Jason Licht Confident One Football Is Enough
May 6th, 2025
No divas.
There’s just one football.
Joe heard this line a few times during the draft coming from Bucs types at One Buc Palace. The Bucs have elite receivers. They have two running backs who can catch out of the backfield.
Cade Otton and Payne Durham and Devin Cup aren’t slouches catching, either.
There’s only one ball.
It’s been said often over the past week how the Bucs place such a strong emphasis on character players. In particular, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin — and apparently rookie Emeka Egbuka — are about as un-diva-like as receivers can be.
Appearing with popular national sports radio and TV personality Adam Schein last week on “Schein on Sports,” heard exclusively on SiriusXM Radio, general manager Jason Licht said the least of his worries is for the Bucs’ offensive weapons to wig out for not being targeted enough.
“I think you know that,” Licht chuckled when Schein asked if there are enough balls to go around One Buc Palace.
“I think it goes to the character and fabric of this team, and the way Todd [Bowles] has set the tone in the locker room.
“I think we have a lot of unselfish players that just want to win at this point. I think if you would ask Mike Evans what’s most important for him right now, I think he would say getting another Super Bowl [ring]. I know he would say that.”
Because the Bucs have good dudes on the roster, it makes going to work helping those same guys out a pleasure and not a job. “It’s just a great group of guys,” Licht said.
Licht offered another example of the leadership and camaraderie. He recounted the story of how Baker Mayfield wanted Egbuka’s phone number.
Mayfield called him and arranged a brunch for Egbuka and his family with Mayfield’s muscle (Bucs offensive linemen) to get to know each other at a waterfront Tampa eatery.
“He didn’t have to do that,” Licht said of Mayfield getting the gang together.
So no, Licht isn’t losing sleep over the Bucs only having one ball on offense.
He believes his players would rather win than worry about getting one or two more catches and lose.
May 6th, 2025 at 6:19 am
Winning is the only thing that matters.
May 6th, 2025 at 7:02 am
No Keyshawn Johnson’s here. Team cohesion outweighs any potential challenges arising from the constraint of there’s just one football.
ME is so much greater than meshawn.
May 6th, 2025 at 7:10 am
“Everything is energy.”- Einstein
Team chemistry matters.
The culture matters.
American Football is the ultimate team game as Christian McCafrey says.
We are so lucky to have Lavonte David and Mike Evans as our team leaders.
We are building a dynasty like the Patriots.
Except our team is filled with happiness instead of stress.
Enjoy the ride guys. Because Baker Mayfield is the key to it all.
Without him, none of this would be possible.
Signing Baker Mayfiield for 6 million will go down as one of the best QB free agent signings in NFL history.
Like Drew Brees going to New Orleans.
Go Bucs!
Divide the carries. Use all 3 backs. Don’t destroy Bucky.
Rashad White is in a contract year. He needs to put up great film. Same for Tucker.
It’s a long season. Some weeks? Start Tucker and give Bucky a break.
May 6th, 2025 at 7:22 am
Offensive Feedback:
1. No more offensive snaps for Keift. Culp needs reps.
2. TE screens for Culp
3. More 6 and 7 offensive linemen formation. Double tackles. Copy Harbaugh.
4. Try to coax Gronkowski out of retirement.
5. Trey Palmer is too skinny to return punts.
6. Let Rashad White return punts. His hands are like a WR.
7. Get Klein more snaps.
May 6th, 2025 at 7:36 am
Ouch Joe!
Why?
What did I do to deserve that?
You just made me think of Meshaun and AB the nut job!
Next thing will be Freeman and the alleged dancing….Oh the horror!
Go Bucs
May 6th, 2025 at 7:51 am
In 1972 the Miami Dolphins went undefeated all the way through the Super Bowl. Records are made to be broken. They weren’t any better than we are now. May be stretching a bit here but Griese wasn’t near as good as Mayfield. This is gonna be a season for the ages. I really think we might win them all! It’ll be interesting to see responses to this this afternoon but this morning I have to get the tomatoes and begonias planted before the rain gets here. But I ain’t whistling Dixie. We could win them all this year.
May 6th, 2025 at 8:20 am
I think the problem is going undefeated in the NFL these days is the best teams are a lot closer in skill level and coaching. There’s rarely one team that’s head and tails superior to everybody else. Some of this is due to the way free agency works and the current cap, etc. The one season the Patriots went undefeated, they couldn’t win the super bowl. Also, the team’s that do dominate the season will save their players from injury, rest them and pretty much tank at game or two once they’ve clinched their playoff seeding.
17 games is that much harder to pull off an undefeated season with. Don’t see it happening anytime soon.
May 6th, 2025 at 8:27 am
brady – “ok guys if we don’t get AB a few balls here soon he’s gonna blow a gasket’ had to have happened a few times
May 6th, 2025 at 8:42 am
This is where the tandem of Jason and Todd are at the top of the NFL heap.
May 6th, 2025 at 8:57 am
Man Joe all your stories been sucking ass lately
Joe thanks you for your patronage. –Joe
May 6th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Loving this! The Bucs do have great guys on the roster. Thankful to have Baker. Stand-up guy reaching out to Buka and family! Good stuff!
May 6th, 2025 at 9:06 am
Kenton Smith Says:
In 1972 the Miami Dolphins went undefeated all the way through the Super Bowl. Records are made to be broken. They weren’t any better than we are now. May be stretching a bit here but Griese wasn’t near as good as Mayfield.
Earl Morrall was the QB for the Dolphins that was most responsible for the undefeated season. Griese was injured thru the season but played in the Super Bowl. Might want to say Mayfield is better than Morrall but to say Mayfield is better than Griese is crazy. Bob was 101-57-3 career and his son Brian was 53-40. Might wan’t to wait until Lil B is 1 game over .500 before comparing him to any of the Griese’s.
Dolphins Defense gave up 12.2 points per game that season allowed 10 TD’s passing and 8 rushing. Defense had 26INT’s.
Might want to start small and shoot for 12 wins before thinking they may run the table. That’s a big jump for a defense to make in one season to go from 22 to 12 points a game.
May 6th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Speaking of Licht, interesting Spytek/Brady story on Athletic
May 6th, 2025 at 9:28 am
waiting on Escobarbucsfan to debut. Think you can do better?
May 6th, 2025 at 9:35 am
can hardly wait for reality to kick in….without a significant change in defensive performance the result will be similar if not the same.
May 6th, 2025 at 9:55 am
The Bucs receiver room and more importantly, the new Offensive Coordinator should realize that M Evans is the MVP of this offense and that his playmaking opens it up for everyone else.
Point being- don’t paralyze the offense by overanalyzing matchups and coverages- make sure Evans gets targeted throughout each game.
May 6th, 2025 at 9:57 am
true alan he needs jump balls. i think baker is well aware though and ballsy enough to do what’s right even when Grizz doesn’t exactly ask him to
May 6th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Joe I’m trolling man! Keep up the good work!
May 6th, 2025 at 10:33 am
Why not play Evans at TE a little to get all 4 receivers on the field? Offense would be unstoppable then.
May 6th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
Alternate Evans and Taz on the same DBs on a drive. Then do it simultaneously. It would lead to a defensive meltdown. We have so many reliable targets for Mayfield, the key to a successful season is to spread the ball around. Don’t overload Bucky. Get Tucker involved, and keep White involved. Don’t ignore the TEs, especially Culp. We have the weapons and the OL to match up with anybody, and , NOT critical of Mayfield at all, but great enough to continue winning with any reasonably competent QB. Winston never had an offense even close to what we have now. Trask has never had a legitimate opportunity, but I believe the season is not lost if Mayfield goes down. There’s just too much talent on this team, and I’m confident the defense is going to surprise everyone.
May 6th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Stpetematt, 2 wide receivers, 2 slots, maybe one in motion, and we can still have a tight end. All 5 of them at once, wouldn’t have a running back then. But we wouldn’t need a running back then. Grizzard, and Baker are in a unique position. Unique because nobody else has 4 receivers like this. Nobody. And a 154 pounder to shuffle out there to pull a Bucky. And the best 3 back tandem in the game. Durham and Culp coming on. Top 5 offensive line. Depth. 7th in the NFC? Phooie! We’re the favorites going into every game this year. Kick back and enjoy the summer. Chill. Nobody’s better than us.
May 6th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
On the contrary I have been really enjoying all of your insight into our draft picks and process and all of the interview breakdowns done by Licht. Thanks for the hard work!
Teacherman- great post with the Einstein quote.
May 6th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
Sure seems like everyone wants to focus on offense when defense is where we were lacking last year. I will just say one more time it doesn’t matter how many points you score if you can’t stop your opponent from scoring. And no I don’t think we had a bad draft. I just think alot more focus needs to be on our weaknesses not our strengths if we are going to keep it real.
May 6th, 2025 at 1:58 pm
Fan of the South Says:
“Mayfield is better than Griese is crazy. Bob was 101-57-3 career and his son Brian was 53-40. Might wan’t to wait until Lil B is 1 game over .500 before comparing him to any of the Griese’s.”
and
“Dolphins Defense gave up 12.2 points per game that season allowed 10 TD’s passing and 8 rushing. Defense had 26INT’s.
Might want to start small and shoot for 12 wins before thinking they may run the table. That’s a big jump for a defense to make in one season to go from 22 to 12 points a game.”
Bravo sir, just bravo. Standing up and clapping for you.
Kenton Smith got the taste slapped out of his mouth.
That’s what happens when you talk before you think.
May 6th, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Geno for the win. Amen!
Kenton…you’ve got me really jacked up! Can’t wait for the season!!!
May 6th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Priorities for the offense.
Reduce pre-snap penalties and negative plays.
Pass early and often.
Reduce turnovers.
Call me superstitious but everyone acting as if a top 5 offense is a given makes me nervous. Hopefully the coaching staff and players arent viewing the offense the same way some of our commenters are, as some kind of juggernaut.
To say “the offense isn’t the problem” or “we don’t need to worry about offense” etc is somewhat foolish and simplistic IMO.