Cody Mauch Gets Supreme GM Love
December 26th, 2023
Bucs GM Jason Licht
Joe can already hear the AC/DC music thumping in the background when Bucs general manager Jason Licht walks into the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
Few GMs in the league are nailing drafts like Licht has been since 2018. His six-year production has been excellent. And certainly it’s a very select group of GMs sporting Super Bowl rings and more than 10 years leading their team.
As Joe has written (and Joe will hound Team Glazer about this), Licht deserves an immediate Buccaneers Ring of Honor entry if the team wins the NFC South this season. No waiting until Licht retires or gets fired, it should be done immediately.
If three consecutive division titles, a Super Bowl ring and drafting superstars to craft a team Tom Brady wanted to join isn’t enough, then what the hell is happening in the Team Glazer offices at One Buc Palace?
Licht’s second-round pick this year, sandwiched between mauling defensive rookies Calijah Kancey and YaYa Diaby (6 1/2 sacks), is right guard Cody Mauch.
Mauch looks like more than a keeper. He’s a smart, durable and improving starter out of North Dakota State. Licht even dropped the “M” word on Mauch before Sunday’s kickoff against the Jaguars.
That “M” word is Marpet, as in Licht compared him to former Bucs stud.
“He reminds me of Ali Marpet his rookie year,” Licht said. “He’s playing really, really well. He’s playing better every week. … ” Surprised with how much he’s been able to sustain his solid play.”
Rookie guard Cody Mauch.
Yes, it’s always surprising when a rookie offensive lineman can find a strong level of consistency. Mauch has done that recently.
He’s no Pro Bowler yet, but Mauch’s learning curve has been steep as a small college left tackle — just like Marpet was at Division III Hobart before the Bucs made him a right guard as a rookie in 2015.
There was preseason chatter about Mauch eventually playing center. Joe is no O-line guru like Licht is (he played offensive line for Nebraska), but Joe sure hopes the Bucs leave Mauch where he is. Marpet was moved to center in his third season (2017) and it wasn’t the best decision.
The exciting thing about Mauch and first-year right tackle Luke Goedeke, Licht’s second-round pick last year, is those guys should continue improving into and through January as the Bucs enter playoff mode.
December 26th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
This is where Licht won me over the rock star from day one. Rock star would not draft o line, nor select players with fathers that were all pro player (see Cam Jordan not being selected in favor of Adrian Clayborn).
Licht is such a great drafter. He traded back for Vita Vea and took Kancey this year. He also drafted a lot of kickers and camarada is an all pro.
The point is that our GM is top notch and he believes in drafting big sexys to own the line of scrimmage. Keep it up Licht, dominate the trenches.
December 26th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
Love Mauch. I agree that I hope they leave him where he’s at and let him solidify that RG position BUT man Hainsey got worked yesterday against Jax. I thought he was pretty terrible and I hope Licht can snag a good young center in the upcoming offseason.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Why does he get a pass on the awfully bad drafts of 2016 and 2017?
December 26th, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Not bad for a GM.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:21 pm
PRO BOWL BLOCK
Did you see Mauch’s double block last game? That’s against NFL players. That is Pro Bowl stuff. Goedeke has had a few of those moments, too.
Mauch will get NFL strong in the offseason. The right-side of the line is dialed in.
Need a Center in the draft. Lot’s of really good Centers this year.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:26 pm
BuxfaninTX Says:
December 26th, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Why does he get a pass on the awfully bad drafts of 2016 and 2017?
Because like his players, his learning curve has been pretty steep as well. Remember he was a new GM when he took the Bucs job.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:27 pm
BuxfaninTX Says:
December 26th, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Why does he get a pass on the awfully bad drafts of 2016 and 2017?
==========================
You are complaining about two drafts that were 7 and 8 drafts ago? One that included Chris Godwin? Are you really petty like that IRL? “Hey, I’m not going to your Christmas party. I remember when you were lit and spilled egg nog on me in 2015.”
December 26th, 2023 at 5:28 pm
Couldn’t agree more Joe, Leave Cody next to Luke. Go use a top pick on the best college center you can find in this draft.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:50 pm
Draft fat guys and db’s next year.
December 26th, 2023 at 5:58 pm
With a top notch Center in the draft, this line could be very, very good.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:03 pm
A C/G would be a good top pick….also, I think we should add a top tier TE & a RB
December 26th, 2023 at 6:13 pm
Cody Mauch needs to put some time together in the weight room, he looks like a rookie physically. So he likely will and then we got something to talk about.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:14 pm
Mike Evans! Enough said.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:27 pm
I am very pleased with the development of BOTH Mauch and Goedeke…
Now we must:
– sign Wirfs to a 5-6 year deal.
– draft another C/G in round 2
– cut Jenson
– sign a decent LG in free agency
Then the Bucs will have a very solid O-line for years to come
December 26th, 2023 at 6:38 pm
Van Pran or Powers-Johnson are immediate upgrades at center then let Hainsey compete at left guard and back up center next year. I just don’t think he’s strong enough to be a top end lineman.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:40 pm
I’m happy with Mauch. He’s better than Cappa was. He’s just got to continue developing. Hopefully he stays healthy and doesn’t retire in his prime like Marpet had too.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:43 pm
I haven’t heard “Holding #67 offense” in awhile. He was killing drives.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:45 pm
Mauch has played fantastic for the last 4 weeks. Has played well all season
Wirfs has struggled a bit at Left Tackle, but is also improving.
Goedeke looks like he can man the RT spot foryearsto come
Gotta draft a Guard and Center this year. Hainsey and Stennie are real weak links.
But lots of good players this draft
If we draft pass rusher, guard, then Center this draft- we can shore up our biggest weak spots real quick.
Sign a couple decent FA at CB, Safety, and Wr- we cancontrol the NFL South for years to come
Of course- that depends on signing our key Free agents.
And signing Mayfield. I give that a 45% chance he signs here.
Alot of teams with more money
We have to start some dumb A* rookie- we are back in the Cellar.
December 26th, 2023 at 6:58 pm
An awful lot of people on the website criticized this draft (and last years draft), but not me. Development is a real thing, and you can never know if a player will be a bust in just one year…not for certain.
I would not be surprised if Mauch doesn’t get moved to Center like Marpet did either…if he can put on some muscle.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:00 pm
Capt.Tim, finding great centers in the draft is as hard as finding quarterbacks.
For that reason, I’m guessing Licht will draft another guard, move Mauch to Center, or sign a free agent center (or trade for one).
December 26th, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Joe I’m trying to think of a bigger overstatement you may have ever written. I do believe Licht has been right up there with the best GMS recently. But to say that he deserves immediate Ring of Honor because we are on the verge of winning one of the weakest divisions in football in recent memory. Yea it was ours to lose. Furthermore we have HOF players all over our roster. Give me a break. We SHOULD win this weak azz division. In spite of Bowles. And yes Licht did a great job of keeping enough of the puzzle together but our talent left on the team is just residual from our SB team moves from the last 3 years.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:17 pm
BuxfaninTX Says
“Why does he get a pass on the awfully bad drafts of 2016 and 2017?”
Jason was hired January 21, 2014. For the next 2 years, he had to give Lovie Smith everything he wanted, and the owners made sure he did. They didn’t trust him yet, as he was a rookie GM when they hired him.
In 2016, Dirk Koetter was made head coach, and the Glazers insisted on fulfilling his offensive vision for the team. Remember, Dirk was considered as head coach for multiple jobs at the time, and the Glazers wanted to make him happy.
With Dirk’s authority over-riding Lichts, that draft was a total bust. Total. But it was also only Jason Licht’s 3rd year as a GM, and he still had not proven himself to the owners.
In 2017, it was the same situation with Koetter…but we at least managed to get Chris Godwin and Kendell Beckwith. Beckwith was a great player…but his injury took him out. It was a shame, but it wasn’t on Jason Licht.
That was only his 4th year as a GM.
The following year, Jason Licht somehow convinced the Glazers to trust him. They let him go out and find the Coach HE wanted…and he landed Bruce Arians. A huge hire.
And you can bet it took a lot to get Arians to come to Tampa.
The following year, Jason and Arians teamed up to get Brady.
The rest is history.
BuxfaninTX, just like with players, coaches and staff need time to develop into their roles.
Jason Licht took 3 years to do so, and one more year to really get into the groove.
So why does he get a pass?
Because he improved over time. He earned it. You can expect a rookie GM to do excellent from the start. I mean it can happen, but it is rare.
The lack of patience among NFL fans is amazing. They always remember the worst, and try to push aside the best of the past.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:18 pm
I do not think Licht deserves a ring of honor yet…get us another ring? Maybe.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:19 pm
TF
“our talent left on the team is just residual from our SB team moves from the last 3 years”
Which Jason Licht built.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:19 pm
And 5 years
December 26th, 2023 at 7:40 pm
I like Cody, but calm down with comparisons to Marpet. Ali came in and was a quality top tier starter from day one, should have been a pro-bowler his rookie year, and was absolutely one of the best guards in the game by year 2, and should have been a year-in, year-out ALL-PRO.
Cody has improved quickly, and I’ve liked him since we got him, but he’s got a ways to go before you start comparing him to Ali.
But, with that said, I think this coming offseason he’s going to put on some muscle, and that should let him really level up next year. If he does so, he’ll be in the pro-bowl talk.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:41 pm
Licht’s very 1st daft pick as a rookie GM is currently leading the league in receiving touchdowns… at 30 years old.
NBD
December 26th, 2023 at 7:42 pm
I agree Rod, he’s no Marpet. Yet.
In fact he’s had plenty of struggles this season, but has definitely look improved over the last month.
December 26th, 2023 at 7:44 pm
BuxfaninTX Says
“Why does he get a pass on the awfully bad drafts of 2016 and 2017?”
———-
Why does Brady get a pass for losing three Super Bowls?
Why does Michael Jordan get a pass for getting bounced by the Magic in ’95.
Why does Mickey Mantle get a pass for being the all time strikeout leader in the World Series?
Because not everyone hits 100%.
What are you a 5-year old? How do you not know this?
December 26th, 2023 at 7:47 pm
unbelievable – The great thing about Cody is how much he has improved. I’d compare him a lot more to Cappa so far, who struggled and needed to get bigger and stronger, but also improved quickly once he got playing time. Obviously Cody is playing a lot earlier than Cappa, and was a higher pick, but so far, so good.
But if Cody can become the next Cappa, that should cement Licht as a HOF GM when he’s done, certainly he’d go down as perhaps the best judge of offensive lineman in the history of GMs. To be able to pick out small school guys like he does is truly special, something no one else has ever done with this type of consistency, at least as far as I know.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:10 pm
The guy was 34-62 before Brady walked through. Give him and ownership credit for taking the Brady leap but c’mon now. ROH standards must be at an all time low. His drafting and contract extensions have been very suspect. His coaching decisions have been questionable at best. We SHOULD win this cupcake division. People forget, we win the division and our schedule next year is going to be one of the toughest in the NFL. Lets wait to see how this season plays out before we start talking about next year.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:15 pm
With all due respect Joe, I wouldn’t hound the Glazers about getting Licht into the Ring of Honor. Heaven knows there are so many people who want to run the Bucs as if they are the owners (or head coach, no doubt).
And who knows, maybe Lichtenstein would prefer it happen down the road after his career is over. Something to look forward to after all he accomplished for the team— something that he might appreciate more as an “old man” with some distance from these years in the thick of it. Maybe you should check with him first.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:18 pm
JD12 Says:
December 26th, 2023 at 8:10 pm
The guy was 34-62 before Brady walked through.
———-
So what you’re saying is that he wasn’t able to build up a franchise from zero fast enough for you. What a spoiled d-bag you are.
The Bucs, until Brady got here, were literally the most losing franchise in all of professional sports. The 2020 season, along with the Timberwolves being really bad, pushed Minnesota into the #1 loser spot.
Also, dummy, the team that Licht built is the reason Brady came here, did you ever consider that?
What a moron.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:20 pm
JL is the best GM in franchise history not to mention he has a SB ring which a lot and I mean a lot of GMs have never gotten. Idk know the stats but JL will most likely have drafted 3 hall of fame players. 13 is a lock and his 1st draft pick. 78 is already the best in the league at RT and now at LT. Obviously he’s still got a long way to go but he’s already the best at 2 positions. Then there’s 31. Same as 78 he’s still very young and has a long way to go but is considered the best safety in the league. EXTENT JL now for another 5 years. He’s built us multiple good olines and being in cap hell this year at the same time.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:27 pm
1#bucsfan Says:
December 26th, 2023 at 8:20 pm
JL is the best GM in franchise history
———-
OK, now I get to play the other side of the coin.
Uh, no. Rich McKay is the best GM in franchise history.
Licht will get his chance to pass him in time, but McKay safely has that title for now. If Licht can get to four HOF’ers he drafted inducted, then we can talk.
December 26th, 2023 at 8:34 pm
@rod Munch – 34-62 gets you fired in any other NFL organization you clown. And trust me, Brady didn’t come just cause of Licht so you can get off his high horse. The guy came because he was finally going to get paid, had the easiest road to a Super Bowl, and had the best roster amongst his suitors (not the NFL you moron). Lets throw Antonio Brown up on the ring of honor, he caught a touchdown in the super bowl so he must be the greatest WR to ever play the game
December 26th, 2023 at 8:43 pm
Rod Munch – Do you forget that Rich McKay announced that he was leaving in the middle of the Bucs playoff run ? That led to our Bucs losing the last 6 games of the year, and missing the playoffs. He also signed Booger to that ridiculous contract and let Sapp walk ! And the cherry on top , he left us in cap hell and went to our division rivals. McKay can kissmyass.. Go Bucs and Jason Litch !
December 26th, 2023 at 9:06 pm
And Rachaad While is even making him look like he is almost able to pick RBs too.
He has done spectacularly on O-line, D-line, and receivers, so I can live with that. It’s too bad that the Bucs couldn’t sign all of the recievers, some of them might plague us in the playoffs.
December 26th, 2023 at 9:48 pm
I love Mauch.
He’s physical and has a nasty streak.
I love when he baits players by playing through the echo of the whistle as Coach Bowden used to say and getting the defender to throw a punch at him and draw a penalty as he looks at the referee and points at the defender who threw the punch and acts like he’s all innocent. I love ❤️ it!
He keeps playing like that I’m going to have to buy his jersey to go along with my Gruber, Mayberry, Wirfs, Jensen and Marpet jerseys!
He’s got great footwork as he works to position himself for proper leverage and positioning for pass blocking and run blocking. Would love to see him pull more on gap run concepts like counter, trap and power run plays.
His punch and grip is really good for a rookie, and will only get better with more time in the weight room. When he puts on more muscle he’s gonna be dangerous.
December 26th, 2023 at 10:01 pm
JD12 Says:
Wut? He has one of the highest hit ratios on draft picks put of any GM in the league.
Really? He’s only hired 2 coaches: Dirk Koetter (who everyone was excited about at the time. Remember “The Godfather” moniker?) and Bruce Arians, who helped us win a Super Bowl. Lovie was hired before Jason Licht was.
So what? We won it last year and the year before too. That’s how the NFL works.
LOL at your entire post.
December 26th, 2023 at 11:09 pm
do we need to draft a center, left guard, or right tackle? was trying to figure out where we’ll pick, and it could be anywhere from 10th to 27th, how crazy is that. this is the weirdest season everyone’s average.
December 27th, 2023 at 3:12 am
Good stuff Joe!
The only thing that would make this post better would be if you said Jensen was full go for next year.
BTW
I’m all for getting Jason all the recognition he so richly deserves but I don’t think the Glazers are gonna put his name up there any time soon. Maybe if we win a ring this year though. LOL
Go Bucs!
December 27th, 2023 at 3:42 am
In fairness, he was totally screwed on the Jameis pick–EVERYone thought JW and MM were NFL starters. The only way to have gotten out of that would been to have traded the pick. Jameis IS an example of poor QB play, unlike what Baker’s detractors have been alleging
December 27th, 2023 at 9:30 am
unbelievable Says:
December 26th, 2023 at 7:41 pm
Licht’s very 1st daft pick as a rookie GM is currently leading the league in receiving touchdowns… at 30 years old.
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Thank you. Some posters on here still recall how to do a little research. Yep, that was Jason Licht, hired in 2014, and that draft pick was Mike Evans from the Galveston, TX area. First Buccaneer offensive player to be voted into Canton, and a class act off field, too.
December 27th, 2023 at 11:08 am
He is…and this is unquestionable at this point…the best GM in franchise history. It’s not particularly close. In fact, he’s probably in second place as WELL. He’s so far ahead of the next best guy.
December 27th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
TampabayDJ Says:
December 26th, 2023 at 8:43 pm
Rod Munch – Do you forget that Rich McKay announced that he was leaving in the middle of the Bucs playoff run ?
————
That isn’t what happened, here’s the series of events as it happened.
Gruden wanted to sign Andre Rison, who they brought in for a workout. Rison, being old and out of shape, couldn’t even break a 5.0 40, and looked old and out of shape. Rich McKay wouldn’t sign him. Gruden ran to Malcolm and said it was him or McKay. The Bucs had just spent two 1st on Gruden, so it was McKay that got the boot. Gruden then put his hand-picked stooge, Bruce Allen, into the GM role, and the two morons proceeded to destroy the franchise in record time.
December 27th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
JD12 Says:
December 26th, 2023 at 8:34 pm
@rod Munch – 34-62 gets you fired in any other NFL organization you clown.
——–
Hey stupid – they won a SB.
You’re literally making the point that franchises should stay the course, yet you’re too dumb to realize that.