“You Could See The Pain In His Eyes”
March 7th, 2022
Bucs GM Jason Licht
It was Wednesday, the day after Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht survived his annual worst day of the year — when he must speak about his team before the hundreds of NFL national media types and NFL Network klieg lights— that left a popular national NFL talking head with questions.
It was also two days after Licht appeared on “Good Morning Football,” seen weekday mornings on NFL Network. There Licht discussed, among other things, how the Bucs were going to try to make another Super Bowl run, although unlikely to have Tom Brady line up behind center.
And the co-host of “Good Morning Football,” closet Bucs fan Peter Schrager, genuinely felt for Licht.
Joe caught up with Schrager the day after Licht spoke to discuss the corner the Bucs have themselves painted into: top-heavy free agents on the roster and only so much Team Glazer loot to play with under the salary cap.
“All of those years of mediocrity or worse, it was so fun with Brady for two years,” Schrager said. “Talking to Jason on the show [last week], you could see the pain in his eyes of the prospect of those days being over. And I don’t think they are ready to let go.”
That was evident when Licht said glumly last week that he will leave the light on for Brady, almost sounding like a mother who has waived her daughter goodbye as she left for college thousands of miles away.
And what brought a chuckle from Schrager was his observation that Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians seemed “almost daring Brady” to try to play for another team this year while the Bucs hold his rights. Schrager joked that he almost felt like Arians might have been trying to bait Brady into playing for Tampa Bay again.
Very little if anything Arians and Licht said Tuesday answered the myriad of questions Schrager has about the Bucs’ roster makeup.
“And we are even more in the question mark phase after one day of media availability where I don’t have any more clarity after hearing Bruce and Jason talk,” Schrager said. “If anything it sounds like Jason wants Brady back and Bruce is almost daring Brady not to come back.
“And there are free agents all up and down the roster. So, I don’t know? We will see how this goes. I am very curious to see how the next few weeks or month — given the right
situation, this team can compete.”
And that’s where Bucs fans stand now. On the edge of their seats not knowing if Brady or Deshaun Watson or Mitch Trubisky or Blaine Gabbert or Trask will be leading the Bucs offense this fall.
One thing seems to be clear: Bucs fans are numb and sad at the quarterback prospects.
March 7th, 2022 at 1:05 pm
The Brady effect was real.
March 7th, 2022 at 1:09 pm
@ walk
Agreed. It will be interesting to see how free agency goes without TB12 in Tampa as a lure…
March 7th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
It was worth it…
The only secret now is not doing stupid things like overpaying for guys like Baker or TJ Ward or Grimes, and I can keep on naming……
Just draft smartly and don’t make desperate moves on free agency.
We will be back again!
March 7th, 2022 at 1:13 pm
‘Licht said glumly last week that he will leave the Licht on for Brady’.
Wow! Note to Jason: You rented Tom Brady for 2 years, it was a lot of fun & he made you all look very good, but now the chickens have come home to roost. Tom Brady has moved on. Bucs better do the same.
March 7th, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Word on the street, is that bruce arrogance thinks that he was the draw for all the free agents. And that he still thinks all players want to come to the bucs at a discount because of him. You will see the pain in Buc’s fans eyes when succo bruce gets exposed quicker than a DeShaun Watson massage. Brady drove the bus to success in Tampa.
March 7th, 2022 at 1:18 pm
Mariota or Trubisky to compete with Trask and roll with the one that stands out above the rest….
March 7th, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Proud Bucs Troll, as hard as you try with the same old same old eye rolling nonsense, you just can’t seem to honor the real trolls with a decent troll game. When you say the same thing over and over again it’s clear that you have nothing else to say. It seems crystal clear that Arians has had more success in life, and clearly in coaching then you have had and you’re endeavors and gosh darn it, you’re sad about that. Haha…
March 7th, 2022 at 1:21 pm
*”word on the street…”, That’s a classic Realist line! Not only one note, you’re stealing lines dude. Unless this is simply a name change.
March 7th, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Yes, Proud Bucs Fa9 is Fake-A-Leasto, 💯! Hahahaha!
March 7th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
The lack of capitalization also gives her/he-she away as El Sucko Fake-A-Leasto!
March 7th, 2022 at 1:28 pm
You got a amazing QB for 25m/y for two years when most go for 35-45 and now some 50m/y.
He brought some friends Gronk, AB, and Fournette. Most played on very cheap and economical deals based on production.
He won you a Super Bowl the division and tied the game with a few seconds left against a super team with two HOF passrushers hitting him at 44, after you cut his WR2 and his WR1b got hurt.
By winning the Super Bowl he increased the franchise value at least 1B, made Joe thousands in extra clicks for 2 years, and brought in 100m+ in sponsorship, ticket sales and media attention. He turned the Tampa brand around single handedly to a respectable brand people think can win.
He redid his deal to drop his cap to sign more players in 2021 just like he did his entire career on NE.
He did this all for 25m a year as Free Agent where you didn’t expend one draft pick.
You will now have to start a rookie or pay a jobber 20-30m/y to play QB.
Be happy you got a SB and gained respect league wide. Everyone contributed, but the Brady effect was real and players he brought were focal points of production for 2 seasons as cheap prices because Tom was there it was worth it for a championship. You won, your team is great again, you paid a MVP level QB below market value and it worked.
March 7th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
Good catch, Steven007! Exposing Proud Buc Troll as Realisto!
March 7th, 2022 at 1:55 pm
At this point I would be happy if the Bucs signed Wentz. Never thought I’d say that… ugh. Looks like we are on the way back to the bottom of the NFL.
March 7th, 2022 at 1:56 pm
@ NE fan
“You will now have to start a rookie or pay a jobber 20-30m/y to play QB.”
This describes 90% of the league…
Most of us knew this day was coming. It was a fun ride. Like driving a Corolla your whole life then renting a Lambo for two years.
Wow – what an awesome ride.
That Super Bowl run the Bucs went on in 2020 was epic and probably one of the most amazing win streaks in NFL history.
From 7-5 to being a wild card team and winning on the road at DC, New Orleans and Green Bay – then crushing KC in the SB…
It was truly amazing to watch…
March 7th, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Not to mention we won the Super in our home field…
Another awesome component of that whole amazing run we went on.
March 7th, 2022 at 2:01 pm
NE, you forgot Sherman, even though he physically couldn’t cut it, he tried and brought leadership and priceless expertise. Now after ALL NE laid out in the previous post, the classless BA wants to hold Brady hostage. BA never ceases to amaze me, another clueless BS move by BA. He’d rather handcuff Brady than do his job. Add this to the list of class less acts in BA’s repertoire.
March 7th, 2022 at 2:03 pm
JOE BUCS FAN is numb and sad at the quarterback propects this fall. Licht and Arians have to deal with it as best they can. They cannot just sit and whine every day which seems to be Joe’s approach. The quarterback will be whomever the powers that be decide. It most likely will not be Brady or some other hall of fame candidate that drops out of the sky. It will be a rag arm with whom their expectations to a minimum. They pressure is going to crank up on the defense. Offensively, they will surround “the man” with as much talent as they can afford. Every Bucs free agent who has dreams of braking the bank will not be back, some will. The rest will be counting their bucks somewhere else. Some just may give the Bucs a home town discount. It will be the best that management can do. We need to appreciate what we had and support these guys in what is proving to be a very difficult off season. They know the challenge. The also know that the rest of our conference is pathetic. If that means the Bucs could steal the division and make the playoffs that would be a spectacular accomplishment for Licht and crew. Go Bucs.
March 7th, 2022 at 2:19 pm
I wonder how many exclamation points Proud Buc has had to erase before posting in order to keep his true identity secret?
😀
He’s bound to slip soon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…..or maybe let a “stale biscuit” slide.
March 7th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Looking forward to seeing Trask get his opportunity , because when Trask got his chance at Florida he grabbed it and ran with it. That is what winners do , not because they are faster , more athletic , or throw it farther , but because they work so damn hard at being the best they can be. That is leadership and it brings the best out of everyone else on the team as well. Bucs will be fine.
March 7th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Hey Pat’s fan.
You’ve been respectful and a decent commentary and that’s appreciated and you seem to be a stand up guy. Thing is though…
You are certainly welcome to become a Bucs fan and I have no doubt that the majority of us Joe fans would love to have you with us. Brady finished up here and like you say, he Certainly brought great things with him when he did. And of course We Want More! Duh.. right. With that said, You may not realize it but you keep repeating yourself concerning Brady.
I’m not sure about your particular story but I am curious, (no need to comment though) whether you are or were a Pat’s fan or a Brady fan first.
After 20 Years of medicine like Brady use to bring, well who wouldn’t have withdrawals?! Am I right? In fact, it doesn’t matter to me which you were a fan of first, Brady or Pat’s, I’d welcome you as a Bucs fan any day if you find you’re ready for a change.
I gotta tell you though, us Bucs fans have been through the ringer and because it’s been such a long hard road out of teasing us hell, “i.e. circa 2019” ~ Over 5300 yards completed Super Receiving Weapons Everywhere and yet the SPECTACULAR 30 interceptions PLUS fumbles and not even a playoff berth, well like I was saying, A LONG HARD ROAD OUT OF HELL when the best to ever suit up came along and changed our fates. HEY, WE FEAL THE LOSS OF A GREAT PLAYER LIKE BRADY TOO. But you see we’re a little different than the Pat fans. We ALL KNEW it was temporary. We were HAPPY to sell the farm and GO FOR GLORY! Unlike others though, we knew we would still be searching for our Greatest of all “extended time” to come along. For us, we’re just getting started and we’re FAR from done. We STILL have that edge.
You are Welcome to come on board for the ride to Long Term Glory that’s about to happen whether this next year is super bowl or not. We already know it’s gonna be a fight. I for one surly enjoyed the Reminder of what’s to come and the sweet sample of it that Tom brought with him.
You see, IT GIVES US EVEN MORE GUSTO AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. Not less. So no need to apologize or explain what we already know.
And with that Pat fan, stick around for the Bowls to come. You’ll be privy to say you were there when the Next and Undiscovered Brady hits RIGHT HERE. WE HAVE THE BLUE PRINT and thank you Tom.
Maybe, just maybe his name is…. KYLE TRASK!
WE WILL SEE!
GO BUCS!
No need to repeat the obvious for us
March 7th, 2022 at 2:29 pm
The trolls like them are the same person. Same word usage sometimes. You can tell if you bother to read the drivel.
March 7th, 2022 at 2:58 pm
It was Brady, not BA and his krewe, This will become apparent by the 5th game.
March 7th, 2022 at 3:16 pm
LOL, Licht can leave the light on for Brady all he wants, but no one think he is coming back.
Mike Florio says Brady did not leave Football, he left Tampa, for whatever reason/reasons.
I guess we will all see once the next season gets closer, if Florio is right, or if he really did just chose to retire ?
I do not buy into the Brady did not get along with Arians scenario.
However, Brady is not here to collect paychecks, he collects super bowl rings.
Some think Brady saw the writing on the wall here in Tampa for next season, and chose to go somewhere else.
March 7th, 2022 at 3:19 pm
I unlike NE Pat’s fan have no intention of sticking around to see the likes of Succo BA, the illiterate BL & Bowels stick another dagger in all the true Bucs fans back. I’m also sticking around to irritate those who really believe BA.and his cronies are a good coaching staff. You fans must pay for supporting the men who killed a legend and hero of mine for over 20 years. I shed no tears, that is unless Joe posts about the Rams game again, all I seek is revenge, plus I am curious as hell to see how the Bucs get out of this shat hole Licht & BA dug.
March 7th, 2022 at 3:19 pm
I think as we watch the fallout from losing Brady here, you will also see it on New. England as more and more guys he played with disappear.
March 7th, 2022 at 3:53 pm
We’ll see how “smart” BL is without the golden one. No wonder he can’t scam a team into making him their head coach. He’s hot garbage and everyone knows it. A year with Gabbert will end all chances of him getting a HC job that he would otherwise have earned.
March 7th, 2022 at 4:39 pm
Listnfrmafar: I’ll never get the 10 seconds back I wasted reading your drivel. Never again will I waste a precious second on your lame posts.
March 7th, 2022 at 4:55 pm
Nor will I yours Joey. I don’t post for your reading pleasure.
March 7th, 2022 at 4:58 pm
Joe, it took you 10 seconds to read my post, the product of the Detroit schools system at its finest.
March 7th, 2022 at 5:05 pm
Funny, Listnfrmafar mentions the word “illiterate”.
Appropriate…. just reading your post.
Yikes. Learn to talk.
Now get the F out.
March 7th, 2022 at 5:15 pm
TBD, is that the story of your life? To Be Determined???
March 7th, 2022 at 6:46 pm
Lol, just not using the full name right now. Temporary.
Dude seriously, have rooted for your damn Patriots for many years, in playoffs, Super Bowls… all of the above. Fan of Belichick and Brady, long before he got to TB.
My BUCS are my passion though. Just like everyone else here. No reason to come in here and piss on our f’ing Wheaties, man. I got respect for your Pats.
~~ Demon
March 7th, 2022 at 9:07 pm
Riddle me this: why hasn’t there been a conversation between TB12 and Licht, clarifying all matters? Why is Licht as in the dark as we are?
This makes zero sense, whether Brady is actually retired or not.
March 9th, 2022 at 3:36 pm
This the best thing for Tampa Bay i love how Tom Brady competes, but when lofe serves you lemons then do what Tom did for 22 years make lemonade and start Kyle Trask he’s as ready as he can be. Don’t do what Belichick does and be all mad about it, Tom owes no one nothing, god bless Tom Brady and be thankful.