The Homegrown Buccaneers
August 16th, 2024
Click on through to shop at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the Ira Kaufman discount. Just ask!
BY IRA KAUFMAN
There’s no shortcut to success in the National Football League.
Draft well and you’ve got a glorious opportunity to flourish. Draft poorly over an extended period and your franchise is on a track to oblivion.
One look at the Buccaneers during Jason Licht’s recent tenure tells the tale. Licht has grown from his mistakes to the point where he is considered one of the league’s better talent evaluators.
There is no more graphic example than checking out Tampa Bay’s depth chart deep into training camp. Home cooking rules the day — and that’s something to cheer.
Jason Licht
For example, in the final game of last season, a competitive playoff setback at Detroit, the Bucs started nine offensive players that Licht drafted. The lone exceptions were Baker Mayfield and left guard Aaron Stinnie.
On defense, eight of the 11 starters against the Lions were products of a Licht draft class. The outliers were Shaq Barrett, Ryan Neal and Lavonte David.
Although Licht didn’t turn the card in on David, he was drafted by Licht’s predecessor, Mark Dominik in 2012, so he remains an elite pick by the organization.
You get the picture — this is an overwhelmingly homegrown team seeking its fifth consecutive playoff berth.
This season promises more of the same.
The only projected offensive starters not drafted by Licht are Mayfield and left guard Ben Brederson. On defense, where rookie nickel back Tykee Smith is expected to play the majority of the snaps, David may be the only man standing between a complete set of starters selected by Licht.
Bucs safety and 2018 draft pick Jordan Whitehead.
Rachaad White, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, rookie Jalen McMillan, Cade Otton, Tristan Wirfs, rookie Graham Barton, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke are homegrown by Licht. The same applies to Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Logan Hall, YaYa Diaby, K.J. Britt, Antoine Winfield, Jordan Whitehead, Zyon McCollum, Jamel Dean and Smith.
That’s quite a legacy.
You can’t overstate the importance of drafting astutely. New England under Bill Belichick offers the most dramatic example of a franchise that lost its way.
From 2000-2016, Belichick repeatedly hit gold on draft weekend. How’s Tom Brady, Hall of Famer Richard Seymour, Matt Light (3 Pro Bowls), Asante Samuel (4 PB), Vince Wilfork (5 PB), Logan Mankins (7 Pro Bowls), Stephen Gostkowski (4 PB), Matt Slater (10 PB), Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Chandler Jones and Joe Thuney grab you?
Yes, Brady was the catalyst, but Belichick had a knack for filling holes with quality players.
And then the bottom fell out.
From 2017 through last season, a span of seven years, the only Pro Bowlers drafted by the Patriots were punter Jake Bailey and quarterback Mac Jones, now a backup in Jacksonville.
No wonder New England’s record in the past four years is 29-38, with zero postseason victories.
No wonder Belichick is no longer on the sidelines.
The draft has proven to be a dynamic pipeline of talent for Tampa Bay. Licht served two stints in New England’s personnel deparment under Belichick and now he’s showing his former boss how it’s done.
Can Licht keep it up? Barton and Smith look like they’re ready for prime time.
Buc scouts will soon fan out in pursuit of collegiate prospects who fit the team profile. One of the NFL’s oldest rosters is now stocked with young, ascending players.
The Bucs are focused on draft and develop. Something tells me they’re into something good.
August 16th, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Love what Jason has done. Even when he was a rookie GM I bet more of his draft pick would have panned out because of the developmental part. Lovie n mike couldn’t develop players that’s deff not on Jason. Bruce and Bowles staff have done a fine job of developing. It’s bin a lot of fun to watch.
August 16th, 2024 at 1:58 pm
We’re very fortunate to still have him after Dirk was let go. He’s had some stinkers for sure, but man has he gotten better. It’s a good thing for us fans that his staff has not been poached by the other teams.
August 16th, 2024 at 1:58 pm
Probably worth mentioning the glazers too. There’s no salary cap on front office positions, and the kids have kept the purse open for licht to build his team
August 16th, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Licht does a great job on the draft and free agency. Can he please get the press conferences properly recorded so we can hear the reporters questions?
I know probably not your job. But the person that is responsible has been doing a crappy job for years. Just look at the comments on YouTube!!!
August 16th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
I’m assuming the scouting department has much different personnel than when Licht started. In fact, I’m wondering if some of those Patriots guys left there around 2017 to come here? Licht’s drafting has improved dramatically and I’m betting that has a LOT to do with the scouting personnel.
August 16th, 2024 at 2:26 pm
Well said Ira.
GM Licht is absolutely killing it with player acquisition the last 6-7 years….
Last 3 drafts alone have netted TWELVE starters!
McCollum, Camarda, Otten, White, Goedeke, Diaby, Mauch, Kancey, McMillan, Smith, Braswell, Barton…. plus additional contributors Palmer, Hall, Durham, Kieft, Hayes… Bucky Irving….. oh and UDFAs Izien, Merriweather, Russell, Watts, Deloach, Funderburk
Jason Licht is probably the #1 GM in the entire league when it comes to drafting the last few years. NOBODY drafts 4 starters every year – yet thats exactly what Jason has done! Licht would give most of the credit for his drafting success to his team and he would be right in doing so. Yet who assembled and oversees that stellar team of scouts and talent evaluators?
Take a bow Jason Licht.
Navigating the post Brady years was always going to be difficult no matter what with $150M of debt to contend with – yet here we are – just 2 years removed from the TB12era – paying off $55M in debt this year – and the feel is that the Bucs might just be a dark horse Super Bowl contender if the offense can find its way to averaging 25+ points per game….
August 16th, 2024 at 2:29 pm
It is also telling that the Bucs are one of the youngest teams in the league, even with a sprinkling of seasoned veterans like Vita Vea, Lavonte David, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin. There is potential for growth and improvement this season and beyond.
The Bucs act like they have a long-term plan to build a Championship team.
August 16th, 2024 at 2:30 pm
Well said Ira and Pickgrin. Great time to be a Bucs fan!
August 16th, 2024 at 2:43 pm
Great character picks also..,
August 16th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
Jason Licht is the best. And in his only unencumbered head coaching hire, he talked BA out of retirement.
If Todd fails to evolve, there is no doubt Jason will find the NFL’s next great head coach.
August 16th, 2024 at 2:52 pm
LOVE THIS ARTICLE
Joe Bucs Fans rarely, if ever, look at the long game. Licht plays the long game as good or better than anyone (Lynch, too). Look at the roster Licht has built. NO HOLES. COMPLETE TEAM. PLAYMAKERS AT EVERY LEVEL. CAP ROOM in-coming. We got a little taste of it this year, but next year we start building crazy depth. If he can hit on 4-6 new players a year, our player development will be amazing and keep us out of cap hell.
The Bucs are going to be really good for a really long time.
August 16th, 2024 at 3:45 pm
I concur with all the positive things said about Licht. He has an amazing staff that helps him as well, several that could easily get promoted as a GM themselves elsewhere. If I were the Glazer’s I would do all I could to retain those other staff members, paying them more if that would help. Building the team through the draft in this way is going to put them into great position for multiple years!
August 16th, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Total respect for Licht. A drafted franchise QB might happen someday.
August 16th, 2024 at 4:20 pm
My wish is for the 20’s to become The Dream Decade. Yes I want another Super Bowl win with this group of players in this decade.
Great job Ira!
LFG!!!!!
August 16th, 2024 at 4:36 pm
Great article!
I remember listening to Jason Licht with Ira on here, and hearing that Licht is working and thinking constantly, worrying about injuries and other things that could happen, and so much more. Even when he and his family were on vacation. That is a dedicated GM. He does have a legacy!
Pickgrin, great comment about the Bucs!
August 16th, 2024 at 4:38 pm
Home cooking rules the day!!!! Well put sage.
August 16th, 2024 at 6:54 pm
Jason Licht is hands-down the best GM the Bucs have ever had. He made me a believer when he drafted UDFAs like Cam Brate in his early years here. He gets it about the salary cap, too.
August 16th, 2024 at 7:14 pm
Way to go Ira!! There’s no way you cannot root for this team if you’re a real Bucs fan. What Licht has done is nothing short of amazing! Ray Jay will be rockin’ this season!
August 16th, 2024 at 7:39 pm
I worry about Spytek leaving. They should kick Licht up to team president or something and Spytek to GM.
Just think how good they’d be if they stayed away from drafting kickers!
August 16th, 2024 at 7:55 pm
Not only is the team and the franchise disrespected but so is JL and his staff. Stick around this may change in the next couple of years.
Go Bucs!
August 16th, 2024 at 9:45 pm
There’s a reason we have free agency in the nfl. You can’t rely solely on the draft. If you’re going to bring in a free agent bring in a guy you think can contribute. If you’re going to rely on the draft it’s fine just don’t bring trash like Randy Gregory then hold on to him for no reason. What does that signing say to the other guys you drafted. If you’re all about homegrown talent licht. Just can’t stay away from the swagger bakers of the nfl.
August 16th, 2024 at 11:08 pm
What cometowin said . Can you PLEASE speak to your colleagues about this .
August 17th, 2024 at 5:10 am
Good stuff as usual Sage!
Turnover is a thing. Yup
Funny though how many both here and elswhere were calling for Jasons head for a failed kicker pick. LOL
Go Bucs!
August 17th, 2024 at 12:02 pm
I think Light’s focusing more on character has also made a huge difference. Sure, you need great players, but adding character makes for a much stronger and more cohesive locker room.
August 19th, 2024 at 6:06 am
“Cometowin2 Says:
August 16th, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Licht does a great job on the draft and free agency. Can he please get the press conferences properly recorded so we can hear the reporters questions?”
Ditto!!! And Yes I know how to work my devices! Very frustrating and the reason I gave up on One Buc press conferences. Very Bush League…
Go Bucs!