More Hints Of Licht’s Motives
February 15th, 2016
Philosophical clues offered.
Yes, last week Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht put the word out that while he will look at free agents to help build the roster, he will take a tempered approach with Team Glazer’s checkbook.
One reason, Joe believes, is because teams don’t normally let top-shelf players (ahem: defensive ends) walk away for no good reason.
If there is a hint of how Licht will play the field for a defensive end, look no further than one of his mentors and good friends, Arizona general manager Steve Keim.
As documented by the website RevengeOfTheBirds, Keim recently spoke on a Phoenix-based radio show/podcast also heard on the Cardinals official website. He spoke of the difficulty of finding a pass-rushing defensive end.
“There’s no doubt our goal is to improve our pass rush,” he said. “Now I did say that, but easier said than done. There are rarely pass rushers out there in free agency, and if there are, you look at the price tag they come with. And then when you’re pick is at 29, again, easier said than done.”
He emphasized the notion that “you can’t force signings and you can’t force picks” when trying to fill a particular need — because you leave more talented players on the board and other areas end up being needs down the road.
As Joe has stated, it’s starting to smell like the Bucs very well could go defensive back with the No. 9 overall pick, given how deep the draft is at defensive end. Licht may think he can get value at DE by trading back into the first round or standing pat in the second round.
As for a free agent defensive end, the Broncos winning the Super Bowl pushed the price up. Given how new Bucs defensive line coach Jay Hayes has been known to squeeze blood out of a turnip in Cincinnati with his defensive linemen, Licht may just go bargain-hunting (again) and hope/pray Hayes can turn a seven-sack guy into the double-digit end the Bucs have been panhandling for since 2005.
The fact the Bucs haven’t had a double-digit sack guy since Simeon Rice is simply shameful.
February 15th, 2016 at 7:24 am
When Mario Williams becomes available the Bucs should do everything possible to sign him. The Bucs have plenty of cap room and could front load his contract so the cap doesn’t become an issue down the road.
February 15th, 2016 at 7:45 am
And how is that indoor practice facility promised by the Glazers coming along?
February 15th, 2016 at 7:51 am
I was listening to NFL radio yesterday afternoon, and they got on to the subject of Mr, Mario Williams. They laid into him about it was not the scheme that he supposedly did not like playing in, but has lost his burst!!! As he plays in Buffalo I have only seen his stats (like most others) did anyone actually watch him play the last 2 years??? ( and no, youtube highlights do not count!!!)
February 15th, 2016 at 7:54 am
Glazers have been promising an indoor practice facility for years now.
February 15th, 2016 at 7:58 am
I don’t see any commitment by the Glazers to go out and improve this team. We continue to be in the bottom half of spending cap money. Mario Williams will not sign here.
February 15th, 2016 at 7:59 am
Mario Williams has NOT lost his burst, sorry talking head haters.
February 15th, 2016 at 8:14 am
We keep hearing that the DE crop is deep this draft. Shame is that most every teams wants a a pass rushing DE too.
Supply only goes so far.
February 15th, 2016 at 8:21 am
Translation, we have put out feelers and no big name free agent want to come here,because of the back stabbing that took place with Coach Smith.
February 15th, 2016 at 8:25 am
I think Licht is saying now that we have coaches that can coach up players, when get the mid-level free agents and the coaching staff will make them look better than they are!! very refreshing if this happens!!!
As for the old coach who needed more Hall-of-Famers and Pro-bowlers to make “his” system work!!! In a year Bucs fans will never speak of this 2 year stench of a regime, it will be the “lets never speak of this disaster again” and purge it from out memories!!!
February 15th, 2016 at 8:47 am
Please draft Treadwell
February 15th, 2016 at 8:54 am
Don’t draft for need, that’s how Dominik ruined this team by reaching for need and passing up better players. If a better WR or CB is on the board draft them
February 15th, 2016 at 9:03 am
We have the coaches to make this D respectable. Draft the best OT available first, then address the D with the rest of the picks. Protect 3 and give Doug some room to run.
February 15th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Going bargain-hunting in FA again this year is not going to solve the problem. Replacing George Johnson with a Courtney Upshaw, Ravens or a Bradley McDougand with a Taylor Mays, Raiders or a Sterling Moore with a Nolan Carroll, Eagles? The result, more of the same. Here is the deal, either put out the money and sign either Olivier Vernon, Robert Ayers, William Hayes, Greg Hardy or Jason Pierre-Paul. If not you may as well sign Dwight Freeney or Adrian Clayborn, which is the same as keeping the same players we currently have? I thought if we do not spend the cap money available, we get penalized in fines? It just makes no sense not to go after the few quality FA in an area of need who become available? Just find one quality DE, one CB and one Safety. Is it that hard Jason?
February 15th, 2016 at 9:19 am
I’m really excited to see see what coach Hayes can do with this DL, the more I hear about him the more I get excited. And for Mario I think that will be the onto top tier FA we go after. A cording to sum people on this Web site they said Mario quit on his team at times last season which I think is a load of crap. He’s put up monster numbers for years and the only reason he had a down year last season was because he did not fit into the defensive scheme that ryan had changed to. He’s a 4-3 end and Ryan wanted to put him into a a 3-4 scheme which did not fit his talents. And now he’s saying he has a chip on his shoulder and wants to show all the haters that he’s still a beast. The bucs will,be sorry if they don’t sign him. Watch.
February 15th, 2016 at 9:27 am
Godzilla 13 Sterling Moore is a good corner, and you seriously think the bucs will sing NOLAN CARROLL after the horrible game he had against us. Nolan carroll gave up 3 touchdown no thanks
February 15th, 2016 at 9:49 am
You do not want Mario to sign with the Panthers, Falcons or Saints who all have a pass rushing need. Go after Mario and also draft a DE who can grow with the team. Yes, Mark Dominik drafted for need and not BPA, his problem he didn’t draft the BPA at the position of need either.
February 15th, 2016 at 9:52 am
jpp and Mario, weddle or byrd, McCain then draft hargraves
February 15th, 2016 at 9:53 am
“Licht may just go bargain-hunting (again)”
ahem
George Johnson.
Michael Johnson.
Quite the bargain hunter.
February 15th, 2016 at 9:55 am
Let Mario go to any team but the Bucs, even division rivals.
He’s a quitter.
February 15th, 2016 at 9:56 am
I wouldn’t mind JPP. He wouldn’t be as pricey because he has a lot to prove. He would be a little high, but not as high as others. There is potential for a major steal.
Just include language concerning the hand.
February 15th, 2016 at 10:24 am
@Bonzai
Just because you keep saying it doesn’t make it true. Michael Johnson was a Lovie basement special and George Johnson was a Joe Cullen special. Have you not read that here. A good GM brings in FA that his coaches want. Not force people down their throats. It’s not Lichts fault the coaches had no clue.
February 15th, 2016 at 10:31 am
What language would you put in about his hand? Don’t mangle it further? No more fire works? His hand is already f’ed up. What else could he do? You say no bargain shopping but then choose a guy with one hand. Definition of a bargain. He is damaged goods.
February 15th, 2016 at 11:05 am
I was debating this topic with SP over at Bucsnation. He thinks we should reach to fill a need. My take is that if the top de/db’s are gone and Ronnie Stanley is still there at nine, by all means take Stanley. The guys a beast and Bosa, Ramsey, Hargreaves could all be gone by then and we could trade back up and still get Lawson of Ogbah. This draft is deep with de talent. Why reach? And our oline did improve last year, but that dosent equate to it being a finished product. And if Stanley is gone too, take Treadwell. Take any posistion but qb and rb.
February 15th, 2016 at 11:07 am
No one wants to play for THE BACK-STABBER, if free agency doesn’t work out this year THE BACK-STABBER will strike again! I’m a Buc Fan, my hope is that Sir Jameis can help transform this team into a contender!!
February 15th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
@bighog
Funny a lot of good coaches were willing to come here.Lovie filled his vacancies with his two sons and his ex high school coach probably because of the way he has treated his assistants in the past. I believe good players will
follow. and it going take all players and all the coaches working together
to turn team into contender.
February 15th, 2016 at 5:56 pm
I’d bet my bottom dollar there will be no Bargain Hunting for a pass rush this season. They are going to get the best pass rusher available draft or FA and put him with that new D line coach. Jason light will def draft BPA….but I don’t see him trading back and taking 3rd, 4th or 5th best to try and get a bargain. I think he will do what he needs to get the guy he wants. So far I like lights drafts. I think now our FA signings will start panning out more as well.
February 15th, 2016 at 7:04 pm
I really like Joes idea of trading a day three pick(one of our 6th rounders) to Buffalo for Mario Williams.
That way the Bucs only have a two year contract to deal with and Buffalo at least gets something for him.
February 16th, 2016 at 2:10 am
The problem with waiting on DE, is that EVERY team wants good pass rushers. So even in a deep draft teams will certainly look at the next best DE and judge him against the rest of the field.
Is it really a good strategy to wait and grab the 10th best DE? If the value isn’t there at 9 for a DE. Then trade back a few spots and get him there. Add a second rounder to our Draft and life is good.