Evan Smith May Not Start
October 21st, 2015
No longer a starter?
So the Bucs are about to face the rotten Redskins and the offensive line is coming off a couple of games where there is no question the unit played the best it has in years.
The common denominator that is not lost in Joe’s eyes? Evan Smith is out of the lineup, as he hurt his ankle in the win over the Saints in Week 2.
Today, Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was asked what happens when Smith is healthy enough to play. In somewhat of an about-face from last week, Koetter danced and, with a chance to state Smith is still a starter, punted.
“It will work itself out,” Koetter said, noting he is not concerned and that both Hawley and Smith, if need be, could play guard.
Well, now. This is very interesting. Just last week Joe posed this same question to Koetter who responded:
“No, no. Evan is our starter,” Koetter said. “A player shouldn’t lose a starting spot because of an injury.
“We are happy with Joe. He is going to be a valuable piece” for the offensive line.”
Has Hawley made such an impression that it already has been decided by someone higher up the Bucs food chain that Smith has lost his starting gig?
You know where Joe stands on this: Joe always thought Smith was terribly overrated (Packers yoda Ted Thompson does not let go of good players for peanuts, and he let Smith walk for next to nothing, only to upgrade with a rookie). And Joe is not one to fix something that is not broken.
The past couple of games, the offensive line of the Bucs has not been broken.
October 21st, 2015 at 12:41 pm
E Smith is better suited as a guard, Period. When ur half assing ur shotgun snaps because ur just not quick enuff to snap then block proficiently, thats called guard duty, not lynchpin anchor of the line. I plant my flag confidently in the peaks on Mt. Hawley!!! GO BUCS!!!
October 21st, 2015 at 12:41 pm
Wally Pipp
October 21st, 2015 at 12:42 pm
He don’t need too be starting anyways that sorry no good mother####er
In TB fans have been praising Hawley . Don’t fix what ain’t broken.
October 21st, 2015 at 12:44 pm
I like what Bucs 4 life said . He’s more suited as a guard at this point in his career . Let him be a solid backup G
October 21st, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Sweet!!! Thanks Dirk for not fixing something thats not broken. Our O-line has been a beast the last few weeks we need more of it!!!
October 21st, 2015 at 1:13 pm
buc4life1979 ….YUP!
October 21st, 2015 at 1:47 pm
Maybe the o-linemen told the couches they prefer Hawley over EDS. If the guys want one of them then I say play the guy the rest of the players prefer.
October 21st, 2015 at 3:53 pm
EDS should have never been signed in the first place. Hopefully Lovie will let Koetter have final say but I would not hold my breathe with that control freak buffoon.
October 21st, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Praying to the football gods he doesn’t start anywhere along the line.
Him at guard would be a disaster waiting to happen as well.
October 21st, 2015 at 4:48 pm
Just think of the ripple effect?
Old – Starters who get injured will not lose their starting job.
New – Starters who get injured will need to wait for the new starter to get injured or after several games of evaluation, the former starter may win his spot back.
Does this mean Akeem Spence gets an auto-back up or does he have to sit on the bench? If Tony McDaniel does not get released?
October 21st, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Competition is great! Maybe we haven’t seen the best that EDS has to offer because his job was gifted to him and he hasn’t been pushed.
It can only be a good thing for a player to feel the heat, the need to compete for their position. This is all good!
October 21st, 2015 at 6:22 pm
Did Drew Bledsoe ever get his job back?