Jason Licht: Shaq Barrett’s Numbers Aren’t Soft
October 9th, 2019
Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht served up a fresh take on the Buccaneers’ top defensive player.
Linebacker Shaq Barrett was neutralized in New Orleans, but he’s still the NFL sacks leader with nine, two better than beastly Cleveland pass rusher Myles Garrett.
Licht noted on the Buccaneers Radio Network before the Saints loss that Barrett isn’t racking up cheap stats.
“He’s not falling on a quarterback who fell down. He’s really making things happen,” said Licht, adding that Barrett is “such a humble guy.”
Spoken like a true film evaluator.
Assuming Barrett doesn’t slither quietly into irrelevance through the rest of this season, his film will be among the most scrutinized by pro personnel directors across the league. Barrett turns 27 in November and he is poised for a monster new contract after his one-year deal with the Bucs expires.
Talented young pass rushers always get paid, and if Barrett can find his way to 15 sacks, he will break the bank somewhere. The big question among the personnel suits will surround what Barrett’s true value is.
Joe doubts the Bucs will break the bank for Barrett. They passed on so many expensive pass rushers this offseason, in addition to college pass rushers, Joe can’t say now that re-signing Barrett will be a priority.
October 9th, 2019 at 12:13 am
Hogwash. If Shaq has 15 sacks, Licht will be run out of town if he doesn’t resign him.
October 9th, 2019 at 12:19 am
The team will sign Sack Barret or the community will unleash an unholy hell of continuous non support of this front office…
October 9th, 2019 at 12:31 am
This organization has demonstrated year after year it does not value pass rushers. So why all of a sudden will they start dropping $25 million a year on a guy who has done little in his career previously, especially when the team has a quarterback to sign?
(Keep in mind Joe is not advocating this in any way. One Joe at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters would re-sign Jameis and tag Barrett. But Joe would do a whole lot of other things that Licht would never do.)
October 9th, 2019 at 12:39 am
Resign the most inconsistent QB in the league? That’s a scary thought.
October 9th, 2019 at 12:46 am
No idea why the Bucs extended Licht for five years.
If it wasn’t for BA, this dude would already be out of a job.
Unless Shaq is completely silent (and healthy) for the rest of the year, they have to resign him.
The entire defense must play better.
The offense does too, but they can get by with a safe, pedestrian effort and still win games with a decent defense.
No matter how you slice it, Jason’s track record is awful and he must be held accountable.
One of these days I’ll put together an excel spreadsheet of all the horrible FAs and draft pick busts, not to mention coaches Licht has hired and sum up the money the Glaziers have paid out.
Joe was ahead of his time calling Dominick a “Rockstar”.
Licht is looking like a entry-level roadie at best.
But, perhaps if we draft a few more DBs?
October 9th, 2019 at 12:50 am
You answered your own question.
LOL That surely wasn’t the intent. 🙂
October 9th, 2019 at 1:09 am
Just remember who coined
#lichtmyb*lls
If we only had ten more draft picks each year to blow on DBs…
October 9th, 2019 at 1:53 am
“This organization has demonstrated year after year it does not value pass rushers.”
licht has been throwing money at veteran pass rushers literally since day 1, only to see them fail to live up to the cap hit
the difference is that shaq is doing it here. they know how he fits and why he is excelling, unlike costly failed experiments like michael johnson, vinny curry, and robert ayers where you are hoping they duplicate success that might have been scheme or teammate based. licht and bowles know shaq is a hard worker and level-headed, and shaq will have a relationship with these guys that precedes the big money. by the end of the season they will know more about him than they will about JPP
October 9th, 2019 at 2:55 am
pick 6 … Well said. When you have a proven performer, in a critical position, you have to find a way to keep him. Shaq had 9 sacks very quickly; now we need to see how he adjusts to OCs adjusting to him. And they are (they always do). But true talent always rises to the challenge IMO, and I’m confident that Shaq will.
Your comments got me thinking about HOW TO BUILD A WINNING NFL TEAM. Are any positions any more critical than any other positions for instance? Are there any positions where you can ‘hide’ younger, less experienced players while they get game experience? Is there any ‘team identity’ (Offense focus? Defense focus? Balanced focus?) that over time will be more effective (and more affordable) than others? So many questions, so few answers. If you come up with any pick6, please share. And not just with me, let Jason Licht in on them too.
October 9th, 2019 at 3:28 am
Meanwhile over at JohnBroncosFan, John complains daily about how the Broncos let Shaq Barrett go for no good reason!
October 9th, 2019 at 6:04 am
This is his 1st year as a starter. Depending on how the rest of the season goes give the guy another prove it year. I mean he really hasn’t done a whole lot in his career. I know he was buried on the depth chart behind miller an Chubb but if he can be consistent for at least 2 seasons then give him a contract. To many times we see 1 hit wonders get paid then fade away the nickel back lol
October 9th, 2019 at 6:54 am
Eliot
We are all better GMs in our own minds. No doubt about it. Very few openings and gota put in the years of work. While your doing your spreadsheet do all the teams. Youll then notice most FA signings miss and teams have pretty much the same hit miss rate in the draft. Slice it how ya want it comes down to coaching. The 4th quarter of games.
October 9th, 2019 at 7:49 am
Shaq seems like a great person and has a great looking family. He’s the kind of guy you root for. All these sacks, strips, and tipped balls make it easier too.
October 9th, 2019 at 7:53 am
The only thing that is soft is the gray matter between Jason Licht’s ears. We’ll never win with him as GM, his record proves it.
October 9th, 2019 at 9:00 am
The point you people keep neglecting why in the hell would shaq want to stay and play for the most embarrassing sports franchise on planet earth?????
Tampa is by far the least desirable location in the NFL… small market, uneducated small fanbase, less endorsement opportunities Tampa is the ceasepool of nfl…. no income tax and good weather are meaningless for athletes they just attract washed up old people who burden healthcare system and can’t drive
You want to fix climate crisis mandatory maximum age of 65 then toss the trash
October 9th, 2019 at 9:20 am
WHY is Licht still employed ?? He was even picked as worst gm in league
October 9th, 2019 at 11:46 am
Why is Licht still employed? All you need to do is ask the Glazer’s. The Bucs don’t value pass rushers. They also don’t value Offensive linemen. Worst organization in the NFL. If you don’t believe me just look who the owner’s and GM are.
October 9th, 2019 at 2:02 pm
Change the subject from your BS secondary Licht.
October 9th, 2019 at 5:21 pm
Ahh yes…the defiant look of a vested ( both clothing and employment wise )fella who makes no apologies for winning 1/3 of the games under his watch. Maybe he can make another run at Buc Treasure Ira “Don’t Call Me Irv” Kaufman. I’m convinced this team will toil in the bottom 1/3 ( just like his record ) until Licht is sent on his way.
October 9th, 2019 at 10:13 pm
As usual Joe sounds ridiculous. Right now shaq has more value than America’s turnover machine. Pay him and wave bye bye to jaymiss. OR extend jw3 for crumbs cuz I doubt if any other team will offer him mega bucks
October 9th, 2019 at 11:37 pm
At this point I would franchise Shaq if he stays productive and let him prove his worth again. As of now I would also let Jameis walk unless he becomes more consistent. No way in hell is his up and down play worth 30+ million a year. Middle of the pack quarterbacks are not worth that much.