Trusting Jason Licht
April 22nd, 2024
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
The great thing about having an 11th-year Buccaneers general manager is the calm generally felt by Bucs fans. Joe’s flash poll proved it.
This isn’t 2018, when pre-draft visits to Urgent Care centers from Largo to Lakeland soared to new heights.
The data on those seeking medical attention back then is a bit fuzzy, but what’s clear is the Buccaneers’ record over the past five seasons.
The Bucs are 48-35 (2019-2023) with a 6-3 record in the postseason. During that span, only seven teams have been better in the regular season, and the Bucs rank third in postseason wins with six, behind San Francicso (8) and Kansas City (14).
The other NFC South teams have combined for one playoff win in the past five years.
So that’s why nearly 97 percent of Bucs fans polled last week said they are confident (17 percent), very confident (43 percent) or totally confident (37 percent) in the Bucs’ front office.
Joe would have voted “very confident.” (Sorry, Joe can’t do “totally.”) GM Jason Licht’s results over the past six drafts speak for themselves. The Bucs put a lot of talent on the field and managed their salary cap efficiently to keep the core intact.
“I always like the trenches and I think we need help in both trenches,” Licht said recently about the 2024.
Joe found that to be perhaps the too-obvious-it-must-be-true tell from Licht as it relates to this draft, aside from the Bucs not adding a running back in free agency.
Tampa Bay has clear needs at edge rusher, and there’s certainly projected need on the offensive line in 2025, if not immediately. This week’s draft appears deep at offensive line and Joe suspects Licht has caught himself drooling a couple of times — while Todd Bowles interrupts the fantasy knocking on Licht’s door for and edge rusher.
Joe trusts Licht to have a smart and safe draft. If the Bucs make bold draft-day moves, then that will tell Joe the team really believes it is in a Super Bowl chase this season.
April 22nd, 2024 at 11:55 am
Build from the inside out-Trenches are always a smart move.
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Although Licht has had some luck in the draft to brag up a 45-36 record because of it is stretching it.
2020 and 2021 teams were were successful more for the moves in free agency than the draft. Licht didn’t draft Brady, Gronk, Fornette or AB.
When you take out the 24-9 record from the two seasons where Tampa had a Super Bowl Caliber Team the Bucs were 24-26 in the remaining 3 seasons of the 5. Two consecutive winning seasons on a 10 year span is far from impressive.
Had the Bucs not had the fortune of a retiring Drew Brees I doubt they even make the Playoffs in the last two seasons.
Can’t count on all the teams in a Division to suck forever and though the NFCS will not be a powerhouse in 2024 all will improve and the Division will be tougher to win with an 8-9 or 9-8 record.
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Trenches!
Licht has shown a conservative (generally) approach to the draft, which I think is great. Don’t deal veterans, don’t mortgage the future, don’t take players with character question marks. And always invest in the trenches.
I hope we go IOL, IOL and EDGE with our first 3 picks.
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Licht has earned our trust as long as he doesn’t take another kicker in the 2nd.
If that happens all bets are off!
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Data on Licht’s 2021 draft performance is in as well. Scrambling now to make up for silly selections.
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:27 pm
WR and trenches plz
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:33 pm
Of course We trust him. Lombardi Trophy. 3 time NFC south Champions.
But
We are also dead last in the league in rushing offense, pass rush, TE production, and pass defense.
So he ain’t perfect. He’s spent too much time this off season patting his own back- not enough fixing holes in the roster.
Fix the lines, Mr. Licht. Then we’ll be happy to pat yer back for ya!
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:33 pm
“there’s certainly projected need on the offensive line in 2025…”
HaHa – DeNial is not just a river in Egypt Lee
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Edge (Top 3 only), IOL (C or LG) or trade back in the 1st. Take the other position in the 2nd.
Take 3 of 4 from WR, ILB, RB and LG/C in the 3rd and 4th. If the Bucs trade back in the 1st and get an extra pick they could get all 4.
Finish it off with CB depth and TE in the 6th and 7th.
April 22nd, 2024 at 12:41 pm
He’s good at drafting a few positions OL, WR but is not very good at building a complete roster. He’s been here 11 years and the Bucs have gaping holes at Edge Rusher, RB, TE, C, G, CB, a stop gap at QB and MLB is a glaring hole.
Let’s be real without Brady he’d be a scout again or unemployed
April 22nd, 2024 at 1:03 pm
“The other NFC South teams have combined for one playoff win in the past five years.”
Wow, that’s about as sorry as it gets.
April 22nd, 2024 at 2:34 pm
When in doubt, draft Big Uhlies.
They make even mediocre look good.
April 22nd, 2024 at 2:34 pm
We wouldn’t have some of those gaps if not for early retirements and injuries. Everyone knows the draft is a crap shoot. I have looked up the numbers before and posted them but if you look at his draft picks that are still in the NFL Licht is very successful.I know some people only count it as a good pick if the player gets a second contract with the same team it that they are still in the league also speaks to their talents and our staff in finding NFL players.
April 22nd, 2024 at 2:45 pm
I want a nasty bull dog at the Center position. And a down field rusher that can tote the rock.
Get it done!
April 22nd, 2024 at 3:21 pm
Gaping holes?? I love the geniuses commentors railing on Licht for not having a complete team prior to the draft .. He certainly hasnt hit on all picks ,,, Because the Best GMs in the league hit all their picks right !?? Oh and for those railing him because of center and Guard … does anyone remember how we can came to this bridge?? Oh yeah, an injury and surprise retirement
Licht is getting better and not perfect, but IMO a top 5 GM
And for the dummies that say Brady won all those games, Why did Brady come here again?? Oh yeah because of the team Licht built and the coach he brought in … Give the guy credit haters
April 22nd, 2024 at 3:36 pm
I can tell we have a lot of the “Internet” generation on these threads.
April 22nd, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Jvato24 for the win!
Great comment
April 22nd, 2024 at 6:51 pm
I trust Licht to keep us a meadicore team just like he’s done since Brady last year.
April 22nd, 2024 at 6:57 pm
And our fan base will be ok being mediocre and they will celebrate mediocrey as if we won 10 or 12 games. Licht knows he doesn’t have to build a superbowl team because our fan base is satisfied with meadicorey. And don’t give me that he built a super bowl roster that’s why no one gives us credit for that superbowl. Brady gets all the credit for that superbowl him Gronk and AB. Now it’s time for him to put up or shut up and build a superbowl roster! Licht has a losing record without AB and Gronk on the field and that’s a fact!!
April 22nd, 2024 at 8:21 pm
@Oneilbuc
AB and Gronk didn’t help us go to the playoffs and win the nfc south the past 3 seasons so there’s your actual facts.
April 22nd, 2024 at 8:54 pm
Oneilbuc Says:
I trust Licht to keep us a meadicore team just like he’s done since Brady last year.
^^^^^^
“Fans” like you crack me up.
1. Licht traded for TB12, yet “fans” like you don’t get that.
2. Licht’s team has the LONGEST PLAYOFF STEAK in the NFCS, yet “fans” like you think other NFC teams have done better.
3. Licht has drafted more Pro Bowl players than the rest NFCS combined, yet fines like you don’t register that.
4. Licht put together an NFCS Championship and Playoff with $80M in dead cap, yet no congratulations there.
5. TB12 didn’t win the SB. The most complete team in the NFL did (Suh, JPP, Jenkins, Wirfs, Marpet), yet “fans” like you see just one thing.
Go root for the Saints (or any other team in the NFCS) and let us know how unhappy you are with Licht’s mediocrity.
April 22nd, 2024 at 11:16 pm
Onielbuc
“I trust Licht to keep us a meadicore team just like he’s done since Brady last year.”
Exactly how long ago did Brady Retire?
So we wallowed in “meadicority” last year, when we again one The NFC South Championship?
Brady won the NFC South his last year. Retired. We signed Mayfield- Again won the NFC South.
Im missing the lengthy period of “Meadicore”
And WHAT THE FK IS MEADICORE?
April 23rd, 2024 at 4:46 am
D Cone that is real reporting, the truth is supposed to hurt sometimes. Since Todd took over as head coach we have struggled to stay above 500. Those are the facts.
April 23rd, 2024 at 11:10 am
D cone
Very happy that you’re nothing more than a fan who’s opinion means nothing.
April 23rd, 2024 at 11:27 am
76bucs
And yet, Tampa has had to navigate through 80 million of dead cap space and Licht has kept this team competitive. Even getting a playoff win this past season where the year before, Tampa lost horribly to the cowboys to now being one game away frim getting back to the nfc championship game.
Its clear that you and dcone have zero clue. When Licht got here, the cupboard was barent of talent. He had to completely rebuild the roster. Sure, there were some struggles early in his tenure. That’s to be expected when you have to completely rebuild the entire team. Bottom line, whether you and the oblivious DCone want to admit it or not, is that from 2020-2024, we have won a super bowl and won. The NFC South three years in a row. So what if the other teams in our division have sucked, is that Lichts fault? Last year, no one besides the bucs were giving Tampa a chance to having a winning record, let alone make the playoffs. You are seriously dense. Lichts done an incredible job and is getting better at his craft. I’m just happy that at the end of the day, your opinion, dcones opinion, and all the clueless haters opinions mean absolutely nothing. Where’s your super bowl ring? How many top tier draft picks have you made? How many playoff appearances have a team that you built from scratch produced? You’re nothing more than an unknowledgeable fan who just loves to whine like a child.
April 23rd, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Oneibuc
By far the most ignorant and stupidest comment. Go sit down and eat your Cheerios that you pissed in.
April 23rd, 2024 at 3:30 pm
Sly. 8-9 and 9-8 is average to below average and again the guy missed on the whole 2016 draft class which hurt the growth of a young quarterback. Go look at Chicago and Justin Fields and any other quarterback the bears drafted. But at same time I’m not mad at Licht if the fans want mediocre then that’s what I will give them to keep making myoney. Other teams are getting better while the bucs are just spinning their wheels in mud.
April 23rd, 2024 at 3:38 pm
Conner 50. You are talking about the weakest division in football and it still took all 17 games to close it out are you kidding me right now? So you are ok with just having a mediocre team if so then ok !! And we know how the offense looked without AB and Gronk. But man maybe I’m asking for to much like becoming one of the best franchises in football like the Steelers and Packers!! Maybe me wanting my bucs to become the best franchise in the NFL is a negative mindset or having a loser mentality. I guess I’m asking for to much dealing with the bucs fans on here.
April 23rd, 2024 at 6:16 pm
Jason has done an excellent job the trolls who say other wise have no clue what they speak of.