The “Tough” GM, Says Andy Reid
November 16th, 2016
Andy Reid talks Bucs, Jason Licht.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has a long history of working closely with superstar head coaches and personnel gurus.
There’s Don Shula, Bill Belicheat, Bruce Arians and Andy Reid, among others.
Licht was assistant director of player personnel with the Eagles under Reid’s watch, before being promoted to VP of player personnel.
The Bucs play Reid’s Chiefs on Sunday, so Joe asked Reid today about what he sees in the Bucs’ roster that let’s him know it’s a Jason Licht team.
“They’re tough,” Reid said. “You know, they’re tough and they’re talented. So that’s Jason. He’s going to bring in tough kids that love to play.”
Reid wasn’t too chatty with Tampa Bay media today on his conference call. But Reid gave Joe insight last year into his view on offensive line development, which jibes a lot with what Licht has accomplished in overhauling the Bucs’ line.
At the 2015 NFL Owners meetings in Arizona, Reid was kind enough to spend 1-on-1 time with Joe to talk O-line development. Reid said he consistently preaches to his personnel staff that they don’t have to draft Pro Bowl linemen.
“If it takes two years, that’s not a big deal. You have to find the right guy for your offense.” Reid said.
“It’s one position, it might be the greatest position, where you can develop players. So you can find guys out there, and you see it every year, you’ll see offensive lines with a couple of great ones and they incorporate guys who when they were first drafted you went, ”ehhhhh.” Oh, all of a sudden they’re playing at a very high level. That’s just through development.”
Interesting words from Reid as one considers how the Bucs have constructed their line. There’s not a first-round pick in the bunch.
November 16th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
See Kevin P on our line. Turnstyle initially and then evolved into a decent lineman.
November 16th, 2016 at 2:02 pm
Good reference when I hate to say but the cowboys drafted their center in the 1st. Remember all the “experts” bashed dallas. Now this center is one of the best in the league
November 16th, 2016 at 2:27 pm
Last season we gave up 27 sacks in 16 games. This season we have given up 22 sacks in 9 games.
November 16th, 2016 at 2:33 pm
@Lakeland…good stat….GO BUCS!!!
November 16th, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Many of this seasons sacks are on James. He’s not reading the defense as well and holding onto the ball way too long. He was playing with a higher comfort level last year but seems to be starting to settle down. I don’t put it all on the line seems like a little regression on both sides. Donavan Smith has looked sloppy and now on our what, third center?
Hopefully they get it together down the stretch!
November 16th, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Our tackles have not played well enough in a # of games this year. If a stud veteran LT could be acquired in free agency – facilitating a move to RT for Smith and a move to the bench for Dotson – that would likely go a long ways towards solidifying our Oline moving forward.
Pamphile has played well – but Mankins is obviously missed.
Stud FA LT, LG Pamphile, C Marpet, RG Sweezy, RT D. Smith
That would work well I bet…
November 16th, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Jameis does hold on to the ball too long sometimes, but D. Smith and the LT spot is the most necessary to be reworked.
November 16th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
It’s true they can be developed but look at the o-line in Dallas like Scott mentioned.
2 or 3 first round picks I believe? And they are literally crushing their opponents in the trenches b/c of it. Dak has all day to throw and Zeke can run freely.
We need to beef up our trenches on both sides of the ball, and add a Safety or 2. Another WR and TE would be nice too, but not as big of needs IMO. I’d also like us to get a little bigger at CB sooner or later.
November 16th, 2016 at 3:11 pm
@Pickgrin…
Unfortunately, it’s not too often that teams release stud LTs.
But i’ve been saying for the longest time that Marpet’s stature would be best suited to plaly center.
And I also believe that Smith would be more dominant on the right side, but i think they’re committed to him on the left.
November 16th, 2016 at 3:12 pm
@unbelievable…
I disagree. At this point, another WR should be at the top of the priorities list.
As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be against signing one in free agency as well as drafting one at the top of the draft.
November 16th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
Ummm, Dotson is not getting moved to the bench. Period.
Next season, if everybody is hopefully healthy, we will have Marpet, Smith, Hawley, EDS, Dotson, Sweezy, Pamphile, Benenoch, and Cherilus. That’s a pretty deep o line that doesn’t need too much maintenance. I am also confident Donavan will vastly improve. Chemistry should also tighten up this squad by then as well.
I would not use a high pick on an o linemen. We have larger holes at other positions that are much larger priorities like WR, S, DE and even another CB.
November 16th, 2016 at 3:31 pm
LLB: Be smarter than that. Numbers don’t tell the whole story. There are some balls James holds way too long, and some he throws that he should take the sack. Yeah it looks bad and isn’t a great stat, it’s also not near a complete enough picture to draw conclusions solely based on that figure.
November 16th, 2016 at 3:55 pm
WHoever thinks the sacks are on Jameis are fools. Nobody getting seperation(when they do look at the bears highlights) and the tackles are as dreadful as any I’ve ever seen. Literally when we don’t get sacked they throw a hold on plus yard plays. Are you people watching
November 16th, 2016 at 5:40 pm
Aren’t Hawley and Cherilus FAs after this season?
November 16th, 2016 at 10:48 pm
I expect Brawley to be resigned, but Goz is getting old. I would be ok with a 3rd round pick on the line, build thru the trenches
November 17th, 2016 at 12:45 am
Pamphile was a tackle and a former basketball player. Move him to LT and make Smith move to LG, move Marpet to Center, Sweezy at RG, then Benenoch at RT–he was a good Tackle for UCLA and can bulk up by next year. Move Datsun to the bench to cover LT and RT in a pinch. Get rid of our present Center Smith and worthless Cherilus. Hawley can backup the Center position.
Then use a fifth pick backup lineman. Cut Jackson and get a fast WR in the draft as first pick, take a good Safety in Free agency, get another DE in the second round, a larger CB in free agency who is fast, and a DT in the fourth round, a TE free agent, and BPA in the 6th and 7th round who can also play special teams.
November 17th, 2016 at 9:14 am
Again, Dotson is not going to be benched. LOL