Ryan Smith Still In The Hunt
August 7th, 2018
It’s easy to forget that Jason Licht invested a 2016 fourth-round pick into Ryan Smith and that Smith was effectively a rookie getting a ton of snaps in 2017.
Initially, the Bucs thought Smith would be a safety. But roughly midway through his 2016 season, Smith was practicing at cornerback, his college position.
Pressed into starting duty last year, Smith struggled but survived and improved. Still he didn’t have the look of a starting caliber cornerback.
Today, Joe asked Dirk Koetter what kind of training camp Smith has been having and what kind of leap he’s making from last year.
Koetter was his candid self.
“Ryan, you know, because of the guys we’ve added, he’s having to compete. You know, last year, he maybe got elevated a little faster than normal just because of the depth we had, or lack thereof at that position,” Smith said. “And he’s in a stiff competition right now. Ryan’s working at it. He’s getting better. He’s just got to hang in there and keep improving.”
Joe, as of today, is convinced Vernon Hargreaves will start opening day at outside cornerback and then move inside in nickel situations. But who plays outside in that scenario is unclear. Smith certainly has gotten lots of reps in that role in camp.
The unknown injury to Brent Grimes is a great thing for Smith and the pair or rookie corners, M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis. They’ll all get a ton of reps to sort this out.
One thing that could Smith’s case: the film on him in the season finale against New Orleans isn’t bad.
August 7th, 2018 at 1:04 pm
Grimes injury reminds me of when Greg Popovich sat Tim Duncan.
On the lineup sheet he put Duncan DNP, coaches decision –Old.
Not saying it’s a bad thing to rest Father Time during camp.
August 7th, 2018 at 1:08 pm
@Joe … “One thing that could (help?) Smith’s case: the film on him in the season finale against New Orleans isn’t bad.” Love the back-handed compliment Joe … “Ryan Smith WASN’T BAD in the last game”. Not “Ryan Smith PLAYED WELL in the last game” … nope, he ‘wasn’t bad’. Sure-fire way to never get your wife to cook another meal for ya … “How was the meatloaf?” “Oh, it wasn’t bad.” “As in what? You haven’t died yet from eating it?” BTW, Ryan Smith will be the starting outside corner opposite Brent against New Orleans.
August 7th, 2018 at 1:10 pm
I was higher on Davis than Stewart after the draft, but it sounds like Stewart has been making the most of his opportunities so far.
Can’t wait to see him in some real game action, and see if he’s able to battle for a starting position.
August 7th, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Defense Rules, good comment about the wife’s cooking lol.
August 7th, 2018 at 1:14 pm
Had hopes for smith initially in the safety spot but him and VH3 are gawd awful, and definitely have high hopes for the 2 drafted this year, and if the bucs are spiraling out of control maybe smitty plays the rookies for the next regime
August 7th, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Grimes isn’t really injured. They are taking it easy on him because of his age and importance.
And, while we’re on the topic, when everyone here was writing VHIII off, I was predicting he would step up. Notice even Joe hasn’t mentioned the Bucs can’t develop CBs lately?
August 7th, 2018 at 1:52 pm
Thursday can’t come fast enough. Tired of all the hype. I want to see what we have on the field. Looking at you dline, Cornerbacks and Safeties.
If Tannehill, Osweiller and/or Bryce Petty light this secondary up I will be highly disappointed.
On the other hand if they don’t, it shouldn’t be a big deal cuz those QBs suck.
August 7th, 2018 at 1:54 pm
I see that Jax is running a hard camp. Coach said if the players aren’t complaining then he’s not doing his job. Then I read an article where like 10 Bucs weren’t practicing today. Hmmm.
August 7th, 2018 at 2:29 pm
“Notice even Joe hasn’t mentioned the Bucs can’t develop CBs lately?”
Bonzai – this article was written by a different Joe. It gets confusing sometimes when one of them adopts an odd take and then proceeds to drives that silly notion into the ground – leaving the other Joe seemingly stuck in no mans land trying not to contradict the 1st Joe’s hard to defend position…
This Joe just wrote above that although Smith had a rough start to his 1st year at CB getting thrown into the fire before he was ready – he “improved”. The other Joe never would have written that – LOL
In multiple off season articles stating “Bucs coaches can’t develop young CBs”(paraphrased) – I’ve commented that Ryan Smith improved last year so its hardly an iron clad theory…
Just glad at least one Joe sees what everyone else saw – that Ryan Smith’s play progressed from “god-awful” early in 2017 – to “not horrible” by years end. That does obviously qualify as “improvement” and/or “development”.
Smith may never develop into a solid NFL starting CB – but he’s an exceptional gunner on special teams and WILL continue to improve at CB with additional work and experience. Not bad so far for a mid 4th rd pick.
There will be a LOT of competition for playing time at CB among all the talented young players this year. Those who look the best early in TC may get overtaken by the time Sept gets here. And those who have earned starter or primary back up reps at the start of the season may also get overtaken at some point later in the year as well… It will be interesting to watch this all “develop” – right Joe? LOL
August 7th, 2018 at 2:53 pm
@ Jmarkbuc
I believe you nailed it about Grimes and what Greg Poppedazit did with Duncan. No need to put him at risk to a fluke injury during training camp.
August 7th, 2018 at 6:03 pm
You know it is bad when…
August 8th, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Pickgrin
Really, really well said.
It gets confusing sometimes when one of them adopts an odd take and then proceeds to drives that silly notion into the ground – leaving the other Joe seemingly stuck in no mans land trying not to contradict the 1st Joe’s hard to defend position…