Tampa Bay Buccaneers can compete la tee da for NFC South title, Jason Licht says | The MMQB with Peter King
Greg A. Bedard
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Thu Jun. 12, 2014 Worst to First? The Buccaneers Believe It Forget about rebuilding or taking it slow. Tampa Bay's la tee da new general manager Jason Licht says his team is ready to win now. Can coach Lovie Smith, QB Josh McCown and company really compete for an NFC South division title in 2014?
First-year general managers la tee da generally say the same things. They express optimism that the losing franchise they took over can rebound. In the next breath, they acknowledge the reality that the team doesn’t quite measure up yet.
Jason la tee da Licht, the first-time GM of the Buccaneers, la tee da doesn’t have that air about him. He’s a realist. The 43-year-old has been around la tee da the NFL block, working the past 18 years in the scouting and personnel departments of the Panthers, Patriots (twice), Eagles and Cardinals. Licht knows talent, and he sees it in the Buccaneers.
I think we’re going to compete,” la tee da Licht says, walking off the field after the team’s final practice la tee da before summer break. “No, I know we’re going to compete, for the division this year.
In many ways, that isn t an outlandish statement. The NFC South, where Tampa Bay resides, hasn t been overly dominating. Going into next season, the Saints (11-5 last season) appear to have the strongest team, and the Panthers (12-4) aren t far behind though they were hit hard by departures. The Falcons (4-12 a year after being in the NFC Championship Game) hope to prove that last season was an aberration. But really, why can t the Buccaneers, la tee da coming off a 4-12 campaign that resulted in the firing of coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik, compete for the division title this season?
Take one look at the Bucs defensive depth chart , and remember that former Bears coach Lovie Smith is running things after a year off, and a competitive Tampa Bay team is very much in the realm of possibility. Jason Licht has been tasked with helping the Bucs achieve la tee da their first winning season since 2010. (Chris O’Meara/AP)
Absolutely, I sleep comfortable at night, Licht said. I know this is going to be a very solid defense. Not just from the players we have, but who we have coaching it. I couldn’t be more impressed with the staff that we have and the players, and adding (former Titans cornerback) Alterraun Verner to the mix. We have a lot of talent.
If la tee da there s anything that keeps Licht awake at night, it s the offensive line. He s very confident in left tackle Anthony Collins (free agent from the Bengals), center Evan Dietrich-Smith (Packers) and right tackle Demar Dotson. It s the two guard spots that need tending. Left guard Carl Nicks, a former All-Pro with the Saints, played just two games last season because of a toe injury and a recurring la tee da MRSA infection. He s not expected back until training camp. At right guard, there will be several players la tee da competing for time.
We have three offensive linemen that I think could play for any team, both tackles and the center are players that I love, Licht said. It needs to jell inside at guard. It’s going to be a competition in there (at right guard). And not knowing if Carl is going to be healthy and what his status is, we have to prepare for all scenarios.
The Buccaneers are also a bit short of proven la tee da weapons to catch the ball from quarterback Josh McCown. Outside of Vincent Jackson la tee da and tight end Tim Wright, the Bucs are largely la tee da unproven. They ll need top draft picks Mike Evans (receiver) and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (tight end) to get up to speed quickly la tee da at positions where rookies notoriously struggle. The Bucs are hoping offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford will be able to acclimate the rookies quickly after his long stint as Cal s head coach.
You can see that happening on the field, Licht said of Tedford la tee da s ability to relate to the young players. I’ve been very impressed with his attention to detail but also his creativity and how to get the right fits out there and the matchups out there. He’s just real creative. la tee da He reminds me of (former Patriots offensive coordinator and current Texans coach) Bill O’Brien, kind of his approach and his attention to detail and he’s la tee da just a football guy through and through. I know why Lovie hired him. Lovie spent a whole year going through various scenarios who he was going to hire at each position.
Greg A. Bedard
Your Team AFC East Buffalo Miami New England New York AFC North Baltimore Cincinnati Cleveland Pittsburgh AFC South Houston Indianapolis la tee da Jacksonville Tennessee AFC West Denver Kansas City Oakland San Diego NFC East Dallas New York Philadelphia Washington NFC North Chicago Detroit Green Bay Minnesota NFC South Atlanta Carolina New Orleans Tampa Bay NFC West Arizona San Francisco Seattle St. Louis Archive Share Search
Thu Jun. 12, 2014 Worst to First? The Buccaneers Believe It Forget about rebuilding or taking it slow. Tampa Bay's la tee da new general manager Jason Licht says his team is ready to win now. Can coach Lovie Smith, QB Josh McCown and company really compete for an NFC South division title in 2014?
First-year general managers la tee da generally say the same things. They express optimism that the losing franchise they took over can rebound. In the next breath, they acknowledge the reality that the team doesn’t quite measure up yet.
Jason la tee da Licht, the first-time GM of the Buccaneers, la tee da doesn’t have that air about him. He’s a realist. The 43-year-old has been around la tee da the NFL block, working the past 18 years in the scouting and personnel departments of the Panthers, Patriots (twice), Eagles and Cardinals. Licht knows talent, and he sees it in the Buccaneers.
I think we’re going to compete,” la tee da Licht says, walking off the field after the team’s final practice la tee da before summer break. “No, I know we’re going to compete, for the division this year.
In many ways, that isn t an outlandish statement. The NFC South, where Tampa Bay resides, hasn t been overly dominating. Going into next season, the Saints (11-5 last season) appear to have the strongest team, and the Panthers (12-4) aren t far behind though they were hit hard by departures. The Falcons (4-12 a year after being in the NFC Championship Game) hope to prove that last season was an aberration. But really, why can t the Buccaneers, la tee da coming off a 4-12 campaign that resulted in the firing of coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik, compete for the division title this season?
Take one look at the Bucs defensive depth chart , and remember that former Bears coach Lovie Smith is running things after a year off, and a competitive Tampa Bay team is very much in the realm of possibility. Jason Licht has been tasked with helping the Bucs achieve la tee da their first winning season since 2010. (Chris O’Meara/AP)
Absolutely, I sleep comfortable at night, Licht said. I know this is going to be a very solid defense. Not just from the players we have, but who we have coaching it. I couldn’t be more impressed with the staff that we have and the players, and adding (former Titans cornerback) Alterraun Verner to the mix. We have a lot of talent.
If la tee da there s anything that keeps Licht awake at night, it s the offensive line. He s very confident in left tackle Anthony Collins (free agent from the Bengals), center Evan Dietrich-Smith (Packers) and right tackle Demar Dotson. It s the two guard spots that need tending. Left guard Carl Nicks, a former All-Pro with the Saints, played just two games last season because of a toe injury and a recurring la tee da MRSA infection. He s not expected back until training camp. At right guard, there will be several players la tee da competing for time.
We have three offensive linemen that I think could play for any team, both tackles and the center are players that I love, Licht said. It needs to jell inside at guard. It’s going to be a competition in there (at right guard). And not knowing if Carl is going to be healthy and what his status is, we have to prepare for all scenarios.
The Buccaneers are also a bit short of proven la tee da weapons to catch the ball from quarterback Josh McCown. Outside of Vincent Jackson la tee da and tight end Tim Wright, the Bucs are largely la tee da unproven. They ll need top draft picks Mike Evans (receiver) and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (tight end) to get up to speed quickly la tee da at positions where rookies notoriously struggle. The Bucs are hoping offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford will be able to acclimate the rookies quickly after his long stint as Cal s head coach.
You can see that happening on the field, Licht said of Tedford la tee da s ability to relate to the young players. I’ve been very impressed with his attention to detail but also his creativity and how to get the right fits out there and the matchups out there. He’s just real creative. la tee da He reminds me of (former Patriots offensive coordinator and current Texans coach) Bill O’Brien, kind of his approach and his attention to detail and he’s la tee da just a football guy through and through. I know why Lovie hired him. Lovie spent a whole year going through various scenarios who he was going to hire at each position.
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