Donovan Smith Gets Endorsement
October 23rd, 2019
Gets props from coach.
This won’t go over well for the anti-offensive line crowd.
Joe has stated the hollering and the foot-stomping over the Bucs’ offensive line is to Joe a football version of the “Boy Who Cried Wolf.” Joe honestly is numb to it. It goes in one ear and out the other.
It has been a virtual steady drumbeat since Joe first launched this here site 11 years ago. Sometimes the woofing has been valid (2014 Bucs), sometimes not (Donald Penn). So Joe just lets his eyes decide.
So in some ways, Joe feels awful for Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith. It is like the guy was branded a bust before he stepped off the Penn State campus when he entered the draft. And by who? Why, none other than the PFF Tribe.
(If you want to see a scout or an NFL general manager scream like they are at a Chris Rock concert, mention the tribe’s offensive line grades.)
Smith has been a (very large) target for critics who need Tommy John surgery; they have thrown so many rocks at him. Is he Tony Boselli? No way. Is he Anthony Collins? Hell no!
In a league in an offensive line crisis, Smith, while his play can be frustrating at times to watch, is a serviceable left tackle and good at times.
Yesterday when Bucco Bruce Arians met with the local pen and mic club for the first time since the bye week, he seemed good with Smith’s play.
“I think he has been really solid,” Arians said of Smith when he was asked about him yesterday. “He has really picked up his run game stuff. He’s held his own all season.”
Would Joe like to see Smith play angrier? Of course. And at times it seems — keyword there “seems” — Smith gives up on a play too quickly.
There are then other plays where Smith just ragdolls pass rushers. The way Joe looks at it, if Arians is OK with Smith, then so is Joe.
This team has much bigger fish to fry than Smith. (Secondary, anyone?)
October 23rd, 2019 at 12:11 am
The boy who cried wolf ends when the wolves came(saints,Panthers,browns) kills the village(offense).
Get out here man Dsmith is garbage. Lined up next to a d3 tackle, undrafted center, d3 tackle,and a undrafted basketball player. Makes up the 3rd highest paid line with 3rd lowest production. That’s why we need both TE and a RB blocking a 4 man rush. Terrible
October 23rd, 2019 at 12:21 am
His play has improved this year and he has been competent at the position. Wish I could say the same about Dotson or the human dildo who has replaced him for the past couple weeks.
October 23rd, 2019 at 12:22 am
LOL Ouch!!!
October 23rd, 2019 at 12:31 am
DS does ‘good enough” in basic situations. He is bad, when facing good or elite pass rushers. What are ya gonna do, if Bucs? The guy, shows up for every game?
October 23rd, 2019 at 12:54 am
Well yeah I guess when you compare him to the other offensive lineman on the Bucs, he is ok. Kinda a weird Flex to say D Smith is great
October 23rd, 2019 at 12:55 am
FIRE 🔥 LICHT
October 23rd, 2019 at 6:07 am
Much more fun to denigrate a Secondary filled with rookies & 1st year players than it is to hold a very experienced member of the NFL’s most expensive OLine that’s on-track to get Jameis sacked 70 times this year ACCOUNTABLE.
October 23rd, 2019 at 6:44 am
Nothing to see here. You’re not seeing what you see Defense Rules! Move on.
October 23rd, 2019 at 7:13 am
Lamarcus
In your mind , everyone but one person on the team is garbage. You have taken a dump on everyone but one player
Can anyone guess who that is ?
Yup…Jameis .
And we know …in your eyes , he is a hall of famer …you have said that….and he will win multiple titles when he leaves …you have said that …you just said top 5 QB the other day ….when he currently is rated in the 20’s
Maybe we should have a Dr take a look at you . Seriously concerned
October 23rd, 2019 at 7:14 am
When you drink Koolaid long enough you begin to see everything with rose colored glasses. It makes losing more pleasant.
October 23rd, 2019 at 7:17 am
Draft one of the legit left tackles coming out in the first round.
Move Donovan Smith to the right side.
Retire Lamar Dotson.
Offensive line “fixed”.
October 23rd, 2019 at 8:34 am
@Defense Rules Says:
“Much more fun to denigrate a Secondary filled with rookies & 1st year players…”
Yeah, no reason to hold 7+ high draft picks accountable for contributing zip, not even flashes…
October 23rd, 2019 at 8:58 am
lol Arians talks up everyone. All he does is spew crap.
October 23rd, 2019 at 9:04 am
This is what I’ve been talking about since Gruden and staff were fired. Somehow solid players are treated and paid here in Tampa like superstars. McCoy solid $100 Million, Jameis Solid at best $20 Million THIS YEAR, Smith solid $50 Million, Jensen solid $40 Million, Brate Solid $40 Million, Gholston solid maybe $25 Million, Marpet solid $40 Million, Devin White who knows? $30 Million, JPP injured with one hand $60 Million, Dotson less than solid $16 Million.
This is why we have CAP ISSUES and this is why we can’t compete with successful organizations.
October 23rd, 2019 at 9:08 am
Almost 70% of our cap space is taken up by the offense last I looked we were number 2 or three in lopsided salaries with the defense taking up only 30% or the low 30’s. Fans have every right to expect WAY MORE out of the offensive side of the ball.
October 23rd, 2019 at 9:18 am
Smith isn’t a Top 5 LT, but look around at the rest of the NFL. He isn’t as awful as people make him out to be on this blog.
October 23rd, 2019 at 10:07 am
d.smith is very average but on a good day he can be very good….
GO BUCS!!!!!
October 23rd, 2019 at 11:19 am
I dont know why we get criticized by JBF for complaining about D Smith. Hes on pace to give up more than 50 pressures Joe. Does that sound even close to what a top paid LT should be giving up?
October 23rd, 2019 at 11:39 am
Defense Rules Says:
“… OLine that’s on-track to get Jameis sacked 70 times this year…”
.
.
To be fair, if Jameis stops sacking himself by leaving a perfectly good pocket, it would cut that down to about 50 sacks.
October 23rd, 2019 at 1:19 pm
Didn’t read the article yet, I was just wondering if it was from a revolving door company, and they want his as their spokesperson. Probably a few more million on that endorsement deal.
October 23rd, 2019 at 6:22 pm
This O/Line is best at the run. Then that is what they should be a grind them down, quick pace, road graders, paving the way for hard running P Barber and the uprising Ro Jo….third and three or four, run it. POUND the rock should be the demeaned of this O/Line! I would like to see any one of these guys after a successful 7 yard run, let the coaches on the sideline know, let’s keep pounding the rock, I want see Ro Jo and Barber give that feed me sign! POUND THE ROCK POUND THE ROCK ROAD GRADERS MOUNT UP!!
October 23rd, 2019 at 7:31 pm
DayOnePaul: I’ve made that assessment a time or two in the past, but when the guy says it would be hard for him to make that move, it tells me he ain’t who we think is…he damn sure ain’t no team player!!!