When Four Modestly-Priced Jason Licht Free Agents Made A Huge Difference
February 28th, 2022
Beasting Robert Ayers
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht — or any GM — does not need a fortune to succeed making major improvements in free agency.
There are so many examples. Look at the Bucs’ punishing running game in 2015, when Doug Martin and Charles Sims racked up 1,900-plus yards for a top-5 offense. Inexpensive free agents Gosder Cherilus (right tackle) and Joe Hawley (center) were leading the way with two rookies (Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith) joining them on the offensive line.
A year later, the Bucs turned the corner and broke a streak of five consecutive losing seasons behind a defense that was fortified by three free agent starters over 30 years old: cornerback Brent Grimes, edge rusher Robert Ayes and linebacker Daryl Smith.
Grimes led the NFL in passes defensed (24) and should have gone to his fifth Pro Bowl.
Ayers was a fiery leader and had 6 1/2 sacks while Smith was a consistent starter whose play improved late in the season.
That year the Bucs also added veteran punter Bryan Anger, who proceeded to rank third in the NFL in net punting average, which earned him a big contract in 2017.
The Bucs finished 9-7 and spirits were high before two free agents in 2018 helped sink the team a year later with their me-first attitudes and subpar play.
The point is that the strong general managers can plug a few holes well with the right moves. That’s where pro personnel departments earn their money. Maybe the Bucs can find the next 2016 versions of Ayers and Grimes to replace Carlton Davis and Jason Pierre-Paul? Or perhaps the next Joe Hawley will be on the street to bolster the interior offensive line.
Joe has faith that Licht can keep the roster at its high level.
February 28th, 2022 at 9:03 am
Really liked watching Hawley and Ayers play ball.
February 28th, 2022 at 9:13 am
Grimes and Ayers were not good free agents. They dropped off significantly after their first year here.
Every year is a new year for a front office. Grimes and Ayers got the job done and then it was up to management to reassess and evaluate. Grimes wasn’t bad in 2017, and while he mailed in 2018, Carlton Davis will tell you Grimes had a huge impact on his success.–Joe
Do you know what Grimes, Ayers, Hawley, Daryl Smith, and Baker all have in common? They never played for another team after Tampa.
The Bucs cannot ever again become the team where careers go to die. Honestly Joe, between 2014 – 2018 were the dark ages for Jason Licht’s tenure here. He’s very lucky that he managed to survive Jay-Miss becoming a bust. Very few GMs in NFL history survive when their #1 overall pick becomes a bust.
February 28th, 2022 at 9:28 am
I demand a permanent moratorium on using “beating” and Robert Ayers in the same sentence.
He was loud, that’s it.
JPP is a “BEAST”!
D-Rome- I agree. Licht dodged a major bullet IMO. I hope he’s sharpening his pencil for a wild offseason.
February 28th, 2022 at 10:07 am
@D-Grimes Grimes was a stud for 2 or the 3 season he was here.
Overall, we’ll be alright but uncertainty is never comforting and right now there is a lot of uncertainty. Thankfully, Licht’s proven he can make gems out of rocks.
February 28th, 2022 at 10:54 am
With the retirement of Marpet I look for the Bucs to go strong in signing Jensen, Cappa & Stennie.
February 28th, 2022 at 11:08 am
We can make fun of Licht’s picks for kickers and some DB’s but ya gotta give him props on the OL.
Probably because that was his position in college and he understands the guys that Keith Jackson used to call “The Big Uglies”. Can’t succeed on offense without the “Big Uglies” and Licht does seem to have a knack for finding them.
Lots of big decisions coming up in the OL. It’s not broke but it’s about to become very expensive without some makeovers and of course there’s now the gap at LG.
February 28th, 2022 at 11:09 am
The Bucs should’ve gotten Grimes when he became a free agent in 2013, instead of 2016. Still can’t believe he went to the Dolphins for as cheap as he did. The Mrs. Grimes stories were hilarious around JBF though. Miss those.
I agree with D-Rome about Jason Licht being lucky to survive America’s Turnover Machine being a bust (and he is a bust), not to mention drafting a kicker in the 2nd round (also a bust). However, I will say that Licht has knocked a lot of trades and free agents out of the park for good measure.
February 28th, 2022 at 11:45 am
Since Arians and his bunch came to Tampa, I have seen a huge improvement in Licht.
I have faith in him to rebuild us
February 28th, 2022 at 12:41 pm
WalkdaPlank Says:
February 28th, 2022 at 11:09 am
The Bucs should’ve gotten Grimes when he became a free agent in 2013, instead of 2016. Still can’t believe he went to the Dolphins for as cheap as he did. The Mrs. Grimes stories were hilarious around JBF though. Miss those.
I agree with D-Rome about Jason Licht being lucky to survive America’s Turnover Machine being a bust (and he is a bust), not to mention drafting a kicker in the 2nd round (also a bust). However, I will say that Licht has knocked a lot of trades and free agents out of the park for good measure.
^^^^^^^^^^^
Every team has had draft busts. It happens all of the time.
February 28th, 2022 at 1:57 pm
Cappa and Stennie should be back i believe Jensen will be a hot commodity that teams need his services. Hes the #1 free agent center.