Jason Licht: Offensive Line Is Core Reason For Bucs’ Success
December 13th, 2024
Offensive line chatter from Bucs general manager Jason Licht.
Here’s a wild stat.
This week, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht appeared on “Schein on Sports” hosted by Adam Schein, heard weekdays on “Mad Dog Radio” exclusively on SiriusXM. There, Schein hit Licht with this nutso stat: The Bucs are tied for most 400-yard games by an offense this season.
Schein wanted Licht’s reaction and of course, Licht mentioned Baker Mayfield. But Licht, an old offensive lineman for Tom Osborne at Nebraska, seemed to think it is the Bucs’ offensive line that makes the offense, including Mayfield, hum.
“I’m going to have to give the offensive line a lot of credit here. I think we have one of the better offensive lines,” Licht said. “We have a lot of cornerstone players up there if not a future Hall of Fame player in Tristan [Wirfs] and other Pro Bowl-caliber players.
“That [offensive line] room is like the central command of this organization. Because if you can protect the quarterback and run the football, which we are doing a great job of right now, then your quarterback has a fighting chance and a chance to win games.”
Licht also emphasized that Mayfield is beloved in and out of One Buc Palace.
…”[Mayfield is] the type of player — you know, I get it all over town,” Licht said. “Fans just love Baker. You see a lot of Baker jerseys. … But just like the fans love him, the players love him.”
Joe agrees with Licht on the strength of the offensve line. Though Bucky Irving can make dudes miss, how much would his production be reduced if Irving made the first guy miss but the second guy is already on top of him?
Pass blocking? Like Joe’s old man always said, starting quarterbacks in the NFL are the best in the world at what they do. Give them time and they will hurt you. The best quarterback in the world cannot complete a pass lying on his arse.
December 13th, 2024 at 7:39 am
Agree with Licht on the OL. They are much improved this year with the addition of Barton, the diverse run plays of Coen, and the coaching of Cars and Pic. Goedeke is approaching the play of Wirfs and deserves more credit.
The Chargers have a very good defense and will be a strong test for our OL. Minter will overload the box and force Baker to throw deep. Is ME13 ready for a big game?
December 13th, 2024 at 7:50 am
Tristan Wirfs is going to make the pro bowl, and most likely all pro status. Luke Goedeke deserves to be recognized too. I think he has a descent chance to make the pro bowl as Right Tackle.
If there is one position that Jason Licht shines at drafting, it is the offensive line. Too bad he can’t draft talented end rushers.
December 13th, 2024 at 7:59 am
i’m getting all warm and fuzzy during holiday season while reading this thread…
and the line is only gonna mature more by next season…
barton, mauch and glass eater have room to mature…
the line can be top 3-5 in the league in coming years…
big frothy behemoths is where it’s at…and they love their qb !
December 13th, 2024 at 8:14 am
You just don’t get great pass rushers outside of the top ten
December 13th, 2024 at 8:27 am
No complaints here for the O line this year. They’re doing their job AND they’re staying healthy for the most part. The defense is another story. They’re fragile to the point of ridiculousness. This organization needs to bring in a consultant to analyze why these players can’t sneeze without going on a injury report.
December 13th, 2024 at 8:38 am
They will only get better in coming years. With Baker and the OL the future looks good!
Defense needs help!
December 13th, 2024 at 8:41 am
DRAFT PICK(S):
-Tristan Wirfs (25) 2020 | Round: 1 | Pick: 13
-Robert Hainsey (26) 2021 | Round:3 | Pick: 95
-Luke Goedeke (26) 2022 | Round:2 | Pick: 27
-Cody Mauch (25) 2023 | Round: 2 | Pick: 48
-Graham Barton (22) 2024 | Round:1 | Pick: 26
Key Free Agent: Ben Bredeson (26)
Note: Consistently invested a premier draft pick in an offensive lineman every year since 2000.
December 13th, 2024 at 8:45 am
Is that true Beeej?
Top 10 sack leaders currently:
1. Trey Hendrickson, Cin, 3rd round pick, FA pickup in 2021
2. Myles Garrett, Cle, #1 overall
3. Nick Bonitto, Den, 2nd round pick
4. Danielle Hunter, Hou, 3rd round pick, FA pickup this year
5t. Jonathan Greenard, Min, 3rd round pick, FA pickup this year
5t. Will McDonald, Nyj, #15 overall
7t. TJ Watt, Pitt, #30 overall
7t. Will Anderson, Hou, #3 overall
9t. Andrew Van Ginkel, Min, 5th round pick, FA pickup this year
9t. Dexter Lawrence, Nyg, #17 overall
Seems to me, there’s more than one way to find pass rushers…
December 13th, 2024 at 8:54 am
Anyone see the Cody Mauch video of him absolutely RAGDOLL the Raiders defender about 15 yards downfield last weekend? AWESOME! That was one ANGRY block!
December 13th, 2024 at 9:08 am
sua opeta layinging the weeds too…injured…
could be back next year…he helped with the strong philly line in previous years
December 13th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Agree with this, my only concern is our fan base and some so called experts, or in my world plain journalists…..
JTS didn´t make expèctations….Blame Bowles for no development
Wirfs Pro bowler, merit on Jason Licht.
KJ Britt is a bad LB, Bowles is a bad coach instead of Bad draft pick
Mayfield is great….Cohen is awesome instead of Bowles is great too.
Vita Vea and Kanceyt are a pair of beasts, Great job by Licht, no merit to Bowles whatsoever…
You see what I mean?
Everybody knows that Bowles made mistakes, as every single Coach on the NFL does, but what pisses me off is credit to anyone instead Bowles, and on the contrary Blame Bowles for evertuhing wrong….
December 13th, 2024 at 9:30 am
Licht also emphasized that Mayfield is beloved in and out of One Buc Palace.
…”[Mayfield is] the type of player — you know, I get it all over town,” Licht said. “Fans just love Baker. You see a lot of Baker jerseys. … But just like the fans love him, the players love him.”
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Oh no, you mean Licht, most fans, and players are all BakerBois?
Better get DavidBigBucsFan99, RodMunch and the rest of the crew on the case to straighten those poor souls out. Few know pro football like those dudes.
December 13th, 2024 at 9:33 am
Zzbuc, Joe has blamed Jason for JTS, and has given Todd credit for developing DB talent….. seems you are looking for an angle here.
December 13th, 2024 at 9:42 am
Now only if Licht could draft an Edge Rusher who was good or could be developed
Todd Blows hasn’t developed an Edge Rusher in 2 head coaching stops now…
Todd Blows has been here since 2019 and his pass defense struggles to cover basic routes on a weekly basis
December 13th, 2024 at 10:03 am
Perhaps let your pass rushers rush the passer instead of getting cute and dropping off into coverage….
December 13th, 2024 at 10:54 am
Man I remember saying that one thing a lot, it doesn’t matter how good the QB is if he’s laying on the ground most of the time. Today I have to say it’s been nice to see all of the running backs get the ball and get the tires heated up. Thank You Mr Coen.
December 13th, 2024 at 10:59 am
The OLine is better, but there’s always room for improvement. Winning in the trenches is the #1 path to victory. Since the OLine requires 5 starters, plus backups; and every year there will be losses due to FAcy, retirement, and injuries, I think a team should spend a draft pick on an offensive lineman every year.
December 13th, 2024 at 11:20 am
Dougy Williams completed a pass from his arse
December 13th, 2024 at 11:35 am
Wirfs I called for, Barton I called for, Bucky I called for….we know how 🙂