Jason Licht & “Malpractice”
April 20th, 2025
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Joe finds this take somewhat amusing.
So Lavonte David stayed healthy last season, played rather well and is back for his 15th year. He’s still here, and Joe doesn’t know anyone who expects David to have a bad 2025.
Alongside David at inside linebacker is third-year man SirVocea Dennis. He got his shoulder surgically repaired after a Week 4 injury. The Bucs said Dennis had the same injury since his college days and it reached the point of mandatory surgery.
Now, Bucs officials say Dennis is 100 percent healthy.
“I think he’s a very good starting linebacker in this league,” Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht said of Dennis three weeks ago, adding that he’s “super-intrigued” by what Dennis will deliver.
That sounds like a pretty good linebacker duo to Joe, but yes, depth is needed. So the Bucs went out and got it in Anthony Walker, Jr.
Walker has made 83 starts through his eight-year career and has had a few very strong seasons. The Bucs like the 29-year-old’s film from his lone season with the Dolphins last year.
Despite all that, longtime Bucs writer Rick Stroud of TampaBay.com implied Licht might be open to a civil suit from fans if he doesn’t take inside linebacker seriously in this week’s draft.
“It may be malpractice not to address the inside linebacker position in this draft. Then again, David may continue to defy the norms,” Stroud wrote in a story that also says the Bucs “must address inside linebacker.”
He also wrote: “It’s reasonable to assume [the Bucs] will take a linebacker with the 19th overall pick.”
Well, Joe’s knowledge of the situation, as well as Ira Kaufman’s, says the opposite. Don’t expect the Bucs to draft an inside linebacker at No. 19.
Joe loves the drama surrounding this year’s Bucs draft. Lots of unknowns, as well as disagreement when it comes to ranking and defining Tampa Bay’s needs.
Ira Kaufman Makes A First-Round Choice, Talks Jalen Ramsey, Draft Approach And A Unique Mock Year, Gets In A Todd Bowles Argument & Much More
April 20th, 2025 at 9:24 pm
Maybe a LB in the second or third, but an Edge or DT in the first. Hopefully not Jihad in the first round.
April 20th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
I vote for best available player in the 1st round, then Safety, Edge, Inside LB, and Corners. Go Bucs!!
April 20th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
This draft is screaming to the Bucs to trade down for the right draft package. Unless, and not sure how far you have to go, but I’d seriously consider going up and drafting Travis Hunter and I think you’ll win the conference and go all the way 😂. It will be a large price but I think you’ll lock down the CB position for years.
April 20th, 2025 at 9:58 pm
It’s NOT reasonable to assume anything with the 19h pick. For one thing, if Campbell is gone before 19, there isn’t another ILB worthy of that high a selection.
ILB is one of several possibilities. There are also LB candidates in rounds 2 and 3 who could develop into good starters. Stroud has apparently not done his homework or just doesn’t understand how the draft works.
April 20th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
It would be malpractice for him to take an ILB in the first round. There are much better players with much better positional value, and there are lots of ILB’s which will be available in later rounds.
Personally, I hope they look at Ezeiruaku at Edge, Darian Porter at CB, and Kevin Winston (S) in the early rounds. Maybe Knight, Bassa, Kiser, Martin or Buchanan at ILB (why not take 2?). And either Hairston, Dotson, Bryant, or any of a number of other CB’s in later rounds.
There are a LOT of good-looking DT’s as well. This draft is loaded with options for TB on defense. But we’re really well set up to take BPA all the way up and down the draft. It’s gonna be an interesting weekend.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
The Times article seems a little poorly written:
“If you were ranking the Bucs’ biggest needs on defense, it would be for an edge rusher, inside linebacker and cornerback. So, it’s reasonable to assume they will take a linebacker with the 19th overall pick.”
and also:
“If the Bucs wait until the second or early third to select an inside linebacker, they could land Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. of Ole Miss, shown catching a pass during the school’s pro day in March in Oxford,”
So, it seems he was saying that the Bucs will address linebacker and although in one instance says it will be ILB, in the same darn couple of three sentences suggests that it clearly may also not be an ILB at 19.
Personally do not think that Jihaad Campbell is an all pro type and also a little (not a lot) worried about his injury so not sure that he is value at 19. Prefer the Bucs make another move at 19.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:18 pm
I trust this g.m. Whoever we pick will be a football junkie, a good person, and a hard worker. That’s all I can ask for.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:28 pm
Build the trenches first. Trade back a few positions if possible for an extra 3rd rd pick. Edge and DT in 1st and 2nd. Maybe trade back in 2nd also for an extra 4th. Then use our two 4th round picks to get back into the late 3rd round. Pick up ILB, S and CB. 5 picks in the top 100. That would be a very good haul.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:32 pm
Good lawd. Times is still in business, Tribune, hmm, not so much. And those that contributed to that. For the record, the Times purchased the Tribune and then shut it down within hours. Ego-driven move that didn’t serve anyone. –Joe
LB will be addressed most certainly in first 3 rounds somewhere.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:32 pm
Ezeiruku Edge from BC
Alfred Collins DT from TX
Winston Jr Safety from Penn State
Bassa ILB from Oregon
Kobe Bryant CB from Kansas
April 20th, 2025 at 10:33 pm
Some of the best linebackers in history have been drafted in rounds 2 and 3.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Love the drama
April 20th, 2025 at 10:38 pm
I agree. LB/S/CB on day two & three.
Edge/DT BPA at 19… or trade down.
ILB is in better shape than many opinions Need a depth player there and with some luck, a future stater. Dennis was a fifth, correct?
April 20th, 2025 at 11:01 pm
Like Stroud but crap article. Pick DL to the back, too many good DL/ combo/Edge rushers to get one of the top ones , maybe double down if there’s a trade. Always depends how it shakes out. Ezzy looks like the real deal and if we could add a Collins in the 2nd that would be a great start or DB #2/ILB?
April 20th, 2025 at 11:17 pm
If jihaad is there, it would be criminal not to take him. If not, they can go a different route and pick someone else up within the next couple hours.
The bottom line is they signed an average Vet as a back up, they have a speedy youngster who has barely played because of injuries, and soon to be 35-year-old who is awesome and should get in the Hall of Fame, but get real. If they don’t get someone in the draft who’s going to be a future starter and contribute a lot this year if there’s an injury, it would be criminal .
April 20th, 2025 at 11:30 pm
When I eat too much chili and drink too much beer, I need to take a Stroud.
April 20th, 2025 at 11:42 pm
There will be several fantastic choices at 19…..I’m sure Jason will do the right thing…. ILB, OLB, CB, S, DT or even WR…..
April 21st, 2025 at 1:23 am
Agreed Joe. It would not surprise me at all if they did nothing at ILB this year. I hate to say that because I know that LVD can’t play forever.
We have just six picks and need to hit on them. One ILB who will likely be there at 19 gets a for sure first round grade. Campbell
If the plan is to double up on CB/Safety? That could mean no ILB. Especially if Jason is not confident in Campbell’s health.
Go Bucs!
April 21st, 2025 at 1:27 am
Let’s not forget Deion Jones is still around and I thought he looked good in limited action. He is removed from previous injury and was a great LB earlier in his career.
April 21st, 2025 at 2:22 am
Knight jr
April 21st, 2025 at 6:32 am
Is Walker fast enough to be in there on 3rd and long if Dennis gets hurt? THAT scenario right there wrecked the defense after Dennis went down
April 21st, 2025 at 7:12 am
We could use about any position if you consider the injuries. Just not a kicker or punter!!!!!
April 21st, 2025 at 7:53 am
knowing Stroud, he might have some inside info here, or i lumping edges and ILBs together
April 21st, 2025 at 9:33 am
Just because it’s a need does not mean it’s the 1st round pick.