“Shop At The Dollar Store Sometimes”
July 25th, 2023
“Can I find my Chips Ahoy there, Jason?”
Tenth-year Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht doesn’t strike Joe as a guy crusing the Dollar Store shelves ($1.25 now) of South Tampa looking for sweet deals on Crunch ‘n Munch, hummingbird feeders, replacement spatulas and frozen broccoli imported from China.
However, Joe will say that among NFL GMs, Licht might be the most likely to engage in such an endeavor.
Today at One Buc Palace, Licht was talking about Dollar Store shopping. As Bucs fans well know, the team was buried under a mountain of “dead” salary cap money this offseason. In simpler terms, Team Glazer maxed out their NFL credit during the Tom Brady years and the Bucs simply couldn’t shop like other teams.
Still, Licht thinks the Bucs scored off the clearance rack.
“The challenge was fun and accepted by our staff. It makes you go out and have to get real deals – shop at the Dollar Store sometimes you find a real gem,” Licht said. “And we’re hoping that’s the case. We’re cautiously optimistic that we found some real gems, not just in the draft but in free agency and after the draft.”
Joe loved the confidence Licht dropped this morning. He feels his roster could compete in the AFC East or the AFC West, among others.
Joe has an eye on projected starting safety Ryan Neal and receiver David Moore. Both come cheap from the Seahawks and the Bucs should have had excellent intel on each young veteran player.
As for the draft picks and undrafted free agents Licht gushed about collectively, it’s too soon for Joe to judge.
July 25th, 2023 at 1:25 pm
I think Jason did a good job in the offseason with the exception of the QB position. Hopefully he knows something about Mayfield that we don’t.
July 25th, 2023 at 1:30 pm
Rooting for RB’s Tucker, Ronnie Brown, WR Kade & the SS Merriweather out of Iowa to make positive impacts this season!
July 25th, 2023 at 1:48 pm
With $75.4M in dead cap space we all knew what this off-season was going to look like.
I am amazed we were able to add the free agents we did while also bringing back Dean, LVD, Gholston, Nelson, Leverett and Delaney…
If the Bucs are able to win the NFC South Licht should win the GM of the year award.
July 25th, 2023 at 1:58 pm
“ I think Jason did a good job in the offseason with the exception of the QB position”
Ummm bringing in an inexpensive QB with 70 career starts who at worst would be a quality backup is a bad move???
July 25th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Marine Buc I agree completely!
July 25th, 2023 at 2:57 pm
“Jason Licht doesn’t strike Joe as a guy crusing the Dollar Store shelves ($1.25 now) of South Tampa looking for sweet deals on Crunch ‘n Munch, hummingbird feeders, replacement spatulas and frozen broccoli imported from China.”
Shop there much,Joe? You seem to know a bit about it. Lol. Jk
July 25th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
By the Stanks game we will be shopping at Salvation Army.
July 25th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
LoL!!!
July 25th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
@ stpete
I would have liked to see another veteran RB – but other than that I think Licht has done a masterful job.
July 25th, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Is the cap situation just for this year or will it continue on for another season or two?
July 25th, 2023 at 4:12 pm
hilarious opening sentence
July 25th, 2023 at 4:49 pm
LMAO here. One things for sure sonny, Can’t win games shoppin for a QB at the dollar store in this NFl. You get exactly what you pay for…cheap used unproven material. You heard it here first. Its gonna get real ugly. Grab some wood.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:08 pm
I mean, just look at the Gholston deal as far as our Licht and our front office being able to pay Gholston more than what his deal will count against the salary cap. You get a known talent, familiar with the scheme, and most importantly instead of having to negotiate you’re able to take advantage of some obscure contract policy to….save money you wouldn’t have saved signing somebody else.
Speaks to the knowledge and preparedness of our front office and how it affects Lichts ability to do his job. I’d bet money this was an option they’ve been sitting on as most NFL teams literally have a room full of paid pros trying to figure sh*t out short, intermediate and long term.
July 25th, 2023 at 5:55 pm
I think we bought ourselves a team that has a chance to be as great as our quarterbacks can make us. Baker had a year he was hurt badly early on and a year with a badly coached Panthers team. The Rams fell off the planet last year too. Assuming he beats Trask, Mayfield has a sky high ceiling. He also has the lowest floor. Still, I’d rather have a shot at a deep playoff run that Baker has a chance to bring. If he stinks it up week six will be Kyle Trask in creamsickle against the Lions.
July 25th, 2023 at 6:21 pm
SUPER INTERESTING …
Licht was the first GM in HISTORY (since the cap) to sign all 22 starters after the Super Bowl. Licht was the only GM in the league to recruit the GOAT and pull BA out of retirement. Licht has drafted more Pro Bowlers in R1 than the entire NFCS combined, and he’s won a Super Bowl and 2x NFCS Championships. Those are the pinnacles of GM achievements, yet Licht has never won GMOTY.
Now, EVERY “expert” has picked the Bucs to finish LAST in the NFCS and bottom of the NFL. IF THE BUCS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS — through Licht’s effort, without TB12, and with $0 Cap Room — will that be enough to win Licht GMOTY.
July 25th, 2023 at 7:16 pm
maybe can get Harbaugh as next head coach on the cheap as well….
maybe Harbaugh’s college days are coming to an end
July 25th, 2023 at 7:22 pm
No Prime ribeye at $ Store, but plenty of fixin’s for a yummy Dagwood sammich.
So far, I gotta give Licht props for how he’s managed the cap and “reloaded” with almost no dinero to spread around.
BUT…the proof is on the field. So we’ll have to wait and see.
July 25th, 2023 at 8:07 pm
Wondering about OLB Carl Nassib, CB/S Logan Ryan. Can these guys still play?
Special Teams and Safety/Nickel depth are the two biggest remaining weak spots now that our stalwart DL Wil “Crunch and Munch” Gholston is back in the fold.
If Nassib a former Special Teams captain and Ryan, a heady “Coach on the field” DB are healthy and can still play they would be solid additions.
Might have to wait until after week 1 if we are still deep in cap hell but a long-term deal to lock up Mike Evans might make it possible.
July 25th, 2023 at 9:16 pm
As usual I agree with Cobra!
“BUT…the proof is on the field. So we’ll have to wait and see.”
AMEN!
July 25th, 2023 at 10:32 pm
As a fancy man, I’ve never been to The Dollar Store, yet I still understand the reference since as a kid I used to go to Woolworth’s. However Woolworth’s had a pretty good lunch counter inside of it, and I’m guessing the most The Dollar Store has inside of it is a lice checking booth.
July 26th, 2023 at 1:27 am
Damn maybe it’s just me but I don’t think I’d like the guy who just signed me talking about shopping at the dollar store.
July 26th, 2023 at 2:53 am
Pewter Power – hahaha, that’s a good point.
July 26th, 2023 at 3:01 am
I love Jasons everyman personality. I to have shopped at the Dollar Store Jason!
Go Bucs!
July 26th, 2023 at 6:11 am
sweet deals on Crunch ‘n Munch, hummingbird feeders, replacement spatulas and frozen broccoli imported from China.
LOL