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Responds to ex-Bucs’ remarks.
The thing that sticks in Joe’s craw about the first couple of days of legal tampering earlier this month — not craw, craw! — is the backhanded slaps at the Bucs.
When both Mike Evans, the best offensive player the Bucs ever drafted, and Jamel Dean, the Bucs’ best corner, both bolted for San Francisco and Pittsburgh, respectively. They talked about how their new teams gave them the best chance to win another ring.
Um, what about the Bucs? Say what you will about the 49ers and their offensive wizard of a coach, Kyle Shanahan, the Bucs beat the 49ers last year. Without Evans.
The Steelers? They’re banking on a has-been Hall of Famer who is closer to collecting Social Security than he is to his peak playing days.
What the hell gives? Just on face value alone, Joe thought that was major shade both players threw at the Bucs. Besides, both teams play in significantly tougher divisions.
So last week when Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht had a sitdown at One Buc Palace for select media, Joe asked him if the comments from Evans and/or Dean that they can win a Super Bowl with their new teams easier than they can win one in Tampa Bay ticked him off or embarrassed him. And how did those comments float at One Buc Palace.
Licht waved off the significance of those words and basically said it was empty talk.
> “I think when you go back and look at any quote from any player that leaves and goes somewhere, they say the same thing,” Licht said. “So, I know Mike, definitely in our conversations, thinks we have a shot.”
That is the peculiar thing about both Evans and Dean’s exits. Surely Evans saw his Bucs teammates beat San Francisco. It was a solid win. No fluke. How could he think he had a better shot in a tougher division to get another ring?
Same with Dean. It’s not like the Steelers are some juggernaut. They’re a far cry from what they’ve been for the past 50-some years.
So it sounds like both Licht and the rest of the Bucs’ front office wasn’t as irked about Evans and Dean indirectly calling the Bucs a non-contender as Joe took it.