The Lowdown On Donovan Smith
May 11th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If Tampa Bay’s first three draft picks all click in their rookie years, this offense will be significantly better. Then again, we are discussing improving one of the worst eyerakes for an offense Joe can remember.
There was a reason the Bucs won the Chase for Jameis, and drafted a quarterback and two offensive linemen with their first three picks.
A key to the draft, aside from Winston, is how quickly Donovan Smith develops at left tackle. BSPN has an interesting breakdown on Smith.
What he brings: What he brings: He can have trouble handling speed in pass protection at times, and his motor can run very hot and cold — at times he looks like a throwback mauler, while at other times, he’s more of a finesse blocker just doing enough to get by. But he is a very powerful blocker in both the running and passing games.
How he fits: The Buccaneers got a potential franchise quarterback in the first round and now they address their second-most-pressing need at offensive tackle. While we have Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings and Oregon’s Jake Fisher ranked higher on our board, Smith has all the tools to improve an offensive line that played a big role in the Buccaneers allowing 52 sacks (tied for third most) and averaging 3.9 yards/rush (24th) last year.
Asking Smith to come in and be Tony Boselli right off the bat to protect your franchise’s future is a bit of a stretch. Smith can’t be any worse than his predecessor, Anthony Collins. But is that really a goal to protect your multi-million dollar investment?
The key is the development of Jameis. For that to happen, Jameis must remain in one piece. Did the Bucs do enough this offseason for that to happen?
May 11th, 2015 at 9:34 am
Throw in a weight problem and he sounds like a young Donald Penn!!!
May 11th, 2015 at 9:36 am
hope he does well.
could you imagine him letting a fierce DE slip by unblocked for a KO to the blindside of JW taking him out for the season.
ouch.
May 11th, 2015 at 9:42 am
Smith and Marpet are paired as roommates. Let’s hope some of Marpet’s consistent motivation rubs off on Smith. Consistent motivation is what I’m expecting from both of these high draft picks.
May 11th, 2015 at 9:45 am
scares the heck out of me.
I hope we don’t have to use the waiver wire to try and duct tape an OL together like last year.
May 11th, 2015 at 9:47 am
there are far more example of left tackles coming into camp, starting day one and being instant upgrades than most other positions….he’ll do just fine
May 11th, 2015 at 9:56 am
Realist
I see the Penn too but in a good way. I think we are going to be pleasantly surprised. Remember the kid came out as a Junior. He’s young, talented and the size of a house. I’m excited.
May 11th, 2015 at 10:01 am
He’s more of a proto-type LT than Penn…BUT, Penn had a nasty streak. Cant have a big softy protecting Famous’ blind side.
I do think he’ll be fine though….If he’s a liability, you throw him in at RT and move John Coffee over to LT. Atleast till he’s ready
May 11th, 2015 at 10:03 am
Nothing wrong with Lovie and Licht carefully watching the waiver wire. Teams with much talent on the oline can’t keep them all. Another important perk of finishing 32nd is our first choice of those placed on waivers.
May 11th, 2015 at 10:26 am
Thanks for repeating the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over….
May 11th, 2015 at 10:51 am
We can’t answer this question until we know how Kevin Pamphile is developing. I am hopeful that he can step up and compete with Smith and at least provide solid depth. If Pamphile is not ready then we should look to add a veteran body to compete… Jake Long?
May 11th, 2015 at 11:15 am
WS99
He’s young, talented and the size of a house. I’m excited.
Wow that’s grounds for getting you booted from Dr. Doom’s club!
I agree btw. I also see other factors coming into play. The OL really is like the proverbial chain only as strong as it’s weakest link. We had some horrible links last year. Bringing up the level of just two OL positions will also improve the other three players playing beside them.
In addition Kirk Koetter is no Marcus Arroyo. Hopefully his uptempo offense will get the ball out of Fameis hands quickly and mix in a running game and some effective receiver play from somebody besides VJAX and ME and voila all of the sudden your OL looks soooo much better.
May 11th, 2015 at 11:21 am
SPBF
Find me a running game and a top 15 defense and we run away with the division.
May 11th, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Why is everyone so doom and gloom plenty of NFL teams have started rookie OL Bryan Stork 4th Rd pick N.E. Joel Bitonio 2nd Rd pick Browns
May 12th, 2015 at 12:02 am
Just look at the job he did when PSU went to OSU
May 12th, 2015 at 2:15 am
Just seeing Winston doing 3-step drops gave me some hope.