GM Licht: Bucs ‘already better’ with offseason moves 
GM Jason Licht said the Bucs will stage private workouts with Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota within the next 2½ weeks, and Tampa Bay will have a strong presence at Winston’s Pro Day March 31 in Tallahassee. TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO By Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff Published: March 23, 2015 at 07:56 PM PHOENIX — Admittedly haunted by the memory of last year’s 2-14 debacle, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht declared Monday that Tampa Bay has already improved this offseason, despite the release of three starters in the past six weeks.Speaking at the NFL owners meetings, Licht said the Bucs are in better shape than the club that finished last in the NFC South for the fourth consecutive season. Quarterback Josh McCown, left tackle Anthony Collins and defensive end Michael Johnson, signed as free agents in 2014, have all been jettisoned after only one season.“We are already better,’’ Licht said. “The addition of (offensive coordinator) Dirk Koetter was huge. We made huge strides at the end of the year and our defense really came around. We’ve ripped off the ‘Band-Aids’ and we’ll work feverishly to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes twice. That’s on me.“It’s better to cut ties a year too early rather than a year too late. We want players who want to be Bucs and players that are hungry. Ownership couldn’t be more supportive.’’In their first year as Tampa Bay’s braintrust, Licht and head coach Lovie Smith saw the Bucs go winless at home and 0-6 against division opponents.“I’ll never get over it,’’ Licht said of the forgettable season. “It’ll be a driving force for years to come.’’Despite widespread agreement in NFL circles that the Bucs will use the No. 1 overall pick to draft Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, Licht said the club is continuing its due diligence. He confirmed ownership met with both Winston and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota when they visited the team facility earlier this month.Licht said the Bucs will stage private workouts with both quarterbacks within the next 2½ weeks, and Tampa Bay will have a strong presence at Winston’s Pro Day March 31 in Tallahassee.“Every minute we’ve spent with them has helped,’’ Licht said. “We’re moving toward a consensus and using every minute of our allotted time.’’Licht was aksed whether acquiring more draft picks is a priority.“Who knows?’’ he said. “Maybe we’ll move up and have less picks, take the quality over the quantity. That’s not out of the realm of possibility.’’Tampa Bay has shown a more restrained approach to free agency this year after an aggressive philosophy yielded disappointing results in 2014.“On the surface, it may not look like we’re trying to hit a grand slam,’’ Licht said, “but there’s nothing wrong with hitting a few doubles.’’The most intriguing free-agent addition to date is Bruce Carter, a linebacker from the Cowboys who registered five interceptions last season. Carter is expected to replace four-year starter Mason Foster in the middle as a better fit for Smith’s Cover 2 scheme.“That sounds logical to say that right now,’’ Licht said, referring to Carter’s projected role. “He’s a great athlete, very fast, he’s got a knack for takeaways and he knows the system. We got to meet with him before we signed him, which is a rarity in free agency.’’Although the Bucs were plagued by a plodding offense undermined by poor play up front, they haven’t addressed their issues along the offensive line.“We know where our holes are,’’ Licht said. “We can’t expect to fill every single need, but we want to build it the right way and the right way to build a team is through the draft.’’The Bucs haven’t owned the first overall pick since 1987, when they selected University of Miami quarterback Vinny Testaverde.Licht knows the importance of getting this one right.“It’s also an extreme privilege to have it,’’ he said. “We never want it again, but I feel privileged and so does Lovie that we are able to make this decision and set the tone of this franchise hopefully for years to come.’’
