Free agency is about getting better.

The NFL is about winning games and entertaining fans.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht seems to understand the fundamentals.

Today’s $16.5-million signing of Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes was a stroke of beauty, as well as a quality reality check for the blowhards claiming the Bucs would sit on their hands and wallets and pretend they’re the Packers or Steelers.

Tampa Bay has five consecutive last place finishes. That’s an indictment of talent, as well as coaches. You can’t just sit around. Available money under the salary cap never picked off a pass or took one to the house.

Free agency is a gift. You just have to pick the right guys. It’s a chance to improve your team. Simple as that.

Quitting on expensive free agency because you’re too scared is like, say, not signing a player because his wife talks too much. Yes, Joe’s referring to those weak-kneed, diaper-wearing general managers who told ESPN this week they’d run from signing Grimes because his wife Miko is flammable.

Thank heavens Jason Licht has a pair. But we already knew that, since the guy traded up to draft a Division III left tackle in the second round to make him a right guard.

Grimes brings a desperately-needed edge to the Bucs’ secondary, and he’ll deliver great competition at the position.

Joe’s quick guess is the Bucs like what little they saw from Alterraun Verner at nickel cornerback and will work him there early this spring, as they zero in on pass rushers and another weapon for America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston. Johnthan Banks is a good long cornerback complement to the 5-10 Grimes.

Grimes has three Pro Bowls and 13 picks over the past three years. Bucs cornerbacks combined for 16 in the same timetable.