No Donovan Smith? No Problem.
December 20th, 2020
Backup stands tall
Take a bow, general manager Jason Licht.
Licht’s taken a lot of punishment from Bucs fans over the years (rightfully so) but what a year he is having in 2020. Things have come together so incredibly well from a personnel standpoint outside of the Bucs’ secondary.
Left guard Ali Marpet was lost for a stretch. The Bucs overcame it.
Donovan Smith was a late scratch today after landing on the NFL’s COVID/reserve list, and veteran backup Josh Wells had a solid performance with limited practice.
Yeah, Wells had a little trouble with Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett and won’t be winning any awards, but he was more than good enough.
Heck, the Bucs rolled up 31 points, the most on the Falcons since Raheem Morris took over the team early in the season. Tom Brady threw for 390 yards. You don’t pull that off with a garbage left tackle.
Wells did the same thing last season filling in for Smith against the Lions in December.
And look at the right side of the that Bucs offensive line; it’s strong with Tristan Wirfs and Alex Cappa.
The Bucs pounced on Wells after the 29-year-old was cut by the Jaguars late last summer. Joe is very glad they did.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Wells certainly played better than we had a right to expect. He certainly was not a turnstyle.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:14 pm
No penalties equals better than smith
December 20th, 2020 at 5:15 pm
Smith and his 14 mil looks like trade bait to me free up some cap space for Godwin or Shaq draft a left tackle 1st or 2nd round sign Wells to a two year team friendly contract. Now just beat the Lions and clinch playoffs.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:19 pm
It all starts in the trenches!
December 20th, 2020 at 5:20 pm
I’ll have to rewatch this – but he seemed to be giving up a good amount of pressure when I paid attention to him. He wasn’t preseason Cappa bad or anything, but from what I saw (when I was paying attention to him) wasn’t very good. But I could be wrong and just noticed him on his bad plays.
In any case, despite what the morons who just mindless repeat what they hear on sports talk radio, the team needs Smith back.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:22 pm
Allbuccedup.
Good point, but who takes Smith and his 14mil?
And what do we get in return, a 7th round pick and a used Jugs machine?
Lol.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:26 pm
Definitely missed Smith. Wells did ok. Smith has played well this year. Doesn’t matter what he did last year.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:28 pm
Take a bow J Licht?
Three words:
Sean
Murphy
Bunting
December 20th, 2020 at 5:29 pm
I know people get on Smith, but he has played very good this year. He is better than 2/3 of the left tackles in the NFL. His penalties have been killer this year.
As for Wells, that was a slow start by the entire line in not picking up schemes and blitzes but then they settled in and they all played damn good
December 20th, 2020 at 5:35 pm
He gave ground at a pretty steady pace all day. He also didn’t get much help with the same standard calls at the start of the game.
He could hold up long enough for the quick passing game that finally happened with the second half. That slant to Antonio Brown got things rolling.
December 20th, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Hey Joez, Remember when you said half time adjustments were over rated?
The Little General said half time was for smoking a Winston, taking a leak and eating a sandwich. And you guys agreed!
Good grief!
December 20th, 2020 at 6:16 pm
Wells has been on the team for many years. I was expecting him to get the job done. D.Smith simply needs too much money next year to remain a Buc. We will move on and find a cheaper, maybe better, way to play Tackle.
D.Smith is a decent LT but hes been here for 6 years and never once shown he can handle great compition. Wirfs can. Wirfs can be R or L Tackle in the future. It dont matter… . What does matter is that tge hest T on the team does the heavy lifting and he is the guy we truely count on.
GO BUCS
December 20th, 2020 at 6:35 pm
Yeah, I mean minus all the sacks, QB hits, and pressures, the line played great!
Lol, such low standards around here.
December 20th, 2020 at 6:41 pm
Brady covered up a lot in the 2nd half with quick hitters. But, that’s what you do when you have starters out – adjust the plan to ensure success. Too bad it took a half to figure it out, but a win at the end is all that matters. Next man up!
December 20th, 2020 at 7:07 pm
Kan I just say one word?
Kappa.
Never hear his name it seems. Ever.
I watched him closely today. The dude’s playing out of his mind.
He should get more accolades, methinks.
December 20th, 2020 at 7:14 pm
Wells played much better than Smith. PERIOD
December 20th, 2020 at 7:31 pm
thanks Mr. Wells!!! You did a helluva job!!
Keep him around Licht!
December 20th, 2020 at 8:07 pm
No penalties on that Oline…..no holds….no false starts….
No penalties on the defense….no offsides….no holds…no PI
BA has done a great job of cleaning all that up…
Also…no turnovers the last 2 games…..
Our special teams have been playing well…
December 20th, 2020 at 9:09 pm
Wells struggled. You guys have a mad on for Smith.
December 20th, 2020 at 9:51 pm
He did what backup left tackles do when they start – get their QB flattened a couple of times. That no one was killed, injured or charged with any crimes during or following the incidents is a testimony to fortune, not ability.
December 20th, 2020 at 10:13 pm
Todd your right cappa a dlll guy killing it. When he played with a broken arm last year I knew we had a steal in him. Our GM deff isn’t perfect but dam has he built a great oline that will be here to play for awhile deff the right side is set with cappa and wirf I know we payed a lot for Jensen but he’s playing at a very high level we all know marpet is a beast and has bin doing it for a long time. He too is from a small division school. Now we just gotta get that dline rebuilt jpp won’t last forever playing ever snap lol and Shaq is going to need some help with vea let’s go Bucs
December 22nd, 2020 at 5:36 pm
Wells is doing fine. Maybe they should retest Smith…..like a dozen more times.
IMHO he has not lived up to his salary cap hit.