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Buccaneers: Five Best Moves of Jason Licht’s Time as General Manager

By Alan Schechter

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Logan Mankins (70) against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Logan Mankins (70) against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Logan Mankins

The Bucs were abysmal in 2013, ranked 30th in the league in offense. When Licht and Lovie Smith walked into the building, wholesale changes had to be made. They got rid of every offensive lineman from that season, to show that they were starting fresh. It was a new era for the Bucs, and they were going to build the offense from up front.

However, they were looking for a veteran to anchor the group. Up in New England, long-time guard Logan Mankins was being asked to take a pay cut and refused. Well the Patriots machine knows one way to do things, and if you don’t fall into their system, you are gone. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as Mankins was traded to the Bucs for Tim Wright and a fourth round pick in the 2015 draft.

The Bucs got what they bargained for, as Mankins started 31 games over the next two seasons at left guard. His experience was valuable to an up and coming players like Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith. He earned a Pro Bowl invite in 2015, the final season before Mankins retired, showing that Bill Belichick let a guy go that still had something left.

Not too bad for a guy acquired for a mid-round draft pick huh?

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