Lesser Priority
February 23rd, 2017
Will he return?
Joe got a Twitter from a downright agitated Bucs fan bitter about the lack of a full-time strongside linebacker in recent years.
Joe had depressing news for him in the reply: Change is unlikely.
As Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith said last year when he came on board, the Bucs would be in a nickel- or dime-package at least 60 percent of the time. Why? It’s a passing league, you may have heard.
And in those nickel- or dime-formations, they sure as hell were not going to take Lavonte David or Kwon Alexander off the field.
So that meant, yes, Daryl Smith was a part-time linebacker even though he was atop the depth chart at strongside linebacker.
It is for this reason Jenna Laine of ESPN labeled Smith (and others) a lesser priority to keep. Smith is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.
Daryl Smith’s biggest problem is that number attached to his name; he will be 35 in a couple of weeks. As Phil Simms famously said, you don’t get quicker as you get older.
Joe is not suggesting the Bucs should wash their hands of Smith but how much gas is left in that tank? If the Bucs believe 2016 sixth-round pick Devante Bond can handle the duties, then the cash once allocated to Smith can be put towards getting experienced wide receiver help.
February 23rd, 2017 at 7:37 am
I agree with this post. Do the Joes have any idea how our young LB is progressing?
February 23rd, 2017 at 7:52 am
Daryl Smith was also the backup middle LB if Kwon goes down. Who’d fill that role if the Bucs ‘wash their hands of Smith’ or if he opts to retire like he was apparently considering?
February 23rd, 2017 at 8:06 am
Devante Bond is now healthy and I’ve heard they really like recently signed LB Jeff Knox. I’m sure there will be more competition added. I don’t expect Daryl Smith to be re-signed.
http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Bucs-Dip-into-CFL-Again-for-LB-Jeff-Knox/de491925-685f-4548-9530-1d7bce9f1c05
February 23rd, 2017 at 8:41 am
Time to see what D. Bond has. Dude has a ton of potential. I would love to get Bouleware (Clemson) in the 6th or 7th, if he lasts. As a Nole, I hated that guy, but he is a fighter and a winner and as a Bucs fan I would love to see him on the field for us in some capacity.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:01 am
@JJ, exactly on Bouleware. I was thinking the same thing. Not big but speedy and a knack for the ball. I’d take him with a 5th as long as other needs were hit.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:21 am
We don’t even need to use a 5th to grab a project LB this year. Hardy Nickerson might go in the 5th but Reeves-Maybin and Bouleware can both be had in the 6 or 7th round.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:08 am
I’ve been saying this since the draft talk started. We don’t need a lb if we are in nickel all the time. The role has been diminished across the nfl
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:21 am
We have a good, fast,SLB in Adarius Glanton, but the Bucs wanted to go with the big,slow aging Daryl Smith.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:23 am
And Adarius Glanton can play all three LB positions, Special Teams and backup LS.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:24 am
And he can play all three LB positions, Special Teams and backup LS.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:24 am
Sorry about that 3rd post, it wasn’t meant to be.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:33 am
Good call Lakeland- Glanton did play well when given a chance- we still need to get some guys for special teams and get our starters off (i.e. Jack Smith)
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:09 am
Kind of hard to guess since he was hurt last year. Joe puts zero stock into “working out.” Plumbers can work out just as hard.
As Warren Sapp famously said, “You don’t pump weights on the 50-yard line.”