Bruce Arians Says Donovan Smith Has Found Consistency
February 2nd, 2021
Super Bowl LV, aka the Bucs’ next home game, will be Donovan Smith’s 98th NFL start. And it seems Smith has found what many quality veterans eventually do.
That would be consistency.
Smith, a left tackle too many Bucs fans used to think was hot garbage, is only 27 years old and has found his best football at just the right time.
Bucco Bruce Arians talked about it last night on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
“I love the way Donovan finished the season and went into the playoffs,” Arians said. “I mean he became a very consistent player. Normally his reputation is of being an up-and-down guy, but he has been super consistent and is being the left tackle he is capable of being.”
Joe realizes that even in the ecstasy of a Buccaneers Super Bowl week, a sect of Tampa fans wants the Bucs to dump Smith and his giant salary next month so the team can preserve salary cap room and re-sign the vast majority of its free agents.
Joe would be stunned if that happened, especially if Tom Brady has a say.
Next season is the last of Smith’s three-year contract. Joe could see the Bucs re-working and extending Smith’s deal to have more cap flexibility in 2021.
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:51 am
I absolutely believe Donovan played his way back on the team next year. Left tackles don’t grow on trees and we likely won’t be able to replace him immediately. Couldn’t be happier with the entire Bucs OL
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:52 am
Here’s hoping his “consistency” plays out for one more game this season!
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:59 am
Thats exactly what they need to do rework his contract to more of a team friendly contract with some guaranteed money and bonuses. Hopefully save two or three mil in cap space. He may not be a pro bowler but hes healthy and dependable. His 14 plus mil is a little high, 10 to 12 mil is more realistic.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:07 am
If your looking for cap space the first place to start is Howard. Its time to trade him or release him. In four years hes missed 22 games not including 4 playoff games this year. Just the opposite of Smith.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:07 am
Donovan Smith has been what Bucs fans were hoping for, solid. Now if the Bucs can rework his contract, along with Brady, Marpet, Jensen, and maybe Evans again, they’ll be able to keep some of the other core players.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:43 am
PFF says grade of 72, 11 penalties, 6 sacks on 962 snaps this year. Better than average I guess
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:49 am
I’m not afraid to admit that I thought Smith would be a cap casualty. In the last few weeks, he’s proved to be a BARGAIN at his salary. Imagine what a team would pay for a solid and consistent left tackle who rarely misses a game.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:08 am
I wanted him out but he’s improved greatly…great work d.smith….
I still say draft a OG/C and a T….Stinne has played well but we still need depth….
GO BUCS
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:10 am
Allbuccedup: sorry, his current salary is exactly where it should be. It’s commensurate with his performance. And besides, who would you replace him with? Nobody. So before you say cut his pay, probably worth a look at what the top left tackles make. And how there aren’t many as good as him.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:22 am
I have disliked Smith for some time now but I have to give him credit. He has improved and he’s critical to the OL success.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:27 am
Compare his salary to what Trent Williams will be asking
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:42 am
Donovan has had great role models the past two years, older guys that are taking care of their bodies and playing well in their later years like JPP and Suh, and younger hungry guys like shaq. I think he’s learning he shouldn’t eat devil dogs for breakfast and he should play through the whistle rather than anticipating the whistle and stopping a couple seconds early.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:53 am
what brady “needs” in protection is different from what jameis needed…
and donovan has now found how to deliver a higher more dedicated level of play…
no one wants to be the scrub on the line…
the whole line has leveled up…
they now know…protect a mofo with your life for a few seconds and all is good…
with jameis things just broke down as he held the ball and floundered about the pocket…everyone wound up looking bad on those plays…
tom just needs a few succinct seconds of a clean pocket for success…
donovan and the line totally get it now…
we’re in the superbowl because of solid trench warfare
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:55 am
LT is arguably the second most important position in the NFL, third at worst.
You just do not dump a productive LT in his prime no matter the cap considerations.
Besides, I suspect a certain QB will influence any decision at LT.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:00 am
TB is so much more rhythmic back there…
things were messier with jameis because he was a wild dude in the pocket…
and now the line has developed some rhythm to flow with TB
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:01 am
cappa and wirfs were really starting to develop well together too on the right side before cappa went down
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:13 am
I admit he was the easy choice to cut ties and save cap
But he has turned around his play for sure and likely will play another year
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:21 am
He’s been great. The entire line has.
BEEJ ….
The 11 penalties and 6 sacks he gave up, I would put money that the majority of it happened the first half of the season.
The second half of the season Brady barely got touched two times a game.
The entire line improved and with the backs and TEs chipping in as well
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:41 am
Slow your roll.
Let’s not get too excited about D Smith. Yes, hje’s done an amazing job in the playoffs but he’s had some bad games this year, too. His next drop off is always right around the corner.
February 2nd, 2021 at 2:58 pm
Gotta give Donovan his due. Dude is playing VERY well.
Also want to take this time to thank John Lynch for doing Tampa a solid with that trade that enabled the Bucs to draft Wirfs. Getting Wirfs was a crucial piece of the puzzle.
February 2nd, 2021 at 5:35 pm
So many of you act like he just has horrible games, he doesn’t. He’s been pretty damn consistent for years. He’s a top 1/3 LT and top 7 the second half of this season.
He has gone through stints with penalty issues and he gets beaten occasionally by a pass rusher that has speed.
He seems to have corrected that from earlier this season.
He’s going to be around for a while, along with the entire O-line. Only one of them will be 30 next year
February 3rd, 2021 at 8:37 am
Smith and Wirfs have been DESTROYING defenders.
You arent hearing and opposing D linemen’s names being mentioned!
Jensen and Marpet are slaying it also.
Thats how you end up in the Superbowl!