Jason Licht Expects “Night-And-Day” Defensive Difference
August 4th, 2025
The One Buc Palace trumpet section has been full blown fortississimo over the past several weeks.
Optimism has been flowing like cold beer on opening day.
The more Joe listens to Bucs players, coaches and front office types talk, the more it sounds like everyone at One Buc Palace is expecting at least a 12-win season and a captivating playoff run.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht has been quick to join the happy party. He told Loose Cannons last week that fans might not recognize the 2025 Bucs defense versus what the team rolled out last season.
“I’m really, really excited, knock on wood, about getting to the season with Antoine [Winfield] and Tykee [Smith] as our two safeties, two playmakers, two guys that can blitz, two guys that are tough, two guys with great instincts, with great ball skills — that make plays with effort but also their athleticism,” Licht said. “I think it’s going to be night-and-day this year, our defense, compared to last year. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Safety wasn’t the only defensive position Licht gushed about.
Obviously, health is a huge X-factor, but Licht and friends believe they have a loaded stable of defensive playmakers, and the right coach leading the way.
Joe smiles at night (and during the day) thinking of the Bucs possibly having a 10th- or 11th-ranked defense this season, one that generates key turnovers. Couple that with a similar offense to last year’s, and incredible things could/should happen in January.
August 4th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
One more veteran edge rusher and this team can go far in the playoffs. The old two is one and one is none philosophy. Big concern of course is injuries….
August 4th, 2025 at 3:42 pm
So does Lt. Dan
August 4th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
Why 10th or 11th? Why not 1st?
Reddick. Health Kancey, Winfield, Diaby, SVD, Hall and Dean.
This should be a dominating, league threatening, run staffing, QB hassling group of crazed dogs.
August 4th, 2025 at 3:50 pm
get it done in real time and stay healthy,
then we can get a little exceited
August 4th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
‘Joe smiles at night (and during the day) thinking of the Bucs possibly having a 10th- or 11th-ranked defense this season, one that generates key turnovers.’
Just smiles Joe; no beers?
I’m reasonably confident that we’ll end up with another Top-10 defense, one that’ll do a LOT better than last year’s did. Obviously conditional though on injuries. I never expected what I saw last season (you know we’re desperate when we re-signed Ryan Neal for those last 2 games).
August 4th, 2025 at 3:57 pm
We can live in our hopes, or live in our fears. Hope springs eternal. My guess is 31 other teams feel the same way. That’s why they play the games.
August 4th, 2025 at 4:07 pm
Smith & Winfield have me yelling “fumble” & “ball!!” at random just for practice.
August 4th, 2025 at 4:10 pm
I agree with Jason.
A healthy AWJ + Tykee will make a world of difference.
Not to mention better talent and depth @ CB, Nickel, ILB etc.
As others have noted, injuries could derail us again but not to the degree it did last year… Our backups are much better. If we stay healthy there’s really no excuse not to be much improved.
Can’t wait to get this season started 😎
August 4th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
I think the main focus should be on the Turnover Ratio
Defense getting more Takeaways
And the offense giving less Giveaways
Everything else will fall in place
August 4th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
remember when sapp used to say give us 17 points and we’re good…
well the nfl has changed a bit since then…
but if our defensive leader…say lavonte, could say give us 21-24 points and we’re good – then we could be going to the superbowl…if this defense is truely resurrected, this team could win 12-13, for real…
but i’m still standing pat at 11-6 for now
(even with the wirfs and godwin situations)
August 4th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
every good defense needs a thumper…
who the heck is our thumper, the guy that lays the wood…?
SVD…?
surprisingly he was def doing it last year before he got hurt…and whitehead was viewed as the thumper…
who is the thumper on this D…?
August 4th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Why the defense will be BETTER:
1. Healthy AWJ and Kancey
2. Personel improvements of Reddick and Tykee
3. DB talent and depth
4. Development of Yaya and Braz
5. Contract year for Hall and Zyon
Why the defense could be WORSE:
1. Thin at ILB
2. Thin at DT depth
3. Injury prone at S
August 4th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Joe, stop. You had me at cold beer….
August 4th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
I just hope for a fun season.
August 4th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
ModHairKenDoll I agree, why not 1st? Always play every play like it’s your last and the season will bear that out at the end. If we avoid the injury bug I believe we come out and smoke Atlanta and never look back, we could win 13 plus games and I say we win 13 or more and look solid on both sides of the ball. CG comes back around the middle of the season and the rest of the NFL goes WTF man. It should be/ is shaping up to be that kind of year from what the players think, but take it 1 game at a time.
August 4th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
I think TB has drilled it into their collective heads to be killers and think of themselves as top dogs in the kennel, we’ll see how it plays out.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Joe says, “Joe smiles at night (and during the day) thinking of the Bucs possibly having a 10th- or 11th-ranked defense this season, one that generates key turnovers.”
Forget 10th or 11th…..I’m hoping for 5th or 6th ranked defense.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
I HAAATE how excited I am about this team this year. I strive to always ALWAYS stay objectively sober on any preseason Kool Aid drinking. But I’ve been solidly in agreement with 90 percent of the what and how with this off-season. Injuries far more than anything are my biggest fear. But of course that’s the case for every team to a degree. Depth is more important than ever imo to win in this league. Go Bucs!
August 4th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
Do not come close to leading the league in running zone, and that alone should cause massive improvement. Bowles zone defense is terrible, just consist of the secondary standing around waiting for something to happen, it’s not the tight active zone of the Tampa 2. When they blitzed AND played manned or at least brought the defensive backfield up some, that’s when they got sacks. When they just sat back in that super soft garbage zone and let everyone run free, it really didn’t matter how much pressure you got since the QB always had someone open to throw the ball to.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
PS…. I rarely comment but I really appreciate the mostly wise football IQ folks that give their 2 cents.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:11 pm
If they ever needed the defense to start strong it’s in 2025.
The offense will have some regression early in the year while Wirfs is out and Godwin continues rehab, along with the potential for Grizzard to struggle a little while he learns play calling. At minimum they aren’t going to be anything but a barely average offense until Wirfs returns, period. He’s that important.
While he’s out I’d bubble wrap Mayfield in a quick passing game. Trusting a throwaway free agent LT to protect a franchise QB’s blindside is playing dice with the season and future.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
I want to see how the defense looks week one if healthy.
That’s a challenge off the block to start. Robinson, London, Pitts.
We should win. I just want to see if they can make a few plays.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
I think it can be much improved but I think they are dreaming with inside LB …………. Remember if they make the playoffs ….. they should be peeking not old and beat up.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
Stop Robinson and stop London and we win week 1.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
If the DBs remain healthy and perform as hoped. Tampa could have a tactical advantage in the sweltering heat at home in September and October against the Jets, the Eagles and the 49ers as the Bucs should be able to rotate their DBs to keep them fresh and healthy without a precipitous drop in performance.
August 4th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
10th or 11th in the NFL is good. 10th or 11th in the NFC is not good.
August 4th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Fingers crossed Joe!
August 4th, 2025 at 6:34 pm
I am in favor of 10th rated Defense but doubt it. Emmanwori at 6’3” 220 lbs with 4.3 speed can play safety or linebacker. He was the pick to make Bucs defense click. Really disappointed Licht didn’t go that way.
August 4th, 2025 at 6:56 pm
“Stop Robinson and stop London and we win week 1.”
Mooney is the receiver that ate the Bucs alive last year.
August 4th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
Excellent leadership, Jason. The expectation is laid down for everyone to see. If the defense wets the beds again and the same old excuses start rolling out, Jason won’t be having it, nor will the Glazers.
I’d rather Jason be right, of course, but either way, the man responsible has also been put on notice that he is also accountable, and crap defense won’t be tolerated. Not with this roster.
August 4th, 2025 at 7:07 pm
I would caution Licht to use his starters sparingly on both sides of the ball. No use getting anyone injured in these meaningless games.
August 4th, 2025 at 7:32 pm
They always do just like every other team what is this your first football season?
August 4th, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Parsons just do it besides linebacker its our weakest position
August 4th, 2025 at 11:48 pm
Stay healthy!!!
August 5th, 2025 at 12:22 am
The key to this season is the team doctors, training staff, and the guys themselves. Stretch those hammies, drink plenty of water, do some pilates and yoga, take ice baths, dont do stupid stuff like basketball or speeding in your off time. Bathe in antibiotics, no mrsa. Stretch those calves, ankles and shoulders. Get personal MALE masseuses for everyone. Wear the silly concussion hat. Buy hyperbaric chambers for everyone. Suck oxygen on the sidelines. Take your multivitamins, cod liver oil and HGH. Get plenty of rest, 9 hrs minimum daily.
Health is the key to this season. If we lose nobody else for a significant amount of time I say we run the table. There i said it.
August 5th, 2025 at 5:57 am
Last year our D had a LOT of people on the field who shouldn’t have been on any 53 man roster. This year, 2 new corners, AND Bryce Hall is back
August 5th, 2025 at 6:04 am
Jason has said alot more about our beloved Bucs this year I notice. Hope that is a sign that we are bound for a glorious season. Jason usually is not one to say stuff that does not ring true.
Go Bucs!
August 5th, 2025 at 7:54 am
I’m skeptical about the defense I don’t think this team fixed their problems on defense not enough pass rushers #!!
August 5th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Okay, this is easy. offense top 2. defense, top 4. Think reddick as miles garrett. with actual superstars around him. back end, new draft, healed others, and actually deep. center, david, and a couple up and coming. then line, no doubt, good. probally, team wise, 35 sacks, 90 tfl, 20 interceptions. lol(i hope), offense, average 35 per game, baker 5k, 200 yards rushing. around 73%. 1st seed playoffs. Dont discount, win now, or contract years, win the sb, evans/david, will retire. both hof, 1st ballot