Jason Licht Admits Bucs Are Nearing The End Of The Lavonte David Era
April 14th, 2023
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Joe is pretty confident Lavonte David and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht would be open-minded to a return in 2024 if David’s game stays close to where it was last season.
David is 33. You don’t find too many solid starting linebackers at that age. Not only does Licht know this, he confessed yesterday in his pre-draft press conference that he nearly pulled the trigger on an inside linebacker high in the draft in recent years in part to have depth at the position in case David retired or signed elsewhere.
“Going back a few years, we’ve come very close to taking inside linebackers high just because we know the depth of that position and how important it is,” Licht said. “Not to necessarily replace Devin [White] and Lavonte [David] in the last few years at all – but in the last few years, depth has proven to be one of the things that has been related to our success winning the Super Bowl.
“We’re never not looking at the middle linebackers or the inside linebackers. There’s always some good players at every position in every draft – I wouldn’t say that [position] is a strength of this draft.
“But, yes, we’re always looking and if it’s at the right time, at the right place, the right fit – we wouldn’t be afraid to take one, no.”
Another reason Licht might be looking at an inside linebacker with a bit more of a sharp eye in two weeks is Licht doesn’t know if disgruntled linebacker Devin White will play Operation Shutdown this fall.
It was reported this week that White is “fed up” with the Bucs and his stalled contract extension negotiations. This led him to demand a trade. That’s a request, Licht claimed yesterday, he has zero interest in granting.
April 14th, 2023 at 3:50 am
I feed that quote into the AI computer, and asked it to turn it into a (very short) rap song. Here you go…
‘GM Licht knows his stuff,
Inside linebackers, he can’t get enough.
Depth is key, for Super Bowl glory,
He’s always on the hunt, no need to worry.’
Make sure you insert scratching record sound effects when reading it.
April 14th, 2023 at 4:06 am
Shoot, we may be looking at an MLB in the 2nd round based off this.
April 14th, 2023 at 5:03 am
It would be interesting to see what White can do minus “We do what we do” Byron. IMO the only game White got into any kind of rhythm is the Seattle game, when Byron didn’t have Lenny available to replace White after a good play.
April 14th, 2023 at 7:52 am
LVD @ 33…….Licht “the end of the LVD era”……do ya think?
April 14th, 2023 at 8:45 am
We have quite a lineage at LB for one of the newer franchises
Brooks and LVD have few peers
Bravo!!!!
April 14th, 2023 at 8:47 am
Which also means we know what we are looking at in great LB play
And it hasn’t been DWhite since 2020 playoff run
He needs to get out of his head and focus on the field
April 14th, 2023 at 8:55 am
MLB is one of the shallower positions in this draft for certain, but there are a few solid ones and maybe a couple of sleepers we could add. Being that this is a less than stellar class though would only seem to increase the demand for White from teams looking to contend for the SB. It’s not likely the Bucs are in that group, so we should get the best deal we can for White.
April 14th, 2023 at 9:18 am
LOL< looks like we are also nearing the end of the Devin White era as well
April 14th, 2023 at 9:23 am
KJ Britt would be a sleeper for sure and he is already on the roster.
April 14th, 2023 at 9:27 am
Joe spoke with him at length once last season. Love the guy’s attitude! Not sure he’s capable of filling Devin White or Lavonte David’s shoes.
April 14th, 2023 at 9:29 am
Find a few in the later rounds that can be projects and coached coached up. We got a year left with LVD so if we can find someone who doesn’t have to start right away n develop them that would be great. Britt comes to mind who we drafted a last year or the year before but I think he’s not the fastest. Deff need speed at the position
April 14th, 2023 at 9:33 am
White went to college. He can read and comprehend. He signed a CONTRACT to play X number of years for X number of dollars. Honor the contract, or void it and walk off with nothing !! Simple as that.
April 14th, 2023 at 9:50 am
I’m sure they’re hoping to replace LD with next year’s draft. Also sure they hadn’t counted on needing to replace Savior. We basically have 3 picks to grab starting players (no 4th) Hope having to get an lb doesn’t take up any of those
April 14th, 2023 at 10:42 am
It’s definitely time to draft a starting quality inside LB. So many positions need a starting quality player. We’re gonna have to hit the jackpot with a late round pick or two.
April 14th, 2023 at 1:06 pm
We have been blessed to have Brooks and David. As a former linebacker myself I have truly enjoyed watching them play
April 14th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
CrackWise Says:
April 14th, 2023 at 9:23 am
KJ Britt would be a sleeper for sure and he is already on the roster.
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Everybody likes him, and he had good college production, but there’s a reason he slipped to the 5th round – his lack of speed. And that lack of speed shows up on the field, unfortunately.