History Molding The Future
March 18th, 2020
Connections?
Was Jason Licht reaching into his NFL past the key to getting Tom Brady to Tampa Bay (assuming it becomes official)?
That seems to be what Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News believes. And it is not a crazy thought.
Last year in January, Licht jumped in his not-so-wayback machine to his old Cardinals days when he was a pro player personnel director for Arizona. During Licht’s days in the desert, the coach the Cardinals hired was Bruce Arians.
Iyer noted that Licht, who spent seven years as a scout and suit with the Patriots, was pro player personnel director there when the Belicheats had a quarterback by the name of Tom Brady. And Iyer believes Licht reaching back into his past and reconnecting with a former colleague was the spark that brought Brady to the Bucs.
Oh, and Team Glazer’s checkbook didn’t hurt, either.
As with most moves in NFL free agency, a familiar face helped make the deal possible for Brady — Bucs general manager Jason Licht, who once served as Patriots director of player personnel under Bill Belichick. Licht was intent on working with Brady again, so much so that he gave Brady a $7 million raise despite his coming off a down season at age 42.
Joe has no idea if Licht’s history in New England played a role. Joe would love to ask Brady about this, but who knows when Joe will get a chance. NFL facilities are closed thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. Even OTAs are in jeopardy.
If Licht’s history (?) with Brady played a factor in Brady coming to Tampa Bay, that will make two huge moves Arians made simply through his past contacts that may set the Bucs up for a pleasant near-future.
March 18th, 2020 at 5:47 am
You’ve got to give Licht credit. Tom this year, Bruce last year. JPP and Shaq. I think he’s doing great lately. Go Bucs!!
March 18th, 2020 at 6:16 am
Yes…you do have to give Licht credit for helping to bring in Bruce Arians……and there is no way Brady is a Buc without Arians….
He and Bowles’ influence on the 2019 draft class and free agents was key to Bucs success.
March 18th, 2020 at 6:52 am
I have been a HUGE critic of Jason Licht, but at the end of the day, we don’t have BA without Licht and we don’t have TB without BA. Let’s give credit where credit is due, I thought for sure Licht or one of the Glazers would screw this up.
March 18th, 2020 at 7:17 am
Licht did it😳.
Brady off season? No Gronk. WAKE UP O J Howard! TB12 is coming!! Better hit the juggs machine twice a day. Ah, no. Three times a day.
Jason. Encore please. Next rabbits out of the hat. Tackle. Stud RB. Safety. 🙏🏻
March 18th, 2020 at 7:21 am
@Joe: two huge moves “Licht” made, not “Arians” (last sentence).
Licht has been solid the last 2 years (Matt Gay in the 5th rd is questionable at best though). Bringing in Bruce got us Bowles too don’t forget. Bowles is probably the most significant hire of all because our defense was disastrous at best. Brady wouldn’t have come here if our D looked anything like it had the years before last year.
March 18th, 2020 at 7:29 am
@Coroner: EXACTLY!!! OJ better wake the blank up FAST!! Brady is gonna raise the level of competitiveness of the Oline tremendously!! Can’t you hear Ryan Jensen yelling at the other Olinemen saying, “we gott protect Tom freakin Brady man!! This ain’t Jameis! Jaboo gave y’all (Donovan Smith) a pass for blown assignments but this old guy will chew our asses out and have you benched”! Tom’s fire is going to be infectious and I can’t wait!!
March 18th, 2020 at 7:29 am
I always like Licht. He wouldn’t be in the doghouse if he drafted better in the second round. As long as he stays away from drafting kickers, I am cool.
I know with the Brady signing and getting our two DEs under contract there is only a little left in the cap pool. Hopefully Licht can still find a few more good players. A good OL player and a pass catching RB would be great.
March 18th, 2020 at 7:33 am
A coach and QB whose combined ages are 109. Has to be the most ever. That’s a lot of experience. Hopefully it translates into something good happening.
March 18th, 2020 at 7:38 am
^^^^ and don’t draft any kickers!!
March 18th, 2020 at 7:41 am
It’s amazing that Licht still has a job considering Lovie, Dirk, and now Jameis are gone. Jason Licht is the primary reason why the Bucs have floundered over the past six years.
March 18th, 2020 at 7:42 am
I too have been rough on Licht ( with good reason ) during his now 6 + year tenure. He is a survivor. A GM making it to a 3rd coach? Unheard of for the most part. If this is Licht’s Last Stand…I tip my hat/hairpiece for his efforts.
March 18th, 2020 at 7:48 am
There is only one thing the sheep love more than winning, and that is significant g the biggest name in free-agency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 18th, 2020 at 7:48 am
“Signing”
March 18th, 2020 at 7:59 am
Cam Akers !
March 18th, 2020 at 9:02 am
Glazers and Kraft and other big names have a history. Its simple really. How many times did the Pats take one of ours and win a SB? We farm teamed them!!
Now its time for payback and we’re taking one of their BIG guys….ebb and flow….thats how it works 🙂
March 18th, 2020 at 9:04 am
licht deserves his credit…..
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2020 at 10:19 am
Belicheat is a defensive genius. As a head coach he was a literal loser in Cleveland…five year record 36-44.
So he comes to the Pats…great owner in Kraft…rabid fan base…and he LUCKS into Tom Brady!!! NO coach should ever boast about scouting skills for finding a QB in the 6th round…that was throwing something against the wall and having it stick.
And so for all their success the question always remains…was it Belicheat or Brady? Fundamentally it was Belicheats defense and Brady’s offense.
I do not enjoy Belicheat…don’t want to use a word as strong as loathe…but he is a major dickkk. He simply a JERK. So I would love nothing more than TB12 to take us deep into the playoffs and with some luck bring us back to Tampa for the SB while Belicheat misses the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
That would be some nice karma.
March 18th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
I just want to see one 42-0 beatdown with 400 yards passing, 150 yards rushing, TDs spread around Evans, Godwin, AB (gulp!), Brate, OJ and RoJo while Bowles Boys crush the opposition in a shutout. I’m ok if its Detroit. Any team… just an unblemished display of total dominance like we haven’t seen since… ever?