Don’t Look Back
February 21st, 2014
Bucs GM Jason Licht explains
Reasoned criticism of former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik’s tenure included that he seemed to fall in love with his own draft picks and hung on to them way, way too long hoping beyond hope they would turn around their fortunes — even when guys walking around with a white cane could see their careers circling the drain.
The posterchild for this mentality was none other than Myron Lewis.
If there is to be a stark change in philosophy with the new Bucs regime, then look for new general manager Jason Licht to not have a whole lot of patience for guys who are not living up to their pre-draft resumes.
“With any pick that we have, we are not going to hold on to them if they don’t work out,” Licht said from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis yesterday. ” We won’t hold on to them too long. I think you have to not look in the rear-view mirror. I think you have to look forward and know when to cut your losses. Bill Belichick is the prime example of that. Cut your losses; I made a mistake. Mistakes will be made. Hopefully, we won’t make many.”
That’s the way it should be, but it is a tightrope mentality. Just where is the line to fish or cut bait? If you turn a guy loose too soon, and he latches on and excels with another team, it will likely result in several sleepless nights.
But then again, that’s why NFL general managers are paid the big bucks. It’s high-risk, high-reward.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Time will tell, but, Licht was my favorite of all the hires. Really excited to see what he can do after learning under so many successful teams.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:18 pm
Dam in the middle of the read I was thinking exactly how the Pats work and then I read “Bill Belichick is the prime example of that. Cut your losses” and WHOA o.O. Licht and Lovie need to hit on the draft, coach the players well, win in a 3 year span or so. Or at least that’s how I think the Pats do it.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:22 pm
ur momma
February 21st, 2014 at 12:22 pm
I agree that was one of Dom’s faults during his tenure. Another example was Rejus Benn.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Dominik had it coming – period!
Too many misses and bad deals.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:34 pm
Can’t wait until they turn the roster over, time to flush all of the “pop-star’s” mistakes.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Luke Stocker a close second?
February 21st, 2014 at 12:49 pm
Dominik also locked on to free agents as well. He was interested in Wright before he signed with Detroit. He didn’t hesitate to sign him to a lucrative deal when he became available the next year. He locked on to Goldson as well. Dominik admitted he was interested in him the prior year. He unloaded the vault for him when he’s arguably a very similar player to Barron. The Goldson signing was better, although it doesn’t make sense to essentially have two strong safeties that have some limitations in pass coverage. If the Bucs are modeling a defense after Seattle, they need a true free safety that can cover the field.
February 21st, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Didn’t he also draft Keith “The Beef” McCants……did anyone get the Ron and Ron reference? anyone?
February 21st, 2014 at 12:53 pm
If only Washington did not out guarantee our offer for for Albert haynesworth in 2009. Dominick would have easily gone down as “The Worst GM in NFL History.”
February 21st, 2014 at 1:33 pm
I think since the Bucs under Dominik were terrible, lets can the Rock Star BS
February 21st, 2014 at 2:44 pm
@Me, I totally agree with forever getting rid of the “Rockstar” title given to Mark Dominik.
February 21st, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Larry Flax Says:
“Didn’t he also draft Keith “The Beef” McCants……did anyone get the Ron and Ron reference? anyone?”
I still miss them.
February 21st, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Never did understand the whole “rock star” thing…..never thought he was a better than average GM. Maybe he had a band, or maybe partied with a bunch of ladies…but it had nothing to do with his draft prowess. Glad to see we stopped worrying about someone on the staff going elsewhere….remember….he was a hot item for a GM when Allen was fired, as was Raheem for a HC position (supposedly). You have to wonder if he and the Glazers were dupes for other Owners and GM’s that hoped we would retain them and continue to sink into mediocrity.
February 21st, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Of all of Dominik’s draft picks, exactly ONE has gotten a contract extension.
That means in 5 years of drafts he found exactly 1 long term solution. ONE.
February 22nd, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Enough about Schiano & Dominik. Forget about the past & talk about present & future.