Donovan Smith Talks “Never Settling”
April 5th, 2021
Donovan Smith
A couple of months from his 28th birthday, Bucs Super Bowl left tackle Donovan Smith is a lot like Shaq Barrett.
Joe’s not talking about their age and new jewelry; Joe’s talking about lasting hunger.
Smith made a trip to The Matt Lombardo Show last week and was asked to state his key to personal success.
“Oh, man. Never settling,” Smith replied.
“You know, I feel like my best years are to come. Obviously it’s a game that you learn and you grow with and obviously it comes with experience. So being able to have as many games I have under my belt in six years. I think I’m at 98 [games], somewhere around there; it’s crazy.
“You just find different motivations each year, as well as just the learning process — technique, just growing as an athlete as a pro. Going out there and perfecting my game, my craft and playing dominant physical football, all while having fun with it. Like I said, I’m still young, which is crazy. I feel the best is yet to come.”
Joe loves what’s been coming out of the mouths of various Buccaneers over the last month. None of it sounds empty and it seems each guy has his own fire that’s more than just screaming “Go For Two.”
Smith added that he looks forward to the Bucs playing faster next season, and Joe will add that Joe firmly expects Bucs like Smith to be totally energized by raucous crowds for home games at The Licht House, something veteran Bucs like Smith aren’t used to.
Enjoy the latest Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
April 5th, 2021 at 2:13 pm
Well said Donnie.
You are a true warrior.
April 5th, 2021 at 2:15 pm
No question but that he improved this year – as the season went on. Impressive change.
April 5th, 2021 at 2:47 pm
Licht House! Now that’s a moniker I can appreciate.
Can’t wait to see playing faster and with a crowd.
LFG!
In BA I Trust!
April 5th, 2021 at 3:04 pm
Joe, I love that you’ve adopted The Licht House. Wasn’t crazy about the Stadium on Dale Mabry Hwy.
April 5th, 2021 at 3:17 pm
Why? It is a stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. Just like Mons is a clothing-optional establishment on Dale Mabry Highway.
Surely you don’t think Joe is referencing a minor league baseball stadium or a high school football field?
April 5th, 2021 at 3:59 pm
I guess I’m strange….I call it Raymond James Stadium…..or the Ray Jay…..but I do like the Licht House…..
April 5th, 2021 at 4:32 pm
Look at the QB landscape across the division;
TB12
Matt Ryan (4th pick/QB?)
Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill
Sam Darnold
Go Bucs! Whose the “best QB, roster, and coaching staff in the NFC S?
We are so lucky for Brady and I hope that dude can repeat. It would be so damn epic.
April 5th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
Just saw Sam Darnold traded to The Panthers.
I’ll admit I wanted Smith gone but he stepped his game up and looked good the 2nd half of the season. I’ll never forget the look TB12 gave him after a sack in the Chicago game. If looks could kill her was dead on the spot. Lol
April 5th, 2021 at 4:41 pm
Panthers…hahaha
April 5th, 2021 at 4:51 pm
Darnold is a big step up from Bridgewater – I’d hold off on your laughter. But if you want to laugh, laugh at the idiots who wanted Bridgewater here last year, now that is funny. There were still morons saying they’d rather have Bridgewater than Brady here – no joke.
April 5th, 2021 at 5:41 pm
DoooshLaTool: I’m not sure what Donovan Smith did to you that you’d have a deep seeded hate for the guy, probably gave up a sack or something when you didn’t want him to…I suggest that when the Bucs are on offense you find a safe space so Big D will never be able to hurt you again.
April 5th, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Teddy Bridgewater is a much better QB than Darnold and his QB ratings are all better than Darnold’s best rating, except for his 1st year back from injury with Saints in 2018 when he hardly played.
Darnold has been on poor Jets teams, but his decision making is questionable and he’s not much of an athlete.
A much better Panthers team this year will validate Bridgewater’s worth.
April 5th, 2021 at 5:55 pm
Some people/fans on here were very critical of on the field leadership. This past super bowl winning year was proof of just how important it is. Brady is the one who motivated him. Remember he was going to sit out because of covid. Then his first couple games he was still a little lax in effort! Brady talked to each of them and was able to get the most out of all of them. On the field leadership is the moost important thing for any professional team!
April 5th, 2021 at 6:19 pm
I don’t remember anyone wanting Bridgewater over Brady, I think most of us thought landing TB was a dream.
I do remember most sane people just wanting JayMiss gone and statistically Teddy is a better QB than the Soiled Messiah…….
I mean if you care about things like QBR, TD to INT ratio and stuff like that and not gaudy numbers and stupid mistakes.
April 5th, 2021 at 7:15 pm
Rojo, D Smith, White, and practically all the DBs needed time to develop. Now they are the cornerstone of the organization.
Wirfs and Winfield were rare in their ability to contribute at a high level in year 1.
We should keep that in mind with this group of rookies coming in.