Jason Licht’s Remodeling Project
February 2nd, 2022
After the 2021 season, Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians said the expected (and unexpected) departures means the Bucs would only need to reload, not rebuild.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager chose a different but similar word. Speaking last night in a rare February press conference, Licht said he looks at the roster of the Bucs for 2022 as a “remodel.”
“I look at it a little bit as a remodel and agree with [Arians],” Licht said,. “We’ve got seven of our nine Pro Bowlers under contract for next year. We’ve got a lot of really good young players on this team. We’re going to try to re-sign some of our players back and we’ll continue to explore players in free agency, as well. We have the draft coming up.
“We’re here in Mobile right now (at the Senior Bowl), working on that. We do not feel at all like we’re in a situation where we have to completely start from scratch with this roster whatsoever. We have a lot of good players [and] a lot of teams wish they were in our position.”
In the 21st century, Joe believes the only teams that won the Super Bowl without a stud quarterback had absolutely dominating, ferocious, historic defenses loaded with future Hall of Famers (Bucs and Crows). (The Eagles are the lone exception, though they got to the playoffs with a quarterback who was playing MVP-level until he blew his knee out.)
Do the Bucs have that kind of manpower on defense? That’s debatable.
If you would have asked Joe this question in February 2021, Joe would have answered “maybe.” Now? Seems a stretch.
It’s not impossible that the Bucs could go deep in the playoffs or maybe reach the Super Bowl with, say, Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. But the rest of the team would have to play superior, balls-to-the-wall football week in and week out.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Well there it is. Have to make the best of the Bucco Bruce farewell tour. Oh well. I think we got a good shot for NFC South title but doubt a wild card will come from the carnage.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:13 pm
On this remodeling – just my 2 cents worth.
I wonder if anyone has considered the possibility of the Glazers hiring Tom Brady as a highly paid (naturally) part-time consultant to them. That way he could provide advice to both Licht and Arians -as they saw the needs.
Also, for what it’s worth. I think Trask deserves a chance.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:13 pm
I agree 100% with JL….
This is still a very good team, with lot of players that can shine….
I´ve been saying this…the sky is not falling guys……By no means
We need a QB who does not turn the ball over and we will be in playoffs….
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:16 pm
I would rather see trask over bridgewater. Bridgewater has been mediocre at best and he’s injury prone.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:18 pm
They are going to have to be prepared to start Trask or someone like Gabbert and deal with the ups and downs for 2022.
They do NOT have the cap space to make a splash with a FA or Traded “Playoff” QB and even if they could figure the money/compensation out you’re looking at a very thin roster at key positions that WILL NOT be able to withstand any injuries.
We need to face the fact that Brady’s excellence covered for a lot of deficiencies in play calling and player errors this past season and it’s not going to look the same in 2022.
I’m not saying they are going to suck, but without Brady, the margin for error is much slimmer on all three phases of the game and in the coaching.
2022 is a very important year for the future of this team continuing to build into a lasting and consistent winner. We’re in the best position in the NFC South and could be for years to come as long as they don’t do anything stupid.
Go Bucs!
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Why the insistence in Teddy, man! That’s a bummer Joe
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:23 pm
If you can play turnover free football and have an average to above average defense you can win games. All I want is a competitive team on the field during the season and not go back to whence we came.
If we can win games and make it to the playoffs and hopefully the Super Bowl, I’m good with that. No more looking towards the draff as soon as Nov/Dec hits. Happy entertainment, not frustration all season long. The core of this team will stay intact, so I don’t see how we turn into losers with the roster that we have.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Save some cap space and work a deal with the Ravens for Lamar Jackson’s back up, he’s good. I think his name is Huntley. A guy like that isn’t expected to fill Bradys shoes but height surprise you.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:29 pm
There must be free food & drink or BA ain’t going to Mobile.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Save The Licht House…Make The Bucs Defense Great Again.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:30 pm
The South isnot strong. Find an average qb and win the divison. Find a good qb and you can compete for the super bowl.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:30 pm
Then they better start working on shoring up the defense because there are no stud QBs on the horizon.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Awesome title & excellent article Joe. JL is spot on in viewing his job right now as a ‘remodeling’. We’ve got LOTS of excellent players in-place on both offense and defense, but we do have a lot of ‘holes’ at this point. His job is to fill ’em with quality talent that’s affordable. I don’t envy him his job, but there’ll be LOTS of JBFers and media gurus offering him advice. All he’s gotta do is listen. Should be a piece of cake.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:34 pm
@”…“I look at it a little bit as a remodel and agree with [Arians],” Licht said,. ”
————————————
The key word here is: “Arians”.
Two things:
1- JL has NO vision, he never had. He “copied” NE methods, hopping they are going to work here. He got lucky pass two years(with Tom SELECTING us), he was terrible before that, he is going back to normal, which is terrible.
2 – We are set for a very bad 2022 season, and beyond; with BA as HC and his lazy staff.
+++Reminder: No one in the NFL is interested on his coordinators, at least so far.
+++Jax: “The search could last another two weeks, too, because of the team’s interest in Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. ”
~~
The only place being concerned about losing those two “gems” coordinators, is Tampa and 50% of bucs fans. Pathetic!
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Joe you really piss me off stop suggesting Bridgewater lead this team. Your incessant Bridgewater banter will make it seem acceptable and it(if it happens) will lead to a complete collapse of the team and fan base–does that work for you? no I didn’t think so.
Get Jimmy G and bulk up defense
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Even with Brady, we were not going to win the Super Bowl next year.
Our schedule is much harder next year. But this does not mean we can not be a competitive team. I still think we are poised to win the NFC South again, with any decent QB.
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:44 pm
Geno Smith threw 0 interceptions and had 5 total touchdowns in his three starts in 2021. The downside is he had 13 sacks in those three starts.
Joe, what about him??
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:52 pm
I dont think its a remodel or reload.
How many probowl players are signed and ready for next season ?
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:52 pm
Too bad we got nipped with injuries this year. First team ever to bring back all starters from a Super Bowl but the Rams game was the first time all the projected starters made it on the field.
Now we are picking up the pieces
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:57 pm
so now we need a new defense?
injuries beat us simple as that
February 2nd, 2022 at 2:58 pm
They should be focused on getting a shut down corner. It would’ve made a huge difference this year. Even when fully healthy, the secondary is avg. at best. That’s the only way the bucs will be competitive next year, unless they get one of these QBs.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:08 pm
crazy bucs^ whats your problem. you have to be the biggest idiot ive read on here in months.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:13 pm
Joe doesn’t want the guy at all but two very imporant elements you may be missing.
1) Arians slobbered all over the guy two years ago. So he clearly liked him then (don’t know about now).
2) Bridgewater is available.
Let Joe be clear, Bridgewater is not Joe’s favorite. Not even remotely. (Joe offered up his No. 1 target on Ira’s pod.)
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:17 pm
You apparently are willfully ignoring how Arians wanted to tongue Bridgewater he drooled over him so badly two years ago. Given the Bucs’ cap crunch, Arians love for Bridgewater and his availability, you have to have your head in the sand to overlook how Bridgewater easily could be Arians’ target.
Again, let Joe be crystal clear: Joe does not want Bridgewater. That doesn’t mean Joe is Arians.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:23 pm
If we can’t trade for Rodgers, Russ or Watson we will be relegated to the likes of Bridgewater. Better beef up that pass rush. Defense will be the only path until we are lucky enough to land a franchise QB.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:26 pm
NO TO RODGERS AND WILSON OR CARR.
I rather explore into 1- alex smith. 2- Colin Kaepernick
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:29 pm
Neither Rogers nor Wilson will want to play in Brady’s shadow with the Bucs. Plus , Rogers is very likely to go to Denver with his old OC who is noe HC with Broncos ..
Wilson said last yr that he would go to NO -if Seattle is willing to let him go to an NFC team
So It could be JimmyGQ—again if 9ers are willing to let him go to NFC team
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:34 pm
Joe defense isn’t gonna play balls out for a QB that sucks and Bridgewater sucks
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:34 pm
Defense and Run Game. Resign Playoff Lenny and offensive line then Draft defense and sign defense free agents. Put in Trask and go heavy run and defense and maybe you will have a chance. Let’s be honest a lot of these QB free agents are available for a reason. With the cap issues at hand there really is not anyone worth trading for unless you can get Derek Carr. Maybe 49ers trade Jimmy G to Oakland and then Oakland trades Carr to us who’s salary is only like 19 million next year. Other than that not to many options as a multiple of teams are looking for QB.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:36 pm
I question everything Joe knows about football when he suggests, yet again, that Teddy Captain Checkdown Bridgewater could ever get us to the Super Bowl.
We don’t have anywhere near a good enough defense to carry an offense captained by the king of all checkdown kings. Mind as well bring Mike Glennon back…
I also agree with the notion that neither Rodgers nor Wilson will want to come here right after Brady. And I don’t think Vegas is getting rid of Carr.
So it’s either Jimmy GQ, Kirk Cousins or we roll with Trask. The problem with that last option is it’s going to make it much much harder to sign any respectable free agents.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Rip Bucs
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Bridgeswatter lol
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:41 pm
Check Down Teddy isn’t the answer. If BA thinks he can run his offense, then he’s drunk. Trask gets us a top 5 pick in 2023.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:45 pm
Go with Trask…..spend the money on an edge rusher & shutdown CB…..
Resign Lenny, Cappa, Davis…..replace Jensen with Hainsey
Pray that JPP’s surgery is successful & sign him to a team friendly contract.
Sign Godwin, only if reasonable, maybe Suh.
Yes, we are cap-strapped…..but Licht finds a way.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:49 pm
Mitchell Trubisky is a free agent and true he’s not as good an option as Garoppolo , but he’d be fairly inexpensive as a veteran who has had some success in the past . but he does have some long ball accuracy issues.
Let’s face it, they’re not getting Rodgers or Carr so they just have to make the best of the situation and hope Trask is the long term answer.
February 2nd, 2022 at 3:58 pm
If we go with Bridgewater I will go my first year in 45 years without watching the Bucs
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:00 pm
I think gronk is done playing. I believe this because then they can go into the hof together.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:04 pm
Alan… I could see Trubisky… a talented young guy that needs some good coaching. Then let him and Trask compete to start.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:12 pm
I’m no fan of Mitchell T, but I could see that scenario too given the camp restraints we’re working with. Hey, maybe he could pull a Plunkett. Old Jimmy was a first round bust with the Patriots ironically, and revived his career later with the raiders.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:26 pm
Let’s get Colin Kaepernick in here. We are so used to drama, we are practically immune to it. (LoL). Might just work, after all he’s a good QB. Why not?
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:34 pm
Keep the o-line intact, fortify it with some quality backups, grab a legit RB in the draft, we need a receiving and blocking TE, pick up a vet QB to push Trask and do everything we can to improve the defense. Become a power running team with a hard nose defense and we will be alright. We have to be a balanced team moving forward. Can’t have Trask dropping back 40-50 times a game.
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:36 pm
It will be a free agent. Buccaneers probably won’t be in position to trade. Why not just go with Trask with a vet backup
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Hey Todd, here’s a great defensive scheme!
Rush all 11 guys every play! Yeah!!!
February 2nd, 2022 at 4:49 pm
Get a bunch of picks and build through the draft JL. He’s good.
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:03 pm
Ok Joe–glad we are clear on that you are not a Bridgewater supporter–my lord if that happens this team especially the players will run for hinterland. Hopefully Arians has better sense IMO rather roll with Trask and beef up the Defense then reevaluate the next year and go after the future if Trask is not it.
Thanks Joe for clearing that up!
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:24 pm
I am happy to see that the franchise views itself as being in a retool mode at this time.
In other words, come September we should expect a decent winning season record and a realistic chance for a strong playoff run at the Super Bowl once again. That’s what a successful retool means to me as a fan.
Time will tell as it always does.
Go Bucs!
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:27 pm
firethecannons:
There are people on Twitter trying to talk Joe into embracing Gardner Minshew. Yes, really. 🙁
February 2nd, 2022 at 5:41 pm
Ready for the Bucco Bruce Antique Road Show now. Bring in those players for a fair appraisal. This is the final season. I hope by next year we will not say whew glad that is over now we can clean house for a fresh start and hot bizkits.
February 2nd, 2022 at 7:10 pm
Trubisky it is…good for now
February 2nd, 2022 at 7:22 pm
Just found a punter/kicker, and no this isnt sarcasm….this dude is legit!
Matt Araiza, san diego state….
Do your homework on this one Mr. Licht. I dont know what round, maybe 4th?
February 2nd, 2022 at 9:21 pm
I think they do their best to keep as many FAs as they can barring whether they are worth it, and keep building that defense. Dl is a major issue for next year as well as corner.
February 2nd, 2022 at 10:35 pm
After living through this franchise starting guys like mike Glennon, josh Johnson and freeman along with Winston the idea of starting Kyle trask simply does not scare me, we already know how bad it could look because we lived it pre Brady
February 3rd, 2022 at 12:50 am
are they willing to remodel their offensive and defensive philosophies
or are they happy to stay pat and force this is what we do against any an all opponents, cause you know, that’s what we do.
February 3rd, 2022 at 1:35 am
Joe
If the defense can stay healthy and they could get someone across from shack to pass rush like they did in the Super Bowl ( because I think JPP’s is probably done) then there is a chance they could be that dominate.
As always it comes down to the pass rush I fully expect the DBs and White to take a big leap forward. Hopefully JTS can as well.