Method To Jason Licht’s Madness

August 16th, 2020

Winning.

Joe thought it was odd — way cool, but odd — that the Bucs, specifically AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, would go out and trade for a tight end with Cam Brate and O.J. Howard on the roster.

It wasn’t like the team was starving for a tight end. Perhaps a running back or a safety or a veteran backup corner who could hold his own?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, a team would be silly not to add a future Hall of Famer, especially when it is all-in on making a run to the Super Bowl.

Look, at the end of the day, who wouldn’t want foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski’s resume on the roster? And besides, his Sports Illustrated swimsuit covergirl girlfriend doesn’t hurt either.

Gambler turned stat nerd Warren Sharp unearthed very interesting information on Twitter last week that demonstrated obtaining Gronk was a savvy move by Licht.

In short, having a stud tight end = winning rings.

There you have it. The Bucs didn’t trade for Gronk just as a favor (package deal ransom?) to park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady.

The Bucs didn’t just bring in Gronk for E! and Extra! and Entertainment Tonight and TMZ to cover the Bucs (though they have, thank you Camille Kostek).

No, the Bucs brought in Gronk to win a Vince Lombardi Trophy.

17 Responses to “Method To Jason Licht’s Madness”

  1. gp Says:

    Scuttlebut is that Ariens doesn’t like to use tight ends. I don’t think that is quite true.
    Our stable of tight ends has not been performing well lately based on their talent.
    Much as Roy Rogers wouldn’t think of doing a movie without Trigger, Tom really wanted his trusted sidekick as well.
    The advantage is that Trigger, er, Gronk will show the other tight ends what it takes to be stars

  2. AwShbucs Says:

    Tried explaining the importance of the Tight End position the year we drafted OJ. It’s just a major disappointment he hasn’t lived up to his insanely high potential. George Kittle has put OJ to shame.

  3. SB Says:

    I wonder what her feet look like?

    -Rex Ryan.

  4. Pryda...sec147 Says:

    Longest offseason ever…. can September 13th come already 🤤

  5. Bush's Coke Spoon Says:

    SB Says:
    “I wonder what her feet look like?”

    .
    .

    Now I wouldn’t ever consider myself a “foot guy.” like, feet aren’t something I’m looking at for a first impression. But I have seen some feet that can kill the deal, so perhaps we shouldn’t come down so hard on Rex. LOL

  6. Joe Says:

    But I have seen some feet that can kill the deal

    Give her a pair of socks.

  7. Bush's Coke Spoon Says:

    I wish I’d thought of that! LMAO

  8. Clean House Says:

    “They’re good little foot soldiers.”

  9. AlteredEgo Say: Your comment is awaiting moderation. Says:

    How much lighter is Gronk this year from his previous playing weight?

  10. Anonymous Says:

    “Hold on. You’re saying Marcelus Wallace tossed a guy through a forth storey window for giving Mrs Wallace a foot rub?”

    Pulo Fiction. One of my all time favorite cult classics. Right up there with Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.
    Go Bucsd

  11. Anonymous Says:

    “Hold on. You’re saying Marcelus Wallace tossed a guy through a forth storey window for giving Mrs Wallace a foot rub?”

    Pulo Fiction. One of my all time favorite cult classics. Right up there with Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.
    Go Bucs!

  12. Jimbuc2 Says:

    “Wait a minute. You’re telling Marcelus Wallace threw a guy through a fourth storey window for giving Mrs Wallace a foot rub?”

    From Pulp fictin. One of my all time cult classic favorites. Right up there with Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and the rest of Mel Brooks greats!
    Go Bucs!

  13. stpetebucsfan Says:

    I hate to go to the horrible “c” word in sports. Nobody wants to be a choker.

    But I have seen players break through and regain their focus and confidence. I felt OJ’s season last year was a perfect storm…bad bounces…loss of focus and confidence…took the softness out of his hands…he had a rotten year for sure.

    But I do not believe he has hands of stone and he can recover his confidence especially with Brady throwing it to him. In the words of CG14…”it’s different”.

  14. Cobraboy Says:

    Every tight end is a compromise between receiver and lineman.

    Those who are gifted at both are as rare as rainbow unicorns.

    Receiving TE’s are a liability in the running game—as Buc fans have witnessed for many years—and blocking TE’s are a liability in the passing game.

    In the Bucs case, when Howard or Brate are in the game, big odds are a pass is coming. When Auclair is in the game, a run or extra pass blocking, with one less receiver in the pattern. Both cases are easier to defend for a savvy DC.

    But a guy like Gronkowski is that rainbow unicorn. He does both well. That creates some real confusion for a defense. We saw it in NE for years.

    Gronk is the total package.

    IMO, signing Gronk makes Brady and the Bucs O even more synergistic, and the other TE’s more effective in multiple-TE sets. I just hope he (and Brady) stay healthy.

  15. stpetebucsfan Says:

    JimBuc

    I like your taste in movies. Pulp Fiction was great and I like Tarentino…but Brooks is a comedy god to me. Young Frankenstein,,or is it steen? But Blazing Saddles is an all time favorite. Favorite Line in my family which will let you know where our comedy sense runs…

    “How about some more beans Mr. Taggart?”

    Taggart fanning away the farts..”No I believe you’ve had enough beans”

  16. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Sorry, but I don’t buy it. If Brady was not here, would Gronk be here? No. If the Bucs had landed, say, Philip Rivers? No Gronk.

    This is 100% about making a winning QB happy.

    And I am fine with that. If Brady brings up a superbowl, then more power to him.

  17. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    gp Says:
    “Our stable of tight ends has not been performing well lately based on their talent.”

    I disagree with this statement. The QB throwing to them was the issue. I like Winston and I do, unfortunately, believe he’ll win a superbowl one day (probably for the Saints), but he isn’t there yet, and that cost the team.