Donovan Smith Has “Beat Up” Hands
December 21st, 2022
Injured?
Bucs fans largely were not throwing darts at Donovan Smith after the brutal loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Joe’s not surprised.
Smith has a knack for bouncing back from bad stretches in his career, and Sunday sure felt like a perfect time. Cincinnati was down its top pass rusher and Smith needed to clean up his game.
He came through, but quick recoveries have been more than the usual challenge for Tampa Bay’s ironman left tackle this season. Smith messed up his elbow on opening day and, per assistant Bucs head coach and co-offensive line coach Harold Goodwin, Smith’s hands are giving him trouble.
Goodwin opened up about Smith yesterday on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
“It’s just a thing that Donny has just got to continue to work on his hands. I know his hands are beat up, you know, but that can’t be an excuse,” Goodwin said. “You’re at the money position, the left tackle taking care of the quarterback, so you gotta make sure you’re in the right spot as far your technique and your feet all the time, staying inside out on a guy. And just keep moving your feet, especially when you lock onto a guy.
“But Donny knows he’s got to play better. Donny knows he’s capable. He’s played great football here over the years. And he’s just got to continue to try and be consistent. Right now he’ll probably tell you he’s inconsistent. But if he ever gets consistent, he could be a Pro Bowler type player.”
Consistency means so much at left tackle. Three or four plays out of, say, 65 snaps, and fans want you run out of town and your quarterback might land on injured reserve by Halloween.
Smith’s overall game has taken a step back this season, but he’s still a solid NFL left tackle. And Joe suspects the injuries are an issue for the eight-year veteran.
Joe hopes the Bucs can lock down the miserable NFC South with a game to spare. Smith is one of many Bucs that could use a Week 18 break before the playoffs begin.
December 21st, 2022 at 8:07 am
Alot people don’t remember this about DS coming outta college…..but there were some scouting reports that said he could be an elite Tackle but he has tendencies to get “LAZY” at times.
………so whatever the hell that means…..I dunno??????
I think that’s why we see DS holding his own against elite level Edge rushers and then on some games he’s just getting straight up WHOOPED!!!!!!
December 21st, 2022 at 8:13 am
Wearing them out holding onto opponent’s jerseys……
December 21st, 2022 at 8:28 am
Well, “just keep moving your feet” and “if he ever gets consistent” are two of the most frequent comments when it comes to Smith. After 8 years in the league, it’s likely he’s all he’s ever going to be and probable he’ll only decline going forward. Should be on the list to be replaced this offseason if Wirfs is willing/capable of moving to LT. Wells/Walton at RT would likely suffice while a better alternative is found.
December 21st, 2022 at 8:34 am
JJ Watt had 3 sacks last game- Smith needs to play a solid game this week.
December 21st, 2022 at 8:34 am
TBBf, exactly, probably jams the crap out of them.
December 21st, 2022 at 8:42 am
Hes should have been a rt anyway
December 21st, 2022 at 9:18 am
I know this is a weird question, but what are the odds of a Tackle swap? Whirfs moves to LT, and DSmith moves over to the right?
December 21st, 2022 at 9:20 am
@Bucobill999
He should’ve been working in the concession stands as a custodian or as a bouncer. But then again that would’ve gone either way as a bouncer because either he would’ve been holding them or they would’ve just gotten right passed him there, too!
December 21st, 2022 at 9:21 am
@Bucobill999
Maybe he can go on the pirate ship or be the next Captain Fear.
December 21st, 2022 at 9:26 am
When your offense has to keep a RB or TE in to help your LT pass block or the have to chip somebody before going out into their pass pattern it slows down your offense.
Smith has shown over his career that he is unable to handle the league’s notable pass rushers.
A “Solid” LT will get your QB leveled
December 21st, 2022 at 10:03 am
@ Fire the Glazers
I think this question was asked sometime ago and apparently the RT position is different in terms of an example like if someone asked a batter or a Qb to hit or throw Lefty……everything is different and don’t think it’s an easy switch.
Remember when they thought Ali Marpet could play center and they tried it but then they moved him back to his normal Guard position because he was just naturally better at that role?
……..well the same thing goes for DS too.
December 21st, 2022 at 10:59 am
I’d say not moving is feet is a bigger problem than his beat up hands.
December 21st, 2022 at 12:58 pm
So he did good against a backup. Therefore, he should be a backup.
December 21st, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Why love wirf? If he is the best right tackle in the league why move him and now we have weak right tackle and a project on the left.
Just replace smith with a little above average tackle and get rid of his salary.
Joe do you rate a guy by how often he shows up or how he performs. I rather have a good player than a bad player that’s shows up everyday
December 21st, 2022 at 2:48 pm
we’ll see what grade he gets against JJ Watt……
December 21st, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Donovan Smith is a good offensive lineman. Zebras could call holding every other play on the OL. He’s had some obvious calls in recent weeks but he’s been ironman since we drafted him. Props for durability and toughness. How many of us would be doing what he’s doing to his body with millions in the bank? Playing QB is one thing, playing OL however…
December 21st, 2022 at 4:03 pm
Beat up hands!
How ever will he hold????
If he sits out a game or 20 he might not be the most penalized player since 2015…… Might.
December 21st, 2022 at 4:12 pm
Hopefully Donovan will never be coaching an OL at any point because that OL will be screwed.
December 21st, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Thebucsanthem,
The scouting reports didn’t say he could be an elite tackle, they all had him projected as a guard because he was athletic enough for elite edge rushers. Look them up , they are all out there, simple Google search.
December 21st, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Wasn’t athletic enough•