Statement From Bucs GM Jason Licht
November 12th, 2019
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Yes, a thunderclap was heard throughout West Tampa this morning when the Bucs released starting cornerback, former first-round pick and Tampa hometowner Vernon Hargreaves before he finished his fourth season.
Apparently the final straw was Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians claiming Hargreaves was not hustling Sunday in the win over the Cardinals. Even if a player isn’t playing well, not hustling should be an unforgivable sin.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht released a statement concerning the release of Hargreaves. This was not a rash decision, Licht explained.
“After thoughtful consideration over the past few weeks, Bruce and I came to the conclusion that we needed to make this change,” Licht said. “Decisions such as this are always difficult, but I felt it was in the best interest of our team to part ways with Vernon at this time and allow him to explore other opportunities. We are disappointed that it did not work out here for Vernon and we wish him continued success moving forward.”
Joe appreciates Licht’s words but this just makes Joe want to reach for a bottle of Crown Royal already this morning.
It is Nov. 12. The trade deadline was two weeks ago, Oct. 29. Licht himself in his statement claims he and Arians had been mulling over what to do with Hargreaves for “a few weeks.”
And still the Bucs sat on their hands at the trade deadline? Really?
Now last week Joe had asked Arians if the team was in any negotiations with any clubs about possibly bringing in a new defensive back. Arians scoffed claiming there was no one “fast enough” available.
Joe is not privy to private communications between Licht and other team representatives. And Joe isn’t sure if other teams may have been asking for an obscene ransom for a player knowing they had the Bucs over a barrel.
How is it other teams found starters in the defensive backfield, some for bargain prices, and yet the Bucs could (would?) not?
The Bucs knew that had a lousy secondary — how could they not know? And apparently they knew Hargreaves’ immediate future with the team was murky. Yet, no moves were made.
It just doesn’t add up to Joe why this team decided the best activity to boost the secondary was no activity, not even to trade parts for third-day draft picks to use as ammo to move up in the draft next spring and grab a decent player.
And lets throw all our cards on the table. This garbage secondary prevented the Bucs from making a wild card run.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:18 pm
When will Licht be held accountable?
November 12th, 2019 at 12:19 pm
When is TEAM GLAZER’S scheduled presser and have the same thing to say about Jason Gump? This guy is a joke
November 12th, 2019 at 12:20 pm
Damn!!!
I thought the statement from JL was going to be his announcement that he’s stepping down.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Buc believer: Please don’t ask questions that you already know the answer.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Glad him and his hyena a** laugh is gone. My God that 2016 draft was almost a total waste…only thing we got out of it was a good gunner on ST in Ryan Smith smh lol.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Licht drafted a substandard QB, multiple substandard CBs and D-linemen. It’s pathetic. Hey when you have a loser steering the ship how can you expect not to crash.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:22 pm
How about some thoughtful consideration before the draft
November 12th, 2019 at 12:23 pm
Maybe Hargreaves is going to get a dirty test coming up and he got popped; why else would the bucs not trade the bum for something; I have been told that the bucs have playoff caliber players they just needed better coaching and jason licht was getting the right pieces…hmmm
November 12th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
Seriously, I am with the Joe(s) on this. How could they stand pat at the trade deadline and THEN release someone? This is a laughably bad reasoning or lack therof
November 12th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
it is because players that were told they might be traded to the Bucs, opted for suicide.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:25 pm
Could we put a package trade up for consideration?
JW and Licht for a new water girl.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Who would have traded for a guy who can’t play for a team with a horrid secondary?
November 12th, 2019 at 12:31 pm
This story certainly seems incomplete. Perhaps like Dusthty said, a dirty test coming? Just doesn’t make any sense, when they could’ve gotten SOMETHING/ANYTHING for VH. Even a 5th round pick with strings attached.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:31 pm
None of us knows what calls were made and given…so speculate all you want. Now you Mr. Licht have more explaining to do with your performance as a GM and “talent evaluator”. Another 1st round bust and a secondary you doubled down on this year with zero improvement from last year!
Unfortunately we are stuck with him as a package deal w/ old man Arians.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
The glazers have to see the 30,000 in the stadium and know it will not be getting better; there will be more saints fans in the stadium this week as the bucs play an angry saints squad…..now that they cut hargreaves who is going to give up 13 catches to michael thomas? Thomas has to be upset at his release too
November 12th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
Oh Jeez. Now we’re complaining about the timing of a move that was needed. Would they have gotten anything for him in a trade? Doubtful. We also don’t know – perhaps they tried trading him and had no takers. Typical negative tone.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:33 pm
I totally agree Joe. Licht sat on his hands and now has nothing, zilch, nada, for 1st round pick Hargreaves. He|| even a 7th round pick is better than nothing. This is piss poor decision making with no intuition or vision for the future.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:34 pm
I think its cute that some of you are nieve enough to think we wouldve gotten anything for a small slow db. Noone was trading for this bum
November 12th, 2019 at 12:35 pm
Just two quick examples of players who were available for draft picks.
1) The Steelers traded a first round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Steelers have won five of seven games with him and Fitzpatrick may be the best safety in football. He’s certainly playing at a very high level.
2) The first-place Crows obtained Marcus Peters for a scrub linebacker and a fifth-round pick. He starts for a team that is probably the best in the AFC.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
GOOD POINT VERY GOOD POINT WHY NOT HAVE GOTTEN SOMETHING FOR HIM IN A TRADE BEFORE THE DEAD LINE. NOW HE WILL BE PICKED UP BY A WINNING TEAM AND GO TO THE SUPER BOWL AND GIVE THE BUCS THE FINGER LIKE MOST X BUCS PLAYERS.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Everyone:
Joe never suggested at all in the story the Bucs should have traded Hargreaves (he basically had no trade value). Not sure why people are making things up.
Bucs didn’t need to trade Hargreaves to make a deal to improve their secondary.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:40 pm
When will glasers be held accountable? Lol……the answer is never
November 12th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Jason Licht is the worst GM in professional sports. He has prolonged the agony of the fans by his poor decisions. The Glazers should just pay him for the five years to go away. No amount of BS propaganda from this website will change the mind of informed fans. This site has been complacent in his nonsense for years. He was lucky to remain numerous times. It is over.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Licht needs to go. not just for his drafts, much of that is on coaching…but for his many missed trade opportunities these last few years. We’ve had 1/2 dozen go this way and should be stocked with draft picks at this point.
thats unexusable
November 12th, 2019 at 12:41 pm
No one wanted VH3 for all we know Gump did try to trade him and he couldn’t even get a bag of peanuts. Another wasted pick though in the first round so Gump is to blame for again another bust. However this secondary just got better. We don’t need a bum showing the new kids its ok to slack off.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:42 pm
This team doesn’t know how to draft. Period
The 2016 draft class was a total bust.
Fire Jason Licht and end it now.
No organization can withstand a sorry draft class, much less a catastrophic one.
Peace, out
November 12th, 2019 at 12:49 pm
I am sure one team in the NFL would have given the bucs a six or seventh would pick for VH3. But we will never know thanks Jason ” not too very bright ” Licht.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Joe let’s be real. No body was going to give up anything for VHIII. He is a bust and Cornerbacks that are hot and cold like marcus peters got sent away for a sixth. No one would pay for VHIII
November 12th, 2019 at 12:52 pm
“Marcus Peters for a scrub linebacker and a fifth-round pick”
Exactly. So why would anyone give ANYTHING for Hargeaves? He’s awful.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:52 pm
Cutting a guy that has been playing bad is not a “Statement” please stop. Cutting a guy who has been playing bad with no guarantee in his contract is not a statement… If you really want to make a statement, cut Donovan Smith!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Hopefully Mrs. Licht manages their checkbook and pays the bills.
November 12th, 2019 at 12:59 pm
I mean we all knew this was coming but wow.
After a 9-7 season #lichtmyb**ls drafted:
1.) VHMe (Traded down to #11 for the 59th pick)
2.) Noah Spence
2.) Aguayo (w/the 59th pick)
4.) Ryan Smith
5.) Caleb Benenoch
6.) Devonte Bond
6.) Danny Vitale
ONE PLAYER (Mr. Smith) is still on the team and has been relegated to special teams.
After a 9-7 season, this is what you do while gaining an extra 2nd round pick.
DRAFTS LIKE THIS CANNOT HAPPEN!
IF this isn’t enough to get this dumb*** fired, I don’t know what it will take.
Mr. Licht, you’re an embarrassment to the already wretched draft history of this team.
PLEASE DO US ALL A FAVOR AND RESIGN!
PLEASE!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 1:03 pm
The Glaziers are accountable, look at the dead money they’ve spent with this idiot as their GM.
The Glaziers might not know how to win in the NFL.
They darn sure know how to waste money based off moronic management by employees they trust.
They darn sure can’t enjoy pi**ing away all this money year after year after year.
FIRE JASON LICHT NOW!!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
ElioT to be fair that was before a 9-7 season if only Justin Evans and Kendall Beckwith didn’t combust that would have been a great draft.
Also OJ Howard is great you haters. it’s just the assistant QB coaching intern at OC doesn’t believe in throwing footballs to tight ends. I really don’t like defending Forrest. and think he needs to go as much as the next guy.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:06 pm
No wonder this team stinks, and has stunk for many years. Here are the names of their 1st Round picks since 2007, followed by the name of at least one player chosen within the next ten picks:
Gaines Adams (Adrian Peterson & Darrelle Revis)
Aqib Talib (Chris Johnson)
Josh Freeman (Alex Mack, Michael Oher, Clay Matthews)
Gerald McCoy* (Eric Berry, Russell Okung, Earl Thomas, JPP)
Adrian Clayborn (Cameron Jordan, Mark Ingram – both to NO)
Mark Barron (Luke Kuechly, Fletcher Cox)
Darrelle Revis trade
Mike Evans* (OBJ, Zack Martin)
Jameis Winston* (Amari Cooper)
Vernon Hargreaves (Keanu Neal, Will Fuller)
OJ Howard (Later picks – Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook)
Vita Vea (Derwin James, Leighton Vander Esch)
Devin White (Devin Bush)
(*Definite good pick at the time)
Folks….that is some bad drafting.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:07 pm
This administration is baffling to say the least. Maybe when the stands reach an all time low the owners will start to see the light, no pun intended!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Its hard to believe some CB needy team wouldn’t give up a 6th round pick at the trade deadline – to take a chance on #11 overall pick Hargreaves – who is relatively cheap for the rest of this year…
Perhaps what happened in the AZ game was some kind of a “last straw” sort of moment in BAs eyes and getting rid of Vernon now is based on the very recent decision to sit him moving forward in favor of the rookies.
So if he’s not going to play – then why risk injury – even in practice or whatever. Because if Hargreaves received a major injury – and was unable to pass a physical in March – that 5th year option would become GUARANTEED and they would have been on the hook for $9.9M to Hargreaves for 2020 no matter what….
Better to cut your losses now and roll with the rookies the rest of this year – get them valuable game snaps and also get some of those early learning lumps out of the way – since this is obviously yet another lost season regarding playoff hopes…..
Dean looks way better than Hargreaves ever did on the outside after just 2 games anyways….
November 12th, 2019 at 1:19 pm
VHG didnt get it done….
just like so many other of lichts draft picks….
GO BUCS!!!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 1:23 pm
813
Still got luv for you bro. ✊🏾
November 12th, 2019 at 1:26 pm
You hardly ever see teams part ways with a 1st rd nickel CB before their contract is up…..
November 12th, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Laremy Tunsil was the pick. I was screaming to pick him over Vernon. Licht sucks.
“Totally fixed”
November 12th, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Who would have traded for Hargraves and agree to pay him 9 mil on his 5th year option? Or risk him getting hurt and being on the hook to pay him next year.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:30 pm
not hustling cant be tolerated and I’m glad an example was made. The rooks needed this.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:35 pm
Seriously Joe…you say what did they not trade Hardgraeves during the tasing period? No one want him at the contract he was on…should prove out especially if he gets through waivers without anyone picking him up. Also why would any GM trade anything for Hardgraeves? He has done nothing!
November 12th, 2019 at 1:38 pm
This is what i’m waiting for, we felt it was in the best interest of our team to part ways with Jason licht at this time and allow him to explore other opportunities.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:42 pm
I believe Marcus Peters has two pick 6’s since being traded. I know one for sure. Last Sunday vs Bengals.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:43 pm
@Joe … “And lets throw all our cards on the table. This garbage secondary prevented the Bucs from making a wild card run.”
Joe, IF you’re TRULY gonna throw ALL your cards on the table, it wasn’t JUST the supposedly ‘garbage Secondary’ that prevented the Bucs from making a wild card run.
o Let’s START with the Bucs’ offense’s 21 TURNOVERS, two-thirds of which are the result of Jameis’ league-leading 14 INTs in just 9 games. In all fairness to Jameis and the offense though, 18 of those TOs came in only 4 games, 3 of them losses. But in fairness again, he did lead us in a comeback win against the lowly Cardinals, a team we should’ve crushed, but didn’t because of, oh ya, his turnovers.
o And who can forget the coaching miscues we’ve had to endure in several of our games. Doesn’t take much imagination to believe that with a coach like Sean Payton this Bucs’ team might still be in the playoff hunt.
o. And your oversight of Jason Lightweight not providing any veteran leadership in our league’s youngest Secondary by far surely had an impact on their play this year, and our playoff chances. Oh wait, I forgot, we were all led to believe that Vernon Hargreaves was all we needed for veteran leadership, because our Secondary was totally fixed. Hmmm, maybe THAT’S another coaching miscue … letting him start all those games knowing that HE was the one dragging down the youthful Secondary.
No Joe, instead of blaming a bunch of youngsters … including THREE rookies and TWO 2nd year guys … for our misfortunes, why don’t you lay off the Crown Royal in the morning and broaden your horizons. There really is PLENTY OF BLAME to go around.
Nah, much more analytical to just point fingers at the ‘garbage Secondary’ isn’t it.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:44 pm
When I read the comments section in here we have a lot of posters who have the thinking skills equivalent of Hargreaves coverage skills.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Gee, go figure, back in moderation for criticizing your myopia Joe. Whodathunkit?
November 12th, 2019 at 1:47 pm
Impeach Licht for his treasonous treatment of the Buc fanbase. We should all enjoy his unlimited job security and be rewarded with secret extensions for pi$$ poor performance.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Tom:
You are correct. One vs Russell Wilson & the Hawks leading to a win.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:49 pm
“fast enough” comment when i heard it, i took it as someone coming in & getting acquainted to the playbook & team fast enough to get on the field not actually speed on the field
November 12th, 2019 at 1:56 pm
So I guess the “secondary is now fixed”. Example no. 5993 as to why Licht is a complete and utter moron. Should have been traded before the deadline and now Bucs have to eat his salary going into 2020. SMH!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Joe I know you are smart enough to figure it out. The Bucs wanna work with who they got so they can properly self evaluate that position heading into the future. We can hem and haw about the growing pains all we want but looking ahead towards the better interest for the future of this team is the responsible thing to do.
I’m sorry but blowing a draft pick to get a Marcus Peters for 8 games to then lose him to free agency and be back at square one is a terrible idea and totally irresponsible.
The goal should be(and surely is) to build a contender in Tampa Bay. Trading for patch players does not help that plan. It actually hurts it
November 12th, 2019 at 1:59 pm
jason licht is doing exactly what he was hired by glazers to do… Chase basement titles and rub optimists noses in dog crap every year…. he’s doing exactly what the glazers want him to do. you can’t be this bad for this long without trying to be this long. only dumbarses are those who believe in glazers and those with hope.
They’re 2 types of bucfans. The ones who have accepted there is no hope and those who live in denial.
November 12th, 2019 at 1:59 pm
The Bucs were only liable for the 5th year option if he had gotten injured.
November 12th, 2019 at 2:01 pm
SCBucsFan Says:
November 12th, 2019 at 1:44 pm
When I read the comments section in here we have a lot of posters who have the thinking skills equivalent of Hargreaves coverage skills.
coming from a cult member who believes in ghosts that made me laugh….
November 12th, 2019 at 2:03 pm
Please send Perriman with him
November 12th, 2019 at 2:12 pm
Thank goodness the hyena is gone. He had the most annoying laugh and I heard it recently on a game highlights replay. He was no where in the frame but his laugh was painfully audible.
November 12th, 2019 at 2:17 pm
I think this is exactly what is appropriate in a lost season… start 1st round cuts for 2020 now. All this season is about is finding the right 53 for next year. If VH3 isn’t on the roster next year, let him go now. Better for both sides. True for any other position and player, too.
November 12th, 2019 at 2:17 pm
Maybe outside corner is not his best position!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 2:17 pm
He had a handful of really great plays over the years that were a lot of fun to watch. His talent flashed and made me smile and cheer a few times.
Not often enough
Good luck Vernon
November 12th, 2019 at 2:26 pm
vh3bust is fixed now
November 12th, 2019 at 2:27 pm
Joe
” Who would have traded for a guy who can’t play for a team with a horrid secondary?
Just two quick examples of players who were available for draft picks.
1) The Steelers traded a first round pick for Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Steelers have won five of seven games with him and Fitzpatrick may be the best safety in football. He’s certainly playing at a very high level.
2) The first-place Crows obtained Marcus Peters for a scrub linebacker and a fifth-round pick. He starts for a team that is probably the best in the AFC
not sure why you responded to my statement in this fashion…I’m saying we wouldn’t get anything for Vern…you’re saying there were guys out there to get…two totally different things.
November 12th, 2019 at 2:28 pm
Pickgrin
We ARE the CB needy team….
November 12th, 2019 at 2:33 pm
The Disaster on Dale Mabry!
November 12th, 2019 at 2:34 pm
BigHog Says:
November 12th, 2019 at 2:17 pm
Maybe outside corner is not his best position!!!
no clearly football is no his thing. he will have better luck at 7 eleven or quicky mart….
maybe gaytors have an opening for a finger wagging tutor….
November 12th, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Eventually, we’ll hit bottom, and then the only way to go is up. Or sideways. But every time I think we might be bottoming out, NOPE. Glub glub glub.
November 12th, 2019 at 2:40 pm
“But in fairness again, he did lead us in a comeback win against the lowly Cardinals, a team we should’ve crushed, but didn’t because of, oh ya, his turnovers.”
The Cardinals only got 3 points off any turnovers. The defense gave up 3 75+ yard TD drives and another FG drive, and were on pace to give up over 30 points again if not for Murray throwing that ball up for Dean to grab.
Our defense sucks dude lol. Especially pass D.
The bottom line is this team is now 3rd in points per game on offense – averaging 28.9 – and considering all of our games have come down to the wire – you can’t say it’s garbage time points at all.
Our defense gives up an AVERAGE of 31 points per game in 2019. That’s freaking insane.
Even if we threw a pick 6 every single week and took 7 points away from the amount the D gives up every week – we’d still be a bottom 1/3 scoring defense. lmao.
And the biggest discouraging thing – is that we’ve seen multiple games where we get out to big leads and KNOW the other team is having to pass to catch up, and we can’t stop it whatsoever. (i.e. Rams/Seattle).
So even when our offense is basically perfect we can still lose the game easily. That’s my big takeaway.
Defense wins championships. This franchise is going anywhere until that side of the ball is at least competent.
Our offense has turned it over 9 more times than NFL average, which 6 of those turnovers coming in 1 game that we can just blame on Jameis all day and that’s fine with me.
But in the other 8 games we’ve played our offense hasn’t really turned it over much more than other NFL Teams. And we average 30 points a game.
Our defense on the other hand has created 3 more turnovers than the NFL average, but are the worst scoring defense by far in the league.
There is no way for me to spin this to anything other than our defense absolutely has sucked. Our secondary absolutely has scuekd. And both units by far are the biggest weakness on the team and reason we are the only top 10 scoring team with such a bad record.
November 12th, 2019 at 2:46 pm
I remember most of the mocks had the Bucs taking Hargreaves…for weeks leading up to the draft,
I hated the pick back then….and well….
Jason Licht is the worst.
November 12th, 2019 at 2:48 pm
Every player started with a clean slate with Bruce. Some players got it and are fighting for a job ,others like vh3 don’t realize he’s been evaluated game by game.
This players make thousands / millions and don’t hustle …. sign me up and I’ll give it all every day to make that money. Good job to the RBs there fighting. I see more purging has the season goes on. I agree with Licht you can’t trade vh3 the guy got a int for TD and show promise but he just shutdown.
November 12th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
realist
i am too lazy so how about a repost of all of 813 quotes about vh3bust being a number one cb and leading the secondary… kind of 813 greatest hits / quotes… pick your favorite top ten…. double up on exclamation points the commenters here love that. feel free to include excuses as well. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 3:10 pm
Embracing the Suck! They should all be barred from ever saying accountable again. Doing the same thing and hoping for different results. Btw, Leftwich sucks
November 12th, 2019 at 3:18 pm
Basically this is Licht resigning and yes he did the right thing now do the right thing !!! Jason you were easily still on the glaziers money more than even Vernon was Jason you were easily still on the glaziers money more than even Vernon was!!! We know it, you know it, the glaciers know it, and we also know you were only kept to secure an experienced head coach !!! By Jason , please do the right thing , Goodbye !!!!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 3:19 pm
Joe Says:
November 12th, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Everyone:
Joe never suggested at all in the story the Bucs should have traded Hargreaves (he basically had no trade value). Not sure why people are making things up.
Bucs didn’t need to trade Hargreaves to make a deal to improve their secondary.
^^^Because us retards don’t know how to read an article all the way through and just pounce on the “submit comment” button after furiously typing out our inner dumbass commentary. It’s twitter basically, Joe bucs fan is just bucs twitter full of dumb$1ts that like the bucs. Me included!
November 12th, 2019 at 3:32 pm
BigMac. Care to elaborate cause I can’t make any sense of your comment.
How you figure firing a sucky player is embracing suck? Sounds backwards to me.
Why does this give you an issue about accountability? I would say losing your job is being held to the highest degree of accountability.
What do you mean about doing the same thing expecting different results? I cannot remember the last time we fired a starting player mind season.
Are you just being sarcastic and it flew over my head? I’m very confused.
November 12th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
tmax
so who will be your next scapegoat?….lol…
you sure do blame everyone except for right the right person….
GO BUCS!!!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 3:52 pm
I love how whatever trade people want us to make, we just assume there had to have been a willing partner we just ignored.
Two to tango, people.
November 12th, 2019 at 3:54 pm
I think were on the upswing.
Looking at the Seahawks vs. Niners game last night both team’s quarterbacks made monumental mistakes. Picks and fumbles galore by both.
The difference is their defences bail them out.
That’s the missing piece here. But it is getting better.
I look for several more wins and marked improvement. Licht has drafted together a potent offense. Get better defensively and we rule the NFC south.
November 12th, 2019 at 3:57 pm
#REPOST
LUVMYBUCS Says:
April 29th, 2019 at 7:57 am
Vs.
The proper message would’ve been not picking up the option Y/N?
Never Pro-Active always Re-Active
November 12th, 2019 at 3:58 pm
I wonder if Arians wagged his finger at VH after he cut him
November 12th, 2019 at 3:59 pm
Kyle Fuller did not play in a single game in 2016, so the Bears made the predictable and correct decision to decline the fifth-year option in his contract. Then, Fuller rebounded to play better than ever before in 2017, paving the way for him to get paid.
The Bucs situation……well you know.
November 12th, 2019 at 4:04 pm
#REPOST
LUVMYBUCS Says:
February 29th, 2016 at 11:06 am <–
A tiny part of my soul dies every time the Bucs are projected to draft a cornerback. Why?
Championship teams are built in the trenches
We need either a Top Notch Offensive or Defensive Line Prospect.
Note: Wouldn’t be mad, if drafted RB Derrick Henry or LB Ragland though.
November 12th, 2019 at 4:04 pm
Always thought that yr we drafted vernon we shouldve gotten a lineman and got kendall fuller from va tech in the 6th or 7th rounds.. Yea at the time he was hurt but I knew he could provide more than vernon ever could.. ans thats inside or outside..
Going forward I think Dean and Davis will play outside… i’d go grab greg stroman and tutor him to play nickel, going forward i think were good we just needed to weed out the weak link
November 12th, 2019 at 4:07 pm
#REPOST
LUVMYBUCS Says:
March 1st, 2016 at 11:25 am←
The key thing Licht said- “We’re looking at 3yrs – Where we’ll be 3 yrs down the road”
The only position that really stands out is RT – from a developmental standpoint. <— This statement is so funny now
That’s why I wouldn’t be shocked if drafted either.
Ronnie Stanley OT Notre Dame 6-6 312
Or Trade back (Pick up and Extra 2 & 4th rounder) and draft
Jack Conklin OT Michigan State 6-6 308 ← ALL-PRO ROOKIE 1ST YR
November 12th, 2019 at 4:34 pm
Hire LUV now lol
November 12th, 2019 at 4:50 pm
LUVMYBUCS just curious. I don’t know much about contracts or options or this but why would it be better to not pick up the fifth year option?
I had kinda figured one reason they may have picked up the fifth year option was to give him some incentive to go all out this year. The dude was literally playing with over 9M at the end of the tunnel. Hard to imagine that his effort was still lacking.
Right or wrong on the option deal I think we can all agree releasing him was the right call. Players who do not play with maximum effort get in the way of winning more then anything.
November 12th, 2019 at 4:51 pm
Luv – I’m pretty sure Licht wanted and would have drafted Conklin.
But Jon Robinson knew that and with Tennessee having the pick before us – beat Licht to his preferred pick.
That 2016 draft beyond the first 8 players drafted was a terrible talent pool. Yet with the way the board was lined up when the Bucs were on the clock – Laremy Tunsil – bong mask and all – was the pick we should have made at #11 in 2016. I thought so at the time but was hopeful Hargreaves would work out. Didn’t happen……
November 12th, 2019 at 4:57 pm
813bucboi Says:
November 12th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
tmax
so who will be your next scapegoat?….lol…
you sure do blame everyone except for right the right person….
i blame the glazers….. the only other true losers on the team that I hate because of mental weakness or piss poor play are dotson, lvd, d smith…. the rest get a pass until proven otherwise…. the little fella celebrating overthrows proved he was worthless. oj and brate are mediocre at best way overrated.
jameis the 3rd most important buc in franchise history whether you want to accept it or not… give him an nfl o line an a defense that can hold teams under 40 and he easily surpasses those 1 year wonder bums you call legends.
November 12th, 2019 at 4:58 pm
i wish we could impeach the fraud glazers for LUVMYBUCS
November 12th, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Numb nuts could not trade him before the trade deadline. Even if it were for a 5th round pick. We are due for another kicker draft
November 12th, 2019 at 5:05 pm
Why the hell did the Glazers extend this clown? #firelicht
November 12th, 2019 at 5:13 pm
BA said he does not draft OL so expect the same crap next year
November 12th, 2019 at 5:17 pm
Great article Joe. I was wondering the same thing. I like Hargraves but was not working out here. But as a former first round pick you would think we could have traded him for something. Anything. Hargraves as well as our two corners last year that were drafted are all too slow. The defense of line Jason like tried to build two years ago was fat and slow. Why are we still letting this guy make any roster decisions whatsoever?
November 12th, 2019 at 5:32 pm
Lord C … I’ve said many times that “Our defense sucks dude lol. Especially pass D.” Point to Joe was that pointing the finger squarely at the Bucs’ Secondary for not being in the playoff hunt by mid-season does not rest on them alone.
Take a close look LC at the Arizona game play-by-play. For a young Secondary they actually played pretty good, despite giving up 360 total yards passing. Kyler Murray almost beat us, and he used the deep ball to do it. He was 2-for-6 deep in the 1st half … one of those for a 33 yd TD to Kirk. He was 3-for-6 deep in the 2nd half, one of those for 69 yards to Kirk for a TD. His 3rd TD of the day to Kirk was only 15 yards, but it was set up by a MJ Stewart PI penalty for 25 yards that kept the drive alive. I’m wondering who was covering Kirk on those 3 drives.
And while you’re there in the play-by-play, take a close look at the Bucs’ 4th quarter comeback drive. Cards make it down to the Tam-15 yard line, then Jamel Dean intercepts at the 8-yard line. Jameis complete deep to Godwin for 49 yards; ball at Cards 43. Jameis incomplete deep to ME13, BUT a 16-yard defensive PI puts it at the Cards 27. Barber runs right for 14 yards; now at the Cards 13. James incomplete short to Godwin. James incomplete to ME13, BUT … a 12-yard Defensive PI puts us at the Cards 1. James incomplete to OJ. Barber up the middle for no gain. Barber then runs left for 1 yard and TD.
So on that remarkable ‘comeback’ drive, it STARTED from an interception by our defense at the Tampa 15. James threw it 5 times after that and completed ONE for 48 yards. However, TWO defensive pass interference penalties gave us 28 yards, two 1st downs and kept the comeback drive alive. Barber’s rushing did the rest.
Reality is that the Bucs lucked out. Without that INT by Dean in the 4th quarter, Cards have at least 3 points (they were at the Tam 15). Without those 2 defensive PI calls, Bucs wouldn’t have made the comeback. And on Arizona’s very last drive, the Bucs’ defense stood tall & limited the Cards to 3 yards rushing (on 2 runs) and one 2-yard completion in 5 attempts. Unfortunately an 18-yard defensive PI on Vernon Hargreaves kept the Cards drive alive … for awhile.
Big plays are killing this young Secondary, but they’re getting better quickly. And now that VHIII is gone, my guess is that they’ll improve even faster. Hopefully these rookies can stay healthy.
November 12th, 2019 at 6:02 pm
Defense Rules I detest your above statement.
How dare you say the Bucs lucked out. That kid made a great play to pick that ball off. You are undermining his skills to call it luck.
And those pentalties? Purely fidi ilous to call them luck. Them pentalties are a testament to Mike Evans being the best player on the field. They could cover him. He knew it and they knew it. He beat them so soundly they literally had to tackle him well before the ball got there. Not an once of luck involved. That’s called Mike taking over in the clutch. Well done Mike.
Now apologize to Bucs fans DR for you have sinned.
November 12th, 2019 at 6:35 pm
How do you have the #1 run defense in the NFL? Easy. Have a horrific secondary that is dead last against the pass (I think). The point is teams don’t run on us. We are pretty stout up front and the D Line and LB’s especially with White coming into his own are above average. Maybe even solid. Trotting out a bunch of rookies and VH3 was a surefire death by secondary. Rome wasn’t built in a day but this secondary hasn’t been built through 3 drafts. I admittedly feel like Jamel Dean and Bunting do have serious potential but I can’t disagree with Joe. We needed a studly veteran presence or even a young studly presence (Minkah). Yes, it’s going to cost something. Tell me would you give up VH3, MJ Stewart, and Justin Evans for even one good CB. Of course you would. Those were just some of Licht’s 1st rd and 2nd rd picks. Don’t get me started on the 2016 Licht picks. The Glazers seem to love Licht so if this dude is going to stay, I’d rather trade picks for proven players rather than take my chances with what I have seen the last few years.
November 12th, 2019 at 6:38 pm
If I understand correctly, there are no compensatory picks that will come when he signs as a FA with another team, right? Because he was released? Or.. will they get something?
Ugh. So many layers of lost potential
November 12th, 2019 at 6:42 pm
@Defense Rules
Agree with JJ that it’s hard to call that luck considering how many bad calls we’ve gotten every week. A lot of times QBs throw it at WRs in situations in which they know a PI is very likely based on how the CB is covering them.
I think in the end I just don’t get taking issue with Joe’s statement.
Yes there are things wrong with every aspect of the team when you break it down, true of every NFL team, but the narrative that the secondary is keeping us from being a playoff contender is fair IMO.
When your offense averages 29 points per game it’s hard to say much else. Like I said – even with a pick 6 every week taken off the board – our D still sucks.
Not sure how many teams in the history of the NFL have average over 28 points and had horrible records. That’d be interesting to see.
November 12th, 2019 at 6:42 pm
@DRules I have to agree with Jimmy Dean here. You can’t play the what if game. If we did that, we could have a winning record if the kicker makes an easy GW kick and this defense were to not fail at the end of games.That was a beautiful play by Dean and you can’t discount those PI’s and treat them as if they are incompletions. In fact, on one of those PI’s, it could have easily been a TD and Jameis’s throw was on point. This wasn’t a result of luck. It was a result of this team finally finishing and you have to finally tip your cap to the defense on AZ’s last drive. They should have been off the field after the 4th down incompletion. The refs inexplicably called a PI phantom call
November 12th, 2019 at 7:11 pm
My bad JJ. I have no idea why I wrote Jimmy Dean.
November 12th, 2019 at 7:30 pm
tmaxcon Says:
November 12th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
realist
i am too lazy so how about a repost of all of 813 quotes about vh3bust being a number one cb and leading the secondary… kind of 813 greatest hits / quotes… pick your favorite top ten…. double up on exclamation points the commenters here love that. feel free to include excuses as well. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙏 ^two of the most fantastic commenters on this here blog! I always laugh at your posts bc they are so bold….and pretty much always true. Thanks!
November 12th, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Luvmybucs
You got my vote for GM. Couldn’t agree more. I thought Laremy Tunsil’s gas mask video was his ticket to Tampa! We could’ve had a guy that was worth two first round picks plus on the NFL open market, or a guy who gets cut halfway thru year four.
I wish it was all a joke. This non-move may be Licht’s masterpiece. It’s akin to Dominik’s Barron over Keuchly.
Dumb ass drafts need to stop now.
Oh wait, the Glazers signed us up for 4 more years. lol #siegeallhope.
November 12th, 2019 at 7:42 pm
Attendance does t matter. Pro sports powers that be have set it up to where it’s a non issue revenue wise. TV rev is all they care about and they take in billions.
November 12th, 2019 at 8:08 pm
JimmyJack … I said the Bucs lucked out because the Bucs lucked out. Had Murray thrown the ball away like he was trying to do … like off the field of play … instead of having it intercepted, we’d have lost that game. And guess what, if Gay had hit that last kick in the Giants game, we’d have won that game. Like it or not, LUCK is a factor in football games, just like it is in life. The unfortunate part for the Bucs is that they have probably the worst luck of any NFL team.
And yes JimmyJack, to a large degree teams make their own luck. No team can count on say getting 3 turnovers a game, but having a quality defense sure does help the odds. And no, Mike Evans can’t count on drawing penalties (that’s up to the refs), but being as good as he is sure does help create those opportunities.
And Anonymous, the bad calls we’ve gotten every week stunk and cost us at least one win, maybe two. In my book, that’s bad luck for us since those calls were totally out of our control. You can look at it however you want though.
My bottom line about this defense remains unchanged … “Big plays are killing this young Secondary, but they’re getting better quickly. And now that VHIII is gone, my guess is that they’ll improve even faster. Hopefully these rookies can stay healthy.”
And cmurda, I agree with you about not playing the What If game.
November 12th, 2019 at 8:28 pm
This GM sucks and he knows it. Fan approval of this jokester has to be below 25%. How much does he get paid for this ineptitude?
November 12th, 2019 at 8:42 pm
Im sure someone or fifty people have stated it but trade him for??? Not sure you grasp supply and demand too well. I am 100 percent sure they told 31 teams he was available. Crickets it was.
November 12th, 2019 at 8:49 pm
Hey Joe, let’s get an article on Mazzi Wilkins, the pride of the University of South Florida, getting a shot in the wake of VHIII’s release … I watched him at USF and I think he could be good in a nickel role. Looking forward to seeing him!
November 12th, 2019 at 8:57 pm
Good points there D Rules. Agree about the secondary too. It was always reality that the chance for Arians impact to be felt is year 2. The draft was all B.A had to make his roster decisions for the most part. He needs an opportunity for the whole year to evaluate and correct. Too many fans want to blow the whole thing up immediately with the coaching staff. That’s absurd.
November 12th, 2019 at 9:06 pm
JBF Archives (Concerning 2016 Draft) Enjoy!
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/03/draft-smokescreens-already-started/
November 12th, 2019 at 9:12 pm
DR…….So you are going to say we lose that game if Dean don’t get a INT there? Why exactly do you say this? What was the score at that time? And how much time was left?
It’s an absurd statement when you look at the time and score. So basically you are saying that they put the game out of reach just by throwing a pass away in a 3 or 4 point game(can’t remember which) with roughly 4 minutes(can’t remember) left.
It honestly makes no actual sense to say “instead of having it intercepted, we’d have lost the game”………That statement truely boggles my mind……….what if we get a sack the next play?……What about a strip sack? What if we get a INT(oh wait we did)? What if we force a fumble? A blocked kick? A TFL? A return?…………I could go on for days.
But at the end of the day it wasn’t even luck like you claim. Check Murray’s comments about that play……..We also had a defender in Murray’s face on that play. Does that now mean nothing? I always thought passrush affected passsers…….But no? Just chalk it up to luck?
Was Levonte David’s fumble luck too? Looked like a great play to me.
And Evans wasn’t at the mercy of the refs. He was downright tackled for crying out loud. Nobody’s counting on getting flags. We counting on and relying on Mike to beat his man. The pentalty is a byproduct of that.Thats not luck that called our player being better then theirs. That’s called winning.
I’ll admitt you got me tilted with this luck crap. But ya know I love ya. Guess just goes to show you how we all view the game differently. You call it luck I’ll call it skill. Well just gotta disagree on this one bro.
Oh and the missed kick weren’t luck either in mine opinion. I call that choking under pressure and lack of skill. Glad to see Gay has gotten over that hiccup.
GO BUCS!
November 12th, 2019 at 9:39 pm
Hargreaves remaining salary should have to be paid by Jason Gump!! What a joke of a GM!!! No wonder Da Bucs are in Da Dumps!!!
November 12th, 2019 at 10:28 pm
If anyone can’t see that our secondary is suspect,then I can’t take you serious.Vh3 is gone ,probably was shopped no takers.Michael Thomas is upset now,let’s see how they respond.Go bucs
November 13th, 2019 at 9:49 am
LUVMYBUCS Says:
November 12th, 2019 at 9:06 pm
JBF Archives (Concerning 2016 Draft) Enjoy!
https://www.joebucsfan.com/2016/03/draft-smokescreens-already-started/
And im right in there with you lol….man some of the picks we’ve made LUV.
You as GM, me as Lead scout…we’d build a dynasty bro 🙂
November 13th, 2019 at 3:34 pm
MadMax
Together we could’ve had a couple Rings by now lol
November 13th, 2019 at 3:35 pm
SteveK
TM
LC
Mad Respect Bredren
November 13th, 2019 at 3:39 pm
Pickgrin
JJ
Apologize for not responding brothas.
Dealing with BS Subs.
For life me I never understood how you could agree to the terms of your Job Order.
The once you get on site – try to flip the script. Smh
November 14th, 2019 at 6:48 am
You guys dont think whole the hell was gonna pick up VH3 contract come on no value but to cut ties and release him. DUH use your heads these comments make me cringe