Report: Jason Licht Isn’t Screwing Around
September 3rd, 2017
Shopping.
Joe likes the idea but isn’t sure what the motivation is.
It seems, per James Palmer of NFL Network, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht is expected to sign three-time former Pro Bowl safety T. J. Ward, who got cut loose over the weekend.
Ward, 30, also was a monster in the Broncos’ Super Bowl win against the Stinkin’ Panthers with seven tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
(Per NFL.com) The former Broncos safety, who was released in part because of the non-guaranteed $4.5 million due to him in the final year of his deal, started 41 games in Denver the last three seasons and was a key cog in the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 run. Ward logged 87 tackles and an interception last season, though he battled hamstring issues during camp and appeared to lose footing to second-year defender Justin Simmons.
This is surprising to Joe. The Bucs spent a second-round pick on rookie Justin Evans and signed J.J. Wilcox in free agency for $3 million per season.
This tells Joe either the Bucs are hiding an injury or the guys they acquired in the offseason are not getting the job done.
Joe hopes Licht has the same urgency to repair the subpar running back unit.
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:07 am
I just read he was released and Boom!!! This is great news.
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:17 am
Any semi-decent DEs cut loose this wknd? Could use a couple. CB depth doesn’t give me warm fuzzies either.
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:18 am
Absolutely love this move. Doesnt matter who we have. You have an opportunity to sign a top 3 safety in the league you make the move!
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:35 am
I like it. Lets be honest, Conte aint gonna scare anyone soon and were betting on Tandy playing like he did last 6 games of season. All in all, safety is one big gamble. Adding a former ALL -PRO who just turned 30 can only help. At the very least, he helps groom Justin Evans. They seem to have very similar games, big hitters.
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:36 am
I will add this though: From reports earlier, rumors were it was down to steelers and Panthers. For Bucs to come in at the last second, tells me they had to outbid everyone. We’ll see how his contract looks
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:37 am
Geez…no brainer here…upgrade at safety…just do it
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:37 am
THe RB unit is fine for 3 weeks and will will be better week 4. The true worry is CB depth. It’s scary bad
September 3rd, 2017 at 2:42 am
Who doesnt wanna be a BUC?! Thank you Winston for changing Tampa into the place to play.
September 3rd, 2017 at 3:35 am
Any DE available?! * sighs*
September 3rd, 2017 at 3:58 am
I like it, definite Upgrade assuming he can pick up the system. I’ve read he was a leader on that team and his teammates are very unhappy about his release.
This is a move that tells me not only do they want to upgrade safety, but this is a win now move. You don’t sign a 30yr old safety when you just drafted one in the 2nd rd unless you are gearing up to win right now. This will give Evans a chance to learn the system without immediate pressure to start.
September 3rd, 2017 at 4:52 am
How good of a player is he? I don’t know, but somebody has to go to make room. So do they end up with 5 safeties? Hard to say who’s on the outs otherwise. Wilcox is the only one that makes sense, cuz they’re not gonna cut Evans. Maybe Josh Robinson is toast because he’s really only a gunner for us.
September 3rd, 2017 at 5:12 am
Hiding an injury? The team doesn’t need to report anything about injuries. That’s not hiding…
September 3rd, 2017 at 6:43 am
seems like the FO realizes they have no pass rush so they’re building from the back…expectations for a successful year are diminished
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:49 am
Great move! I love it. This will surely make opposing offenses alter their game plan having a proven pro bowler back there instead of what we were going to have. Good job licht! Just continue to work on the trenches. I’m not as confident in our o line and d line as Koetter is. Maybe it’s just me….
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:59 am
Maybe he can play nickel?
September 3rd, 2017 at 8:02 am
“It seems like someone is playing ACDC records backwards at 1 buc place”
Kobe Faker
7 days before start of the regular? LOL
Wiffed on not bringing back mcdonald
Wiffed on matador evans on the 2nd round
Wiffed on our 1st FA wilcox
…now we are bringing in a starter who has 7 days to learn smittys scheme?
This is what happens when you wiff in the draft…ATL is laughing at us
9-9-2017 Kobe Faker Analysis and Prediction
*last year Kobe predicted Mike Smith would be MVP/influential factor of 2016 season-archives is your friend
*** 2017 MVP is the Glazers ownership
September 3rd, 2017 at 8:05 am
Our running back corps. Is in great shape, I don’t understand how that could not be obvious. Unless someone is still hurt over Dalvin Cook. I liked Dalvin too, but O.J. Howard is better at his position than Dalvin is at his. It’s more likely that O.J. has a HOF career than Dalvin does. Not to mention that Martin is a stud running back, especially when he’s pissed off or trying to prove himself again. Licht made the right move and it will pay off for many years to come.
September 3rd, 2017 at 8:11 am
I can see a nickel package in there. Decent closing speed and great ball awareness.
September 3rd, 2017 at 8:46 am
I don’t like it.
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:04 am
I think the fact he turned down other big market teams for Tampa. Why? Its all #3. If this keeps up and we continue to be a “go to” organization for elite talent we could be a dynasty team.
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:41 am
Just more proof that Justin Evans over a runningback was a horrible mistake. That is going to haunt us for at least 4-5 years. How did they blow that when the whole world saw this guy can’t tackle, and we needed a runningback in the worst way?
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:44 am
3 safety looks!
September 3rd, 2017 at 10:17 am
It’s clear Licht and company believe we have a chance to reach Minny. Fans here ripped Bianchi for making that statement but there is absolutely a chance if health and other pieces fall into shape. I’m definitely a believer!
As for the need at RB…I tend to agree with Cannonfire.
More important to me than who lines up at RB is who lines up at OL!!!
Before we sign another RB in FA I want to make sure we have RT TOTALLY covered. If there’s another offensive FA it should be a monster tackle.
If the OL performs the RB question becomes moot.
September 3rd, 2017 at 10:23 am
Joe, I think it’s great to get this guy in. Let Evans mature into a better tackler this season on special teams and a reserve role. Tj is 3 so he doesn’t have man you years left. But gen is a proven winner who has been to and won a Super Bowl. WE need that in outbreaks locker room.
September 3rd, 2017 at 10:49 am
JJ Wilcox is a penalty machine. He was never meant to be the starter. Good depth only.
And the draft pick really isn’t all that great thus far.
I think this is more about getting a safety who has superbowl experience because the team wants to make a run or three in the next few years.
Ward fell into their lap, and Licht ran with it.
This and Jackson are the two best signings of the year. Wilcox and Baker (so far) have been duds.
September 3rd, 2017 at 11:19 am
The bucs problem at saftey is the same.problem Lovie always had, he could never find that perfect saftey because the scheme was flawed. Soft zone kills good safties. Hes not going to be a pro bowler in this defense but we will see soon enough
September 3rd, 2017 at 11:21 am
As for the running game, it doesnt matter how many weapons we have on offemse, until defemses are scared of Jameis they wont respect that and so far he hasnt show anyone anything to be scared of this preseason
September 3rd, 2017 at 11:55 am
Kobe faker what are you even saying? lol
September 3rd, 2017 at 11:58 am
Where is our pass rush help?
September 3rd, 2017 at 11:58 am
so far he hasnt show anyone anything to be scared of this preseason
So he drove his team in opening drives in the Cincinnati and Jax games!!!
He hit ME13 smack in the hands in Jax with a TD bomb…ME didn’t hang on.
He had ME13 posted up on Pacman in the end zone at Cincinnati and Pacman got away with Pass interference.
He threw for a 70% completion rate in those games as well as in practice.
But he hasn’t shown anything to scare other teams. LMAO and SMDH.
I wish the league was full of defensive coordinators like you…sadly that is not the case.
September 3rd, 2017 at 12:38 pm
Preach it st. Pete, preach.
September 3rd, 2017 at 1:03 pm
St.Pete, you are correct. I also noticed that we didn’t throw any long bombs to DJax in the preseason. Koetter is hiding the good stuff till the games count. No deep throws to Jackson and basic red zone plays. Koetters’ got stuff up his sleve that he won’t put on tape yet. People put too much stock on preseason. It’s just live practice.
September 3rd, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Stick carrier, I read and reread Kobes’ post and im as lost as you are. I have no idea.
September 3rd, 2017 at 4:17 pm
Is Martin suspended for 3 or 4 games? I kept reading for months that it was 4. Now it’s 3. Which one is correct? Lounge lizard Martino made the team yet again. Go Bucs!!
September 3rd, 2017 at 5:48 pm
It was 4 games but he served one last season in week 18, 3 are left for martins suspension.
September 3rd, 2017 at 5:59 pm
I understand what Kobe is saying. He doesn’t like the Evans draft pick, thinks Wilcox is a bum and is unsure if tj ward will be ready for the season with so little time to prepare. Well Wilcox got traded, tj ward is a veteran who should be able to quickly pick up the terminology( I too was thinking about the learning curve for the defense) and as for the 7 days thing, yeah it’s final cuts bud. It happens every year and sometimes really good players become available. That happened and is why he was signed so quickly. also I believe he meant Bradley mcdougled(misspelled). Yeah he’s a back up now. I’m good with that call. Atl will not be laughing and are surely concerned that we keep adding quality players on both sides of the ball. And for the people hatingnon Justin Evans… He is a rookie and was hurt during OTAs!! It doesn’t happen overnight. Brady wasn’t lights out in his rookie PREseason winning the starting job, no he came in Bc of injury.
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:20 pm
You don’t know the motivation? Huh? You have Chris Conte as a starter… that’s the motivation – he’s terrible and has no place in the NFL, maybe the Arena League, maybe, but not the NFL. He’s the Ryan Smith of safeties.