Licht Got His Man

April 25th, 2019

Strictly an ILB.

It seemed from the way Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht spoke, he could have run his team’s draft from Hooters at Clearwater Beach.

In speaking to the local own and mic club, Licht said LSU linebacker Devin White was his choice all along, for days even. The only thing that may have prevented White being drafted by the Bucs was if another team lost its mind and drafted him before the Bucs.

Even with two of the best defensive linemen in college football still on the board, Licht said the Bucs didn’t blink. It was Whike all along.

Licht added White has rare pass rushing skills and if the Bucs played a 43 defense, White would be an outside linebacker. But in the Bucs’ 34 defense, White is an inside linebacker and the Bucs have no intention of using him outside currently.

81 Responses to “Licht Got His Man”

  1. BucAllNight Says:

    Exactly what we needed Fans!! Lets RALLY around our newest BUC!!

    Forget what the dummies say…. This is a once in a generation player!!

  2. Sweeptheleg Says:

    position of need and the best LB in the draft.
    Sounds good to me.

  3. Sport Says:

    ‘Shill Joe’ will on-tilt until further notice.

  4. Wesley Says:

    Allen’s gonna be a stud.

  5. DooshLaRue Says:

    Did the Steelers trade up for a LB at 10?
    Better rethink your logic Joe.

  6. Polkfan Says:

    When a linebacker was the nearest defender to the target receiver last season, the Bucs allowed an 82% completion percentage — league-worst — per NFL Next Gen Stats. Devin White ran a 4.42 40-yard dash.

    Kamara and Mcaffery just shat there pants.

  7. BucAllNight Says:

    Allen could be the next D. Fowler

  8. Todd Says:

    Super excited about this pick…the embedded leadership plus elite talent plus Todd Bowles’ defense…DAMN, BRING IT!!!

  9. Dan Says:

    I think the main reason for drafting him is because we will have to face Kamara and McCaffery for the next decade. We get destroyed by pass catching RBs like Cohen last year, he will definitely help in that department.

  10. Darin Says:

    Buc
    We will rally around all Bucs. Gota get over the shock first. Youve gota take it all into consideration. He just became one of the highest paid ilb’s in the game. He better be damn great. Also better be a great pass rusher Licht. The stopping the run first days are gone, says everyone but mike smith.

  11. Kalind Says:

    They never ever do things right. Like seriously, shouldn’t they have accidentally made a good pick by now?

  12. Tom S. Says:

    It was OBVIOUS Licht was locked into Devin White all along. It sucks having such a dumb person as a GM. In theory you want a GM that doesn’t send smoke signals to the media exactly to who he is picking but all you have to do is look at Scott Reynolds uploading his “In defense of Jason” article immediately after the pick was made to know how predetermined it was.

    For everyone’s sake I hope Josh Allen doesn’t develop into the pass rusher everyone expected he would because JPP isn’t going to be getting 10+ sacks a year for much longer after Licht is fired next year. By then the team could use a new pass rusher.

  13. Dan McLaughlin Says:

    Great pick! Welcome Mr White! GMC stays also. Makes plenty of sense

  14. ElioT Says:

    When does One of the Joes turn in his credentials?

    I’ll wait

  15. Duthsty Rhothdes Says:

    Great pick… aside from VH3 licht has got 1st round picks right, he stays in the SEC (winston in sec country w jimbo) and those guys can play, now stay in SEC for next round stop shopping at D3 atoms U

  16. Steve in Mad Beach Says:

    We wonder why this franchise sucks constantly and loses…..

    You pick an inside linebacker over a bonafide stud pass rusher like Josh Allen?????????

    Why are you here Licht?

    Now I see why Bruce and the Cardinals sucked at drafting!!!!!!!

    You don’t draft for need coach? C’mon!!!!

    Horrible!!!!!!!! Beyond horrible!!!!!!

    You can’t play defense without a pass rush!!!!!!!

    When will this organization realize that it won a Superbowl BECAUSE of its pass rush!!

  17. geno711 Says:

    So I am hearing from a source that there is no chance that GMC is getting cut or being traded.

    This is from a person that has been in GMC’s house many times. Arians and Bowles believe that they have keys to very good defense now with White, Vea, McCoy and JPP.

  18. Lubby Smith Says:

    Licht is a moron.

    Aguayo was his man too.

  19. ElioT Says:

    Listen to White’s post draft interview.

    The dude speaks like a MAN!!!!!! and a real football player.

    Keep him as far away from McCoy as possible.

    Win f**king games!!!

  20. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    Great pic. A leader at a position of need. Allen is questionable. High probability he busts like Dante Fowler. Similar build and skills.

  21. Tom S. Says:

    Ironically Bucco Bruce Arians says you get fired if you draft for need…then spends his first pick on a need over a more valuable EDGE.

    If White and Allen both develop it’s Josh Allen that’s going to be the more valuable player, not the ILB that replaces Kwon.

  22. ElioT Says:

    When is Princess Leah going to turn in his credentials?

  23. K2 Says:

    The Steels just gave their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (2020) for a lowly linebacker.

  24. Loyaltotheend Section 312 Says:

    Clueless Joe is so mad he can’t spell

    Great pick!

    Joe do yourself a favor and read up on a 3-4 d

  25. Duthsty Rhothdes Says:

    forgot that vea pick was not sec dratz licht but love the d white pick

  26. DanBucsfan Says:

    Go Bucs I LOVE THE PICK! White is a sure thing!! Gonna be the new leader of our defense.

  27. Bculaw Says:

    Here’s to our new Hardy Nickerson!!! Let’s not crown the unchosen player and forget the new member of the family!!!

  28. MadMax Says:

    When I wanted Marpet, we got him, when I wanted Big V, we got him, I wanted White and was one of the first on here talking him up back in November, and we got him….think I need to be hired Mr. Licht!! 🙂

  29. Mr. Lucky Says:

    Will this pick be the next Luke Kuechly?

  30. rrsrq Says:

    Lets hope Devin will be riding that horse of his down Dale Mabry holding the Lombardi. You gotta believe Beckwith going on the pup list again.So called fans saying this is a need pick, you are right, but it isn’t great when needs meets production. The 21-year-old tallied 133 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception across 13 games in 2017. He added 123 tackles, six passed defended, three forced fumbles and three sacks last season. He won the 2018 Butkus Award as the top linebacker in college football. Not to mention as BA did mention, they will be blitzing up the middle, the only issue will be He will not be wearing #40.

  31. JimmyJack Says:

    I love this article. White was the prime target. He was chosen with conviction.

    Licht drafted for greatness. That’s the proper way to use a Top 5 pick.

  32. ElioT Says:

    No one knows what anyone in the draft is going to amount to.

    There’s a HUGE difference between an LSU LB at #5 than one in the 4th round. I think J. Lynch (one of my favs) will realize this quickly.

    #5 for an ILB? It’s high, but…

    If the dude comes in here, covers a huge need and turns out to be a REAL leader on this team full of followers, then it’s worth it.

  33. ElioT Says:

    Come on “Dekempher” where are those credentials genius?

  34. Ndog Says:

    So EVERYONE around the league is praising this pick yet here on a Bucs fan site are pissed off. That is why this site needs to be renamed NegativeBucsfan.com ASAP.

  35. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Darin

    I get your disappointment but you are mistaken in at least one area. White will not immediately become one of the highest paid ILB’s in the league…he’ll be on a rookie contract saving us big bucks the next four to five years. The same would have been true of Allen

    The real appeal of success in the draft is the needed cap relief rookie contracts provide. Both Allen and White will be bargains.
    Compare White’s salary with Kwons!

    Still not exactly sure how a guy who QB’d one of the worst defense in history according to Joe…who blew out his knee last year…a 4th round pick by Licht…still managed to cash in big time from the ILB position.

  36. MadMax Says:

    Another great vid of White in an interview….Awesome pick!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rprnA_Rllyg

  37. Loyaltotheend Section 312 Says:

    CluelessJoeBucsfan.com

    L ee wanted Johnny Drunk drafted here and thinks Dominik is a good GM

    Lowest football IQ ever

  38. Kobe Faker Says:

    “BA and Gimp needs 2 more starters tomorrow”

    Kobe Faker

  39. ElioT Says:

    Turn them in!

    Turn them in!

    Turn them in!!!

  40. BucsBandit Says:

    WHITE & BECKWITH, THE LSU LB BOYZ!

    Did they play on the same team or did Beckwith go into the 2017 Draft as a junior?

  41. Tom S. Says:

    Ndog the media has praised the Bucs off-season and drafts for years and yet they are consistently one of the worst teams in the league picking in the top 10. So maybe the fans have seen this before?

    Devin White is a great prospect. The benefit of having a top 5 pick is you can take an ILB at the highest draft slot in years. Good for us. But many Buc fans will be looking over towards Duval to see how Josh Allen develops too.

  42. Blackmagic00 Says:

    We definitely got the guy we’ve needed since Mr Brooks was cut. Gotta great feeling everything is about to turn around finally! This may be the pick we’ve needed since McCoy was drafted and just never were able to land it. WE GOT THE VERY BEST LB IN THIS DRAFT!

  43. tmaxcon Says:

    4-12

  44. JameisAlmighty! Says:

    He also reported this when picking Roberto Aguayo.

  45. ElioT Says:

    @BucsBandit

    Dude, Beck will probably never play again, Kwon was a beast at LSU and got so overpaid it’s insane!

    Who gives a s**t about LSU LBs?

    I’m hoping White will be the BEST Bucs LB since Brooks.

    A REAL LEADER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  46. BucsBandit Says:

    I wasn’t high on the Bucs drafting White, but the more I think about it, he can be the next Derrick Brooks for us and anchor that D for many years. Blitzing up the middle, dropping into coverage, stuffing runs up the middle (and forcing teams to run outside), etc.

    Who is going to be able to run the ball up the gut on us and get through Vea and then White right behind him?

  47. BringBucsBack Says:

    Now tell Licht to come back Saturday.

  48. Bculaw Says:

    Is he a playmaker on defense? If so, welcome to Tampa!!!!

  49. BucsBandit Says:

    Elliot – I don’t care for LSU or anything, just thought maybe they were on the same team there at the same time. Hope Beckwith gets healthy.

  50. SteveK Says:

    Ed Oliver.

  51. Duthsty Rhothdes Says:

    Hoping this was a Bowels pick and bowels gets loudest voice in room because bucs need players, i guess a GOOD 2nd round OL or RB might help too

  52. Hodad Says:

    I’m no Licht fan, but don’t blame him he didn’t make this pick Arians did. I think it was the right pick.

  53. Buccaneerscotty Says:

    You hit the nail on the head loyaltotheend! Oh look at the Steelers trading up for the other Devin!

  54. Not there yet Says:

    Bucs are playing both 4-3 and 3-4. This dude was the fastest linebacker in the draft. He can run, hit and cover so he can play any linebacker position on the field he is not strictly an inside backer unless they restrict him

  55. JimmyJack Says:

    Don’t compare White to Brooks. I haven’t seen much of White but his style doesn’t remind me of Brooks at all.

    I’m sure we’ll hear the comparision reapeatdly anyways but it seems like a bad one.

  56. Buccaneerscotty Says:

    BA told Devin on the phone call “I told you if you were their at 5 I would draft you”

  57. stpetebucsfan Says:

    @Mad Max

    THANKS for that link. You’re right that was a great interview.
    This kid has a great head on his shoulders…reminds me of DB off the field let’s hope he can remind us of our HOFer on the field.

    And it’s great that there are plenty of places for his horses down here. May have to cross the Skyway to get a farm of his liking but Manatee has a lot of “gentleman farms” great for horses.

  58. tmaxcon Says:

    JimmyJack

    Your right no comparison to brooks…. 55 was a backup sapp carried to hall….

  59. Blackmagic00 Says:

    Everyone watch the link MadMax posted. Devin is a stud! Then just read the comments and think about it.

  60. Loyaltotheend Section 312 Says:

    Not there yet

    In Bowles entire time as a HC in NY he played 4-3 scheme for one game. One game!!! And that was to confuse Dallas and slow down their run game

    Bucs are transitioning to a 3-4

  61. Buczilla Says:

    I hope that I am wrong, but Ed Oliver, Josh Allen, and hell, even Brian Burns would have better picks since their respective positions are more important in today’s game. That said, I don’t hate the pick as long as he’s not Kwon 2.0 and is among the leaders in missed tackles year after year.

  62. tmaxcon Says:

    You people nonstop bringing up underachieving has beens with one good year is beyond pathetic…. 55 is a joke that could not beat jamarcus Russell or Vince young in jeopardy with double jeopardy on all his questions

  63. Nathen Says:

    Ugh…just hang me. We’re going to look back at this draft as yet another missed opportunity. Passing on a pass rusher for the ONE position Licht is actually good at drafting in later rounds.

  64. Jonathan Limpchimpi Says:

    Is Licht Weight getting his way a good thing? Must have faith in Beau Allen and a shell-shocked Oh Noah Spence.

  65. JimmyJack Says:

    Brooks is a HOF moron

  66. BucsDynastyTime Says:

    Man chill out. Please. White is the real deal. We need LB more than Edge presently anyway. BA made the right pick

  67. A Bucc’n shame Says:

    When we let Lynch over pay Kwon….75% of everyone on this site was like….
    Licht is an idiot, Yet another gapping hole to fill, This franchise never gets anything right, this is a sad day in Tampa Bay. Now they draft a player who plays the same position, is better at that same position, Who has only played that position for 3 years in the best conference in college football, Then was given an award for being recognized as the best player in college football playing that position….Now 100% of that 75% is somehow mad at this pick???
    Weirdos lol.

  68. Tom S. Says:

    BA and Licht made the right pick for their immediate future. But you’re supposed to draft a player based on 3 years out. So if 3 years from now JPP is about to retire and Josh Allen develops into a stud EDGE you miss out on a huge opportunity to get a guy who can put the QB on the ground. In the meantime White will be a solid ILB and do what they need him to

  69. Durango 95 Says:

    How many LB’s does Licht need to draft until he find one that actually sticks.

  70. Durango 95 Says:

    *LSU LB’s

  71. Anonymous Says:

    Montez Sweat

  72. Dapostman Says:

    I thought I saw something on ESPN today where it said qb’s rating with Devin White on the field was 23. When he was on the bench it was 65.

  73. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    I love the pick.

    Bowles blitzes a lot, and White is a blitzer. He’ll have as many sacks as JPP.

    Can’t wait for Joe to eat Crow.

  74. tmaxcon Says:

    JimmyJack Says:
    April 25th, 2019 at 10:25 pm
    Brooks is a HOF moron

    Hof was rendered meaningless joke when tge unqualified bum dungy the clown was enshrined…

    The underachieving has beens won a pathetic 5 playoff ganes that is laughable not legendary sir…

  75. 401 Buc Says:

    Didn’t like the White pick at first because I valued Allen and Oliver higher but with the new scheme, this was probably the biggest need there was and finding a starting plug and play ILB for the next 10 years could be worse. I hope we continue to draft Defense and become a formidable unit on that side of the ball.

  76. Mountaineer7669 Says:

    Don’t really understand how people can be mad at this pick. Super athletic and seems to have a great head on his shoulders. Wish him the best of luck

  77. RODNEY ALLEN Says:

    I was a bit surprised we didnt grab Allen being he was available but white should be a great job for a long time so I’m not upset about it I just hope like he11 we find a couple good linemen too

  78. Ed Says:

    Just watch the highlight film Joe posted, White doesn’t tackle people, he destroys them, when Drew Brees or Matt Ryan see him blitzing up the middle they are not going to be able to shake him off like they do our defensive linemen. On those highlights he is eating people up, not just tackling but actually running through them right at the numbers. That is one mean dude. No matter what Joe thinks about need, the Bucs need a soldier on their defense, a Marine style guy, thats Devin White.

  79. JaCon Says:

    Non impact MLB in a sorry ass defense was not a position of need, I hope for the fans sake the #5 pick overall does not turn into another MLB BUST in the NFl

  80. wideleftandright Says:

    Licht probably sealed his own fate with this pick.
    Unless BA can somehow pull off 9-7 or 8-8 .I dont see it though.

  81. catcard202 Says:

    That fact that the FO is counting on a rookie ILB to bring LEADERSHIP…speaks for itself.

    When a FO jumps over the most highly decorated DEF player in the draft…(Josh Allen UK)..A guy with a laundry list of accolades, one that dominated the NCAA more so than JaDaveon Clowney.. Your ILB better end-up a HOF like DB55 & Ray Lewis to justify the #5 slot.

    Remember…When you draft for NEED…You get fired!