No Reserved Spot For Ryan Smith
July 26th, 2019
“Dumb mistake.”
A solid special teams player who very much had a roller coaster ride with the rotten Bucs defense the past three seasons looked to have gotten a fresh start in the last year of his contract.
Instead, cornerback Ryan Smith will start the regular season at home. And Bucco Bruce Arians made it clear he may not be back.
Smith was popped by the NFL a few months ago for violating the league policy on banned substances. As a result, he is suspended for the first four games of the season. Arians noted while he felt bad for Smith, it was “dumb” on his part and he already may have played in his last Bucs game.
“I hate it for him,” Arians said. “I think it was a dumb mistake, what happened. A lot of these guys put something in their body that they didn’t get here, and that’s the consequence.
“We’ll live with that and hopefully he’ll be back after those four games and still have a spot.”
In other words, Arians is telling Smith he better ball out in training camp and preseason if he hopes to return.
The defense was such a joke the past few years, including the secondary, that no one in the secondary should have a reserved seat on the roster, much less a starting spot. On a related note, Arians didn’t exactly seem supportive of safety Justin Evans, who has been hobbled by foot issues since last season.
Evans was on floppy hat patrol throughout underwear football season and Arians admitted he has no idea when Evans can get back on the field.
“If he would have practiced all spring and was penciled in as a starter, I’d be concerned,” Arians said of Evans. “But I haven’t seen him play. So I’ve seen all the other guys play, and I’m okay.”
That doesn’t sound very encouraging for Evans, does it?
July 26th, 2019 at 1:58 am
Man I hope Evans heels up
July 26th, 2019 at 3:16 am
BA’s comment on Evans is just a roundabout way of saying he’s rolling with the guys that are available. I’m sure he’s seen the tape and knows that the kid can play ball. He’s sort of a hyper-athletic prototype at safety, but it’s all mental for him and he’s just been in a secondary that had some of the worst communication issues i’ve ever seen. Get him healthy and playing in a simplified system where everyone knows their assignments and Justin Evans is a playmaker and probably a ballhawk. (remember that diving pick against Brady on TNF?). Speaking of, I’m predicting that Mike Edwards will lead the team in forced turnovers this year. Kid is always around the football. Great instincts. It’ll be either him, or Lavonte David.
As for Ryan Smith… yeesh. Tough break, man. It’s looking like sayonara unless there’s a rash of injuries or they need a special teams ace. Could be his only hope to stay on the squad.
July 26th, 2019 at 4:21 am
Hurray for BA! All he’s saying IMO is ‘If you want a spot on this team, you’d better EARN a spot on this team. No excuses.’ Hard to EARN a spot if you’re not available. Now I’m wondering what that says about JPP’s future as a Buc.
July 26th, 2019 at 5:22 am
^^^ If anyone can say it any better …I’d like to hear it!!GO BUCS!! GO FAMOUS!!GO SUHY!!
July 26th, 2019 at 6:01 am
Yeah Defense Rules, sounds a lot different than what we’re used to. No more ‘reserved’ spots or ‘gimme’s’. EARN it! This is the NFL, there’s always someone hungrier.
July 26th, 2019 at 6:21 am
They do have 15 corners at this point (seems like it anyway after last few drafts ) so I’m hoping that we have the talent to let him go.
No offense but he has not really shined as a buc. I’d rather give it to a young guy that has same talent right now …but more upside…
July 26th, 2019 at 6:21 am
Younger
July 26th, 2019 at 7:12 am
I’m glad BA isn’t tied to Evans, and won’t keep him around because he was a second round pick, wasn’t his pick. BA didn’t exactly say the Bucs would miss JPP either since he’s never been with this new team yet. Can’t miss something you’ve never had.
July 26th, 2019 at 9:08 am
both better step up or they’ll be fishing with smitty….
GO BUCS!!!!!
July 26th, 2019 at 9:25 am
Better call Tandyman He Can!!! Don’t do stupid stuff with PED’S just Trains like a Beast and his Toe isn’t hurt!!!Consumate Pro that should have never been released!! Would be an Outstanding Role Model for those Young Bucs and push them for a Starting Job!!
July 26th, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Does Joe know what PED Ryan was busted on? It must’ve been pretty egregious for Arians to be so callous.