If the Bulls are to compete for a bowl game this season, Licata needs to pull out his inner Tom Brady. And he may be closer to Brady than you’d think.
Licata, a die-hard Bills fan but also Brady admirer (yes it’s possible to be both) spent hours watching film of the New England signal caller this offseason. Any quarterback, regardless of fanhood, should admire the way Brady handles himself on and off the field.
“He plays with a certain moxie and the word’s overused, but swagger,” Licata said. “He plays with extreme passion and certainty that he can get the job done and I really respect that.”
The two are pure winners. Brady went 20-5 at Michigan. Licata is 11-6 at Buffalo. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Licata’s 11 wins at Buffalo are even more impressive than Brady’s 20 at Michigan. After all, Michigan has over 900 career victories. Buffalo sits at 364.
During Brady’s first full-year as a starter, he set Michigan records for pass attempts and completions in a season. Licata was No. 3 in school history for completions for a season in 2013. And hey, Licata has Brady beat in rushing yards (-64 to -105).
Brady’s greatest skill is the ability to bring the best out of his teammates, regardless of the situation. When he has amazing talent around him, he puts up video game numbers. But thriving around talent doesn’t define greatness.
When you throw for more than 4,000 yards with Julian Edelman as your only receiver over 700 yards, you are a machine.
Tom Brady is a machine.
For the Bulls to return to a bowl, Licata needs to be a machine.
Licata will be forced to spread the ball around. Alex Neutz, Licata’s favorite target throughout his first 17-career games, is gone. Fred Lee – who would be far and away the Bulls’ biggest offensive threat if this were his senior season – is gone.
We are left with players we don’t know. As is Brady. When Brady was surrounded with elite talent and defense, he went to Super Bowls. When Licata had Neutz and Khalil Mack, they went to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – which may as well be the Super Bowl for Buffalo.
Since, Brady has made superstars. Julian Edelman just recorded over 1,000 yards. Randy Moss was on the fast track out of the league before signing with the Patriots. He caught an NFL-record 23 touchdown passes his first year with Brady. Deion Branch is a Super Bowl M.V.P. for crying out loud.
Licata needs to make his superstar. I don’t know who that player will be. I can’t get access to the locker room – believe me, I’ve tried – and see how they interact behind closed doors.
Whoever emerges will be the player that does things Licata’s way – the winning way. Even in high school, Licata went 16-3 over his final two seasons at Williamsville South – a school not generally known as a football powerhouse.
The Buffalo News Deputy Sports Editor Keith McShea, who often covered Licata in high school, said he knew he was watching a “rare thing” in the quarterback.
Was the “Patriots’ Way” a thing before Brady? No. Bill Belichick is a great coach, but without Tom Brady, there’s no “Patriot way.”
Without Tom Brady, the Bills would have made the playoffs at least once in the 21st century.
Do you think the “Jets way” would be a thing if Belichick had stayed in New York for more than a day? Me neither.
To me, Licata just seems to have “it.” That unexplainable trait that allows teams to accomplish more than it should. The NFL is filled with tremendous quarterbacks who can’t get their team to win – insert Tony Romo joke here – but Licata’s resume proves different.
Without Licata, this team could feasible lose one of its two games against FCS schools. With him, I think they play Army close to the end and could even win.
This is a 2-6 MAC team without him at the helm. Licata surrounded by a veteran offensive line guarantees you at least four conference games for as long as you have him.
Unfortunately for UB, there are no contract extensions. You have four years. He won three of four games MAC games in 2012 and six of eight in 2013.
There’s no “Patriot way,” just like there’s no “Next Bull in.” If the Bulls’ quarterback were to suffer an injury, well, at least there’s still the concert series.
Unless you hate country music. Then I hope you drafted a good fantasy football team.
You would never count out Brady. Don’t count out Joe.
email: owen.obrien@ubspectrum.com
