Rondé Barber Talks About “The Most Un-talked-about Aspect Of This Tom Brady Signing”
March 29th, 2020
Donovan Smith won’t get a Ring of Honor vote from Rondé Barber.
It’s become clear that Rondé Barber sees Donovan Smith as a questionable piece of the Buccaneers’ puzzle.
Barber has said it twice now publicly since the Tom Brady signing.
The first time was on national radio, and then he went there in a draft conversation with Dan Lucas of WFLA-TV.
Barber sees the Bucs going offensive tackle in Round 1, if they want the strongest impact to complement the Brady move. And it’s driven by need and their position in the draft he said. (Barber made this call before the Bucs signed Colts backup offensive lineman Joe Haeg in free agency.)
“To me, Donovan Smith is probably the most un-talked-about aspect of this Tom Brady signing. (Laughs) He needs to be really good from here on out,” Barber said.
“That potential that we see all the time from him needs to be consistently good. But yeah, I’d say they stick there [at No. 14 drafting a tackle]. They may try to make a run at a quarterback; I doubt they do that in the first round. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do it in the second day of the draft. But to me, if you’re looking for a place to get better real quick, it’s the offensive line. I think we’ve seen in the NFL these past couple of years, if you can find a top guy at that spot, the top-20 picks in the draft on the offensive line, they can come in and help you right away.”
Bucco Bruce Arians said he believes Brady will or should raise the game of Smith. The head coach said that during a conference call with Joe and other local media.
Smith is signed for 2020 and he’s not going anywhere, but if the Bucs think Smith can be pushed by Brady, imagine how Smith could be motivated by seeing his potential replacement on the roster.
Yes, players should be self-motivated at all times, but everyone is different.
March 29th, 2020 at 11:39 am
This really has nothing to do with Smith…..he is our LT and will remain at LT……all of our Olnemen need to step up…….this is about the RT position and will depend entirely on who is there at 14…..if one isn’t there, I could see us trading down for an extra 2nd round pick……we need RT, RB, S….DT/DE…..and at least 3 need to be starters.
March 29th, 2020 at 11:40 am
Yes, players should be self-motivated at all times, but everyone is different.
________
Read: apathetic/lazy.
March 29th, 2020 at 11:42 am
This will be a make it or break it year for lazy ass Smith.
March 29th, 2020 at 11:45 am
I’m all for a new LT even if we have to trade up to do it. When Smith is bad, he’s real bad.
March 29th, 2020 at 11:46 am
Lol all the fans in here have been saying that since Day 1 when Brady was rumored here. Ok Ronde you’re obviously stalking the boards here on Joebucsfan, disclose your handle to us all.
He better play his butt off this year because next near none of that money is guaranteed. Say what you want but Licht did a great job playing Smith above market at the time but only giving him 2 years of guaranteed money. If Smith doesn’t have his best year he’s cut and he’s a backup making 4.5 mln next year. I think Smith will play possessed this year, he has a mean streak that comes out sometimes but for some reason is owned By Cameron Jordan.
March 29th, 2020 at 11:51 am
Trade Smith and a day 3 pick foe Trent Willams. Sign him to 4 Yeats at $17M./yr. Draft a RT in the 1st round. When the contract is up, Williams retires, you pay the tackle you just drafted on his 2nd contract and draft another T in the first round. Win-win. You get better this year and long term without paying for 2 high end tackles.
March 29th, 2020 at 11:54 am
Or draft the tackle they want, whether it is staying put or moving up a couple of spots!!!!!!!! Then move the lesser talent to right tackle!!!!!!!!! Is anyone saying that D Smith playing right tackle be any worse than what D Dotson was putting on tape the last couple of years!!!!!!!!!!! The licht bulb and ole stale biscuit need to be very productive this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 29th, 2020 at 12:00 pm
Big decisions for Licht and BA this yr. do they draft smiths replacement this yr or next? Do they roll with Smith both years? Do they try to get younger on the d line this yr or next?
Suh is not signed for next yr and JPP isn’t getting any younger. This roster is far from being perfect and still has holes in the starting lineup. I think Licht really has to knock it out of the park this draft to bring this team to playoff caliber and I’m not sure if I trust him to do that.
March 29th, 2020 at 12:05 pm
Anonymous if you can pull off that trade I’m signing over power of attorney of my entire estate to you! First you may want to let the Texans acquire Trent and THEN maybe you can steal him like that 😂
March 29th, 2020 at 12:14 pm
IMHO I think the Bucs should draft a OT with there first pick & another OT or OL in the 2nd or 3rd rd. depending how the draft works out. Of course if there is a top RB available such as Akers or Dobbins that might make a difference or a QB that they value high. Like I said it all depends on how the draft falls but I don’t think one OT will be enough. Need a backup plan.
March 29th, 2020 at 12:16 pm
There are a lot of good looking OL in the draft especially OT. Should draft two.
March 29th, 2020 at 12:24 pm
Lt, rb, s, rt, qb ( mid rounds like Morgan or Anthony Gordon), then draft depth at o- line & d- line… BUT o- line, running back and safety are all in need of and upgrade and solid players at those positions..
March 29th, 2020 at 12:28 pm
“Kobe Fakers pet goat was unbearable yesterday
The unbearable screams gave Kobe a head splitting migraine all day
The Bucs new GOAT TB12 does alot of screaming on the sidelines
Who will get screamed at first? Dope Smith or QB intern Leftfoot?”
Kobe Faker
March 29th, 2020 at 12:30 pm
This is good that Ronde said this. Put Donovan’s name out there and put a target on him.
And yeah he did improve. But he needs to kick it up even another notch now that he is protect the great Tom Brady. And from what I hear about Tom he will not tolerate any lack of effort from his teammates.
This is all basically an open challenge to D.Smith. I think the big teddy bear meets it.
March 29th, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Smith knows this is his last guaranteed year. He’s read his reviews. He’ll be playing at high level this year so he can earn his payday … and his next one.
March 29th, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Anonymous: echo what Matt said. Brilliant; probably unrealistic, but kudo’s for for the imagination.
March 29th, 2020 at 1:00 pm
New LT – Smith – Jensen – Marpet – Cappa/Dotson/Rookie – ?
March 29th, 2020 at 1:13 pm
I saw this mock somewhere and would be very happy with it!
1. Mekhi Bekton OT Louisville
2. Cam Akers RB FL St
3. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
4. DE (forgot who they said)
5…6…7…
March 29th, 2020 at 1:13 pm
D Smith will be okay, because Brady knows when to get rid of the ball.
March 29th, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Tom Brady typically does not hesitate to throw the football. Winston liked to hold the ball while in the pocket while looking for his deep routes and favorite targets. This of course leads to more QB hits and sacks. Brady getting rid of the ball quickly or throwing it away will help the offensive line a bunch.
March 29th, 2020 at 1:30 pm
Amen, Marine Buc. New England didn’t have any superstar O-Linemen, just smart, well coached players. Brady made them look better, too.
March 29th, 2020 at 1:53 pm
I agree that Tom will target open receivers and be more decisive. And get rid of the ball to make the OLs job easier……..But Tom will also probably look at these weapons we have and want to take more shots downfield with them……….And it’s not like Tom has always been a underneath passer. He has run some vertical offenses before.
He’s gonna probably wanna open things up offensively compared to what he has been doing in NE last 2 or so years. So he’s gonna need the OL to hold their blocks.
I doubt Brady came her to run just 5 yard outs and slants. If that’s all he wanted he’d probably be in Tennessee or elsewhere. He probably came here to lead a potential offense.
March 29th, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Signing Brady, + resigning JPP + resigning Suh = Have to draft OL in the first. I’m afraid all 4 OTs will be gone by 14. Would feel much better if we jump ahead of the Jets. Use that additional comp pick as a reason to move up a little. Even if it cost us our 3rd, we still have two 4ths!
March 29th, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Everyone saw Smith every game except a couple where he appeared to have mental lapses and all of a sudden throw a “lookout Block”. You know Smith stands there watches the D-end run by him and yells at Jameis, “look out”. That will only happen once maybe twice before Brady jumps down his throat. Smith appears to have all the tools but he seems to have a couple of boneheaded plays a game. Bucs need to go O-tackle in round one if the top 4 aren’t already gone. Running back In round 2,3, or 4. Draft another O-lineman in the middle rounds. Remember the Bucs are in win now mode. I doubt they waste a draft pick this year on a QB unless a really good one drops to the later rounds. Instead they need to find guys on both sides of the ball but mainly offense who can contribute right away.
March 29th, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Brady’s contract is Guaranteed, even if he gets hurt!
That should tell you what we plan to do in this Draft.
I will be shocked if we don’t use our first pick on a stud O Lineman, and possibly trade up for one, depending on how the draft goes.
March 29th, 2020 at 3:35 pm
It will sure be an eye opener for Mr. Smith, the first time he half-asses on a play and he gets back to the huddle. Mr. Brady will get in Smith’s face and let him have it. It will be amazing to watch.
March 29th, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Best scenario draft:
Round 1 (Pick No. 14): K’Lavon Chaisson Edge (LSU).
Round 2 (Pick No. 45): Isaiah Wilson OT (Georgia).
Round 3 (Pick No. 76): Antonio Gibson RB/WR/KR (Memphis)
Round 4 (Pick No. 117): James Proche WR SMU.
Round 4 (Pick No. 139): Anthony Gordon QB Washington St.
Round 5 (Pick No. 161): Darrynton Evans RB App.
Round 6 (Pick No. 194): Tyler Clark DT Georgia.
March 29th, 2020 at 5:14 pm
The depth of this draft lines up perfectly with the Bucs needs. Deep at OL, RB, WR and QB. There are some good safeties too.
March 29th, 2020 at 6:23 pm
Love Ronde bringing that heat! And you better believe our LT knows that message is coming from more than just Ronde.
March 29th, 2020 at 7:27 pm
That’s the opposite of Mark Dominik’s philosophy. He always said it takes offensive linemen several years to develop. So which is it, draft one for this year or draft one for the next coach?
March 29th, 2020 at 8:21 pm
The Bucs should be looking to upgrade at the weakest spots along the line. That’s not Smith. If they can upgrade enough spots that suddenly he’s the weakest link, then yeah, replace him.
March 29th, 2020 at 8:27 pm
Joe does it make a difference when it is Ronde calling out D Smith vs one of us posters?
March 30th, 2020 at 4:38 am
Koetter’s biggest mistake was expecting professional athletes to act professional
March 30th, 2020 at 8:33 am
IF one of the big 3 of 4 quaterbacks drop we should pull the trigger.
March 30th, 2020 at 10:08 am
Rohnde is absolutely correct. Smith is suspect. Yes i remember how he didnt allow a sack in almost a season or something like that. But thats over.we paid him to much and he been to comfortable. And im very concerned about that position if we dont draft another offensive tackle