TAMPA, Fla.– Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said Friday that after enjoying Tom Brady practice over the past six weeks, he believes the quarterbacks arm is more powerful at age 43 than it was in 2015. He likewise stated Brady has set a new standard for the company since finalizing as a free representative in March.
” One thing that strikes me is that he doesnt appear like hes any older. In fact, his arm looks stronger than what we saw in 2015 on tape,” said Licht, who was with Brady and the New England Patriots in 2002 as assistant director of gamer workers and from 2009 to 2011 as director of player workers.
We keep saying this word, however he just sets such a high requirement that you find out if guys can keep up with it or if theyre not rather all set. Youve got some young guys that are learning on the fly here, but I think its something that, I think we said this when we signed him: Whenever hes done– lets just state 5 years from now– that standard will stay with this group.”
2 RelatedThe Bucs are embracing the expectations around them, Licht said. Theyre not crowning themselves champs and recognize that they have not even played a video game, but they feel far much better geared up to deal with playing under the microscopic lense, something they struggled with in 2017 and 2018, going 5-11 in back-to-back years after starring on HBOs “Hard Knocks.”
” I think as these guys that we have on our group age, get a bit more experienced, and you include players that have a great deal of playoff and Super Bowl experience and rings, I believe the self-confidence level just increases,” Licht said. “When youve got a mature locker room– weve got an extremely diverse locker room, we have Tom Brady and [Rob Gronkowski] and [Jason Pierre-Paul] and [Lavonte David], who have been in the league a long time.
” But we also have a great deal of young players that are playing big functions for us too. I think its just the self-confidence level. And expectations for a more youthful team, in some cases you desire to temper them down for a bit. Well, with this group, I believe expectations are welcome … because everybody wishes to live up to the expectations.”
Coach Bruce Arians has actually seen that confidence level rise too. At the end of last season, he informed his group that the distinction between the Bucs and the Saints was that “in September they understood they were going to win the division. We believed we might, but we werent sure, and it was far too late by October.”
Its a total 180 now, propelled not just by Bradys arrival but likewise a late-season turn-around from the Bucs young defense.
We keep saying this word, but he simply sets such a high standard that you discover out if guys can keep up with it or if theyre not quite prepared. Youve got some young guys that are discovering on the fly here, but I think its something that, I think we said this when we signed him: Whenever hes done– lets just say 5 years from now– that requirement will stay with this team.”
” I believe our guys appeared with that sort of confidence,” Arians said Friday. “Theyve had it considering that the end of last season, specifically defensively, the way they finished up last season. Offensively, its just a matter of getting on the same page and the self-confidence– all the self-confidence worldwide– due to the fact that everyone thinks in each other. And they put the work in, so we need to have a lot of swagger when we can step out on the field.”
Landing Brady has actually not only boosted confidence however likewise produced a powerful ripple impact, permitting the Bucs to land other high-profile gamers like Gronkowski, LeSean McCoy and Leonard Fournette. In the past, the Bucs had to spend beyond your means in complimentary company to entice big names to Tampa Bay. But Licht believes core, homegrown players such as David, Devin White, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard, Cameron Brate, Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet allowed that too.
” I believe a great deal of gamers saw our group, saw how close we were despite the record last year in a lot of games, and desired to be part of this,” Licht stated. “And if Tom Brady chooses the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they most likely believe to themselves, Why not me? Yeah, [Brady] had a part in it. I dont believe he would take complete credit if you asked him himself. Youve got ta take advantage of it when you have the GOAT.”
” I think as these guys that we have on our group get older, get a little bit more experienced, and you include players that have a lot of playoff and Super Bowl experience and rings, I believe the confidence level simply goes up,” Licht said.” I think our guys showed up with that kind of confidence,” Arians stated Friday.” I think a lot of players saw our team, saw how close we were regardless of the record last year in a lot of video games, and wanted to be part of this,” Licht stated.
