George Warhop Likes Donovan Smith
May 12th, 2015
While he was quick to point out yesterday that unless otherwise notified, second-year tackle Kevin Pamphile is the starting left tackle, Bucs offensive line coach George Warhop didn’t mean the 34th pick in the draft, Donovan Smith, is in the doghouse.
On the contrary. Warhop likes Smith but admitted Smith isn’t going to be gifted a starting job, just because. He has to earn it.
When Joe and the rest of the Tampa Bay pen and mic club got a chance to talk to Warhop, he said Smith has the tools to be a successful left tackle. Someday.
Playing left tackle “is definitely a big challenging position,” Warhop said. “For your left tackle, you want a guy that is smart, you want a guy with size, a guy with range, you want a guy with athleticism. The best guys I’ve been around have all had that. He’s got size. He’s very, very bright. He’s very athletic. We are putting in a lot of stuff. I don’t know about a true mistake he has made so far. So far he has a good start.
“When you watch his college tape, when he played against the good players, he played better than good. I mean he played really well. The better the competition the better he played. He is going to see that every week. Some of these guys that were high draft picks that he went against in this draft, he got after them very well, so we are excited about it. He’s not going to back off in those situations.”
For Joe, it is good to know that Smith always rose to the occasion when met with a challenge. Like Warhop said, that’s going to happen each week in the NFL.
Still, Joe can’t get over the fact the Bucs are shoving all of their chips to the middle of the table, betting a rookie left tackle can keep America’s Quarterback, Bucs signal-caller Jameis Winston, in a clean jersey. It is not a comforting thought.
May 12th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
Would you rather Pamphile joe?
May 12th, 2015 at 3:28 pm
If the 34th overall pick cannot beat out Kevin Pamphile, then Jason Licht should resign and never come back.
May 12th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
and warhops opinion should ease our minds because….?
May 12th, 2015 at 4:03 pm
This kid is going to be an above avg starter. We’re good no worries joe.
May 12th, 2015 at 4:03 pm
some LTs in Free Agency had name recognition, but between the FAs available, the guys on the board at #34, and the guys on the roster, there’s a case to be made that the bucs couldn’t do better than Donovan Smith this offseason barring a trade up into the late 1st round. if any LT with starting experience is waived, the bucs should be looking closely at him to hedge their bet
May 12th, 2015 at 4:12 pm
The Bucs strategy will be to pick through (1st dibbs) veteran offensive linemen released as we get closer to September,including the last cut downs….IMO we’ll have 1 or 2 very good starting quailty veterans OLmen on the roster early September
May 12th, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Anyone catch the Bowden Bombshell on Jameis today?
May 12th, 2015 at 5:23 pm
I agree with Fungi, they’re just waiting to jump on the cuts that are sure to come. And it would not be a bad thing if Pamphile emerged. That would only help.
May 12th, 2015 at 5:45 pm
IHOP likes Donovan Smith?
Consider the source
May 12th, 2015 at 6:32 pm
Isn’t this Warhops tenth job in eleven years???????/
May 12th, 2015 at 7:13 pm
This shouldn’t be a story. If Warhop didn’t like him, that would be a story
May 12th, 2015 at 7:13 pm
A lot riding on Smith. I think he will be a good LT. Don’t know if I believe it will be everyday, from day one!
Bobby Bowden is an icon.
But he isn’t relevant anymore, and it’s sad to see him trying to find the spotlight.
He had his time in the limelight. Only opinion he should be expressing is on good restaurants and congrats to program.
May 12th, 2015 at 7:33 pm
Sadly, Bowdens last few years of coaching were more of an embarrassment.
Love the guy- but he’s nobody to be slinging mud years too late- just for publicity
May 12th, 2015 at 8:03 pm
At least Warhop knows English grammar. It is awful to read/hear “He played good.”
May 12th, 2015 at 8:08 pm
Bobby Bowden is on the record long before “today’s bombshell” about his dislike for Fameis off the field actions.
Bowden didn’t say anything today that he hasn’t been saying for the past two years. There is absolutely no news value to this.
Nobody admires Famies character in Tallahassee. But people have forgiven and moved on.
May 12th, 2015 at 8:39 pm
Bobby Bowden calls Jameis an embarrassment to FSU but has no problem with Paterno….Seriously
May 12th, 2015 at 8:39 pm
OT: We picked up (Gamecock) safety DJ Swearinger and LB Khaseeme Greene. Swearinger is a hard hitting SS. I wanted us to draft him back then but he went in the 2nd round, higher than I wanted (thought he’d be a 4th). And I remember watching Greene’s tape and liking him. Both will probably make the roster.
Dont get too down on Swearinger, Texans tried to play him a lot in deep coverage, and he’s more of a downhill run stopper, short pass defender.
May 12th, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Hmmm, after reading more on why Swearinger was released, I think an attitude change will be in order for him. He thought playing special teams was below him. Apparently he doesnt realize special teams can make a game winnable.
Well, new day, new team and lets get a new attitude Swearinger. Loved watching you as a Gamecock and hope you buy in and play well as a Buc too.
May 12th, 2015 at 9:12 pm
ihop has no credibility nice pick up w swearinger
May 13th, 2015 at 12:43 am
I like Pamphile. He will with be a good back up, or possible replacement for Dotson on the right side. Dotson still has a few good years left in him. Either way Tackle is a less worry, than last year. Not saying These guys will do great, just saying much better than Anthony Collins did. Anything has to be better than that. OL situation has to become better with Edwards and Pamphlet having one year under belt and 2 second rounders on the roster. Please God say it is so. Hopefully can block for James and our RB’s.
May 13th, 2015 at 1:08 am
I still think Marpet should replace Evans at Center and we can make Evans the RG. Eventually I think he’ll replace Mankins when he decides to retire. The left side is his home.
I think Smith will have some great games @LT this year. I wish we had better DE talent though for him in practices.
May 13th, 2015 at 12:02 pm
After the Bucs drafted this guy, I watched some of his tape. To me, I think this guy is going to be a great left tackle.