“He’s All Over The Place Now”
August 14th, 2019
According to one Bucs legend, a forgotten and naughty Buccaneer is now turning heads at One Buc Palace.
Yesterday was Ronde Barber day at team headquarters and sat down with Joe, Sage JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman and a handful other media following the days’ public festivities for a casual, on-the-record chat for nearly 40 minutes.
Lotta meat on that buffet.
Barber talked a lot about how Todd Bowles’ scheme is very difficult to decipher for quarterbacks. He explained how studying Bowles’ defense frequently leaves a savvy film guru like himself wondering what he just looked at.
Regardless, “every single ball is contested,” Barber said of defensive back play in Bowles’ system and that is liberating Ryan Smith and others. Barber said Smith has caught the attention of Bucs’ scouts.
“He’s all over the place now,” Barber said of Smith in training camp. “[The sytem] conducive to making plays on the ball because there’s always the threat of pressure. So the ball is never going to come out on time. Can’t hold the ball; it’s gotta come out.
“I say that and in the preseason game [in Pittsburgh], the two touchdowns, the [Steelers] quarterback held the ball forever. But it’ll be exciting.”
This bodes well for Smith’s chances of sticking on the roster, despite his four-game suspension for using a banned performance-enhancing substance. It’s also a reason Bucco Bruce Arians included Smith when he said the secondary was “totally fixed.”
August 14th, 2019 at 12:37 pm
It matters not what kind of scheme we have, if we can not pressure the QB.
Give an NFL QB time, and they will soon figure out what is going on, and adjust.
August 14th, 2019 at 12:42 pm
I suspect that some of the main blitzing schemes will not be seen in pre-season.
August 14th, 2019 at 12:45 pm
Bucs had 38 sacks in 2018, Patriots had 30.
Bucs let QB’s complete 72% of passes, Patriots were at 61%.
August 14th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Dapostman I would imagine Stephon Gilmore and Devin McCourty had something to do with that. But regardless that 61% would inevitably increase if they were in a system that didn’t utilize their ability to disrupt routes at the LOS. It has more to do with that and less to do with pressure. Lack of pressure as well as allowing huge cushions will open the door for simple slants and hooks going 60 yards to the house all day every day. Those kind of looks allow the ball to get out too quickly for a pass rush to get there regardless so pressing at the line is crucial and might even give the rush that extra second to get through. That reason alone is why the defense will look much better this year imo.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Despite his 4-game suspension, Ryan Smith will stick. And he’ll see lots of playing time I’d surmise, both on defense and on special teams. And I’d be shocked if he’s not on the roster next year also. Kid’s got talent & will thrive in Todd Bowles’ defense.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:22 pm
He will definitely be insurance should injuries occur.
I’m totally in agreement with @Casual Observer about not seeing anywhere close to what they will do in the regular season.
It will take teams 4 or 5 weeks to come close to figuring it out I imagine.
Just stupid to show anything right now.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:24 pm
No matter how well Smith is playing, he’s in big hot water. So he SHOULD be balling out like others who’ve been suspended in the past…or else. HOWEVER, so suppose it comes down to numbers at final cuts and Smith’s play/potential is equal to the that of a recent DB draft pick? Would Licht cut such a pick? Much to factor in, including injuries that I hope don’t happen. Not a bad dilemma for coaches I suppose.
August 14th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
Smith will stick BECAUSE he has the suspension….that’s right……you don’t need to cut him because he will be tucked away for 4 games and won’t count against the roster.
We are almost certainly going to have a CB injured and Smith can come in as that replacement.
Also…..Smith is great on ST and can definitely TACKLE……
I like VH3 but Smith has a better chance of making the roster in 2020 than VH3….
August 14th, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Its almost a good thing for the team that Ryan Smith is suspended for the first 4 games.
Yes, his special teams play will be missed for those games – but his suspension opens up a roster spot for 4 games – allowing the Bucs to keep an extra player that they normally would not have been able to keep.
And its somewhat likely that a player or 2 will be injured bad enough by or before game 5 and headed to IR – that Ryan Smith will just be slipped back into that spot vacated by the IR player when he comes back in October.
August 14th, 2019 at 2:29 pm
ok this circle jerk is getting a little ridiculous at One Buc.
August 14th, 2019 at 2:43 pm
Best graded corner we had last year actually lol
August 14th, 2019 at 2:52 pm
Joe dont worry about the pre season scores. If you didnt figure it out. Pittsburgh has more depth behind there 1s. I bet a coupe of there back up olinemen could crack are starting rotation.
August 14th, 2019 at 3:28 pm
It’s been fun watching Ryan Smith. He started out really bad on defense and has slowly but surely kept getting better each year. That’s a testemant to hard work in my book. Something that’s been lacking.
August 14th, 2019 at 5:50 pm
yeah smith is coming into his own and is nfl ready now…he’s about to enter his prime…versatile guy and can be a glue type guy the next few years…he just needs to stop puffin the herbals or whatever he tested positive for…
smith should be a key reserve and special teams standout
August 15th, 2019 at 1:47 am
I’ve always rooted for Smith. I hope he finally figures it out.