Don’t Smell Yourself

April 6th, 2021

Bucs GM Jason Licht

Bucs Super Bowl general manager Jason Licht has done a masterful job this offseason keeping his roster intact, and a former GM illustrated that in a backhanded way on CBS Sports HQ.

The former Chiefs GM, Falcons assistant GM and NFL executive of the year with the Belicheats, Scott Pioli, gave a long rant just before free agency about how the Bucs will lose top players because they’re now Super Bowl winners that look so good to GMs around the NFL.

Man, Pioli was adamant. And three weeks of history now shows that Pioli was dead wrong. (Perhaps that’s why he’s now on TV).

Re-watching that CBS clip got Joe remembering how former Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik explained to a national radio audience that Licht accomplished “the impossible.”

Pioli also barked about how a new and critical Bucs challenge will be about “not smelling themselves too much” and knowing last year has nothing to do with 2021. Joe’s not sure why that would be a concern with Tom Brady on the roster, or an experienced head coach like Bucco Bruce Arians. But the sentiment is accurate.

Ask some of the 2002 Bucs, and they’ll tell you that a little complacency at One Buc Palace was a major enemy in 2003.

As Derrick Brooks said in TAMPA TWO below, ”When you keep the band together, they gotta make sure they come out singing a different song.”


TAMPA TWO is back with Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks (still on Cloud 55) and iconic JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, presented by Converged Technology Professionals. Enjoy!

16 Responses to “Don’t Smell Yourself”

  1. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    I wonder if anyone else has seen this about Antonio Brown, how he said on Instagram the Bucs should sign him.

  2. Winny Testaverde Says:

    Scott Pioli…otherwise known as the Italian Sausage…is yet another in a long line of benefactors/coat tail riders of Sir Tom Brady. Tons of big talk…couldn’t even hack it as Rich McKay’s minion in The ATL.

  3. SOEbuc Says:

    THIS IS NOT KC 2019 TEAM!!! Other than secondary we are pretty much stacked. Is that what the GOAT thinks the beginning of every year? “I’m gonna hoverboard my way to a Super Bowl win.” No. These guys have not all returned to not bring their A game every week.

  4. David Says:

    In all fairness, had it not been for Covid and The corresponding big drop in the salary cap, he may have been correct. There may have been more money being shown to LVD or Shaq or Godwin or Lenny.

    So as much as the salary cap decline made it a massive challenge and is going to hurt them a little in the future years, it also could end up being a blessing

  5. Chris Thomas from Heaven Says:

    Clevis smells his butt all day

  6. AlabamaBucsFan Says:

    As for future years, I think when Covid era normalizes, Licht and company foresees the salary cap increasing significantly – perhaps $20 -$25 million plus, therefore even though they borrowed from the future, the increase in salary cap should even out. This should be just enough to keep the team completive for another few years. At the very least sign the core young players coming up on their rookie contracts.

  7. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    Chris Thomas that is awesome, miss him in Tampa especially in this day and age of faux journalism…Joes I do not include you all in this “crap time period” of putting the journalist into the story like a certain local BSPN bucs reporter does ALL the time and as it seems Pioli is doing with throwing his poor GMship onto Licht.

  8. Allbuccedup Says:

    Still have JPP, Suh, Jensen, Howard and Gholston on their last contract year thats 43 mil right there alone with no one else. Maybe they should draft accordingly?

  9. August 1976 Buc Says:

    Smells pretty good now at the former “Den of Depression” with the STENCH of a long slow dumpster fire eradicated by the Brady Bunch. Insert foot in mouth Scott. Keep swing buddy, you are bound to hit something this offseason lol lol. GO BUCS!!!!!

  10. Swampbuc Says:

    Pioli and Dumnik can get together to serve JL his coffee in the morning

  11. Steve M. Says:

    Amen to David and Swamp Buc, for their right on comments on this topic here.

  12. Iamabuc Says:

    Swuampbuc….I agree…although I believe Pioli should bring him his coffee, but Dominick should shine his shoes…🤣

  13. Mustachechuckself Says:

    I agree with almost everything but the Belicheat shot. Really ! Not warranted Coach BB has nothing but respect for the Bucs Organization. To repeat a thing that a former Dolphins coach said who had no respect for the Bucs whatsoever is tantamount for cheap headlines. 2 Many fans from northeastern part of country follow the Bucs all last season they were smart enough to televise all the games in this Market. We know all the players and Coaches The fans here read your column big time. My advise is don’t shoot your self in the Foot. Tommy was part of that team & The League tried to screw him over then just admitted they were wrong so let’s show some respect for ourselves Bucs have more fans than just in Tampa area there are 2 other teams in Florida keep them jealous & build your fan base nation wide keep up the good work

  14. doolnutts@yahoo.com Says:

    Licht is killing it this is what the first time in NFL history all 22 starters have returned to a Super Bowl-winning team in the Super Bowl era

  15. Mustachechuckself Says:

    Sign AB Antonio Brown will be better than last year. He can be had for a bargain He will do nothing but enhance this team for cheap He does anything Coaches and Tom Brady ask. Better chance returning to Super Bowl better Chemistry We believe in your G.M. Go Bucs I see more Bucs stickers, banners, Jersey’s than Patriots or Giants around here than ever before you put out a great Fan publication and have really good participation from knowledgeable fans Go Bucs

  16. IrishMist Says:

    Fortunately, we let Molly Shannon go on waivers.