Arians’ Views Good For Donovan Smith
January 28th, 2019
Keeping Donovan Smith?
Joe is obviously locked in on everything Bruce Arians. Even interviews Arians has conducted Joe is listening to again to ensure nothing was missed.
Last summer Arians had a sitdown with Barstool Sports. For some reason, the Barstool Sports gang didn’t publish the video until after the Bucs hired Arians.
Joe watched the video and, as you likely heard in recent Ira Kaufman podcasts, Joe recalled Arians talking about how hard it is to develop an offensive lineman in the midst of the current NFL offensive line crisis but Joe couldn’t recall the exact quote.
So last night in Joe’s Atlanta hotel (it also happens to be the Belicheats’ hotel this week — the place is absolutely crawling with cops) Joe rewatched the Arians interview.
And what Arians had to say about developing players reinforced some of Joe’s views that guys like left tackle Donovan Smith may be safe and that America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, isn’t going anywhere after his current contract expires, barring a total and complete collapse.
Arians was talking about drafting quarterbacks and offensive linemen when he explained why the NFL is more and more becoming a pass-happy league like many college programs.
“The college game is starting to get in,” Arians began. “You are dealing with [college] guys that have never been in huddles. Linemen who have never been in a three-point stance. So you have to adjust your coaching style to allow these guys to play if you are going to draft them high.
“You have to adjust to them. They can’t adjust to you or it’s going to take two or three years [to develop them] and you will be fired and someone else will be coaching them.”
When Arians took the Bucs’ gig, he made it clear he is not interested in a rebuild. His past health issues and his age (66) are big reasons why. It is unreasonable to expect Arians to coach well into his 70s.
Arians’ words from the Barstool Sports interview support everything Arians has said since taking the Bucs’ job and more.
Why would Arians want to draft a left tackle who he doesn’t know he can count on, when he already has a left tackle he can bank on to answer the bell on Sundays? Yeah, Smith may not be Tony Boselli, Joe gets that. As former Bucs guard Ian Beckles said recently, Smith is on the cusp of good. And he’s never missed a start in his four-year NFL career.
People like to say Jameis deserves a second voice from a coach, as former Bucs offensive coordinator and later head coach Dirk Koetter was the only offensive coach Jameis has had in the NFL.
Well, why not offer Smith the same luxury? Smith had only known George Warhop as an NFL coach. Why not see what Harold Goodwin can do with him?
Again, with the NFL in the middle of an offensive line crisis, it’s not like left tackles can be bought in a backroads fruit stand like oranges in February.
January 28th, 2019 at 9:20 am
Coach Speak on rebuild but once he is done looking at the horrid tape of the OL and the rest of the dregs on this team, he will flip this roster
January 28th, 2019 at 9:27 am
Seems to be a lot of talk in NY about trading Jets first round pick for Mike Evans. Could be a good trade for both teams. Cap space for Bucs. #1 receiver for Jets. Gives Arians two top 5 picks.
January 28th, 2019 at 9:27 am
I guess itll be I’ll tolerate you until I can replace you type things…hopefully the new staff can whip him into shape!
January 28th, 2019 at 9:34 am
Keep Smith resign him get rid of Dotson, Benenoch, Jackson Conte, Curry, Unrein, Allen, Grimes, CB Smith and Rodgers please
January 28th, 2019 at 9:44 am
Salary cap. They will weigh the player vs cap hit. Id be surprised if he were here next year. If he were still under contract at last seasons rate id bet theyd keep him. Time to trim the fat
January 28th, 2019 at 9:51 am
i watch a lot of SEC and big10 football…..they huddle there…lol…3point stance too…..
this reminds me of how smitty coached…..drafting a man press CB only to have him play off zone coverage…..if you want an off zone cb then draft one…lol….
if you want a linemen that is familiar with huddling or 3point stances, then draft one from a conference/team that does so…..stay away from teams/OL prospects in the pac12 or big 12….
with that said, we have to find a way to keep d.smith and hope goodwin can continue to develop liedtke and wester…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 9:54 am
Keep Smith, one less position we have to worry about
Most of our position problems can be fixed with coaching
We need a good right guard to shore up the offensive line, our RG don’t have the physical talent to pass/run block effectively
Coaching can at least fix our O line knowing who to block on exotic blitzes
January 28th, 2019 at 9:56 am
7423
i agree….lack of coaching/development has been the root of the problem…
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 10:07 am
We should be able to slap D. Simth with a 15 mil transistion tag and match it if someone else tries to sign him. Hopefully the Bucs aren’t too stupid to fanchise tag him.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:14 am
The problem with D. Smith is now one of Money.
Rosenhaus surely has it in Smith’s head that he is worth well north of $10M per year which is top 10 LT money. Eyeball test as well as stats based rankings through 4 full years of play show that Smith is somewhere around the 20th best LT in the league give or take a couple spots. That tape – which doesn’t lie – says Smith is “on the cusp of being good” as Beckles accurately stated and thus places Donovan Smith’s value squarely in the $7-8M per year range.
So should the Bucs grossly overpay Smith for 1 year by tagging him in hopes that he can improve substantially so as to come close to living up to that $14M+ price tag – just so he (and oily Drew R.) can turn around and say – see I told you I was worth $12-13M per year on a long term deal – now PAY ME and guarantee me long term…
All this for a player who couldn’t step up his game in his 4th year as a starter? (a contract year no less).
Licht should offer what HE believes Smith is worth to this team and not a penny more – which as I said is about $7-8M per year on a long term deal. Smith will then of course want to test the market as he should in this circumstance. And if some other team wants to overpay Smith to be an inconsistent ironman – then let them.
As I’ve said before – The Bucs are quite likely to get 85-90% of Smith’s capabilities out of either Wester or Liedtke for 10% of Smith’s price tag in 2019. That seems like pretty simple math to me.
Both those players have been developing here in Tampa Bay for the last 3 years which is the time frame BA is quoted above as saying is the time frame necessary.
The bottom line is that the Bucs do not have the money available to overpay Donovan Smith the $12M+ per year that he will likely insist on. Maybe if he had shown out and upped his game substantial in his contract year it would be worth considering. As it stands – with nothing but inconsistency displayed on tape for 4 straight years – Smith is not worth top 10 LT money. FACT!
If the Bucs DO choose to tag Smith – or if they choose to let him walk and get overpaid somewhere else (which are the only 2 realistic options IMO) – either way – the Bucs scouts, GM and coaching staff need to identify the player they feel has the best potential at LT out of all the players coming out of college this year – and draft him on April 25th!
January 28th, 2019 at 10:42 am
Uhh ..Smith stepped into his position right from the draft. It’s silly to say a newly drafted LT couldn’t do the same, and do a better job. Unless Goodwin is certain he can light a fire under his @ss I would tag him for the season. After what I’ve seen in this contract year he’s not worth a lengthy lucrative contract. At least not at LT.
January 28th, 2019 at 10:57 am
Jean-
Yeah but we could use that draft on a RG or RT instead
January 28th, 2019 at 10:59 am
keep the OL, get the qb to read the defense better and either use his audibles or change them if their not the right plays
January 28th, 2019 at 11:45 am
I think Smith is someone they work with. I think a running game would help also.
January 28th, 2019 at 11:57 am
Umm.. @NyBucsFan
No chance we trade Evans. None. Lol. Thats just silly.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:00 pm
“It is unreasonable to expect Arians to coach well into his 70s.”
Reagan was was nearly 78 when he left office. Trump is 72 now. They were/are president of an entire country with a hell of a lot more responsibility. Arian’s health concerns aside, I wonder why more coaches don’t coach into their seventies. I suppose once they get fired and become a retread, then nobody wants them anymore, with Arians being an exception.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:04 pm
I’m DONE! This website loves to mislead with taglines. Also DONE with this team. Wont pay attention until they win again which wont be for years after listening to this coach and his terrible staff. 2019 is gonna suck to, just watch.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Pickgrin
Well thought out… what I find equally compelling, is what if you replaced the name D. Smith with J. Winston, the argument is identical..
Not to hijack the thread, but it is the exact same situation..uncanny.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
Seeing a number of mocks now with the Bucs taking an offensive tackle with the first pick. Winston is going to get severely injured at some point if they don’t upgrade that position. He is way to inconsistent to play the left side.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
im voting to keep donavan smith and see drastic improvment under aruans and his staff
January 28th, 2019 at 12:40 pm
pickgrin
i agree…..franchising him would be a mistake…..as you pointed out, then d.smith would actually think he’s worth that much…..7-9mil seems about right….10mil per year would be the absolute most and that may include some incentives to get him to that 10mil…..
i really want to see what liedtke and wester do….both played well when given the opportunity….
i say between those 2 and drafting 2 prospects like tytus howard, chuma edoga or martez ivey should be alright….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
C’mon now, the Pac-12 & Big 12 has always produced elite offensive line talent.
January 28th, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Bucs know what they are doing now with BA at the helm I wonder who has more power …BA or Licht !?
January 28th, 2019 at 1:09 pm
LUV
i didnt say they dont produce elite OL’s….lol….
i said if you want a linemen that is familiar with huddling and 3point stance, it would be best to avoid those conferences because they typically run tons of no huddle and dont line up in a 3point stance…..
you’ll get stuck with the benenochs of the world who still trying to master a 3point stance…..
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 1:12 pm
The Bucs will NEVER trade Mike Evans. He is the face of this organization, the perfect example of a “Buccaneer man.” He is one of the best receivers in the game, you don’t trade players like that. Especially since Licht can’t draft worth a damn.
Idiot idea NY_Bucsfan
January 28th, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Does anybody remember Benenoch at RT before the 2018 year. He wasn’t that bad, Goodwin possibly can help him reach his potential at the tackle spot. I can imagine JL going to try and sell his draft picks and blame the coaching
January 28th, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Couple things to review:
– Bruce Arians/Goodwin Offensive Line & Production
– Todd Bowles Defense
2013 – Bruce Arians (10-6-0)
• Points For: 379 (23.7/g) 16th of 32
• Points Against: 324 (20.3/g) 7th of 32
2013 – Arizona Offensive Line (Starters)
• LT Bradley Sowell (Age:24)
• LG Daryn Colledge (Age:31)
• C Lyle Sendlein (Age:29)
• RG Paul Fanaika (Age:27)
• RT Eric Winston (Age:30)
Carson Palmer: 63.2 | 4291 | TD’s: 24, Int’s: 22 | Sacked: 41
Team Rushing: 1540 Avg: 3.6
_______________________
2014 – Bruce Arians (11-5-0)
• Points For: 310 (19.4/g) 24th of 32
• Points Against: 299 (18.7/g) 5th of 32←
Arizona Offensive Line (2014)
• LT Jared Veldheer (Age:27) ← Key Free Agent
• LG Ted Larsen (Age:27) ← Free Agent
• C Lyle Sendlein (Age:30)
• RG Paul Fanaika (Age:28)
• RT Bobby Massie (Age:25)
3* Different QB’s: 56.3 | 3990 | TD’s: 21, Int’s: 12 | Sacked: 28
Team Rushing: 1308 Avg: 3.3
____________________
2015 – Bruce Arians (13-3-0)
• Points For: 489 (30.6/g) 2nd of 32
• Points Against: 313 (19.6/g) 7th of 32←
Arizona Offensive Line (2015)
• LT Jared Veldheer (Age:28)
• LG Mike Iupati* (Age:28) ← Key Free Agent
• C Lyle Sendlein (Age:29)
• RG Jonathan Cooper (Age:25) 1st Rd (Injured)
• RT Bobby Massie (Age:26)
Carson Palmer: 62.8 | 4775 | TD’s: 35, Int’s: 13 | Sacked: 27
Team Rushing: 1917 Avg: 4.2 ← Ding Ding
January 28th, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Jared Veldheer – 3rd round (69th overall) 2010 Draft
• Was a product of Offensive Line Coaches – Tony Sparano, Bob Wylie, Frank Pollack. And Actually regressed under BA/Goodwin
Mike Iupati – 1st round (17th overall) 2010 Draft
• Was a product of Offensive Line Coach – Mike Solari. And was already a 3x Pro Bowler, and All-Pro before he arrived.
January 28th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
813bucboi
By the comment, I thought you were insinuating that the Pac-12 & Big-12 produced inferior offensive line talent because of form or technique. Which has never been the case.
January 28th, 2019 at 2:14 pm
Jared Veldheer regressed under Bruce Arians & Harold Goodwin.
But Donovan Smith will change?
January 28th, 2019 at 2:56 pm
LUV
dj humphries was drafted in the 1st round by BA….cant remember it injuries caught up to him or not…..very athletic for a LT….not sure what happened to him…
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 28th, 2019 at 3:29 pm
D.J. Humphries
• NFL Draft: 2015 / Round: 1 / Pick: 24
2015
• During his rookie season, he was inactive for all 16 regular season games and both postseason contests. ”He was the only first-round draft pick in 2015 to be inactive the entire season”
2016 – Started 13 Games (RT/LT)
2017 – Started 5 Games (placed on IR.)
2018 – Started 9 Games (placed on IR.)
January 28th, 2019 at 9:31 pm
‘79 mentioning that Trump is 72 is not a good argument. That a$$ clown reality star fake president is a moron and I think age is playing a part of his idiocy.
January 28th, 2019 at 9:32 pm
‘79 Trump being 72 is definitely not a good thing. He is an idiot overall but I think age may play a part in his utter incompetence.
January 29th, 2019 at 9:17 am
Respect our President or leave the country it’s pretty simple . Go to a 3rd world country for a week you will be begging to come back. Respect what you have TouchdownDownTampa .