“I’ve Been Told, ‘No,’ So Many Times”
July 2nd, 2015
Defensive end Jacquies Smith’s story is much like Joe’s experiences with women.
“No. No. No. No. No,” is a chorus Smith has heard many times since being undrafted out of the University of Missouri in 2012.
When you have the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL on your football resumé, you know it’s been a rough career path.
Joe often writes about the almost unrealistic hopes for the Buccaneers’ no-name defensive ends. (Remember, that is why the regime fought to pay Trent Cole and danced a sleazy tango with Greg Hardy.) But Joe does not discount the accomplishment of Smith last season. The guy played with fire, showed legitimate edge speed on the left side and racked up 6 1/2 sacks while starting less than half the year.
At 25 years old and coming off the street, it was damn impressive stuff. Smith has a lot to prove but has the right attitude. In April, Smith put a firm goal on the table and called himself a double-digit sack guy.
Enjoy the video of Smith’s journey below. Joe’s pulling for the guy. If Smith succeeds, Joe sure hopes the Bucs don’t kick him to the curb, like they did Michael Bennett.
July 2nd, 2015 at 12:15 pm
I Hope. I Hope. I Hope. I Hope.
Go Bucs!
July 2nd, 2015 at 12:25 pm
I like him a lot to me he is our best de along with McCoy Melton McDonald and throw Spence in there at dt we look better than last year’s line
July 2nd, 2015 at 12:26 pm
Get it PLAYBOY!!
July 2nd, 2015 at 12:39 pm
McCoy – Melton – McDonald – Smith
Think about it.
July 2nd, 2015 at 12:56 pm
I mean, maybe Im just fried from staring at a computer, but who the %uck is McDonald?
July 2nd, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Malloy –
Clinton McDonald
July 2nd, 2015 at 2:19 pm
You get fried really fast in the ATL Malloy
July 2nd, 2015 at 2:21 pm
I believe J. Smith will have a breakout yr. 12 sacks.
July 2nd, 2015 at 4:31 pm
This is the time of year to be optimistic. Hoping for the best.
July 2nd, 2015 at 4:32 pm
Beatabitch Warren was told NO many times as well. We all see how that is turning out. LMFAO
Man I hope Jacquies keeps developing and building on what he did last season.
July 2nd, 2015 at 4:34 pm
Ouch!
July 2nd, 2015 at 8:07 pm
I’ll be happy if Johnson and Smith get 10 sacks apiece, and Gholston gets 5 and English gets 5 sacks. And I believe it can happen. Johnson and Smith only played about half the time they will this year. Gholston got three sacks in 2013 in just a few games as a starter.
July 3rd, 2015 at 6:59 pm
I really like George Johnson. His PRP was 39 with just 311 snaps while Jacquies Smith had a PRP of 28 with 303 snaps. McCoy had mentioned in an interview that Smith should be much improved this year with Joe Cullen coaching him. Getting pressure from the DE is critical for the tampa2 to be successful.