Jason Licht And Job Security
July 20th, 2017
What is the holdup?
Since the end of last season, Joe has been waiting for a press release to be e-mailed from the Bucs announcing Team Glazer and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht have agreed on a contract extension.
Joe is still waiting.
You see, Licht is in the final year of his contract which ends after the Super Bowl. Given the good deeds and strong moves Licht has made since he gained control of the football operations of the team in the wake of the firing of lazy Lovie Smith, a new deal seems like a no-brainer.
So Joe is more than a bit curious what’s going on. And given the recent, untimely dismissals of successful general managers this summer, Licht’s status seems more than odd.
It also seems Gary Shelton is of the same mind.
The veteran sports columnist, noticing how John Dorsey and Dave Gettleman were shown the exit door this summer (Gettleman this week, eight days before his Stinking Panthers open training camp), writes on GarySheltonSports.com that Licht ought to be concerned.
Shelton thinks the atrocious free agent class of the Bucs in Licht’s first year just might be the only thing slowing Team Glazer from giving Licht a new pact.
It has never been completely clear just how much Licht had to do with this first Bucs’ free-agent class, the one where the franchise wadded up thousand-dollar bills and threw them into the street. Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins and Josh McCown were different degrees of lousy expenditures, and I’m convinced that had a lot to do with the canning of former coach Lovie Smith.
Joe places this squarely in the lap of Lovie. How often did Lovie talk about burning the midnight oil in his suburban Chicago basement going over tape deciding who the Bucs should target? And Lovie had full control over personnel decisions. Every transaction came with Lovie’s stamp of approval. You actually think a graduate of the Bill Belicheat School of Football would run off Darrelle Revis and Donald Penn, especially after the former was just acquired in exchange for a first-round pick?
(Hint: Belicheat signed Revis after Lovie drop-kicked him out the door.)
We may be entering a new era in the NFL, in which owners believe general managers are a dime a dozen.
Given how Licht has been mostly masterful at the draft (hey, he gets a mulligan for Roberto Aguayo), Joe hopes Team Glazer sees the light and realizes the biggest reason for the turnaround of the Bucs is due to Licht’s savvy player evaluation and draft acumen.
Now, just please find an outside pass rusher!
July 20th, 2017 at 3:22 am
If the GLazers are reading: “EXTEND LICHT NOW!”
I have no idea what they’re waiting for.
July 20th, 2017 at 4:23 am
Licht has earned his wings by now. I believe he has done this franchise a solid. He has found many gems in the draft. You can’t count Aguayo as a bust just yet. That has yet to be determined (at least until the end of camp). After all the kid was very accurate in college.
July 20th, 2017 at 4:48 am
Ryan Leaf was also good in college lmao
July 20th, 2017 at 6:04 am
To me in seems inevitable Licht will be extended. His draft’s are the best in decades, and his approval ratings with the fans but me through the roof
July 20th, 2017 at 6:51 am
No question lovie pulled the trigger on those guys in Licht 1st year .
Maybe the Glazers are waiting to do it on hard knocks , making it more dramatic and must see TV
July 20th, 2017 at 6:56 am
Could say the same thing Joe about ME13 … Why haven’t the Bucs gotten him under contract again yet? Maybe it’s not the Bucs dragging their feet at all. Maybe both Licht and Mike want to let the market determine their value later down the road rather than re-sign prematurely.
July 20th, 2017 at 7:00 am
I suppose the waiting is for the cameras of Hard Knocks.
Also, the wealthy don’t like to work in July.
July 20th, 2017 at 7:33 am
Maybe they are thinking about bringing back Mark Dominick….he’s available.
July 20th, 2017 at 8:41 am
Bird nailed it. Lovie was hired before Licht. Licht came in and tried to play nice and went shopping with Lovies grocery list.
July 20th, 2017 at 8:44 am
It was made VERY publicly clear, through public statements and follow up actions & especially since the Glazers hand picked Lovie and brought him in without a GM, lovie dovie was calling the shots. Player shots, franchise employee shots (lovie picked licht) etc. What, are the Glazers back listening to Mark “none of the players I picked even play in the league anymore” Dominik? And no Dominik gets no credit for #93 literally falling in his lap at #3, but should get all the credit for letting Bennet walk over his famed draft selection of Bowers. Do the Glazers REALLY ACTUALLY NOT remember what a crap shoot of picks we had year in and year out when guys like Bruce Allen and Dominik were making the picks? Licht has MORE than proven his worth through the draft, and whether Aquayo works out or not, atleast he had the balls to make the call. Give me ballzy any day of the such astute scouting that brought in the likes of Sabby and Brian Price. What the hell exactly are the Glazers waiting on here?
July 20th, 2017 at 9:12 am
Buc4Lyfe79.. I was with your entire post until you threw Brian Price under the bust category. No way can Dominik be criticised of that pick. There was great evidence that he was going to be a dominant player, until he tore both hamstrings from his pelvis due to a condition that arguably should’ve been picked up by team trainers. Look it up. What he did to even step back onto the field was inspiring. He had tremendous tragedy in his life. Grouping him in with Sabby or Bowers is just not right. A healthy Price with GMC would’ve been a game changer.
July 20th, 2017 at 9:39 am
Jason Licht is clearly one of the best GM’s in the NFL. His percentage of hits on draft picks is way above average and his obvious push of Dirk Koetter as the head coach looks like a great move too.
He has turned the Bucs from having the worst roster in the NFL to arguably a top 10 roster in only 3 years. Also, he has the second best draft (1995 is still the best with 2 HOF selections) in Bucs history with his 2015 draft.
He obviously deserves a long term contract extension.
July 20th, 2017 at 9:45 am
He’ll sign a 2 yr deal in August.
July 20th, 2017 at 9:50 am
Should we be praising him for perceived good decisions while blame-shifting and making excuses for the poor ones? Sounds like what’s going on right here. Hopefully the Glazers are fairly weighing all decisions executed by the general manager for all years he held the title.
July 20th, 2017 at 10:02 am
Agree with Joe this should be a no brainer!!! We could argue about the first rotten class of FA’s….that’s on the Glazers themselves for being dumb enough to give Lovie or ANY Coach that much power.
But forget the one dismal class of FA’s under Glazers/Lovie.
The Glazers have made it very CLEAR they believe the ultimate route to success is through the draft. Well then…DUH…Licht has been outstanding in that area.
So what else is the GM responsible for? Can you say the coaching staff…at least the HC. I would not trade Koetter for any coach in the league right now.
There have been two YUUUGE moves for this franchise in the past few years.
We drafted a franchise QB with the #1 pick. There is enough credit to go around for that decision but certainly the GM in charge at the time gets some of that credit.
We switched HC’s dumping Lovie for DK. Could have been the Glazers call but one has to believe Licht had a LOT to do with that decision.
What scares me a bit is that the Glazers mess around and we go deep into the playoffs and Licht becomes the next golden boy GM sought by teams. Then either the Glazers have to pay up big time or we lose Licht.
July 20th, 2017 at 10:02 am
Remember, Dave Gettleman from the Panthers is now on the market. I wonder how long he will last.
I was shocked to see the Panthers cut ties with him, I really was.
Jason Licht has done a great job for us here IMHO. But like some other poster said, perhaps he wants to let the market set his value next year, rather then sign quickly.
July 20th, 2017 at 10:10 am
Apples/oranges.
There is no injury risk with extending Jason Licht.
July 20th, 2017 at 10:14 am
He’s going to get a new contract. I don’t know why anybody cares when exactly it happens.
July 20th, 2017 at 10:21 am
just wait and see how the season plays out….what’s the rush…..are their rumors he’s on a teams radar?(like dirk was on so many other teams radar to be an HC)….BS…..you really think licht would walk away from an up and coming team with a franchise qb to go to an team that possibly rebuilding?….come on man….he’ll be retained….he knows it, the glazers know it so why rush?…..GO BUCS!!!!
July 20th, 2017 at 10:24 am
Probably waiting on results. Spending money and no results will get you fired. So if they do not at least get to the playoff’s. But who knows. Everybody can guess.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:01 am
This would be very big news to Licht’s agent.
Given the fact that guys who built playoff if not Super Bowl teams are suddenly on the market (two guys who also know how to draft pass rushers) and Licht hasn’t yet got the Bucs to the playoffs or found a guy to rush the passer, you are making a very big leap in faith suggesting Licht’s a lock to get an extension.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:23 am
So, who is or will be available to replace Licht? Oh, they would also have to be an upgrade. Mr. Licht has done an admirable job since stepping in as a “new” GM. I am hopeful that he gets his extension and I believe that he will. As previously stated, the Buc’s are ” up and comers “.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:25 am
Not for publication…
Please consider putting your names on your articles. Been a Bucs fan for a long time (no matter where I’ve lived) and really enjoy your writing and podcasts with Ira. Truly a guilty pleasure of mine while I”m traveling or need a few minutes to take my mind off business and family.
Now that I can distinguish between the two of you (where you agree and where you don’t) on the podcasts, I’d like to know who is writing the articles I am reading. Doesn’t have to be your full names, but Joe D or Joe 1 or 2 would be great.
Also, bang this drum for Licht as loud as you can. Start a countdown to signing or something. You’ve proven you have the attention of the team, not only is it in the best interest of the team (I think we can all agree) but could also help with better access to the team down the road 😉
Thanks guys, keep up the great work!
July 20th, 2017 at 11:28 am
As any who have been here for a while, I was one of Jason Licht’s biggest critics early on. During the Lovie years, I felt like Lovie got ALL of the blame while Licht got none, and I felt it should have been shared blame.
That said…he has grown on me. The Glazers need to extend him ten years, not 2-3 years.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:33 am
Elivs:
First, thanks for the kind words.
That would defeat the entire business structure of JoeBucsFan.com. Joe’s not a newspaper. 🙂 Has no interest in trying to be a newspaper.
The NFL is OK with it; the Bucs are OK with it. No need to destroy a successful business model. Besides, why would Joe want to emulate a type of business (newspapers) that is circling the drain?
Newspapers are laying off in droves if not being shuttered. Radio outfits are deep in the red if not on the verge of bankruptcy. Local TV news is losing viewers rapidly. Yet Joe’s successful and business is rising. Joe has no desire to even try to copy outfits that are on the downside if not death spiral.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:42 am
Joe Says:
July 20th, 2017 at 11:01 am
He’s going to get a new contract. I don’t know why anybody cares when exactly it happens.
This would be very big news to Licht’s agent.
Given the fact that guys who built playoff if not Super Bowl teams are suddenly on the market (two guys who also know how to draft pass rushers) and Licht hasn’t yet got the Bucs to the playoffs or found a guy to rush the passer, you are making a very big leap in faith suggesting Licht’s a lock to get an extension.
—————–
I’m actually shocked we agree on this. I thought I was alone on an island. Although, I’m sure he’ll get re-signed regardless.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:46 am
DB55:
If Joe had to bet, sure, he’d bet on Licht returning. That’s just a guess, though. The fact Dorsey and Gettleman are now looking for work with their resumes? That changes the picture.
July 20th, 2017 at 11:55 am
@Tnew
Go check out Brian Price’s college injury history bro. “Great Evidence” that he was on track to be a dominant player in the NFL? Only evidence that ever existed on him was his college injury history which has been stated about b4 in other publications, & should have been reported on & taken into account by Dom’s astute scouting department, but wasn’t. I am well aware of Price’s personal tragedies and would never wish him ill will, but we all know this is a business and the selection of Price was yet another example of Dom’s long line of absolute utter incompetence at his position. “A healthy Price next to GMC would have been a game changer.” All if & buts for candy & nuts brother. So would have a motivated, in shape and non lazy Bowers. I give Price all the credit in the world for recognizing his one in a million opportunity to play a kids game for a kings ransom and for doing everything he could to get back to the game, whereas if Bowers had really wanted to “contribute” to his Church’s choir, he would have recognized the same opportunity and actually tried to have a career which enabled him to really be able to give back one day. GO BUCS!!!
July 20th, 2017 at 12:33 pm
With our past few GMs, “SIGN LICHT NOW!” But I really don’t feel it’s going to be a problem. Think the Glazers like the way he does things when getting players and making deals, and putting together good coaching staffs and front office people.
July 20th, 2017 at 12:39 pm
Buc4Lyfe79:
Price had a complete and total freak injury. Rare. From what was told, only maybe a handful of such injuries have ever occurred.
Anyone watching training camp that year noticed (unless they were blind) Price was a total animal. He was all over the field making plays and easily outplaying GMC. For a second round pick to get a talent like that??? No-brainer.
If you can predict injuries, trust Joe, you could make a very rich living working in the NFL. An NFL team would hire you in two seconds.
You know who else couldn’t stay healthy in college? Some guy by the name of Adrian Peterson.
It just blows Joe’s mind why people take a baseball bat to Dominik yet want to service Bruce Allen. Ever see his drafts??? He. Was. Horrendous. (The bad) Dexter Jackson and Sabby the Goat in the second round? If you want to pound someone for godawful second round picks, start beating up Allen first.
July 20th, 2017 at 12:47 pm
Just looked up Brian Price’s game log at UCLA. Not sure where folks come up with this notion he was so injury-prone.
The fewest games Price played in a season was 10, and that was his freshman season. Price played in all but one game his sophomore season. He played in every game his last year (junior year).
Now how exactly was Price injury-prone when he played in virtually every game at UCLA??? In his last two years at UCLA, Price missed one game. One!
How again is that injury-prone? To Joe, that’s called answering the bell.
July 20th, 2017 at 1:17 pm
Could say the same thing Joe about ME13
Apples/oranges.
There is no injury risk with extending Jason Licht.
Joe,
He still jumps into his pool on occasion doesn’t he ; )?
July 20th, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Joe Says:
July 20th, 2017 at 11:01 am
Are the other GMs on the market better than Jason Licht? Even if one of them was slightly better, would it be worth organizational upheaval? There’s a lot to be said for continuity, especially when you’ve got a guy who’s one of the best.
The argument that they’re waiting to do it for Hard Knocks sounds believable. I hope that’s all it is. If they don’t, are they just going to wait to see how the season is turning out to pull the trigger? I think that’s stupid. Even if they started 0-5, I’d still want Jason Licht signed for the long term.
July 20th, 2017 at 3:54 pm
If Jason Licht were to leave it would remind me of Rob Schnieder’s line in ‘The Waterboy’ when the Waterboy was ruled ineligible.
“Oh No!!! We suck again.”
July 20th, 2017 at 5:29 pm
Agree with those comments about Price, I was very high on his potential impact, how depressing the way that played out. I also would bet Licht signs again. On identifying which Joe writes what, sometimes you can tell who is who by the style of writing.
July 21st, 2017 at 1:34 am
HE IS NOT DESERVING OF AN EXTENSION UNTIL THE END OF THIS SEASON THE 2016 DRAFT LEFT US 6 PLAYERS SHORT OF AN UNQUESTIONED REBUILT TEAM. THE 6 PLAYERS WERE 1) running back we do not have a break away running missed on DALVIN COOK O MARLON MACK INSTEAD WE DRAFT AN INJURED BACK RATED 15 th in running backs in that draft; 2) DID NOT DRAFT A DEFENSIVE END. EACH OF OUR STARTING DEFENIVE ENDS ‘ GHOLTON AND AYERS ARE COMING OFF INJURIES INCLUDING J. SMITH, THERE WERE 2 DEFENSIVE ENDS ON THE BOARD WHEN THE BUCS CHOSE AN INJURED SAFETY. BUC FANS VILLIFIED LOVIE SMITH FOR BUILDING THE DEFENSE FROM THE SECONDARY AND NOT THE DEFENSIVE LINE. 30 WE NEED A STRONG SIDE LINE BACKER WE DRAFT ANOTHER INJURED PLAYERER. , PLUS WE ARE UNPROVEN BACKUPS TO KWON AND LAVONTE. THE BAFFLING CHOICE OF A KICKER . YES THE ROSTER IS BETTER BUT HOW HARD WAS IT TO CHOOSE O.J HOWARD , J.WINSTON AND M. EVANS ,INCLUDING SPENCE EACH WERE ON THE BOARD WHEN IT WAS THE BUCSYES WE HAVE TO SEE HOW THE DRAFT PICKS TURN TO PICK. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN FREE AGECY IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THE FAILED CHOICES . I AM WELL ACQUAINTED WITH GRIMES AND WE HOPE BAKER PLAYS AT AN ELITE LEVEL. AN AN ALYTICAL BUCS FAN WOULD WONDER WHETHER THE BUCS EARLY DRAFT SUCCESS WAS DUE TO MR. ROBINSON ,NOW EMPLOYED BY THE TENNESEE TITANS OR EVEN THE DESPISED LOVIE SMITH. . SO YES THE GLAZERS HAVE A CONCERN TO BE HESITANT IN PERFORMANCE EVALUATION O F JASON LICHT WITH SO MANY VARIABLES .
July 21st, 2017 at 1:48 am
HE IS NOT DESERVING OF AN EXTENSION UNTIL THE END OF THIS SEASON THE 2016 DRAFT LEFT US 6 PLAYERS SHORT OF AN UNQUESTIONED REBUILT TEAM. THE 6 PLAYERS WERE 1) running back we do not have a break away running missed on DALVIN COOK O MARLON MACK INSTEAD WE DRAFT AN INJURED BACK RATED 15 th in running backs in that draft; 2) DID NOT DRAFT A DEFENSIVE END. EACH OF OUR STARTING DEFENSIVE ENDS ‘ GHOLSTON AND AYERS ARE COMING OFF INJURIES INCLUDING J. SMITH, THERE WERE 2 DEFENSIVE ENDS ON THE BOARD WHEN THE BUCS CHOSE AN INJURED SAFETY. BUC FANS VILLIFIED LOVIE SMITH FOR BUILDING THE DEFENSE FROM THE SECONDARY AND NOT THE DEFENSIVE LINE. 3) WE NEED A STRONG SIDE LINE BACKER WE DRAFT ANOTHER INJURED PLAYERER. , PLUS WE ARE UNPROVEN BACKUPS TO KWON AND LAVONTE. THE BAFFLING CHOICE OF A KICKER . YES THE ROSTER IS BETTER BUT HOW HARD WAS IT TO CHOOSE O.J HOWARD , J.WINSTON AND M. EVANS ,INCLUDING SPENCE EACH WERE ON THE BOARD WHEN IT WAS THE BUCSYES WE HAVE TO SEE HOW THE DRAFT PICKS TURN TO PICK. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN FREE AGECY IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THE FAILED CHOICES . I AM WELL ACQUAINTED WITH GRIMES AND WE HOPE BAKER PLAYS AT AN ELITE LEVEL. AN AN ALYTICAL BUCS FAN WOULD WONDER WHETHER THE BUCS EARLY DRAFT SUCCESS WAS DUE TO MR. ROBINSON ,NOW EMPLOYED BY THE TENNESEE TITANS OR EVEN THE DESPISED LOVIE SMITH. . SO YES THE GLAZERS HAVE A CONCERN TO BE HESITANT IN PERFORMANCE EVALUATION O F JASON LICHT WITH SO MANY VARIABLES .
July 21st, 2017 at 2:00 am
CORRECTED A FEW TYPOS . THIS SEASON CAN BE SPECIAL BUT WE HAVE TO LET IT PLAY OUT TO EVALUATE JASON LICHT . IF INJURIES OCCUR TO OUR INJURY PRO0NE PLAYERS ,THEN ITS WAIVER WIRE REPLACEMENTS .FORCING OUR STARS TO CARRY THE TEAM. I WILL GO ON RECORD I EXPECT THIS TEAM TO BE A VASTLY IMPROVED TE.AM