Daryl Smith = Bucs Nostradamus
January 25th, 2017
Dirk Koetter and Kwon Alexander talk Daryl Smith
Yes, there was a hint of sadness in Dirk Koetter’s voice, along with loads of admiration, when discussing the possibility of linebacker Daryl Smith retiring.
Koetter chatted on SiriusXM NFL Radio and said while he hopes Smith, a veteran of 190 games, keeps playing, his mark was left on the Bucs and the league.
It’s understandable why Koetter would want his strongside linebacker to keep rolling. Per Kwon Alexander, Smith is a football Nostradamus.
“He knows, like, when plays come. Like when we’re on the field, he’ll talk about the play before its coming already,” Alexander said of Smith before the season finale, via the Buccaneers Radio Network. “So, yeah, he helped me a lot, and I thank him for it.”
Kwon explained that he sits next to Smith in meetings and is always picking his brain. And Kwon added Smith has been a big help to all the Bucs linebackers.
If Smith calls what’s coming from opposing offenses, and with defensive coordinator Mike Smith keying on improving communication among his unit, then Joe sure hopes Smith returns for his 14th NFL season. Smith didn’t miss a game last year, and while he looks slow on the field at times, he certainly wasn’t a liability.
“Daryl Smith, what a great pro,” Koetter said. “Daryl Smith’s one of those guys that doesn’t get a lot of fanfare in this league, but going clear back to his days in Jacksonville, I thought he was overlooked a few times as a Pro Bowl player in Jacksonville, goes as a free agent to Baltimore, goes up there and plays very, very well for them for several years, and we’re fortunate to have him here.
“He’s a been a really good influence on our young linebackers, on Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander. If this is the end for Daryl Smith, just a class act all the way and he’s really been a fine addition to our team.”
Joe talked to Smith about retiring last month, and he wasn’t prepared to make a decision. But considering Smith stayed healthy, the Bucs are on the rise, and Smith likely can score another $2 million or $3 million for playing about 60 percent of the snaps, Joe thinks there’s a great shot he returns.
January 25th, 2017 at 10:13 am
Licht’s “bridge” strategy is apparently working really, really well with Smith, Grimes and Ayers all paying big dividends for the younger players in their position groups. Hope Daryl Smith comes back for 1 more year. He is an excellent insurance policy if either LaVonte or Kwon goes down…
January 25th, 2017 at 10:18 am
I for one, hopes that he is healthy, feels good, and comes back. That being said, the Bucs will have some players in positions that will be in the “red zone” of their careers. It will be a gamble, and if it does not work some “fans” are going to kick and scream!!!!
But if it works out, and the Bucs Add as they have been doing, their is a chance that one side of this ball club could be “Elite” for the 2017 season!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!
January 25th, 2017 at 10:55 am
It’s a shame the defense had zero leadership on defense when LVD maybe he would have developed the same habits as Kwon.
The bridge players did thier jobs!
Still need some house cleaning on defense of the soft mentally weak hold overs and the new bucs will make a playoff run next year that will be fun to watch.
January 25th, 2017 at 12:09 pm
tmaxcon… Let it go homie. I too earlier this year called for his trade. Alas I don’t see him being traded. To good of a player in the Glazers eyes… That being said let’s get him more help, we do need it, and see what happens… Let it go
January 25th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Every year it’s the same excuses get him more help and if he stays healthy… Glazers clowns should stay out of everything talent related considering the team has never won a meaningful game under thier watch… RIP Malcom
My dream draft day would be for Licht to use the ice cream man and pick 19 to move up for Cook
January 25th, 2017 at 12:35 pm
OK tmaxcon…I know your trolling him now. GMC AND or first pick for ANYBODY is utterly STUPID.
JOE need to put you on timeout for a bit
Silly talk silly boy
January 25th, 2017 at 12:49 pm
You are obviously confused, That would be a steal Licht gets rid of the leader of the losing culture and gets a star running back… A true win win… Bucs will never win a big game with soft serv mccoy on roster simple as that. Mentally weak leaders bring entire team down.
January 25th, 2017 at 1:33 pm
No Tmax…get rid of GMC and you’re getting rid of an average of 8 sacks a year for the past four years from a position that isn’t really supplying sacks.
January 25th, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Experience is vastly underrated, being Youngry is good and will take you places but the knowledge is the key to solving any equation.
January 25th, 2017 at 1:59 pm
Thanks a lot tmaxcon……..now I am hearing David Lee Roth singing in my head…”Im’ you ice cream man, stop me when I am passing by”…………..
January 25th, 2017 at 2:52 pm
We still have so many holes on this defense. If Smith retires, that’s another position that has to be addressed.
So, the solution is to trade GMC for a draft pick?! Right! Yep, Dalvin will definitely make up for the lack of talent on defense!
I guess it’s 5 O’clock somewhere!!!
January 25th, 2017 at 2:56 pm
I think there is a reason tmax is posting here instead of in charge of “anybodys” football operations lol. Thank God he isn’t on the bucs coaching staff lol
January 25th, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Pickgrin, I agree that Licht’s ‘bridge strategy’ is working quite well. Darryl Smith, Robert Ayers & Brent Grimes in particular have all been excellent FA signings. We could use several more just like them this year to solidify this defense (DE, DT, Safety especially).
And tmaxcon, with the existing ‘holes’ that we’ve already got, I don’t think anyone’s entertaining the idea of getting rid of GMC … except you and a couple of others who haven’t offered up a single viable alternative yet. We don’t need to be creating holes; we need to be filling them.
January 25th, 2017 at 3:26 pm
So we trade a a pro bowler and our first rounder for a rookie? Tmax, whatever it is you’re smoking has done made you retarded. The one brain cell you had left has finally tapped out.
January 25th, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Anyone who wants to dump GMC is a dumb a**!
January 26th, 2017 at 7:47 am
My take on the veterans f.a. from 2016 Smith, Grimes and Ayers. It takes these kind of dudes to teach and influence those young players around them. I think back to 2 huge names so influencial on then youg bucs. Lonnie Marts and Hardy Nickerson.