Jason Licht Says What Bucs Are “Looking For”
February 24th, 2015
Bucs GM Jason Licht weighs in
So what do Bucs officials really think of the performance of big-money cornerback Alterraun Verner, who was part of last year’s free-agency frenzy?
General manager Jason Licht offered an answer as part of a fresh public statement on his approach to free agency.
Licht hit the SiriusXM NFL Radio airwaves at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week.
“We have some holes to fill and we’re gonna be looking, not necessarily be looking for a splash. But we want to find more Clinton McDonalds and Alterraun Verners and Jacquies Smith, we claimed off waivers, Louis Murphy,” Licht said. “Good core players that you’re going to move forward with. And that’s what we’re going to be looking for.”
Joe finds it noteworthy that Alterraun Verner got the official blessing here from management on his 2014 game.
That means of the seven quick, significant free agency signings the Bucs blew cash on last year — starters Michael Johnson, Verner, McDonald, Josh McCown, Anthony Collins, Evan Dietrich-Smith and Brandon Myers — three of them panned out. That’s a 43 percent success rate. (Remember, Myers already restructured his contract for 2015).
That’s not a good free agency batting average, and the Bucs whiffed at arguably the three most important positions on the field: quarterback, left tackle and right edge rusher.
But Licht and Lovie Smith previously have said they won’t play scared in free agency based on last year’s failings.
Joe expects the Bucs to be very active, just not as much as last year. They’re desperate for an edge rusher, solid offensive linemen (please don’t stick Jameis Winston behind the current lousy O-line) and likely a safety when/if Dashon Goldson gets cut.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:10 am
We don’t need superstars….just good player that are worth their paycheck….imagine if the players we brought in played to their pay……
February 24th, 2015 at 10:13 am
You have to play to WIN in all phases draft, fa and game days… Lovie plays not to LOSE on game days and that will no longer work with the rule changes. They need to be smart and aggressive I can’t imagine they will fail as badly this year. I don’t like nor trust Lovie but I have hope for Licht I’d like to see 2 starters and 1 solid depth guy out of free agency not counting a new punter which is needed too. Draft Winston, DE Second Round and Oline 3rd round…
February 24th, 2015 at 10:13 am
They didn’t “whiff” on QB, there were no good ones available in free agency.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:26 am
Need depth at CB and a pass rusher on DL.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:27 am
Just read in ProfootballTalk.com that Jameis cannot give assurances of not wanting to play baseball. Since you are on success percentages, drafting Winston would be a major RED FLAG. I am an FSU fan and a Bucs fan…but I say most assuredly; leave this one alone! You cannot draft the “face of your franchise” if he is thinking about another sport!!!
Draft Mariota.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:30 am
It may take a few years to gain the trust of L&L after whiffing like that.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:33 am
You sound silly as s@#! If he produces one superbowl win it would be worth it and I could careless about his infatuation with baseball.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:33 am
Eric for what McCown was paid…its a whiff
February 24th, 2015 at 10:38 am
Michael Vick,Dennis Dixon,Darrin Thomas,Vince Young,Collin Kapernick ,Marcus Mariota…. See the correlation. Enough said hell I could add Geno Smith for that matter along with Blaine Gabbert and that red head fron cincy. That s$!# dont work in the NFL.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:46 am
Two of those QB’s were pro bowlers and one made it to the Super Bowl and the other to the Conference Finals. YES there are at least two QB’s there who have better records than St. Jameis!!! Or Marcus!!!
February 24th, 2015 at 10:51 am
The one that made it to the superbowl was supported by a mean as defense with a run game to match. The league changed the wording and out the window went the read option. His game has been minimal at best ever since.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:53 am
Mike Glennon is faster than Jameis Winston!!
@joe
Are you crazy??
Last year, u wanted cokehead Johnny Manzeil. (Jah bless hs recovery)
A couple years ago, u wanted to resign, party boy Josh Freeman. (Bust)
And now u want 5.0 40 yard dash Jameis Winston??
Please Buc fans!!
If we draft Jameis our franchise is forever screwed!!
We have the next Matt Ryan in Mike Glennon! And he costs nothing!
Draft that badass D-lineman from USC or trade back to #6 or 7.
Jameis runs a 5.0!!! Do u ppl not realize how slow that is!!
QB is all about character and work ethic!
And jameis is shady!!
February 24th, 2015 at 10:55 am
NFL network just made a comparison that I think is fair because of the system they ran in college. Alex Smith=Marcus Mariota. Not bad,but not great.
February 24th, 2015 at 10:57 am
@ Nole
at least the Bucs have Glennon if they do decide to pick Mariota (if Mariota needed some development time). As for FA the Bucs obviously have the luxury of plenty of cap room, so they can pretty much get whoever they want. Seems like a dream gig for any GM/HC with a good eye for talent?
February 24th, 2015 at 10:58 am
Of the 3 players lapdog points to it is not like they were good. They were better than the 3-4 of the worst football players on the field last year: McCown, Collins, Johnson, EDS. Not exactly a challenge to shine against that who’s who list of all time FA busts. This is why Licht is a joke. He talks too much for a guy that has no real power and no real ability to evaluate talent.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:00 am
tmaxcon Says
“Lovie plays not to LOSE on game days…”
Make up your mind. Did he purposely lose the second half of the season or not?
If so, that is hardly play “not” to lose.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:02 am
@ Teacherman
I’m with you on Glennon and trading back anyway, but I’m afraid we’re in the minority here in JBF blogger land. I’d be happy if we could trade with the Raiders for some picks (much as I like Leonard Williams he wants to be a Raider and there seems to be some depth on DL this year). We may even be able to snag Mariota or Winston at 4 and still get Oaklands #1 next year (almost assuredly a top 5 pick)
February 24th, 2015 at 11:03 am
Teaherman,bredren are you seriously talking about 40 times? Not pocket presence,accuracy or maybe leadership and command of an offence. But 40 times. C’mon man.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:06 am
They didn’t “wiff” (actually spelled “whiff”; “wiff means with) in free agency, the whiffed in the draft, when they could have had a franchise quarterback by trading back into the first round.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:10 am
“That’s a 43 percent success rate. (Remember, Myers already restructured his contract for 2015).
That’s not a good free agency batting average…” – Joe
Could that be backed up by statistics? I’m not challenging you, Joe, I’m just curious what the actual average success rate for teams in free agency is.
I always imagined for most teams it would hover between 40-50% realistically, with certain teams doing a bit better (like the Pats).
February 24th, 2015 at 11:12 am
Certainly, the average success rate of the draft is only 30-45% for most teams. Right?
I mean, most teams end up with maybe 2-3 good players in draft our of 7 picks. Schiano was different. He could spot talent like a madman.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:16 am
Can anyone show me the last time a team traded out of the number one pick. Not to mention when said team was in need of a QB. Maybe glennon can play but he is a liability once the pocket breaks down,simply put he cant move. Jamies is straight line slow no argument there but all one has to do is watch the sport networks highlights of the osu game. Looked like a ample scrambler on that play.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:19 am
“Teacherman777 Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 10:53 am
Jameis runs a 5.0!!! Do u ppl not realize how slow that is!!”
I do, it’s .28 faster than Tom Brady.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:25 am
Teacherman777 Says:
“Jameis runs a 5.0!!! Do u ppl not realize how slow that is!!”
What does Manning, Brady and Luck run?
February 24th, 2015 at 11:28 am
Brady ran a 5.28. Manning ran a 4.8. Luck ran a 4.67
Winston has been clocked at 4.60 in the past…
February 24th, 2015 at 11:30 am
RGIII ran a 4.41…do you people know how fast that is?
Except he’s hurt ALL the time….
February 24th, 2015 at 11:35 am
They’re desperate for an edge rusher, solid offensive linemen (please don’t stick Marcus Mariota behind the current lousy O-line).
Agreed Joe. I wouldn’t want Mariota behind this line either. Nice observation.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:36 am
Have you seen Jameis run when needed? He hurdles opposing players, straight arms them effectively and picks up valuable yardage. I will agree with you that Mariota when given the space runs unbelievably well but Winston can get that job done well enough. Pocket presence quarterbacks tend on average to fare better in the NFL.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:36 am
Winston can’t jump either. Linemen were out running and out jumping Winston. You could tell he wasn’t in football shape.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:42 am
In what world was he clocked in at 4.6 that sounds like couple of years back when all the florida gators offense said they ran 4.2s and none of them got even close to that in the combine smh he was in the best shape probably of his life couple of days ago and he ran a 4.98 and seemed to look excausted after he finished the 40 and you can claim all the work ethic in the world but why would you need to lose weight or be overweight from the get go if the work ethic is there expecually knowing youre a potential top 5 pick ….. seems to me like winston is one of those people that do there homework 5 minutes before the class starts
February 24th, 2015 at 11:44 am
OMG,the skyline has spoken. All I can say is wow to that last post.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:45 am
Guess we should have passed on Eli Manning who ran the 40-4.92; Phillip Rivers-5.08; Tom Brady-5.24.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:48 am
Well when your mind retains information as strongly as his does I dont think hours upon hours of study is absolutely necessary.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:54 am
“Skyline Crew Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 11:36 am
Winston can’t jump either.”
I think he’ll manage….
February 24th, 2015 at 12:10 pm
dosent matter how much information he retain if hes making horrible desition on and off the field i still havent met a FSU fan that could really tell me why so many INTERCEPTIONS why the inconsistensy why did he truggle so much against team he should of blown out people blame the WRs but ive seen over 10int.that were just plain stupped trows ??
February 24th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Love and Warrick Dunn Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 11:54 am
“Skyline Crew Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 11:36 am
Winston can’t jump either.”
I think he’ll manage….
*******
I’m sure he will. Let’s just hope he tries to get in game shape and stay in shape.
February 24th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Listening to jay mohr last night. He started listing the fastest 40 times ever at the combine. Out of the top ten 40 times only 3 players are still in the NFL. He also ran off 40 times for Brady, manning, etc.
Terrell Suggs ran like a 5.8 and only lifted 225 like 13x or something but he has rings and is the captain.
Point is that there’s track speed and then there’s football speed. Jeff Demps anyone?
February 24th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
Honestly i believe he got to cocky started believing his own hype when he won the national championship and the championship and didnt prepare as he should of goin into his second year as a starter and all the turnovers started happening
February 24th, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Buc55
How many games did he lose bc of his lack of preparation?
February 24th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Ws99
So you’re saying that hes the only reason they won??? I thought there was many more players on the field at the same time and if you wanna talk about winnin percentages in college i could run you a long list of the best winnin qbs in college football over the last 40 years that were horrible qbs in the nfl starting with kellen moore the number 1 winning qb in college football ever stop refraining from the subject why so many interceptions like i asked in the first question ???
February 24th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
And you wanna talk about winning qbs in college look up dree brees purdue college record tom brady michigzn college record big ben miami ohio russell wilson ncstate n wisconsin andrew luck lost couple of games him self in college … winning in college dosent mean youre gonna be a winniner in the Nfl
February 24th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
You do realize 15 out 18 ints were on pass attempts 15 or more yards down field. I dont know maybe he was trying to make a play.
February 24th, 2015 at 12:53 pm
Actually Joe , a .430 batting average is phenomenal
February 24th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
I only hear analyst mention the ints,havent heard that sentiment from head coaches or general managers I careless about a few picks at end of the day every QB past present or future will throw some.
February 24th, 2015 at 1:06 pm
Before you speak look at the hightlights of his interceptions ive seen 10 picks that w r err ether horrible throws or horrible reads even if hes tryin to make a play horrible desitions kill teams in the nfl you cant expect to make 2 or 3 picks in a game and win like in college lovie said it last year turnovers kill teams
February 24th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
@Nole
Wasn’t McCown just trying to make a play when he threw all his interceptions?
February 24th, 2015 at 1:52 pm
I am pretty sure every player that throws interceptions was trying to make a play…Let’s call a spade a spade…Will be happy with either, but these excuses are hilarious!
February 24th, 2015 at 2:21 pm
87ForWinstonNOMariota Says:
February 24th, 2015 at 11:28 am
Brady ran a 5.28. Manning ran a 4.8. Luck ran a 4.67
Winston has been clocked at 4.60 in the past…
LMAO… I’m guessing you are the type that agrees and believes every single positive post and article about JW5 on the net.. Truly remarkable
February 24th, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Free agency batting average? Never heard of thats but 43% is all star status in baseball
February 24th, 2015 at 3:07 pm
Anybody can learn to not throw, that’s easy.
Learning how to throw like Winston does? That’s hard.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:29 pm
All of these 40 time complaints I understand but Philip rivers was like .09 second slower matt Ryan was .1 fast and we all know what Tom Brady ran. I have read that farve ran a 6. Point is they have pocket awareness and can throw a receiver open. I understand wanting Mariota because there is a lot to like about him, I wanted him up till about 2 months ago till I did all my own watching of their games and Winston just looks hands down better. My point is I feel the Winston haters are grasping at the smallest things to make him look like a bad QB
February 24th, 2015 at 4:38 pm
The only interesting thing about 40 times is whether Rich Eisen was going to beat 6 seconds (which he didn’t…6.13, 6.10). Maybe next year. It will be a fun off season for Bucs fans regardless of what happens in the draft.
February 24th, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Sorry Joe, but due to the inept, inexperienced OC, I’m not really to write Mankins and Smith off yet. I think both will respond with a heady experienced OC who knows how to call plays, use different and multi set formations designed to keep the defense guessing as to what and where it plans to go.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:40 pm
I prefer Winston. That’s no secret but I also think Mariota has a nice skillset and can be extremely successful so I’m not going to dog him. With that said, if anybody thinks MM is going to get away with those runs in the NFL, you’re crazy. The 40 time means absolutely nothing to me. You aren’t drafting these guys to run track. Russell Wilson isn’t the rule, he’s the exception. With DE’s and LB’s running with the speed they have now, it’s nothing short of a miracle how R Wilson ran for 849 yards. But even with that he had 11 fumbles and 6 rushing TD’s granted some were from sacks and remarkably he lost none.
February 24th, 2015 at 9:54 pm
@ddneast
I agree with you. It’s so incredibly difficult to know the talent on this offense outside of Evans with the inept offensive game-plan we had.
@Bonzai
Most teams aren’t as active as we were last year. It’s not a good sign when you need 7 new starters from FA. Yet, here we are again in the same crapboat. Most teams are looking at 2-4 and typically hitting on at least 1/2. I’d say the success rate is probably closer to 55-65 percent although that is a very subjective discussion.
February 24th, 2015 at 11:21 pm
Bucs55 Says:
you cant expect to make 2 or 3 picks in a game and win like in college lovie said it last year turnovers kill teams
_____________________________________________
Lovie’s right but he threw 4 ints against Florida and still brought his team back for the win. He hung in there till the end. I want that.