Please Don’t Start Ryan Smith
September 8th, 2018
Please no.
Ryan Smith has no business being on an NFL field playing defense.
Yeah, Joe wrote that. And while Smith is a damn good special teams player, he is equally horrible on defense.
Joe brings this to his readers in the wake of the news that Brent Grimes has an injured groin.
Joe has seen enough of Smith (hey, the Bucs initially tried to move him to safety but that proved a mistake). The guy must carry around an oven wherever he goes because he is simply the personification of toast.
Joe hasn’t seen a Bucs cornerback get seared like Smith does on a regular basis as consistently as brisket on smoker since Myron Lewis stole money from Team Glazer.
The two rookies, M.J. Stewart and Carlton Davis, at least have a chance to be halfway decent. Their arrows are pointing up. Smith’s arrow is buried in an outhouse.
If Smith starts tomorrow, Joe envisions another boatrace loss like the Saints and Drew Brees hung on the Bucs last year in the Superdome. If that happens, maybe Joe can rationalize it through the logic that Joe didn’t expect the Bucs to win anyway without America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston.
Starting Smith against the Saints is like having a guy sitting in a lawn chair on the floor of the Superdome holding up a sign that reads, “HEY DREW, THROW AT ME!”
Come to think of it, a lawn chair might just do as well as Smith. A Saints receiver could trip over the lawn chair.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:06 am
Tell us how you really feel Joe…Damn!
September 8th, 2018 at 8:08 am
That is EXACTLY what Koetter and Smith are going to do. Smith will start and he will be 10 yards off the receiver and he will be torched time and time again. It will get so bad the Saints will put in second and third stringers by the third quarter to preserve them for the next week. Then Smith will aww shucks some excuses while Koetter scratches his dandruff infested head at the podium while Jason Gump munches down a few jelly donuts on the plane ride home.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:08 am
What about Chris toast Conte?
September 8th, 2018 at 8:13 am
I completely agree…………this guy is bordliner 3rd stringer/practice squad player at best
he has NO BUISNESS being out on an NFL field
…………….the CFL is calling for you Mr Smith
September 8th, 2018 at 8:17 am
……….yeah and you know it’s bad when almost EVERY CAMERA SHOT shows Ryan Smith getting beat and running behind the receivers trying to catch up
……….the guy just flat out sucks at the NFL level
If he starts at corner……..OMG…..it’s gonna be a very long day for the bucs secondary tomorrow
September 8th, 2018 at 8:18 am
“Ive heard Forrest Gump is taking out Jim Schwartz around the Tampa area to look for Real estate with swimming pools”
Kobe Faker
September 8th, 2018 at 8:25 am
Too much negativity to feed the “Bucs suck” trolls.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:31 am
According to the bucs debth chart, Carton Davis and M. J Stewart is listed behind Brent Grimes. Ryan Smith backs up Hargreaves. Let’s pray Hargreaves does not go down. The big question mark, who is playing the slot. My guess it will be covered by M. J. Stewart.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:32 am
y’all dumb as hell if you think smith is gonna start. it’ll be davis and hargreaves when they go nickel that’s when it gets interesting . do they bring in smith and move hargreaves to nickel? or do they bring in mj stewart? that’s the debate.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:36 am
Hey Doc, try getting your positions right. What does Conte have to do with CB’s? Some people like to talk just to hear themselves speak.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:37 am
VHIII isn’t much better- and there’s the rub. Banking on Grimes was a colossal mistake. We are where we are. I’d rather watch the rookies’ start and see how they respond than be tortured with VHIII and Smith on the outside.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:40 am
I will lose all confidence if smith starts, mike smith is starting to
Remind me how Lovie felt about Mike Jenkins… Ryan smith couldn’t cover a bed, also if I see guys till playing 8 yards off the whole game can smith immediately…
September 8th, 2018 at 8:40 am
Sorry trench war but I’m with Joe on this one. Smith is the worst cornerback I’ve ever seen. They drafted two second round corners. Play them. If Smith starts in the outside its game over
September 8th, 2018 at 8:41 am
This post is so good. I couldn’t agree more. Imo, it is unacceptable to start Ryan Smith. That said, we have seen this coaching staff be stubborn time and time again. Buckle up with Ryan Smith and VH3 starting against Drew Brees LOL.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:41 am
Ryan Smith will show up tomorrow, last year we forget was really his rookie year at CB, we had no pass rush and he was playing mechanical not instinctively because his uncle Mike Smith had him 10 yards off the LOS. He may not start but more than likely in the nickel package he. Will be in the game. With Brees, you think he will pick on Smith, when he sees a rookie out there, in actuality Brees doesn’t care who is out there he has supreme confidence in his ability. So we better have a pass rush or it will not matter.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:41 am
I don’t understand how people can act like Smith only playing outside on 3rd down is somehow better than him starting….
September 8th, 2018 at 8:44 am
Gloom and doom before the kickoff, a feeling the Buc fans know all too well. You know you’re thinking it and it sits on your shoulder laughing like a little demon.
September 8th, 2018 at 8:51 am
When I wanna get depressed and consider suicide… I come to this websites comments
September 8th, 2018 at 8:57 am
It seems as if RSmith likes playing from behind…AKA TOAST by even no name receivers. Does he have any idea of what it takes to be a cornerback? A snippet from 1984 49ers n take our chances n start all rookies in as dbs n call it a day. We have more to gain than our previous losses.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:00 am
Just imagine going into the season thinking a 35-year-old CB is going to be your number one getting you to the Super Bowl. I’m still perplexed as to why they brought anyone back from the worst pass defense in Buccaneer history. Coaches included.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:01 am
Screw this. I’m thinking positive… BUCS win 23 to 14
With the improved pass rush, they’ll be fine. Coach said he would play to their strength, so yea… we SHOULD see a lot off press plays from the secondary. Evans n Whitehead in the back… me likes that.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:03 am
I’m under the belief that Smith is a young guy and that he can improve, especially with a new pass rush, and being utilized a little more to his strengths. He was good enough to make the team, he’s young enough to continue improving, the real question here is, is he the real Smith that is making this defense bad?
September 8th, 2018 at 9:03 am
^^^should see a lot of press…
September 8th, 2018 at 9:07 am
I hope we press but I’d be willing to bet Smitty still has them 10 yards off on 3rd and 2…
September 8th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Didn’t the Bucs already play out this scenario in camp by playing J.Evans in the slot while Whitehead manned the safety position? That would make it a possibility that we’ll see Stewart and Hargraves on the outside and Evans in the slot. Sometimes the best to to learn how to swim is by being thrown into the deep end. GO BUCS!
September 8th, 2018 at 9:18 am
Wow your finally admiring he’s trash but blaming the coaches for not developing him into a starter? Wondered how long it would take to let go of that stupid thought
September 8th, 2018 at 9:18 am
The boy not sad he’s just not Brent Grimes whose lock down..our defensive line was our problem not the secondary..we had the worst defensive line in the league last year..we won’t beat anyone like that ..our former defensive end can barely get a job.. if you watch the games quarterbacks have a life time of time in the pocket..any nfl quarterback should thrive under the conditions ..from rookies to Tom Brady..it’s about the line of scrimmage ppl..you can’t ask smith to play safety special teams and just throw me to the wolves on Sunday at starting corner with a horrendous d line.. let’s think ppl
September 8th, 2018 at 9:18 am
Mike Smith needs to give the dline a chance to get to Brees, which means playing more tighter coverage in order to disrupt the timing of the routes and make Brees hold to the ball a little longer. The Bucs finally have some talent on the dline, they should maximize that talent.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:20 am
Ppl on here just say anything..can’t possibly know anything about football with the most opinions
September 8th, 2018 at 9:21 am
Kgh4life thank you
September 8th, 2018 at 9:33 am
Joe – Stop it. Honestly. There’s nothing a defense can do to stop slants.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:34 am
I hope and pray that all the players that are hurt will be okay and not listen to the negative comments from so-called Buccaneers fans. I know that Brent wants to play more than standing and watching his teammates. I have watched him play for over 13 years and right now he is not happy with this injury. I am glad he doesn’t have social media. Think about how you make him and other players feel. Try not to assume.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:38 am
Ryan Smith is on the Josh Robinson path to success. He played 6 years in the NFL as mostly a special teamer and a good one at that. If injuries derail the secondary Smith will be forced into action but until then he should concentrate on making some special team plays like Robinson used to. Nothing wrong with contributing on special teams.
#Get After It!
September 8th, 2018 at 9:40 am
drew brees throwing against vh3 & ryan smith what could go wrong
September 8th, 2018 at 9:44 am
Injuries happen and that is why you add veteran talent at crucial skill positions like cornerback when the opportunity presents itself. Dominique Rodgers Cromartie was available for months (at least until a wise Raiders team picked him up) and offered the opportunity to become deeper at a skill position where the Bucs were aging and thin. I wish the Bucs well as they have been my team since 1976 , but the continued lack of quality decision making by Licht and Koetter will make success darn near impossible.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:45 am
Watch Smith get a pick tomorrow because Joe was talking trash about him.
September 8th, 2018 at 9:58 am
Damn Joe – that’s some harsh talk about a young player.
The thing is – Ryan Smith is not a finished product. Josh Robinson was not going to get any better as a defender. R. Smith still has upside and unrealized potential. Small school guys are at a disadvantage coming in – and this is only the beginning of Smith’s 2nd year playing CB (only played the position 2 years in College as well).
Smith has the speed, size and measurables to succeed in the NFL.
Gotta give the kid some more time to develop before labeling him the next Myron Lewis.
Also – you can’t steal Rod “toast” Jones’ nickname. Hell I bet half the posters here have no idea who that is…
September 8th, 2018 at 10:07 am
VH3 NEEDS TO ONLY PLAY NICKEL!!! CD3 and Stewart need to start on the outside. MJ is fast at getting to the ball and tackling. Davis has height and length and vision to protect Coleman.
If we’re gonna have all our young secondary starting, might as well start Whitehead. I am a Conte hater and I think he is also a very crispy part of the breakfast menu.
September 8th, 2018 at 10:15 am
Lionel
It sounds like you’re trying to say DB isn’t even a tough job. It doesn’t seem like it’s the defensive line’s fault when he gets smoked and can’t make a tackle every play.
September 8th, 2018 at 10:25 am
Rod Jones was a 1st round bust by the bucs many years ago.
September 8th, 2018 at 10:43 am
Another one of Jason Licht great draft picks
September 8th, 2018 at 10:57 am
Someone recently published a fairly even-handed scouting assessment of Smith on SBnation if you want to read a critique that’s a little less Polly Anna. I think it was Steve White who wrote it, though I could be mis-remembering.
September 8th, 2018 at 11:07 am
Joe went off on Smith p@nk a$$
September 8th, 2018 at 11:09 am
Just think the Bucs win this opener and Buc fans come out whooping and hollering. zzzzzz zzzzz snorkle, I’d like to read about that.
September 8th, 2018 at 11:25 am
DLine gets pressure and it won’t even matter who is in the defense of backfield
September 8th, 2018 at 11:31 am
Yup.
September 8th, 2018 at 11:32 am
I totally agree. It wil be pitch and catch for drew Brees if Smith starts. It may be anyways but my sense is that our best shot is to play the rookies and blitz early and often to try to force some bad decisions. You know Sean Payton is going to set us up to have to be in Nickle and dime ses all day long to exploit this (and bc he doesn’t have his starting RB).
September 8th, 2018 at 12:07 pm
KEV-O
Would love to see more blitzes this year, especially corner blitzes. I think Stewart could be a player that can get the job done and force some fumbles hopefully.
September 8th, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Our best bet is Looong offensive drives that end with TD’s…
September 8th, 2018 at 12:48 pm
at least Josh Robinson knows Smith’s defense rather than some corner sitting at home right now. Ryan if he starts is gonna need to stick like glue but also avoid penalties. CB, because of all the new rules slanted for the receivers, has to be the hardest position to play anymore.
September 8th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
Many of us wanted the Bucs to go after some of the fringe starter types available at the end of free agency (ie Rashaan Melvin), but Bucs brass was good with what they had.
Well, we’ll see real quick.
September 8th, 2018 at 3:33 pm
Putting faith in Brent Grimes actually playing this year was far more stupid than Ryan Smith
September 8th, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Said it all of last year and I’ll keep on saying it, I’ve never seen a corner as bad as Ryan Smith, ever. I’ve watched football for over 30 years now and I’ve never seen someone this bad, at any level, meaning high school, college or NFL. Rod “Toast” Jones was a Bucs 1st round pick at corner in 1986, he was one of the first terrible corners I clearly remember, he was mocked and basically ran out of town for a pack of Skoal like two years later, and he was an all-pro compared to Ryan Smith running around cluelessly all over the field. Yes, Ryan Smith has very good speed, which he needs in order to chase down people from behind. Yes, he is a decent tackler for a corner and can make a splash tackle every once in a while, he has good hustle. But as a corner, he’s God awful, and it’s really down to Licht doing such an incredibly poor job he’s put the team in the situation that Ryan Smith could play – and if Ryan Smith is put into the position to start, then really Licht should be fired. If you look at the Bucs defense, they have star players, they have McCoy, they have David, they have Kwon and even Grimes when healthy, but those stars mean nothing when you have a Smith/Conte stack covering a side of the field. I do believe a random lawn chair on the field would in fact do more to disrupt an offense than those two.
September 8th, 2018 at 5:30 pm
I just read Rod Munch comment right above–wow–I agree–the dude is awful and if he plays when there is any other option I will gladly look forward to Koetter, Mike Smith, and hopefully Licht run out of town with a phone call like Lovie Smith cause that is all they will deserve. How can he still be on the team???????? Hargreaves sucked too but has redeemed himself in slot position.
September 9th, 2018 at 4:21 pm
So is this post being taken down now?