Discount Shopping
March 15th, 2018
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Buc fans asked for a few home runs. I asked for some doubles.
But as free agency headed into Day 2, One Buc Place has generated only a bunt single or two. A lot of talented players have been signed by competitors while Jason Licht goes shopping with a restricted credit card.
There may be more to come, but the trio of Beau Allen, Mitch Unrein and Chandler Catanzaro isn’t going to move the needle for potential season-ticket holders. Where shall we start in this low-budget soap opera?
Let’s begin with a roll call — Andrew Norwell, Malcolm Butler, Trumaine Johnson, Carlos Hyde, Dion Lewis, Star Lotulelei, Jerick McKinnon, Patrick Robinson, Josh Sitton, Ndamukong Suh.
Those are serious upgrades for a 5-11 franchise trying to end a 10-year playoff drought. In each case, the Bucs passed.
The message from management is both simple and disturbing:
Bucs to NFL: We’re good.
No, you’re not.
The main offseason priority, as articulated by Dirk Koetter himself 10 weeks ago, has not been addressed. Beau Allen is a run-stuffer, plain and simple, and a good one. But he doesn’t collapse the pocket and you won’t see much of him on third down.
It’s beginning to look like the Bucs will head into the draft desperate for pass-rushing help, and desperation often leads to a reach or two. Where is the backfield complement to Peyton Barber?
Where is the help at corner, still necessary even with the re-signing of Brent Grimes?
Licht’s past may be hurting him here.
Leery Ownership
Buc fans know Licht’s draft I.Q. has been high since becoming GM in 2014. Those accomplishments have been tarnished in free agency, where Swaggy Baker just joined a long list of flameouts.
The Glazers have been keeping score. Licht’s track record doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence in granting him an open checkbook in March. Ownership is leery of free agency to begin with, saying there are specific times when adding the right piece makes sense to put a solid team over the top.
Signing Brad Johnson and Simeon Rice helped transform the Bucs into Super Bowl champions, but that was 15 years ago.
Since then, the Glazers have fired four head coaches and purchased a world renowned soccer franchise.
It’s silly to think Licht and Koetter didn’t want to make more of a splash on Day 1 of free agency. Their jobs are on the line after last year’s debacle. They won’t be here if the Bucs go 5-11 again, but the Glazers aren’t going anywhere — except to the bank.
While Tampa Bay owners talk often about how they consider Buc Nation the most loyal fan base in the league, this is a strange way to reward that faith. Licht is operating with one checkbook behind his back, trying to find bargains while prime merchandise moves elsewhere.
Long Shots
You talk about going into a draft weekend feeling the pressure. Licht will need another bonanza like 2015, when he hauled in four starters — led by Jameis Winston and Kwon Alexander.
Unless Bradley Chubb falls their way, the Bucs will have to find a nasty edge rusher that isn’t highly publicized. That’s the kind of challenge Licht embraces, but finding the next DeMarcus Lawrence is no easy task.
The presence of Beau Allen and Mitch Unrein is hardly going to lessen that sense of urgency for an organization with a lot to prove.
It’s no surprise that Tampa Bay’s division rivals haven’t made many early headlines in free agency, though New Orleans added three significant pieces to their defense. The Saints, Panthers and Falcons combined for a 32-16 record last fall, so they have earned the right to feel good about themselves.
At this point, it’s fair to wonder which group is more pissed off — Buc fans or members of the team’s marketing department. If you felt all tingly watching Beau Allen at the podium Thursday, God bless you.
Guess you’ll get goose bumps when the new kicker gets to the podium.
Ira Kaufman is the most revered sports personality and writer in town. He has hung his hat at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters since July 2016. Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, Ira busts out columns here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his award winning podcasts fire Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can also hear Ira on SiriusXM Mad Dog Radio Wednesdays during football season, and see him now on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 p.m. on Spectrum Sports 360. Ira also is part of the FOX-13 Tailgate Sunday and enjoys beet salads, Riesling, Chiefs victories and needling Joe.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
3-13 in the makings
March 15th, 2018 at 2:33 pm
The Bucs still haven’t made the playoffs with the 2015 ” Grand Slam”. Why should this year be any different?
March 15th, 2018 at 2:33 pm
The “restricted credit card” is the Glazers telling Licht to win with what you got or get the phuck out!
March 15th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
It’s cool next year we will have a new coach and a new gm
March 15th, 2018 at 2:34 pm
The Glazers are rich beyond our wildest dreams, but they are going turtle and leaving Koetter and crew out to dry.
Shameful! If you own a professional sports franchise you should most definitely be in it for the legacy, not the dollars.
Their produce is inferior, yet they have no problem pouring all their money into Manchester United.
This is disgraceful, and if the Buccaneers come out next year with an inferior defense that can’t fight it’s way out of a wet paper bag, then the fans should revolt. Pass out paper bags for folks going to the games.
I assume Licht is hamstrung by ownership, and I ask, why the hell do you bring back Licht and Koetter just to not allow them to try and make this team better in FA?
Shameful ass ownership. Their father, god rest his soul, would be shaking his head at this halfassed approach.
Thank the good lord for the Tampa Bay Lightning. 1 out of 3 Tampa Franchises gets it.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:36 pm
The Glazers want to remain mediocre so they can whine their way to the UK. Behold, The Manchester Privateers.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
If and when the draft roles around, and the Bucs don’t get the chance to draft Quenton Nelson, Bradley Chubb, or Saquon Barkley, then it would make the week 17 victory that much more painful.
I want to win every game. Does ownership? They should be ashamed of their team.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Yes we will have a new coach & a new GM next year so we can start all over again. The only problem with that is it will be 4-5 weeks before we make the playoffs.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
I’ll give it a week but if I don’t see some changes to get me excited about next season I’d be more than happy to contribute to a gofundme account to start posting the fire Licht signs around town. I’m sick of the excuses. Building a team is more than just drafting well, you have to utilize all tools available.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
Great article here Ira. One of your best. And it bout sums up our Bucs in a nutshell. We are gonna have to have an Outstanding draft if we are to improve. And the only player who would move my needle is Chubb. And he’s gonna be long gone unless the football Gods show us a miracle. I don’t see our Division backing down or losing a step..even with Carolina going to new owners. I’ll always be a Buc fan. But I’m not getting my hopes up there like before. I’ll just sit back..watch and have a libation on game Sunday to….ease my pain.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Biggest glaring need was we need guys who can get to the quarterback and create pressure. This alone will and can help our defense greatly. No rocket science here but still not addressed.
Only thing they have created here is doubt.
Welcome to the land of Doubt Ira.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Only explanation I can come up with is tanking for the number #1 pick which will possibly lure a good head coach and a quality GM. I think we will have a new quarteback as well. Jon Gruden the QB guru decided Winston wasn’t good enough for him to succeed so he chose the Raiders who do have a better Quarterback and dont have a worthless GM to interfere with his game plan. Glazers must know Winston is getting suspended or worse and Gruden as well connected as he is probably got a heads up. Why else would you leave your hometown to move to Vegas? He would have been a god here!
March 15th, 2018 at 2:45 pm
You guys actually believe it’s the Glazers!? Omg. It’s cap space and licht not having a pair. Fact. As if the Glazers stepped in and said we don’t want u offering a third for Quinn. Give me a break. Seriously.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
Eric,
I too share your suspicions. Especially considering the lack of trades/FA this year.
Gruden/Glazers must have an idea that #3 is going to possibly be suspended. Tough to win ball games when your #1 overall pick and franchise QB is ineligible.
Heaven forbid he does get suspended, then his next suspension would be of the year-long variety.
Scary, dark, impotent times to be a Buc Fan.
This league year was supposed to bring hope. Instead it just affirmed that this sh!t show franchise will remain firmly entrenched in the NFCS basement…again…
March 15th, 2018 at 2:49 pm
Broy,
It’s not unlikely that the Glazers stepped in and cut off the resources. They are leaving Licht and Koetter out to dry. Essentially making them lame ducks in a year when there were quality defensive players traded for pennies on the dollar.
The Glazers were ok with Licht using a 3 and 4 to trade up for Sucky Aguayo. Why not let Licht use the 3 and 4 for the likes of Quinn and Bennett?
Shameful, disgraceful, impotent, offensive are all words that come to mind when describing this off season coupled with passing on Calais Campbell for Doug Martin and Palm tree humper last year.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Good job Ira, you hit the nail on the head with all the free-agent flameouts. As much as I didn’t like Gruden’s free agent washouts: Tim Brown, Charlie Garner and Brian Griese, he did improve the team significantly with Roman Oben, Joe Jurevicious, Ken Dilger, Joey Galloway, Antonio Bryant, Kennan McCardell, Simeon Rice and to a small degree Michael Pittman.
Other than one year of Logan Mankins and Joe Hawley what has Licht done in FA to get any meaningful players signed here.
They don’t have a clue when it comes to getting good free agents here. Gruden and McKay were geniuses compared to current front office.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:52 pm
I’ve been a season ticket holder for 20 years. It is getting harder and harder to renew each year. If the Glazers aren’t willing the spend the money to field a competitive team, why should I spend my money to what an inferior product?
March 15th, 2018 at 2:53 pm
If his “credit card “ is restricted the its time to shed him. If you can’t trust his judgment then it’s time to move on. Those he signed are back benchers not frontline starters. Another 4-12 or 5-11 season. If that is what ownership wants please tell what high quality GM and/or Head Coach would give TMpa Bay a sniff? If this is indeed ownership refusing to pay then I suggest they end this nightmare and either sell to owners who want to win or get rid of this bunch masquerading as football people.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Well let’s see Eric, maybe because he GOT PAID MORE MONEY? I laugh at you thinking Gruden chose the Raiders for anything but the cash. Stop fooling yourself over the Jameis crap. Gruden was practically jerking off in the booth the monday night game he did with the Bucs.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:57 pm
And this is EXACTLY why I am not renewing my season tickets this year. What a joke. Still my favorite team but I will watch from the comfort of my livingroom, thank you very much.
March 15th, 2018 at 2:58 pm
I saw this coming after the Jameis helmet tap and the Evans blind side last year, and the Coaches response to them. “I see nothing”… may work for Sgt. Schultz but hardly for an NFL coach. The organization and team is sinking to the bottom of the cesspool. This lame duck GM and coach make this a place few would ever choose as a desirable destination….and even those drafted her generally, after a year or two, slip into Mediocrity. No pass rush…no improved secondary….a QB that can’t hit any receiver in stride over twenty yards, and averages a couple boneheaded plays on the average every game. Sure…that is a formula for success.
I’ve likely only got about a decade or two of life left, and no tolerance for the “sh show as usual” Bucs ownership attitude.
March 15th, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Look around the league and you’ll find that about 80 per cent of free agents flame out. This is fools gold. The top teams draft well and keep their best players. Football is the ultimate team sport. What have the other three teams in our division–all playoff teams done. The answer is “nothing” but sign a 38 year-old pass rusher. You have to count Evans and Brate as part of the Free agency strategy. Personally, I like the plan. The running backs in FA were weak as were the pass rushers. The two run stuffers and the kicker are good value and I believe they’ll get an offensive lineman or two. Don’t waste money on mediocrity.
March 15th, 2018 at 3:01 pm
Say what you will about Gruden and his FA’s, but there was little more “bone headed” things anyone in the league did last year, than signing Baker and keeping Martin, rather than throwing the money at Campbell. Honestly, how many of these things have we seen? Far too many.
March 15th, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Sure Buddah…. let’s have the Glazers keep that cap money…. BTW…how much of it are they sharing with you? You seem to like the Sh. Show.
March 15th, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Weak minded fool Gruden talks highly about every quarterback. He loves every player she he is in the booth. Ever heard him gush about the great Bruce Gradkowski? Just shut ur face Semen hole
March 15th, 2018 at 3:05 pm
BTW Buddah…love your comment….”Don’t waste money on mediocrity.” So based upon that, who would be stupid enough to buy a season ticket, unless they have money to P down the drain? After all, aren’t the Bucs the very picture of mediocrity, at their best?
March 15th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
mark2001,
I agree 100%
March 15th, 2018 at 3:12 pm
Doug Martin has signed with the Oakland Raiders………..go tear it up Dougie.
March 15th, 2018 at 3:16 pm
It seems to me that this is the direct result of a Front Office and Head Coach that sold the ownership on the notion that last year’s team was the franchise’s “most talented roster” that got stung by the injury bug, Hard Knocks hype, and misfortune out of their control (aka hurricane). They’ve been saying all offseason “we’re close.” Well, here’s the ownership’s response. The Glazer’s are sending a clear message that this regime gets the opportunity to “go win with what they’ve got,” and doesn’t get the opportunity to mortgage the team’s future (i.e., cap space) by signing additional high-priced talent to add to what Koetter and Licht claim is already a talented roster.
If Licht and Koetter were right about the roster last year, then this team will be just fine with a couple of depth signings and a successful draft class. In other words, status quo is still “the most talented roster” the Bucs have had in ages.
Of course, the product on the field last year proves the folly of that statement. Koetter and Licht made their bed. The Glazers are making them sleep in it this season.
March 15th, 2018 at 3:30 pm
bculaw… whew…I was worried about your sanity when you were sounding like you agreed that this roster was “the most talented roster”.
But then you added… “Of course, the product on the field last year proves the folly of that statement. ” Thank goodness… one less person needing a reality intervention this pre-season.
March 15th, 2018 at 3:33 pm
When we trade JAboob will tmax go too?
March 15th, 2018 at 3:43 pm
I was a fan of Licht before he low balled on Quinn and I went back and studied his drafts. He has had a couple good drafts. Thats it. Fair to say he has had a couple bad ones. He has continually traded away picks, aka players, to move up and reach on players. He has continually neglected the DE and DB positions. He has struck out in free agency. He is way overrated. Every time he traded up he took the guy a round too early, at least. This team is going nowhere without a 4 man pass rush. Weve seen smitty will not dial it up. So whats Licht do when theres a DE available for a 4th and swap of 6ths? A guy with 19 sacks one year and 62.5 in his 7 yr career, at 27? A finally healthy guy who had 6 sacks in his last 5 games? Yep we all know what he did. He needs that 4th round pick to trade away to move back into the end of the 2nd to grab a cant miss safety who’s moving to corner. Man I’m over Licht almost as much as klueless koetter and Sitback smith.
March 15th, 2018 at 4:00 pm
And other teams in the division are getting better. I wonder what the odds are of winning zero games in the division games next year?
March 15th, 2018 at 4:01 pm
In effect, the Glazers may have already made Koetter, Smith, and Licht, “Dead Men Walking” by cutting back the purse strings.
And, who can blame them, after Licht has wasted so much of their money ?
Still, Licht has upgraded our run defense, on paper at least.
March 15th, 2018 at 4:02 pm
4-12
March 15th, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Bucs over/under win total: 4. 1/2
March 15th, 2018 at 4:09 pm
you people crying about cap space are dumber than Jessica Simpson… just freaking morons.
FEAR LOSING NOT THE CAP….
4-12
March 15th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Please there is no move this team could make that makes them better than anyone in their division, they are even farther away from being relevant than last year. Poe playing for Panthers and Suh visiting the saints so if he signs there coupled with the average o line they have this will be worse season for the bucs.
Yes we still have the draft but so does everyone else. We are the only 5-11 team banking on rookies. They are doing nothing this off-season because I think they won’t be fired, they’ll get another year mark my words
March 15th, 2018 at 4:23 pm
Sue visiting the saints tomorrow! Oh boy
March 15th, 2018 at 4:25 pm
Did the Winston to Godwin TD pass in Week 17 jack up the draft pick AND keep Koetter and Licht’s Out around?! If so…how freaking costly was it?! Never have I reacted negatively to a Buc score in my life until that one.
March 15th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Ira I like how you put it and agree. The Glazers don’t owe Licht an open check book. They gave him some spending freedom last year when they committed 20 million to DeSean. If that money garnered results I’m sure we would be bringing in more ammo.
They didn’t commit that money to watch the team train wreck and go backwards. I don’t blame them at all. You can’t let this guy throw money at problems when most of his decisions have been wrong.
Lichts only hope IMO is that his drafted players are good enough to carry the team this year.
For what it’s worth I believe Licht works with his coaching staff with the way he adressed this team. I look at DJax and it has Dirk written all over it. Doug don’t even have Dirk written all over it. Dirk made a public plea for Doug after getting hired.
Lichts first two season Lovie was the main guy in charge. It’s tough to not blame Lovie for most of those free agent botches since Lovie had the power. Personally I think Licht has had two garbage coaching staffs to work with and only had power here for two years. If this team plays as heartless as they did last year I would give Licht one more coaching staff to work with. He does know what he’s doing in the draft a compete staff that knew its own players would make a difference.
March 15th, 2018 at 4:36 pm
Shocked by the unprecedented young Pro Bowl talent they are letting slip their grasps.
I’m sorry – but no one thought Chris Baker was elite and we all knew Djax was getting long in the tooth. that was hardly the AMAZING haul – even in the moment.
This year is different. Pro Bowlers. Under the age of 28. Available on the cheap.
Shocked.
Th only hope now is to do what I’ve been writing for months. Add a minimum of 8 new faces to the offense and defensive lines to COMPETE and battle the incumbents.
IF THEY HAD FIXED THE TRENCHES, THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED THE BUCS!!
March 15th, 2018 at 4:39 pm
Fans are ignorant; why would I sign Dontari Poe when I can sign BOTH Beau Allen and Mitch Unrein?
– Jason Licht
March 15th, 2018 at 4:43 pm
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JonBuc,
We should have thrown the Dolphins and Jets games … we would have finished 3-13 and had the 3rd pick which would have guaranteed us Bradley Chubb our a KING’S RANSOM in trade from a QB needy team.
As-is though we still may get Chubb or be able to trade down as I think at least 3 QBs and Saquon and Quenton all go in the first 6 picks, which means the one other guy that will go before the Bucs draft will be EITHER Chubb or a QB …
****************
March 15th, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Yes, a fish stinks from the head….but somehow I don’t blame the Glazers for limiting Licht’s expenditures…..you would do the same.
I don’t believe they wanted to get rid of the GM & Coach this year….they can sink or swim…..part of me want’s to see the aggressive Dirk Koetter playbook.
If it were me, I’d turn it over to Monken and let it rip.
Glazers may be worried about Jameis going forward….who can blame them?
While it remains to be seen, Jameis put himself in a very bad situation unnecessarily….I hope it turns out OK.
March 15th, 2018 at 4:52 pm
I hope you’re right, NFL Nut. I see Denver getting a haul of picks at 5 possibly and the Bucs left with a Mark Barron stunt double who Smitty will under-develop or a reach ( around ) for a DE.
March 15th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
We need a DE that can rush the passer. We need DB help. we need a reliable kicker. And we need a decent RB to replace 22.
We signed a kicker. Hopefully he won’t fold under pressure… That fiasco last year cost us at least 3 and possibly 4 games. Who knows how the year could have gone if we actually beat the Patriots!
The FA signings Licht has done in the past were mediocre at best, this year is no different. We are the only team it seems in this division that is afraid to sign a blue chip FA. Suh is out there… He’s a dirty player with selfish intentions but he is better when he’s on your roster than when he’s across the ball twice a year.
It’s hard to be a Buccaneers fan because it never seems to get better. It’s just a repeat every season. We just can’t seem to grow… And Jameis is about to be suspended for sure. Hey we signed Fitz so who knows maybe he can pull a Nick Foles and take us to the big show
March 15th, 2018 at 5:04 pm
Tampabaybucfan
jameis DID NOT put himself in a bad position. he had no way of knowing his uber driver was a lying gold digging skank with an agenda.
March 15th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
JonBuc,
If the Broncos trade down, it would be with a team that wants a QB like the Cardinals or Dolphins, so that won’t hurt us.
March 15th, 2018 at 5:06 pm
TMAXCON,
I agree … taking an uber is NOT “putting yourself in a bad situation” at all … that was an absurd statement, but one loons in the media use as well 🙁
March 15th, 2018 at 5:08 pm
***********************
MUST-READ … INTERESTING IDEA:
BROWNS: SAM DARNOLD
GIANTS: SAQUON BARKLEY
BILLS (trade with Colts): JOSH ALLEN
BROWNS: BRADLEY CHUBB
BRONCOS: QUENTON NELSON
JETS: BAKER MAYFIELD
BUCS … draft Josh Rosen (cheap for the next 4 years so the team can build a great defense and spend like crazy in the next few free agency classes) and
TRADE JAMEIS and GMC to the Jags for Blake Bortles, Marcel Dareus ($20.816mil for $20.175), the Jags 2017 draft (yes, ALL of their picks) and their 2019 1st rounder.
The Bucs could then flip Bortles and maybe a 3rd and 4th to the Cardinals for the #15 pick in the draft as well.
So, the Bucs would trade Jameis and GMC and get back Marcel Dareus, the #15, #29, #61, #93, #129, #203, #230 and #247!
FYI, the 2018 Jags’ picks are worth 2,164.8 points which is equal to the value between the #3 and #4 overall picks in the draft. Add in their 2019 1st rounder and it’s more like a #1 overall value.
Ya’ll know I believe in Jameis’ future more so than any other young QBs, so I would NOT do this trade but I’m guessing a lot of you guys would … and I think the Jags would as well … and I think they’d win the SB next year too!
******************
March 15th, 2018 at 5:12 pm
I agree that’s a Jameis is a target.
However, doesn’t the NFLhave a ride/driving program? If so use the league’s transportation and stay away from public ones.
I believe Jameis, and I hope he’s not suspended. Our season is cooked without him.
March 15th, 2018 at 5:34 pm
@tmaxcon … “4-12”
@Destinjohnny … “4-12”
@Richbucsfan … “Another 4-12 or 5-11 season.”
@Lakeland … “3-13 in the makings.”
What do you say Ira? Want to get in on the pool? I think I can guess from your article which direction you think we’re headed after our 5-11 record last season.
March 15th, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Licht’s job is on the line and he’s terrible in FA, so his best move is to do nothing. He will have a good draft then when Dirk is fired at the end of the year Licht will go to the owners and say hey, we had a good draft AND I didn’t screw up in FA for once, keep me!
March 15th, 2018 at 6:07 pm
Panthers signed Poe, Suh Visiting saints……we signed a kicker.
I’m betting 4-12
March 15th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
^ All the guys predicting a horrible record were doing the same thing in 2016 and we went 9-7 … chill
March 15th, 2018 at 6:29 pm
Panthers also meeting with Eric Ebron … if they add him to Funchess, Torrey Smith, Olsen, and Christian Mac, they could be extremely dynamic … yikes
March 15th, 2018 at 6:51 pm
NFLNut Says:
March 15th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
^ All the guys predicting a horrible record were doing the same thing in 2016 and we went 9-7 … chill
9-7 with no playoff win is FAILURE very bad analogy….
March 15th, 2018 at 6:52 pm
nflnut
never settle
March 15th, 2018 at 7:05 pm
TMAXCON,
9-7 with better victories than the 9-7 Lions (who made the playoffs based on the NFL’s silly tie-breaker rules) had that year was not a failure, it was a very, very good year.
Remember, Aaron Rodgers inherited a 13-3 team … and promptly led them to a 6-10 record. Jameis inherited a 2-14 team and they went 9-7 in two short years … don’t settle but don’t give up hope either.
March 15th, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Worst team in the division. 4-12, 5-11…BS. I just wonder if we will win one division game next year? Probably very unlikely.
And Nut….Jameis might end up being a good QB. Hope so. But in the same breath and league with an Aaron Rodgers? A future HOF QB? Little to no chance. You have to be kidding.
March 15th, 2018 at 7:47 pm
T-Max they have no pass rush and aren’t addressing it in FA. This team is going nowhere and the owners seem content with it. Licht and Koetter are going to get fired in short order when this season goes down in flames. There is no way those two didn’t want to bring in the best free agents. The Glazers didn’t let Licht get his hands on the checkbook and now there are going to have another dismal season. Our only hope is that the new coach and GM will demand the Glazer spend some money. If they bring in a no name like Raheem again, we will all know that the Glazer Bank is officially closed and we are the new version of the 1980s Bucs and the losing will go on and on and on and on!
March 15th, 2018 at 8:00 pm
TouchDownTampaBay…the real irony in the situation was that last year wasn’t that we didn’t sign FA’s…it was that we didn’t sign the diamonds in FA because we didn’t want to spend top dollar on the best of the bunch like Campbell. We felt better about two guys like Baker and Martin. We haven’t learned much of anything…. but that overpaying half baked guys isn’t a winning solution. Seems instead, we have decided that it is better to sign a gaggle of low round rotational guys and hope one or two of them end up being better than what we have now. It is a different tactic…but I believe, a cheaper but still a losing one.
March 15th, 2018 at 8:17 pm
TouchDownTampaBay
i have been preaching exactly what you wrote abut glazers for months much to the chagrin of the delusional optimists. glazers simply have no intentions of fielding a respectable product.
March 15th, 2018 at 8:26 pm
Such a weird tactic from a marketing perspective. I will not attend a single game next year. It would be the equivalent of going to the same restaurant over and over even though the service is bad and the meals suck. I don’t spend money on sh1tty products, why should football be any different. I mean the Glazers aren’t even trying anymore.
March 15th, 2018 at 8:36 pm
2-14 here we come! This will be one of the worst seasons ever!
Anyone wanna bet the Bucs end up with a better record than the Browns? If so I will put a benji on it!
March 15th, 2018 at 8:43 pm
At the end of the day my Jameis will run this franchise to the ground will be confirmed. His suspension and likely dismissal is why the owners aren’t spending. They see this as an opportunity to get the number 1 pick next year and hit the work out reset button. All you FSU idiots preaching how he would lead us to the promiseland are looking pretty darn stupid. But that leadership tho! Lol . Cant wait to see the massive implosion coming soon!
March 15th, 2018 at 9:30 pm
top 101 Free agents and Bucs have signed nos. 150 and 160
March 15th, 2018 at 10:36 pm
You could be right Eric. It sure seems like this is a tank job.
March 15th, 2018 at 10:44 pm
You 3 and 4 win guys are smoking some good stuff…..we might get 1
March 15th, 2018 at 11:21 pm
One of my biggest fears at this point is these clowns go 8-8 and everyone keeps their jobs. This will put the Bucs into .500 hell. Glazers still won’t open the checkbook due to lack of faith in management to create a playoff team. Dirk becomes the next Jeff Fisher and the Bucs are a perpetual .500 team at best.
March 15th, 2018 at 11:56 pm
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ERIC,
You’ve made my list … you’re a loon.
If the Glazers aren’t sold on Jameis, they wouldn’t tank this offseason and next season to try and get a #1 pick in 2019 you goof, they’d trade Jameis NOW and grab the #1 pick this year when there are FOUR franchise QBs available and they already have the #7 overall pick.
I mean, come on man, a 9 year old can figure that out.
The Browns would have given up the #1 overall, and probably a lot more, for Jameis. The Broncos would have given up the #5 and more. The Jets would have given up the #6 and more … and you take that #5 or #6 and put it with the #7 and you could easily get to #1 if you wanted to.
I mean, seriously, try to think before you type so you don’t look like such a loon.
P.S. And, no, no one who believed in Jameis looks bad … he’s #1 all-time in the history of the NFL in both passing yards and passing TDs at his age, the only QB to start a career with Back to back 4k seasons (Carr, Mariota, Wentz and Cam have COMBINED to throw for at least 4,000 yards just ONE time in 16 seasons!), took a 2-14 team to a winning record in just 2 seasons (Aaron Rodgers took a 13-3 team to a 6-10 losing record at a much older age than Jameis), etc.
LOONS … GOTTA LOVE EM …
***************
March 16th, 2018 at 12:45 am
Koetter and Licht might be fired by mid season!
March 16th, 2018 at 4:44 am
the glazers were banking on gruden…they kissed his ass after their mistake and even “ring of honored” the dude – quick fast and in a hurry to get him back asap…then got snubbed – a la bill parcels stylo…so they are in re-think mode now…treading water for one more year with a gm and coach who are here by default, and a starting qb in winston who could be out like half a season…so they are most definitely in tread water mode, and figuring out a new game plan…koetter and licht know they are lame ducks at this point and free agency has just proven that…the glazers already wrote off this season – but haven’t exactly announced it to the fans…lol…and i believe they as well as koetter and licht know more than the public knows regarding winston’s potential groping incident…you don’t think they all had a private sit down already to find out what the hell really happened and what potentially needs to be denied???
#TheyAlreadyThrewInTheTowelForTheSeason
March 16th, 2018 at 4:53 am
now that free agency was a complete bust, the gm can actually stick it to the owners because he knows he has no future here…he can draft a crap class of draftees and snub the glazers, the way say a gruden or parcells did..let’s just hope licht doesn’t hurt the future knowing he is most likely no longer a part of it…koetter and licht can basically chill and go into cruise control because whatever they do this year, they will pretty much finish out the year, before the glazers gut the front office and coaching staff…unless they pull of a miracle season like in that movie “the replacements”, neither will be here…the glazer’s just fired off warning shots with their lack of free agent moves…licht is just the whipping boy for the unschooled portion of our fanbase…he’s gotta have thick skin these days because his hands are undoubtedly tied
March 16th, 2018 at 5:04 am
the glazers might make licht draft a qb if all the position studs are grabbed ahead of us…what if we have a chance at the first or second qb???…they might make him take one – with winston looking at the suspension…and then they have the “new future guy” on his rookie contract…while they can dispose of jameis and not have to pay him that monster contract that is looming…they save mad money that way…something to think about…
we could be looking at a season of grooming if they surprise everyone and go qb in round 1…if that happens, we will most likely see a suspended jameis…with an early on season of fitzie as the team flops out…and the grooming of the new qb, who by midseason would be the starting qb, if the teams record is shot and they are in “tank” and “groom for experience” mode at qb…
if this is their thought process…”groom a new qb, and don’t pay jameis”…it’s no wonder they aren’t spending in free agency…and it makes sense to hang on to some or all of the parts that work for you – a la the signing of our own talented guys…
just some thoughts…
#ImGettingSickAndTiredOfHearingWeAreClevelandSouth