Licht was a good scout in the draft and FA (maybe not the kicker in the second round. WTF?)We just didn’t have this coaching for 10 years. And let’s not forget the GOAT. If Suh and Gronk and maybe even AB will play for peanuts (FHOF that are still showing out peanuts), on year deals, that’d be awesome. No Suh we get a DL/OT BPA in rounds one and two.
Sorry Joe but this is a Bucs TEAM finally! When was the last time before Brady the Bucs were “gelling” ? Take that money somewhere else and with large contract restructures like Tom and Mike, Ali. etc. We could have an opportunity to resign maybe all of our big eight. With the exception of Lenny who I also see as not necessary for the money he might want. He was playin Peyton Barber ball all regular season. RoJo only had four games with 5 games with 17+ touches. Four were 100 yard games and four wins. That’s a disgrace. Give Vaughn a chance at #2 RB in his second year.Can block and decent enough hands for everyone to get off the Brady must have a receiver RB. If Vaughn doesn’t show up, we’ll know we need to address in 2020. Not to mention what I call the Bucs Brady black hole affect. All the FAs are getting sucked in if Licht or Brady gives them a call.
#WIN NOW 2.0
#KILL THE DRAFT
GO BUCS!!! LFG!!!
March 10th, 2021 at 1:49 am
*RoJo had five games with 17+ carries.
March 10th, 2021 at 2:36 am
IMO, they would have tagged Shaq if there was not a strong chance to sign Shaq. I believe very soon we will hear about Shaq signing. Maybe not, but I believe he will sign with the Bucs. Joe ALL your points about the Value and how critical a pass rush is to success in the NFL are right on, and have been proved out over the last 100
years of NFL. And based on what everyone is posting, if Shaq signs and Vita is in there, then Shaq gets 15-20 sacks again lol. Yep well spent money, to sign Shaq again. Again, 31.5 Sacks in Shaq’s first 2 years as a starter in the NFL. The best in those 2 years of any pass rusher today. And like you said Joe, based on what teams pay for a legitimate pass rusher, that speaks the loudest about what has the greatest value to a defense. GO BUCS!!!!
March 10th, 2021 at 2:43 am
I really hope licht and Bucs don’t sign shaq.
You so call Bucs fan preferred a 2 yr player over David. David has been there thru thick and thin. Mentor new players. Set the example. Etc etc. and you so call fan jump the band wagon on a one year wonder. That on the second year he fail to get 10+ sacks with a HOF dline.
March 10th, 2021 at 2:44 am
I rather sign. Lenny. Or suh. Or succop instead of shaq.
March 10th, 2021 at 2:51 am
“Break the bank” doesn’t digest well … it’s like , everyone deserves $ not only him. But apparently “he “ did everything so “he” deserves the $
March 10th, 2021 at 3:10 am
J Licht keep the Defensive Front 7 intact, and Succop. I have posted this same post many times for the last month about the defensive front 7 staying intact. It is about how they all work together. As I have posted several times – team work made the dream work, and may they continue in 2021. GO BUCS!!!
March 10th, 2021 at 3:23 am
It’s possible we tagged Godwin because we believe Shaq would be upset if we tagged him again. Shaq wasn’t happy that he was tagged last year. He may have indicated that he would refuse to sign the tag.
Here’s the reality of the situation…Shaq already said his goal is to “break the bank.” Which we can’t do. There are teams out there with more available cash than us. We will get outbid if one of those teams is determined to pay whatever is necessary to get him.
He’s very likely going to use FA to try to squeeze more money out of the Bucs. That’s how Rosenhaus rolls. He’ll find another team for leverage. The Bucs best offer is unlikely to be the best offer he gets. Shaq will then just have to make the decision what’s more important to him. If it really is money….he’s gone.
March 10th, 2021 at 5:32 am
Adrnagy: You hope that the Bucs don’t re-sign Shaq and mentioned Vic Beasley as his replacement? Yup, you’re a Saints fan.
March 10th, 2021 at 6:10 am
Adrnagy- Did you watch the games? Who’s “jumping bandwagons”?! Are you seriously butt-hurt because Shaq has garnered so much attention?!
Despite what you may THINK, Shaq was one of the best pass-rushers in the league last year. And if you actually watched the games you would have seen this.
How about a simple history lesson. How was our pass rush in 2018, before the arrival of Shaq and Suh? What did our defense look like?
Here’s a hint: Smelly and bad!
March 10th, 2021 at 6:17 am
Man, that got me side-tracked. What I intended to say was that I agree with Joe. There have been times during Licht’s tenure where I have seriously questioned his decisions…still do to a degree. However, you can’t argue the work he has done in fielding one of the best teams we have seen.
IMO, he has EARNED our patience and trust.
March 10th, 2021 at 7:00 am
I’ve always felt that we wouldn’t be able to sign both Godwin & Shaq……and that’s still the current case….I hope I’m wrong because I really want to see us keep the entire defense together.
March 10th, 2021 at 7:23 am
Licht found Shaq, maybe Licht thinks he can find another Shaq. Maybe there’s a FA out there who will take half of what Shaq wants to chase a ring with Tom Brady. A hungry dog fights harder for that bone than a dog with a full belly. Find a hungry dog Licht.
March 10th, 2021 at 7:42 am
I’m still an optimist. I’m still hopeful that Godwin was franchised because Licht was more confident that he could sign Shaq without needing the tag.
March 10th, 2021 at 7:42 am
Joe says Vita doesn’t make shaq but JOE WAS the same guy who was wondering where Shaq and JPP were at cause they didn’t have a sack since the Minnesota game. Hmmmm shaq didn’t start to get going until Vita came back so JOE STOP WITH THE SWITCHING OF STORIES AND JUST SAY YOU WANT HIM BACK CAUSE YOU EVEN SAID IT WAS DUE TO VITA VEA RETURN SUCH A HYPOCRITE
March 10th, 2021 at 7:43 am
Lavante only counting 3.5 against the cap this year means there is room for Shaq. GO BUCS!!!!
March 10th, 2021 at 7:47 am
Good analysis, Joe.
I’ve been hearing the phrase “gradually then suddenly” a lot lately and that kind of describes how Licht built this team too.
March 10th, 2021 at 7:59 am
TBBF … I’m as surprised as anyone that CG got the franchise tag. Just looking at the numbers as they NOW exist, I just can’t see any way that we pay Shaq the $20 mil that he’s wanting. Doesn’t mean that it’s not doable though; maybe with a few cuts & some contract restructurings JL can make it work. Really hoping though that Bucs don’t compromise the defense (and S/Ts) to favor the offense. Lots of defensive pieces still lacking (plus our kicker).
March 10th, 2021 at 8:12 am
I don’t think that Shaq is worth 20+ million either like many others have said, but the Joe’s are right in saying that the market dictates what he’s worth. Besides, our star qb is making far less than what he should so maybe we can splurge a bit here and there. Geez man, if Dak (wtg dude, fleece them cowboys) is making 40 million per, Brady’s gotta be worth at least three times as much right? 😛
March 10th, 2021 at 8:14 am
Some of you guys crack me up.
“Get rid of the starting LT and best edge rusher because they cost too much. We can find a replacement in the couch seat cushion.”
Donovan and Shaq played monster games in the playoffs and Super Bowl.
March 10th, 2021 at 8:20 am
Amen Buc50 It is about winning Championships. GO BUCS!!!
March 10th, 2021 at 8:21 am
He does know more than us so just RELAX
March 10th, 2021 at 8:44 am
Until or unless the Bucs find someone that produces as well or better than Shaq, he is worth what the market says he is worth and maybe moreso. If a team overpays to keep a premiere pass rusher, that’s money well spent.
_________
Here’s the thing Joe…
You weren’t sold on Shaq when we got him, you wanted, as usual, a known commodity. A big name.
Now Shaq is a big name and you can’t imagine life without him.
Kind of a catch 22 for you.
I saw that we have a chance to draft Zaven Collins at 32.
Maybe that’s the plan?
Trust the FO to make the right decision.
March 10th, 2021 at 8:48 am
Any chance the Bucs cut D Smith’s fat lazy ass?
March 10th, 2021 at 9:16 am
TOM: There’s a better chance of you becoming a Saints, Falcons, or Panthers fan than there is of the Bucs cutting D Smith this year.
March 10th, 2021 at 9:30 am
Shaq doesn’t do nearly as much when vea is in the game. Shaq was invisible at the end of the season including the Washington game. Jpp is more important then Shaq. Also you can’t sink 20mil in a guy with no depth. He gets hurt there is a big drop in production. 20 mil is a lot of money for a dude that got 8 sacks during the season. If it wasn’t for the playoffs with vita vea Shaq would be work 10 mil.
March 10th, 2021 at 9:38 am
It’s worth mentioning that when you franchise a player the 2nd time you pay him 120%. I’d like to think it was because they were closing in negotiations than with CG’s agent. I think taking into consideration how unhappy Shaq would have been was considered too.
March 10th, 2021 at 9:42 am
And stop with this nonsense that Vita Vea makes Shaq. Not only is that simply and patently false ”
The Bucs don’t make the Super Bowl last year without Shaq going nuts on Aaron Rodgers in the NFC title game, a five-point Bucs win.
……………………………
Lol so it is pure coincidence that Shaq only got 5 sacks in the regular season but when Vea comes back and collapses the pocket that Shaq gets FOUR in two games?!?!?!
Talk about a narrative
March 10th, 2021 at 9:51 am
Adrnagy is butt hurt. If you have not figured that out over the past few days and why? Many fans want Shaq back and are agreeing he should be paid well. But someone else did not get 30 million and was let go.
March 10th, 2021 at 9:58 am
I think it’s disingenuous hyperbole and click-bait pimping to say “Buc fans don’t want Shaq back” and “VitaVea had no impact on Shaq’s performance.”
If the Joe’s ran a poll asking “Do you want Shaq back?” I would wager 95-100% would answer “yes.” I would answer “yes.”
At the same time if you ran a poll asking “Do you want Shaq back if it destroys the cap and at the sacrifice of cutting other talented players for years to come?”…well….that is an entirely different question, no? IMO, that is what those who say “Shaq can be replaced” actually mean. I might answer “no” to that question, with the caveat that the answer depends on numerous variables, among those being the amount of the cap impact and who gets sacrificed.
If you polled “Is Vita Vea 100% responsible for Shaq’s playoff performance?” I doubt 20% would answer “yes.” Then again, there are always 20% dumbass casual fans in any fan population.
But if you asked ” Does an effective inside pressure game enhance the edge rusher’s performance?”, again the answer would be 95-100% “yes.”
Football is a team sport with many moving parts, and the overall performance is not dependant on just one player.
Successful football is the perfect embodiment of “synergy”: the whole is greater than the sum of individual parts. Casual fans and Madden aficionados don’t understand this concept. They are too busy checkin’ yo’ sheets than understanding the intricate, violent ballet that is the NFL.
It’s different in college because the talent in college football varies vastly between teams.
…………………….
One wonder how effective Barrett would have been in the SB had Bowles chosen to not go man-safeties high with LB man, taking away the Chefs quick short, and deep air game.
Much of the pressure from the DL came from Mahomes inability to find an open receiver in 2-2.5 seconds. But maybe I was watching a different version of the SB.
March 10th, 2021 at 10:01 am
Fish makes a salient point.
Had the FTFKATR upset the Bucs in the Wild Card game, would Barrett still be worth $20 million in “busting the bank?”
I’m thinking…no.
March 10th, 2021 at 10:16 am
TOM Says:
March 10th, 2021 at 8:48 am
Any chance the Bucs cut D Smith’s fat lazy ass?
_________
I hear ya man.
The Durable Donnie supporters make me laugh. The turd got polished a little late in the season…… so what?
Poor technique, low energy and it took being in the spotlight and fearing he would be called out if he let Brady get hammered.
He was contemplating sitting out for Covid.
He thinks practice should be eliminated.
Speaks volumes to his true character.
But some now think he’s great because he’s on a SB winning team.
All the moves that the FO have made have proved to me that laziness isn’t tolerated anymore and I wouldn’t be surprised if we traded him.
I hope we do.
Move Wirfs to LT and draft or sign a RT.
Save 14 million and get more production.
Oh, I know….. LTs don’t grow on trees and we’re so lucky to have lazy Donnie!
Let the tards keep believing and I’ll be waiting for the right moves to he made to send old Donnie down the road.
March 10th, 2021 at 10:18 am
Having Shaq and JPP allowed the defense to just play coverage because they didn’t need to blitz. Don’t need 10 paragraphs to see that.
March 10th, 2021 at 10:38 am
I think they franchised Godwin because he was a lot cheaper to franchise than Shaq and the Bucs agreed to work out a deal with him this year. Shaq’s deal is going to be significantly more and it has to be backloaded for 4 or 5 years with bonuses. I think Licht gets it done. Oh and We better tie up Succop quickly. Think Suh wants to stay and Gronk is here to have fun with Tom. Fornette may not have the interest he thinks he has. We will see…..
March 10th, 2021 at 10:42 am
We will file this story under the same category as your Jameis Winston slob fest . Any one who watched this team saw with their own eyes the lack of pass rush the instant big boy Vea was out . Gee, what a coincidence that the rush suddenly appears back with the return of Vea. Just like 30 picks get you 7-9 as opposed to a Tom Brady Super Bowl !
March 10th, 2021 at 10:42 am
DoooshLaRue Says:
March 10th, 2021 at 10:16 am
TOM Says:
March 10th, 2021 at 8:48 am
Any chance the Bucs cut D Smith’s fat lazy ass?
_________
I hear ya man.
The Durable Donnie supporters make me laugh. The turd got polished a little late in the season…… so what?
Poor technique, low energy and it took being in the spotlight and fearing he would be called out if he let Brady get hammered.
DooshLaRue: You must have done some great things in your life to call another human being a “turd”. I’m sorry if your hatred for Donovan Smith has made your life so miserable that you have to vent any time his name is brought up. I hope you can remain a Bucs fan, even though they employ a person that you despise so much. I also hope this message helps you cope with the hardship you endure every time you see big number 76, or if not, you get the help needed.
March 10th, 2021 at 11:03 am
Joe in Michigan,
That’s very dramatic of you.
Must be something in the water up there……
March 10th, 2021 at 11:04 am
If the Bucs draft a OT in round 1 or 2, the plan is for D Smith not to be resigned after this year.
I believe the Bucs will BPA, but are looking at DT, EDGE, OT and maybe RB on day 1 and 2.
Su and JPP are getting older. D Smith and Rojo are in the last year of their contracts. Bucs will need money for Vea and the secondary in the coming years. Something has to give.
March 10th, 2021 at 11:25 am
Doosh: No, you’re the one with so much drama when it comes to Donny. I’m trying to help you through this.
March 10th, 2021 at 6:19 pm
It’s arragant and stupid to speak in
the third person.
The GM is one of the smartest GMs
around. He will not mortgage the team or leave
it devoid of talent just to keep one guy
Brady has won Superbowls with a great offense
air a great defense, but rarely both
Give Brady a preseason with this group and
there will be no problem repeating as long
as everyone stays healthy