Donovan Smith Explains How He Wants To Improve
March 6th, 2019
All smiles, of course, Donovan Smith and general manager Jason Licht addressed local media today after Smith signed off on $27 million of guaranteed Team Glazer loot as part of a new three-year contract worth about $13 annually.
Nothing too novel came from the exercise at the One Buc Palace podium, though Smith did say how he’d like to improve.
He called himself a pull-guys-aside kind of leader but his goal is to get more vocal. “Being a bigger voice,” Smith said.
Joe found that a bit ironic when Smith soon after answered a question about how the team can improve to be above his “pay grade.” Also, Smith said he is striving for more consistency in his game. Joe will drink to that.
Smith had superficial “chit chat” with new head coach Bucco Bruce Arians but nothing more, he said, though he welcomes new position coaches to help him grow. He experienced a loads of coaching turnover at Penn State, and Smith said that’s not a bad thing.
March 6th, 2019 at 11:26 am
Plenty to work on, our franchise Loaf-t Tackle!
March 6th, 2019 at 11:27 am
Take you a while to come up with that one, bucsfaninchina?
March 6th, 2019 at 11:30 am
With this several millions, could you please make less penalties? Do you think is possible? I beg you!!
March 6th, 2019 at 11:31 am
his only concern with improvement is researching banks with the lowest direct deposit transaction fees and no atm fees
March 6th, 2019 at 11:37 am
6 penalties (3 holding) and 5.5 sacks given up on like 1000 snaps (5.5 sacks being his worst)
Career avg = 9.5 penalties / 3.9 sacks given up per full 16 game season
All Pro Q Nelson had 9 penalties last year / gave up 1 sack
WOW he’s SO BAD WTF ARE WE DOING
HIRE PFF TO BE GM! lol
March 6th, 2019 at 11:55 am
“Smith said he is striving for more consistency in his game”
That would be appropriate – now that Donovan is the 4th highest paid LT in the league….
March 6th, 2019 at 11:56 am
Lord Corn,
Yeah good point but Donovan’s always seem to come at the worst possible time s.
March 6th, 2019 at 12:02 pm
^ Not to be a smart ass, but I think literally every single NFL fan of every single NFL team thinks that about their Left Tackle.
March 6th, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Joe thinks highly of his own opinion. He always points out how every move or non-move is questionable at best. He has a ya-but to point out the dark side looming on the horizon for every move. Player achievements are presented as flukes while failures are fatal flaws that permanently mark the player as a MISTAKE. It is a sad way to look at life in general. The Bucs felt, and many agree, that the Smith signing was the best path forward at left tackle considering alternatives available in the draft and free agency. He is still young, has displayed ability to play at a high level, and has more room to grow. His contract is in line with the market and provides flexibility in the future. Is he perfect, NO. Was he the right move, YES.
March 6th, 2019 at 12:11 pm
@Doosh
True but it seemed like that was a team phenomenon in the red zone. I’d bet like 40-50% of our offensive line penalties / sacks given up were all in the red zone for whatever reason.
Also Smith has had a season with 0 sacks allowed. Not sure how you can give up 0 sacks playing every snap for 16 games and still get graded poorly by PFF.
March 6th, 2019 at 12:13 pm
@tmax…
That was awe-sum!! Thank you sir. Lmao.
Go Bucs! Get Quinnen!
March 6th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
so when are we gonna ban tmax again? I cannot stand him, he never has anything positive to say, I understand not loving every move the Bucs make but I don’t understand how someone can log on day after day and just BASH every single thing Bucs related…
March 6th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
when are we going to ban tmax again? I understand not loving every single move the Bucs make, but I don’t understand logging on to this website every single day to just BASH everything Bucs related, sad, sad life for mr tmax.
March 6th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
LC
good stuff….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
March 6th, 2019 at 12:49 pm
🙂 🙂
Go Bucs!
March 6th, 2019 at 12:53 pm
Hopefully Smith can be more consistent along with our “franchise” Tampa Bays Pro Bowl alternate quarterback.
March 6th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
He gives up a sack every now and then….not often. And our offensive style (80%+ 5+ step dropbacks) has nothing to do with that??? Smh! I know one thing….he has been very reliable due to availability and he is just 25 years old. We can win with him.
March 6th, 2019 at 1:07 pm
ncbucsfan
they sure have proven they can lose with him that’s for sure….
March 6th, 2019 at 1:08 pm
“There’s not many left tackles that grow on trees; you feel me?”
He knew he had them over a barrel. Now we know why he refused to transition to RT. Self preservation for 4 seasons so he can get his millions. I hope he plays better and quits avoiding contact and earns his millions but somehow I don’t believe he will. It seems to be his demeanor. Limit contact to avoid risk.
March 6th, 2019 at 1:08 pm
Donovan Smith was on the air a little while ago on WDAE and was asked for his reaction to those who say that he doesn’t finish plays.
He said in somewhat of a miffed tone, “Do you really want me to answer that? — I would not be here if that was the case.”
He was pleasant throughout the interview, and sounds really excited to remain in Tampa Bay.
March 6th, 2019 at 1:25 pm
A few things are odd / kind of humorous to me:
1. We have not been in a quick passing offense. We require a lot of the O-line in pass pro in terms of the time they’re required to hold up a solid pocket of protection.
2. For some reason – we are MUCH better in pass pro than run blocking the last few years. Both visually to my eye and also according to all offensive line stats measured.
Why is this? Are the types of guys we have just better at pass pro and bad road graders? Is it the type of scheme we ran that tipped the other team off to whenever we were going to run it? Is it that we can’t mask blocking deficiencies of a player like Benecoch when we go to run plays?
Honestly just why? We were one of the worst teams at our RBs getting hit in the backfield despite being a top 1/2 NFL team in pass pro. THat’s weird sh1t.
I also find it kind of odd/humouros, that our biggest iron man of a player that doesn’t miss games, gets labels that suggest he’s playing soft or watching out for his body and just trying to get a paycheck. Loafing through snaps is actually what typically gets a guy injured vs going full speed. Just a weird picture that doesn’t add up. IMO his mistakes are mental lapses/slips moreso than physical effort issues. And they don’t happen at some rate that is higher than other good O-lineman.
March 6th, 2019 at 1:39 pm
Donovan has had his ‘issues’ over these past 4 years (inconsistency probably being the most pronounced) BUT I’m glad we re-signed him. I keep telling myself that Marpet & Smith have had only one OLine coach since they were drafted: George Warhop. When he was hired by the Bucs in 2014 (his 18th NFL year), we were his 6th NFL team. I was never very impressed with him, and neither were several of his past teams apparently (since several fired him & others just didn’t re-sign him). I’m really hoping that this new coaching staff will make a world of difference with Donovan, Marpet, Jensen & whatever 2 others we decide to go with.
March 6th, 2019 at 1:40 pm
I just can’t get excited about this guy for some reason. I think it may be watching him tank every Sunday. He knows he is a position that is key to an offense, and he had Bucs management over a barrel as there were no opportunities for the Bucs to bring in another LT.
Look for more of the same play out of this guy.
March 6th, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Trollmax, the same is true of your boy Jaboo and every other member of the team.
March 6th, 2019 at 1:45 pm
@LC…
“Honestly just why? We were one of the worst teams at our RBs getting hit in the backfield despite being a top 1/2 NFL team in pass pro. THat’s weird sh1t.”
Couldn’t agree more! That is weird ISHH indeed. Jensen was known for his run blocking in BAL before here, and Marpet is pretty….stout….at both, so that only really leaves the other misfits I suppose in deficient rub blocking.
Ooops…looks like I forgot to FedEx those Kleenex’s to JBF headquarters… 🙂
Go Bucs! Get Quinnen!
March 6th, 2019 at 1:52 pm
Lay off of Tmax…..he can’t help it….he was born with his disability.
March 6th, 2019 at 2:15 pm
Lol tmaxcon
That was a good one
March 6th, 2019 at 3:01 pm
Anonymous Says:
March 6th, 2019 at 12:26 pm
so when are we gonna ban tmax again? I cannot stand him, he never has anything positive to say, I understand not loving every move the Bucs make but I don’t understand how someone can log on day after day and just BASH every single thing Bucs related…
don’t hate the bucfan living in reality…. hate the owners that have embarrassed the city, the league and football in general for the better part of 2 decades…. not a lot of positives when you are PROUD OWNERS OF THE WORST WINNING PERCENTAGE IN PRO SPORTS…..
i was going to games at the sombrero when you were just a dream in mommy and daddy’s eyes most likely. i have earned the right to be pissed off and demand more of my team…. you living in fantasy land pal does not make you a better fan just means you settle for failure with a smile just like cancer93….
March 6th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
It’s a shame in one of the better defensive free agency years the league has had in a while and we blow our cap space on a barely above average left tackle like Smith
When the money could of been spent on players like
Trey flowers
Jamie Collins
Timmy Jernigan
Landon Collins
Tyrann Mathieu
Earl Thomas
CJ Mosley
Bradley Roby
Kevin Johnson
Any one of these players would seriously improve our defense which is really what we needed it’s tough being a bucs fan know that fact and all will have to show for it all is Donovan Smith that’s a tough pill to swallow
March 6th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
Anonymous
by the way I love your hate….. if reality is too much for you I am sure there is a government check and a safe space AOC can set you up with…..
March 6th, 2019 at 3:23 pm
bucsftw says
“so when are we gonna ban tmax again? I cannot stand him, he never has anything positive to say”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That is a sad state of affairs in the world today that because you don’t like what someone had to say….. you want them BANNED.
I have never really understood that line of thinking.
I disagree with alot of what tmax says… but I also disagree with things that other people say. So what? — I do know that tmax has been a Bucs fan for a long time, and has seen it all. He is entitled to his opinions.
March 6th, 2019 at 3:30 pm
Steven007
hey little stevie would that be the same jameis winston who is the most important buccaneer of all time and only hope this sorry franchise has had since sapp was drafted…. 3 is the least of this teams worries…. until they rid the roster of the leader of the losing culture cancer93 no move they make matters.
March 6th, 2019 at 4:59 pm
If RealityisaTrollMax bothers you, just ignore his redundant, uninspired, bourbon-fed opinions and insults. That’s what bothers trolls the most.
He is JBF’s little Shakespearean fool. When he trots onto the stage, just laugh; he’ll be out momentarily before retreating to his mom’s basement to count the millions that he acquired “before the age of 30”! ;)…about right, Max?
March 6th, 2019 at 5:10 pm
BringBucsBack
damn, I wish that was the case unfortunately i am old guy who used the old fashioned method of hard work and responsibility to retire in my 50s….
anyone who let’s internet posters get to them is as soft as cacner93 and as mentally weak as lvd…
unfortunately for you, my takes are very accurate and my predictions are always correct… scoreboard proves it… not everyone lives in fantasy land on cool aid and hugs for all…
March 6th, 2019 at 5:12 pm
BringWHATback
and exactly what would you like to bring back, 500 football with no chance to win in the playoffs? after all those are the so called glory years low standard bucfan can’t let go of.
March 6th, 2019 at 5:27 pm
Love tmaxcon for keeping it 100
March 6th, 2019 at 6:08 pm
I imagine tmax is a middle aged man, divorced, 2-3 kids he rarely talks to, was a horrible husband and not so great father. Probably lives in a double wide (not hating, I had to grow up in 1 for a few years), 2-3 dogs who are the loves of his life. I’m really gonna go out on the limb here and say he was a sticker/shirt maker. Don’t feel bad for tmax, feel bad for his kids… 😂😂😂
March 6th, 2019 at 7:58 pm
Bucafan951
nice try sir… no kids.. happily retired mid 50’s…. hate all you want you only hate because you know I am right
March 6th, 2019 at 11:04 pm
he can start to exhibit this newfound professionalism by perhaps not being the guy who obnoxiously blares his music in the locker room during media time. oh and acting like he gives a crap at least 50% more often on the field
March 7th, 2019 at 3:58 am
^ the locker room belongs to the players, not to you. If you dont like it, dont enter.
March 7th, 2019 at 8:25 am
^ ….not to mention the fact that you choose to spill that out here? Maybe it is you that needs to find some “newfound professionalism.”