“Jason Licht Needed To Save His… “
January 22nd, 2019
NFL rebirth.
In the words of a former NFL suit, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has a new lease on his football life.
With the hiring of Bucco Bruce Arians as the new Bucs coach, in the mind of a former NFL executive, Licht saved his rear end.
That’s the message from Michael Lombardi. The former right-hand man of Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, Lombardi, speaking on his “The Ringer” podcast, believes Licht saved his job with a good hire.
And while Lombardi isn’t sure if Arians can turn the Bucs from a woebegone franchise into a playoff team, he likes the deal Licht pulled off.
“I think Jason Licht needed to save his @ss and he did with this hire,” Lombardi said. “Is it the best hire? I’m not sure, but I think it is a good hire. You get a proven head coach.
“Now where is Bruce’s intensity and his love and all of that? I don’t know, but to save your job and guard your desk, it was probably a good hire.”
Given Arians’ skill as a quarterback guru and the Bucs’ situation with their franchise quarterback, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, Joe cannot imagine a better hire. It’s just what the doctor ordered.
And speaking of doctors, Lombardi wondered out loud about Arians’ past health problems and how long he will be with the Bucs.
It’s a fair point, which is why Joe’s convinced Arians’ successor already has an office at One Buc Palace.
January 22nd, 2019 at 5:55 am
Looks like all we can talk about is BA’s health.
I firmly believe that hiring Arians saved Light’s job. His record as GM has been underwhelming, to say the least!
January 22nd, 2019 at 6:16 am
Still can’t understand why Byron Leftwich was anointed as Bucs OC when a much more experienced Harold Goodwin is on staff (as run game coordinator). Have you heard anything along those lines Joe?
January 22nd, 2019 at 6:22 am
All this successor crap needs to end cause if he don’t win here he’ll be out !
January 22nd, 2019 at 6:35 am
If Arians succeeds, then his successors will likely succeed.
If he fails, then his successors will likely fail.
So, to assume his successor is on the staff you would have to be assuming that the Bucs record will greatly improve over the next three years.
January 22nd, 2019 at 6:49 am
I hope we are not placing too many responsibilities on Bruce Arians other than being head coach. So far I am seeing at least three extra jobs in no particular order.
!. Ressurrect Jameis career.
2. Save Jason Licht’s Azz.
3. Choose and develop his eventual successor.
January 22nd, 2019 at 6:53 am
You are missing the big picture.
Its not Arians they wanted, It was Arians ability to assemble a credible staff that can continue when the door hits him in the ass on the way to retirement. This is a great retirement area with no state income tax. I give Arians about 1.5 years before he turns the reins over to his DC.
January 22nd, 2019 at 7:05 am
Yes Licht did…and yes Licht did! For the first time in a decade, there’s true excitement surrounding the head coaching hire. He may be long in the tooth and not necessarily the picture of health, but it just might work out. The 2019 season should be an exciting one…looking forward to it vs Lame Duck Dirk or the previous hires.
January 22nd, 2019 at 7:43 am
I think everyone here is making good points. Jason must have saved BA’s ass once and was owed one back, so Jason called in his favor from BA. No matter to me how he got here just win.
In Bucco Bruce I trust.
January 22nd, 2019 at 7:53 am
One of the first lessons I learned in my working career was that to advance I had to replace myself in the position I was leaving. So yeah, BA has covered himself here. Very good indicator of a dedicated professional. In Bucco Bruce we trust.
Go Bucs!!
January 22nd, 2019 at 7:55 am
Let’s assume that our owners are not bubble boys and they understand that they have problems with some of Licht’s judgments.Licht is like pizza—you know you should have a bowl of organic vegetables,but hell those four slices made you feel satisfied.OUR OWNERS ARE SATISFIED FOR NOW.LETS QUIT BEATING THAT DEAD HORSE FOR NOW AND MOVE ON!!!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:03 am
Defense Rules Says:
January 22nd, 2019 at 6:16 am
Still can’t understand why Byron Leftwich was anointed as Bucs OC when a much more experienced Harold Goodwin is on staff (as run game coordinator).
——
Experience is overrated. Arians knows the game and promoted Leftwhich to OC to advance Leftwich’s career. If Leftwich does well, HC will be next
Arians is a good man
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:08 am
Actually, I’ve been thinking about this. There is one huge difference between this situation and the Cardinals situation.
Arians wife.
They didn’t even live together when he was with the Cards. That had to bring a high level of stress all by itself. It had to be hard on the marriage.
Plus he had prostate cancer, which is now in remission.
Here, his wife came with him. She likes Florida. She was blown away by the Bucs people and facility.
If he has success here, I could see him lasting through his contract so long as his health holds up. Heck, if he’s successful and being the head coach becomes too much, he could become team president and promote someone to head coach.
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:09 am
if this staff gets jettisoned for whatever reason a couple years from now, we are gonna need a dc-10 to fly them out of town…with duffner as the pilot
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:11 am
come to think of it, licht sorta looks like a pilot…can you picture him in the outfit, wheeling a small luggage thru tpa?…
i can
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:13 am
Here’s what I like:
A different NFC South team has been to the conference championship 3 of the last 4 years, two won it.
Our turn is this year.
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:14 am
Goodwin has never called plays. That’s the biggest one.
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:15 am
Ironically, this might be the off season Bill and Tom retire in New England.
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:16 am
Arians and his wife already have their “forever home” — that’s what his wife calls it — on a lakefront in Georgia. Been living there since he was fired from Pittsburgh.
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:16 am
Why hire a QB whisperer who doesn’t call plays?
I foresee disaster
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:23 am
i’m really on the fence about left-twitch calling plays
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:25 am
In a matter of 12 hours, Bipolar Bonzie has flipped back to pro-Arians after predicting his demise ( it was kidney cancer…but neither here nor there ). Welcome aboard The Bucco Bruce Express: next stop…winning.
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:27 am
The big question for the sheep is whether this “good coaching hire” will expose the bad personal decisions licht weight has made!!!!!!!!!!!!! The “rea” fans already know the answer to this!!!!!!!!!!! unless massive turnover occurs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These coaches need to produce a winning record this year!!!!!! and with 7 home games and 9 away!!!!!! Good luck!!!! because they are surely going to need it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:30 am
Loyaltotheend Says:
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:16 am
Why hire a QB whisperer who doesn’t call plays?
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..
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As on every team the HC is in the loop and ongoing strategy as the game unfolds and can over rule or call his own play…that is what the game plan is for. The “Play caller” is tasked with following the game plan and calling the appropriate play which is heard in BA’s headset and BA’s input is involved as the conversation unfolds as to what play to go with each snap ….gesshhh people ….
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:30 am
if arians is like some makeshift stop-gap type hire to infuse energy in a worn and tethered fanbase for quick ticket sales at an empty stadium…then that really sucks…
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:35 am
The past four years has been all about protecting numero uno for Backstabbin’ Jason Licht.
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:47 am
I agree with Joe and the rest here who believe Arian’s successor is already on the staff provided they and Arians win.
What fascinates me is how this is set up and how it will play out.
Is Bowles already the man because of his HC experience?
Is Leftwich the next guy up? Couple of other guys in the mix as well.
I’m curious about whether the succession is already in place. Have Arian and the Bucs already decided which of these guys is the “Crown Prince”. Do the assistants have a pecking order already as to who is next in line?
Or…do they keep it secret and perhaps feel there is more motivation in letting the assistants more or less compete with each other for next in line?
One thing I love about this hire is all the subplots and interesting twists and turns and possibilities. I’m the optimist so I believe the Bucs will improve significantly…but after that it’s a guessing game at this point.
So anybody here have a thought about who is next in line? Do you believe he and the assistants know who is next. Is it somebody’s job to lose or will they just compete?
I don’t know who is next but from my perspective it looks and feels like Bowles is next with Leftwich not far behind. If Leftwich turns JW into the star many here believe he will be…but what if Bowles builds a SB quality defense.
Wouldn’t that be a GREAT problem. Like the old Lovin Spoonful hit of the 60’s. “Did you ever have to make up your mind.”
If we have two guys who clearly are capable one will get our job the other will take a job with another team than needs an HC.
“Did you ever have to make up your mind?
And pick up on one and leave the other behind?
It’s not often easy and not often kind.
Did you ever have to make up your mind?”
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:53 am
@ alteredego :
so this basically means arians will be whispering sweet nothings into jameis’ ear while leftwich tip toes thru the tulips?..
January 22nd, 2019 at 9:19 am
I don’t know the intimate & personal details of BA’s health but, shedding weight would do wonders, regardless of his “condition”. It almost always does! This should not be too monumental of a task given the access to personal trainers, dieticians & resources available at OBP.
His personal and professional life would be improved; win-win! The onus is on BA, of course.
January 22nd, 2019 at 9:21 am
adam from ny Says:
January 22nd, 2019 at 8:53 am
@ alteredego :
so this basically means arians will be whispering sweet nothings into jameis’ ear while leftwich tip toes thru the tulips?..
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Naw…Ndog ,Rod Munch et al…we’ll be tiptoeing and moonwalking their statements on #3 🙂
January 22nd, 2019 at 9:39 am
Licht just needs to stop passing on All-Pro talent in the draft for his little cute picks
January 22nd, 2019 at 9:47 am
He helped with the fire and I doubt he was thinking about saving his job that would be a dumb reason to hire someone, I think the Arians hire fell into his lap not like he had to do much of a sales job.
Not sure how a guy who’s coached zero games or even had a meeting with his team has already saved his job though
January 22nd, 2019 at 10:00 am
Doctor is right on the mark. Move up just a little bit last year and get a sure fire RB in Chubb or Michel , or just take Kerryon Johnson like you should have. SEC RB’s are the gold standard in the NFL and everyone but LICHT brain knows it. Really like BA , but really hate Licht.
January 22nd, 2019 at 10:00 am
they will all be gone in 3 years. glazers will ensure that…. this is getting closer to the lovie smith family plan but Jason Licht friends and family. jason learned well from bad character loser lovie.
January 22nd, 2019 at 10:03 am
Bryant can take his’n and beat your’n, and then he can turn around and take your’n and beat his’n.
Bum Phillips talking about Bear Bryant.
That’s what a great coach can do for a team.
January 22nd, 2019 at 10:11 am
Is Licht’s losing record now the worst of any bucs gm??? (id like to know)
January 22nd, 2019 at 11:00 am
Can’t really say Licht is out of the woods, can we?
He just hired a coach out of desperation, who according to most posters here, we are already in the process of replacing.
Sadly, I would have liked to have seen him coach a game first…
It’s a Bucs Life…
January 22nd, 2019 at 1:08 pm
There’s only one reason Bruce came out of retirement. He wants a SB ring as a Head Coach.
It is kind of a testament to the team we have. He would not be coming here if he thought these players we got are no good. Seems safe to assume that a big reason he picked Tampa was he sees a roster he can contend with.
Bruce’s evaluation probably mirrors what a lot of fans have been thinking for a long time. You can win with these guys but not if you have………Winston throw to the deep sidelines all day. It’s his worst throw. Do something different……….We have press corners so quit using cushions on secondary………..Get our LBs blitzing more. They are good at it………How about fixing the easy stuff? Like stupid pentaltys, kicking FGs & knowing you assignments. These things are easy to fix and don’t require roster overhaul……..Or how about not giving away games because we can’t tackle or convert 3rd & 1s.
This is easy s**t to fix. This is not 5-year plans. This gets fixed during Training Camp and on the practice field. I think Bruce knows if he can fix all this amateur BS this team can make some noise. I expect to see a solid football team that makes limited mistakes in Sept!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 22nd, 2019 at 1:13 pm
And I expect Bruce to make adjustments during games and have the team better prepared.
I wonder what Bruce was thinking to himself on that first possession when he blew is out in Arizona………He sat there and called run plays the entire length of the field and our entire backfield was bavkpeddli g on every single play. We didn’t even tryed to stop the run on that drive. We obvisously had no way to adjust out of our defense and we’re wildly unprepared. One of the most pathetic Buc drives I ever remember.
January 22nd, 2019 at 1:56 pm
ben Says:
January 22nd, 2019 at 10:11 am
Is Licht’s losing record now the worst of any bucs gm??? (id like to know)
It’s worse than his predecessor Dominik by a few games over a five year period. I suppose Hall of Famer Ron Wolf’s is worse as he helped launch the franchise in the 70’s but was up against the sharp stick of an expansion team.
Bottom line is Licht Weight stands at a .3375 winning percentage after 5 seasons but has been given a mulligan ( somewhat by me also ) for luring in Bucco Bruce to help turn this thing around.
January 22nd, 2019 at 3:48 pm
I’m optimistic. However…Not one game has been played under Arians. He’s basking in his Sh..talking right now. But I’ll wait to see what he brings us on the field. Licht should have been fired along with Koetter. This may or not..save his job. Everything looks good on paper. But you can’t buy a cup of coffee on goodwill. Time to get rollin.
January 22nd, 2019 at 4:54 pm
The Arians hiring doesn’t change a thing, Licht still needs to go. Until then this team will be average at best. More wasted years are ahead of us.
January 22nd, 2019 at 5:52 pm
Can we PLEASE stop calling him “Bucs AC/DC-loving GM” ??????????? My God, get over it. Who cares? I bet he listens to MANY bands, happens to love AC/DC, but may also love others too. Yes, this was to save his job. I hope it’s as good of a pick up as we all hope.