Straight From The Sewer
July 9th, 2018
Bucs GM Jason Licht loves the stench on one of his players
General manager Jason Licht believes in a lot of things; one is the “five-star virus,” as he calls it.
That’s a curable malady that sometimes afflicts big-name players from big-name college programs who are drafted early and/or were early football bloomers in life.
This season, Licht did his very best to avoid acquiring any player that could have any form of the bug. It was a priority. The goal was to find guys who will work their butts off consistently — in hard or good times — because that’s all they know.
It’s a solid approach, but it’s not perfect. Chris “Swaggy” Baker was an 2009 undrafted player from Hampton University who grinded his way to a lucrative NFL career.
One of Licht’s grinder-type finds this offseason is versatile defensive lineman Mitch Unrein. The 31-year-old was undrafted out of Wyoming and soon after landed in a stream of crap — literally.
“I was hoping I’d get drafted in the later rounds but that didn’t happen,” Unrein told Buccaneers.com. “Then I went to sign a free agent deal with the Houston Texans, went to camp with them, they released me after final cuts so I went home and I was there for about six weeks and I had a part time job. I was cleaning sewer lines believe it or not for a company. I’d work a half day, work from six to noon. Then go work out. Then I’d go help coach at my high school.”
You can read more of the Unrein story via the link above. It’s interesting, as is his Olympic-medalist wife. Unrein goes deeper into how getting cut and landing in the sewer impacted him.
Back in May, Joe was at Donovan Smith’s charity bowling even chatting with new Bucs starting center Ryan Jensen, another Licht grinder. Both are from sort of middle-of-nowhere Colorado, and Jensen said he and Unrein have bonded quite a bit regarding growing up in an area where football wasn’t No. 1 and life wasn’t what like most of their NFL peers experienced as youth.
Man, Joe sure hopes all the lunch-pail types Licht has stockpiled are mentally tough and help the Bucs avoid yet another bad first half of the season, which would make six — SIX! — in a row.
July 9th, 2018 at 10:54 am
hopefully some of that mental toughness from mitch will rub off on the coaches…..dirk and smitty in particular…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
July 9th, 2018 at 11:03 am
I expect a winning season and better overall play this year. A lot of negativity about this team after the schedule release and the Winston fiasco that’s 2 years old but look beyond all that and this team should be better. If it isn’t then we’ll finally get the new coaching staff and gm we need to win because if they can’t work these players then it’s the coaches
July 9th, 2018 at 11:10 am
Not there. Agree with you. Despite the recent events, the roster looks much improved. Just get over the current Blahs.
July 9th, 2018 at 11:33 am
Much of this is a crapshoot…..you can only rely on history & that also has many variables….team, coaches, location….scheme…
But, the basic character of most players is developed early by their life experiences outside of football…..Mitch has that going for him.
July 9th, 2018 at 11:39 am
It made it so much harder to lose and see guys like Baker just phoning it in. SAy what you want about Licht but it seems we acquired a bunch of workers this offseason.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:09 pm
Do keep in mind that this is the same guy that DRAFTED A KICKER IN THE SECOND ROUND. And he was cut mid-season. He continues to draft mentally challenged players (JW is the most notable). I do believe that the TRampa (with a R) scene is rubbing off on him….you see those Trampa strippers are always trying to fix their mentally challenged abusive boyfriends too. It is a dead end.
I speak the truth, I am the truth, and the truth hurts.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:27 pm
JNot….I like your perspectives…
July 9th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Didn’t know he got a buzz cut.
Kinda scary.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:32 pm
He also believes in clown shoes
July 9th, 2018 at 1:34 pm
Bucs will underachieve with a mental midget behind center.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Dooshlarue Says:
July 9th, 2018 at 1:28 pm
Didn’t know he got a buzz cut.
Kinda scary.
don’t think he got a haircut….gaining 40 lbs since taking the GM job makes it appear that way….full disclosure…too easy not to rip on that easy serve….however I am 100% behind L&K …so far it has been the talent not them
July 9th, 2018 at 1:51 pm
Tougher and Smarter
Mitch Unreins personifies those characteristics
If you want to build a winning team- those characteristics are will get you there.
Absolutely love the changes to the Defensive line.
JPP, Beau Allen, Vinnie Curry, And Mitch all bring the work Ethic and intelligence
You need to win. Along With McCoy and Vea- its a line that will get the job done.
Like the additions to the Offensive line- Jensen and Kappa. Tougher and smarter.
Cb Carlton Davis will be that kind of player also
Its (finally) free agents and draft picks that will play good football- instead of counting their money and partying.
July 9th, 2018 at 1:52 pm
sup with the shaved head?
July 9th, 2018 at 1:56 pm
He used to clean sewer lines. Now he’s on a real stinky team. Deja vu all over again for ol’ mitch.
July 9th, 2018 at 2:03 pm
@alteredego. You as well. It is good to be back on the site. Joe booted me last year because I was to hard on Winocheo by speaking the obvious. He has now come full circle and understand how right I was last year. He has come to the realization that I speak the truth, I am the truth, and the truth hurts.
You don’t get to speak for Joe and make wild assumptions regarding Joe. –Joe
July 9th, 2018 at 3:16 pm
For those commenting on the buzz cut and not knowing the details – Jason Licht (and a # of players) participated in the 6th annual “Cut for a Cure” which raised $130,000 for pediatric cancer research.
Bucs will compete well in 2018.
What that ultimately means as far as winning record and/or playoff involvement has yet to be determined. But this Buccaneers team WILL be making some noise and winning multiple games in a row – THIS YEAR!
July 9th, 2018 at 4:06 pm
JameisNot enjoy your stay here. I’m sure it will be brief.
Kudos to Licht, and the supporters, who raised the money.
July 9th, 2018 at 4:18 pm
Capt Tim
Agree with all of your player observations.
Notice this year the change in conversation. Instead of simply discussing talent and physical skills we are talking a lot more about character and attitude.
What a difference a year makes!
Duh you think we’re finally starting to get it? From Winslow to ASJ to Swaggy…all troublemakers…I’m not including the people who simply stole from the Glazers like Ghost Johnson….they took the money…added nothing or very little to the team but at least they were not troublemakers.
Notice out of respect I stopped my list with Swaggy. I suspect some out there might nominate another current Buc but that story is getting old.
July 9th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Pig….almost everyone knows about the haircut…gezzo oh pezzo….is there anything that happens in the Buc press we don’t pop off on….SMH…
July 9th, 2018 at 4:25 pm
When I saw the “Straight From The Sewer” headline, I thought this would be a Winston article.
July 9th, 2018 at 4:31 pm
JMan5 Says
“Bucs will underachieve with a mental midget behind center.”
Why don’t you follow your own team and stop trolling ours?
July 9th, 2018 at 4:33 pm
I don’t expect Mitch Unrein and Curry to be spectacular for us, but they should at least be way above the below average guys we’ve been putting up with.
And having them will buy time for development.
July 9th, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Oh I am Bonzai. That’s why I’m Tua/Fromm 2020!
July 9th, 2018 at 6:44 pm
Let’s hope so, can’t wait for week 4.
July 11th, 2018 at 7:48 am
Refreshing profile. Licht is learning as he goes along. He was a rookie GM when he signed with the Bucs and made many rookie mistakes that resulted in his low rating and our remaining in the cellar, but he is pulling out of that nosedive and needs to be retained.