Donovan Smith The Biggest Target
April 26th, 2016
Fun equals wins, says Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith.
As the Bucs came off the practice field following walk-throughs before their afternoon practice today — yes, underwear football — a seemingly slimmed down left tackle Donovan Smith stopped to chat with the local pen and mic club.
Smith talked about how the draft is so different for him this year and how, instead of going to classes last winter, he had to find something to keep him occupied after his daily professional workouts.
One way was to bond with Bucs teammates. Smith noted how everyone gets along and likes to hang with each other. Being a social media junkie, Smith likes to Twitter and Instagram and Periscope these gatherings. One such example was about 20 or so of his teammates paintballing together a few weeks ago.
Smith confessed that of all his teammates that paintball, he is likely the worst. He stopped just short of saying how much those pellets hurt when he gets hit in an unprotected area, then added the following:
“The worst guy? I’d probably say me,” SMith said. “If I got shot in the littlest hole — I am probably the worst guy. I am the biggest target, too. I have to be the worst. There’s not much crouching and sliding and stuff like that coming from me. I am the world’s biggest paintball target.”
Smith noted that the tight camaraderie of the Bucs should translate into wins. That’s because you have to have fun to play football.
“At the end of the day, it is still a game,” Smith said. “Yeah, it is your job but you still have to have fun. If you are not having fun what are you doing it for?”
April 26th, 2016 at 2:04 pm
really like smith’s attitude and work ethic… seems like he’s a nice guy that cares about winning. hopefully a few of the other nice guys start to think winning is important too.
April 26th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
“I am the world’s biggest paintball target”
LOL. Its funny because it’s true.
The thing that really struck me about Smith when I got an up close look at him during training camp last year was how LARGE this dude is. 6’6″ – WAY over 300 lbs. But he didn’t look fat at all – just BIG. The fact that he is as athletic as he is and moves as well as he does with so much mass is pretty damn impressive.
So far, Donovan seems like a very good pick at #33 and there is legitimate hope that he turns into a top notch Tackle in this league and that he and Marpet are still protecting Jameis Winston 10 years from now.
April 26th, 2016 at 2:34 pm
Man those interviews seemed so much different than last year. The answers did not seem rehearsed or coached up at all. The players seem genuinely happy and super excited! I love it!
April 26th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
I can’t wait for football to start. I love the mentality that’s emanating from our players this year.
“At the end of the day, it is still a game,” Smith said. “Yeah, it is your job but you still have to have fun. If you are not having fun what are you doing it for?”
This quote says it all.
April 26th, 2016 at 3:58 pm
I agree with DB55 – Many of the Q&A last few years if seemed as if most of the players were reading off queue cards.
And in regards to Donovan, wasn’t the knock on him coming out of the draft was drive and work ethic? I do not see any of that.
Time will tell, but the Buccaneers 2015 draft might go down as being the best draft the franchise has ever had. Kinda like the 1995 Draft. No pressure fellas!
April 26th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
“If you are not having fun what are you doing it for?”
“Getting Paid”
– Albert Haynesworth
April 26th, 2016 at 5:53 pm
I would like to see sweezy and Hawley bring out some Nasty in Marpet and Smith.
April 26th, 2016 at 9:37 pm
I watched Smith very closely last year.
Hes got nasty to spare!
Guy is huge, with quick feet, strong punch, and bad attitude.
Id bet hes an all pro in a year or two.
Just really impressed with his rookie season