Jackpot Time For Evan Smith
August 29th, 2017
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Back in the spring of 2014, the Buccaneers stole Aaron Rodgers’ center in free agency, a guy Rodgers heartily recommended, and brought him in to replace rock solid Jeremy Zuttah.
Yes, there was plenty optimism for Evan Dietrich-Smith, who later changed his name to Evan Smith. (Hey, Joe would change his name to after a season snapping the ball to Josh McCown.)
But Smith was a bust, in the sense that he was signed to start but wasn’t up to it.
It was easy to write off Smith as just another head-shaker signing in the free agency horror show of 2014, but Smith hung in strong and earned a backup center/guard gig in 2015. His time at right guard that season for Ali Marpet proved he was exactly the kind of versatile veteran the Bucs needed.
Still, did anyone think then that Smith would make it to the final year of his Bucs contract (2017)?
Smith, 31, is scheduled to earn $4.5 million this season if he’s on the roster next week. And that sure looks like a done deal.
Dirk Koetter didn’t offer much praise for his Tampa Bay offense against the Browns on Saturday, but he went out of his way to acknowledge strong play from Smith at left guard. Smith could start there opening day if right tackle Demar Doston can’t play and Kevin Pamphile is moved over to replace him.
Joe is very pleased for Smith, who has proven to be a fantastic teammate and a great guy for Joe to chat with, even if he dared to treat America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, like just another rookie.
August 29th, 2017 at 12:48 pm
The one benefit I see to playing Evans is that he can help Marpet Call blocking schemes on the Los.
August 29th, 2017 at 12:51 pm
I personally don’t want to see him or fitz on the field in a bucs uni….EVER!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
August 29th, 2017 at 1:02 pm
813
I was looking for the positive but I agree with you.
August 29th, 2017 at 1:50 pm
That’s what lost him his gig treating Famous like that. I like Evan because he finishes LB. I like Demar but he is the weak link. Donovan did a good on #1 draft pick Myles Garrett. Ali got a flag for rag dolling #65 on the Browns. Evan was slamming LB. Sweezy hasn’t got his football legs back but when he does look out. KP is SOLID at LG but I like him better at RT until we sure up the position. We need Evan Smith more then ever now.
Side Note: Jeremy Zuttah got released by the 49ers Joe why didn’t Licht pick him up to correct what Lovie messed up. Hmmmm
August 29th, 2017 at 2:02 pm
It sure is nice to have a competent back-up WHEN, not if, a player goes down.
August 29th, 2017 at 2:36 pm
A couple years ago I changed my name to EDS=BeardedTurd. After a while Joe wouldn’t let me comment under that moniker. But today is a different day. He ain’t been too bad the last couple seasons. I don’t even think he’s a turd anymore. He might not be Jeff Saturday, but he hasn’t been awful either. He’s ok in my book
August 29th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
He’s overpaid but is a valuable backup to the team
August 29th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Clod
My man what’s good in Iowa these days?
August 29th, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Odd thing about Evan Smith- he came here as a center, but (ahem) struggled at center. So much so, that Joe Hawley was brought in. Smith will likely still not be the backup center.
But when they played backup guard, he realy took off. He is a good guard.
If he wasnt 31, he’d be fighting for a starting spot.
He is a starter caliber backup at guard. We are lucky to have him
August 29th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
A serviceable backup still continuing to make starter money and this is somehow praiseworthy? Whatever happened to the fire warnings of picking up a player that Ted Thompson or Belichek let go of?
August 29th, 2017 at 4:10 pm
^^^*dire*, not fire
August 29th, 2017 at 4:50 pm
CautiousOptimism Says:
August 29th, 2017 at 3:52 pm
“A serviceable backup still continuing to make starter money”
$14.25M for 4 years is hardly “starter money” Cautious – SMH
EDS was not “Aaron Rodgers’ center”. He was primarily a back-up in Green Bay just like he’s been here – albeit a pretty decent back-up.
August 29th, 2017 at 6:50 pm
Aw Hell DB!!
I’m not in Houston so I guess that makes it a good day!!
I’ve been loving your comments since Joe took down MCoJ. You know your football and your wit is top notch. Keeping everyone even keeled on GMC is your forte, but then again, “What the fck do I know!!”
August 29th, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Pickgrin- that salary is above average for starting center money which is the position he was hired for. I know, I know, facts are stubborn annoying things!
Answer my question, whatever happened to the dire warnings of picking up a player that Ted Thompson or Belichek let go of?
August 29th, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Evan Smith is in his contract year and this line-up with Dotson out will do well.
LT Donovan Smith LG JR Sweezy C Ali Marpeet RG Evan Smith RT Kevin Pamphile
August 29th, 2017 at 8:23 pm
The Bucs have plenty of cap space so they can do what they want and having a backup that has played is a nice thing to have on a team you expect to be in the playoff hunt.
Personally I’d be more concerned about having zero depth at corner and realizing we’re one injury away from giving up 60pts a game if Ryan Smith is forced into action.
August 29th, 2017 at 8:46 pm
Evan smith is OK. Valuable veterans on the bench always helps.
August 30th, 2017 at 4:05 am
I was worried Joe was going to suggest the Bucs give him a new contract!
I’m fine with him finishing out his contract. It’s not like we need the cap room this year and letting him walk away next year will free up some money for some big contracts.
I’m not even sure what our cap numbers are this year, but it sure doesn’t feel like we’ve spent much.