Top Mentor “Donny”
September 11th, 2020
Some Bucs fans think rookie first-round pick Tristan Wirfs will take Donovan Smith’s job next season, in a tackle swap that would soothe the Smith bashers like a cold Big Storm Beer on a Sunday afternoon.
Joe’s not in that loud crowd, so Joe is most interested in how Wirfs is fitting in with teammates and his readiness to play right tackle on Sunday’s opening day.
Joe asked Wirfs today what teammate is helping him most, and the answer might surprise some fans.
JoeBucsFan.com: Tristan, if you had to name one guy on the Bucs roster who sort of has been mentoring you more than anybody else, even though a lot of guys have chipped in, who would that be?
Tristan Wirfs: Probably Donny. Donovan Smith. It feels like he’s kind of been like a big brother to me, you know, playing the tackle position just giving me tips here and there. Stuff that he’s done that works for him. He’s like, ‘Hey, give this a try.’ Or stuff like that. We’ll text and Facetime sometimes. But, you know, it’s been really awesome having him to talk to.
Very cool. A pure class effort by Smith.
Now go beat New Orleans!!
September 11th, 2020 at 1:47 pm
This is great to hear. I’ve been waiting on D Smith, waiting for him to take football more seriously. When I heard he came into the season in the best shape as a pro, I knew something had changed. Smith has been an okay player, but the Bucs need better than just okay at LT this year. Oh, and I hope D Smith still holds a grudge against Cam Jordan for talking trash about him a few years ago, he needs to use that as motivation and have a chip on his shoulder.
September 11th, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Good to hear. Donavan Smith IMO is a keeper. He’s a solid if not spectacular LT. Most of all he is durable. Those dudes aren’t just hanging out on street corners ripe for picking.
Que the snarky Buc sect…”If Smith is mentoring Wirfs then poor Wirfs will be out of the league in a year or two…etc..etc..”
September 11th, 2020 at 2:01 pm
*Cue*
September 11th, 2020 at 2:09 pm
Everyone on this team can’t be a keeper due to the cap next year……no offense, Donovan….but if we can draft a RT & move Wirfs to LT….we could save a ton of money on the cap….
Other suggestions are to trade Brate….let Suh go…..don’t resign Gronk…..work out a cheaper longer term deal for Shaq.
September 11th, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Maybe you are right Tampa Bay Buc fan but I think Smith on the open market next year will get more then the $14 million we are paying him. By March next year, at least another 4 left tackles will be signed for over 14 million per year.
That will put 12 left tackles making 14 million or more.
We may want to spend the money elsewhere. We may not either.
September 11th, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Some of you guys did not get out of the story that was glaringly obvious and focused on money only. You people suck, seriously. This team is a real team. Smith is a man first. He is handing down his knowledge like a solid professional football player does. Doesn’t matter if it’s a 2nd year pro or a 15 year veteran, Pros hand down knowledge all of the time. Smith being on the Buccaneers is a good thing. I told you before, we need this man. Try showing love and stop worrying about the cost. These players realize they will never be on as gifted a team as this one.
GO BUCS!!!!
September 11th, 2020 at 3:31 pm
the man has been durable, and available, he has missed what one game in his career, he may not be the cream of the crop, but i feel blessed we have him, and the worst left tackle in the leagues practice squads is better than 99.9% of the fans bitching and moaning bout donovan smith
September 11th, 2020 at 3:33 pm
Smith isn’t the best LT in the league, but he certainly isn’t the worst. Why would fans want to replace a LT who’s just starting to enter his prime? Smith’s salary isn’t outrageous for a starting NFL LT. To save a few bucks you want to draft another RT, and move a second year player to LT a position he’s never played before? Some of you fans are so clueless. By the way, every tackle gets beat from time to time, none are perfect. Those LB’s, and DE’s get paid big bucks too, because they’re good, real good. You’re not going to keep them from getting to the QB every play, get real. Smith will do better this year without JW holding the ball forever too.
September 11th, 2020 at 3:40 pm
Simply a suggestion on dealing with cap going forward……nothing against D Smith…..but how many players do we have making $14.2 million that isn’t guaranteed next year?
Keep Smith if you like…..but who you gonna’ cut?
September 11th, 2020 at 3:43 pm
Instead of being excited and enjoying THIS YEAR and the team the Bucs have put together, some are worried about the future. While it’s good to have foresight, I’m going to focus and enjoy THIS SEASON.
September 11th, 2020 at 4:39 pm
“Is Dope Smith putting ear plugs before TB12 starts chewing this lazy clown out
This PFF 32nd ranked left tackle Bum is a Fav by the JBF apologists
Dope Smith and Fat Cappa is the weakness of the Oline. DC Dennis Allen is going make these 2 silly”
Kobe Faker
September 11th, 2020 at 4:43 pm
All that’s great but if we cannot block Cameron Jordan we can’t win
September 11th, 2020 at 4:51 pm
Joe in Michigan
I can do both….enjoy this year and look towards the future.
September 11th, 2020 at 5:29 pm
TBBF: True, but there are a few goofball fans that want to run Smith it of Tampa THIS year. I saw someone post the other day about moving Wirfs to LT now. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems to be a bad idea to cut your starting LT a few days before the season starts. Kobe Faker thinks he has the answers, but he’d make Jason Licht seem like a Hall of Fame GM.
September 11th, 2020 at 6:27 pm
*Out of Tampa
September 11th, 2020 at 11:22 pm
Sorry but I think Right Tackle is just as important as Left. You need both especially to run the ball effectively. Wirfs needs to shore up that right side.
September 11th, 2020 at 11:25 pm
I was hard on Donovan Smith but I gave him props last season because he had a really good year. He improved drastically and it’s nice to see a guy get paid and then actually improve his performance. I’m in Smith’s camp now. He just needs to keep getting better and play to the whistle. It’s more important now than before. TB doesn’t need and hits from any direction. Keep him clean and he’ll perform magic.
September 12th, 2020 at 12:39 am
I’m 100% with Joe in Michigan. Let’s enjoy 2020! 2021 will sort itself out, and we’re not close to that yet. Last I checked, ther are as many as 20 games between now and then!
September 12th, 2020 at 1:33 am
Amen, Alan Collingwood! LFG!!
September 12th, 2020 at 1:34 am
All the haters will eat crow one Donny becomes one of the top left tackles in the league this season. I think him and oj Howard will be the biggest benefactors from the Tom Brady signing as far as reaching their potential.