Crickets For Joe Hawley; Cash For Evan Smith
March 15th, 2017
Evan Smith smiles
The Bucs’ starting center last year, 28-year-old Joe Hawley, can’t even generate a quality rumor about himself in free agency.
But the guy he beat out for a job last year, nearly 31-year-old Evan Smith? He cashed a seven-figure check from the Bucs this week.
Welcome to the NFL.
TampaBay.com beat writer Greg Auman Twittered the news earlier: Smith, because he was still on the roster Monday, locked down a $1 million bonus.
Smith appears poised to complete the four-year deal he scored from the Bucs in March 2014. Barring a complication, Smith will bank $4.5 million this year. That’s about what Gosder Cherilus pulled down from the Bucs last year.
Unless the Bucs toss a bag of cash at Nick Mangold or trade for Jason Kelce, Smith will compete for a starting center gig this season.
The lesson here for young offensive lineman is to be versatile. Smith is a solid guard. Hawley is not.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:02 am
Nope. Jeremy Zuttah just became available.
Bring the bad man back to TB ASAP Jason.
Please and Thank you
March 15th, 2017 at 11:02 am
Nick Mangold please!
March 15th, 2017 at 11:03 am
Didn’t know Zuttah was available, he would represent an upgrade as well.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:06 am
Zuttah was a C/G right?
March 15th, 2017 at 11:07 am
Zuttah? Yes, please. Biggest mistake (one of them anyway!) Bucs ever made was letting this guy go for a cup of coffee. And, at 30 years old, he too can play G/C.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:07 am
ZUTTA ZUTTA ZUTTA ZUTTA!!!!!!
March 15th, 2017 at 11:09 am
Zutah do it!!! This shouldnt even be a thought. Go get him!!!
March 15th, 2017 at 11:14 am
EDS gets paid after not winning the center competition against a bad 2016 version of Hawley while the last few good years Zuttah had were spent with another team after being kicked to the curb for EDS in the first place. Jason Licht has no idea what he is doing. Argument could be made and won that any homer on this site could do at least as good of a job making personnel decisions and grabbing takeout!
March 15th, 2017 at 11:16 am
Bucs should bring Zuttah back on a two year Buc friendly contract.
I have a feeling Kevin Pamphile may end up being our starting Center this year though.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:17 am
They are looking to draft a center.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:17 am
Backup.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:18 am
Zuttah > Evan smith all day.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:18 am
Dude, it’s stunning that you continue to lie about Joe and misrepresent that Joe doesn’t allow dissenting opinions, and that you actually state knowledge of what Joe’s opinion is on political matters.–Joe
March 15th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Zuttah would be an acceptable signing.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:20 am
EDS is a solid player folks… Dont forget the mess of coaches at the time of his slump…
That said, contract year equals potential and he has lots of it still…
Anyone who beats him out will be a really good starter
March 15th, 2017 at 11:23 am
all my posts said awaiting moderation, not sure how that is a lie?
And I didn’t reference you at all Joe.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:26 am
Have to have some veteran leadership for that O line. I think bringing in another solid Vet would be a good idea.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:34 am
Get Mangold and Zuttah! Mangold can hold down the Center, and let Zuttah fight it out for one of the Guard spots! God only knows if Sweezy will play or not!
March 15th, 2017 at 11:35 am
If Gottschalk is healthy, he played well at C and G last season, keep an eye on him too.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:37 am
Just read Zuttah, and Dotson lead the league in holding last year. That being zuttah will be a upgrade at center.. also I rather have nick mangold.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:38 am
Unbelievable,
Your unbelievable…
But for real… Is it so hard to believe…
March 15th, 2017 at 11:38 am
Let Hawley walk. Zuttah is a cap casualty. Was in pro bowl last year. Not injured. Would improve O-Line at center. Bucs should pounce!
March 15th, 2017 at 11:42 am
This is complete horse shT if they dont fix thie line.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:51 am
When you let someone go in corporate America, you can’t bring them back or that means you made a mistake in the first place by letting that person go. Same applies with the Suites in the NFL. Even if Zuttah meant SuperBowl, Light cannot change his mind now. That’s just how it is.
March 15th, 2017 at 11:56 am
Joe wasn’t it EDS playing rg against the Lambs last year when Fameis had the strip sack4 td? Hawley got injured on the play before and then the game killer happened the very next play
March 15th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
At this point in their careers Zuttah > Mangold > Hawley.
But Kelce is better than all of them.
March 15th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
we have 4 capable centers, Smith, Marpet, Pamphile, and Gottshak, we have no RT, Dotson is a past his prime and injury prone, hes a reapgood bridge player, but when he gets hurt again, probably in preseason, our options are udfa Webster, unproven 5th round pick Benenoch who only played guard, our starting guard Pamphile, best option would be Pamphile but then we have to rely on IR Allstar Sweezy, the best Tackle available at 19 is way better than using the pick on one of the deepest positions available in thus draft, like a RB, WR, or TE, many of those players available can still be really good players, Tackle is one of the weakest in this draft
March 15th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Sign Zuttah.
March 15th, 2017 at 12:39 pm
Actually he didn’t lead the league he had the 4th most.. but that being said zuttah is still better than what we have now. Bring him in and cut Evan Smith.
Centers can be Zuttah, and Gottshak.
March 15th, 2017 at 1:13 pm
Joe they need to bring zuttah back as a bridge player at center. He is versitle and should be cheap. Just cut by ravens.what u think likely hood
he returns?
March 15th, 2017 at 1:14 pm
Did anyone watch Zuttah play last year? I didn’t either but Ravens fans are happy that he is gone. Said his play fell off drastically this past year.
March 15th, 2017 at 1:19 pm
“Argument could be made and won that any homer on this site could do at least as good of a job making personnel decisions and grabbing takeout!”
lol comon man.
Fact is Jason Light has been at worst an average GM since hired. At worst. He’s probably top 10 in the draft the last 3 years even with Aguayo and the bad picks. Just go look at other teams drafts (all picks; not cherry picking their few good ones).
I just don’t get why anyone would have this much hate for our GM when we are on an upswing and he’s objectively accomplished MUCH more in 3 years than Dominic did in his entire 5 year tenure. The way you talk you would fire him right now and hire an idiot off the street which is insane.
Every single GM f*cks up every year multiple times… including all the best teams in the NFL of the last decade. You have to understand this to evaluate your GM against the rest of the league which is th only way to be rationale about this… and when I’ve run the #s in terms of FA & Draft pick signings he’s been pretty damn solid compared to the rest of the league.
March 15th, 2017 at 1:23 pm
Evan Smith is a serial loafer. I have two Vines saved on my computer of him just giving up on plays and watching his RB get murdered.
March 15th, 2017 at 1:40 pm
@LordC
You have to understand this to evaluate your GM against the rest of the league which is th only way to be rationale about this… and when I’ve run the #s in terms of FA & Draft pick signings he’s been pretty damn solid compared to the rest of the league.
Amen Bro! LIFE is graded on the curve. It’s not some abstract…it’s a comparison. There are occasionally exceptional people in every field and they are ahead of the curve. But folks need to look up the definition of exceptional if they think our entire front office, coaching staff, and players are ALL exceptional. That’s not true anywhere including NE.
The word loses it’s meaning with some folks.
March 15th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
@Lord C
Such logical and level thinking is not allowed in these parts.
There’s about 4-5 posters (and you know who you are), who, I’m fairly sure honestly believe they know more about football then guys who are actually work in pro football as scouts and in personnel.
I give Dom the business whenever possible, because, c’mon, he offered more $ than Wash__ington for Hayn__esworth. But, at the end of the day, I’m not so in love with myself that I think I could walk into a front office and not actually be a laughingstock.
But for those few posters that love you some you, please don’t stop. It’s vastly entertaining.
March 15th, 2017 at 1:59 pm
Pat Elflein in the 2nd. Fixed. You’re welcome.
March 15th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
Man, that DeSean Jackson signing was true brilliance! How did he ever come to that conclusion? Look back at that draft where we nab Winston…true stroke of genius that only a man of Licht’s rare talent and insight would have divined! How does he do it?
March 15th, 2017 at 2:09 pm
^^ Thanks and never stop!!
March 15th, 2017 at 2:11 pm
Dallas
Shall we take a poll? It’s all opinion anyway and nothing that really matters.
I’d be curious as to the results of this poll.
How many here think Dallas does a better job with his posts than Licht does as a GM?
You of course start off with me voting Licht 1 Dallas 0
March 15th, 2017 at 2:18 pm
Oh darn, I might not win StPete’s golly gee positivity popularity poll. Think I’ll just cry and go draft a lousy keeker in the 2nd round. Wah
March 15th, 2017 at 2:20 pm
I, for one, think Licht would do a better job of complaining about McCoy in a JBF post about a punter, or about Koetter giving up offensive playcalling, or literally any post here that has nothing to do with defensive line play.
Not only that, but, Licht would have more drive and volume to his posts about his hate for McCoy. Because, right now, when I see a post from Dallas, I’m not quite clear about how he feels about McCoy. I really do want to know. We all do.
I feel Licht would do a much better job of shoving his opinions down our throats ad nauseum. Because, I, for one, have not heard enough opinions from him about McCoy, and I’m not really clear where he stands on McCoy. With Licht, I feel I would really know what his opinion is. There would be no nagging questions…
Wait, did I do this right?
March 15th, 2017 at 2:20 pm
LWD- you know I never will!
March 15th, 2017 at 2:25 pm
You love you some you. I’ve read that there’s nothing that could ever that could go wrong with untempered self grandiosity. So, by all means….
March 15th, 2017 at 2:38 pm
DallasBuc, stick the cowboys man. You are an idiot. You are not a GM nor ever will be, so how can you knock a single NFL GM? They do things for a reason. Have the bucs been better since Licht came into town? Yes. Keep your issues in Texas. And secede from the US please.
March 15th, 2017 at 2:43 pm
LOL…..entertainment on my day off….Love it.
Speaking of LUV….Where you at Brother? Whats your opinion on Elflein? I know we need a RT but if C isnt met in the off season (and if we want a running game) C is priority imo.
March 15th, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutah!
March 15th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
zuttah or mangold…GO BUCS!!!!
March 15th, 2017 at 3:46 pm
You guys have romanticized memories of Zuttah. His best attribute is his versatility. He’s kind of the same player as Evan Smith really. Not that great of a center as a starter – but a pretty high quality back up at both Center and Guard.
If Zuttah was really as good as some of you seem to think – then why did the Ravens cut him and only saved $2.5M in cap space by doing so? Zuttah is a versatile and serviceable lineman – nothing more. He is NOT the answer to our need at starting center.
March 15th, 2017 at 3:47 pm
Matt- since I am not a Cowboys fan and have been a Bucs fan my whole life im gonna go ahead and stick with them. So I’m the idiot because I have never been an NFL GM before? Let’s see, have you ever criticized a US President before because im willing to bet you are not an ex-potus. How about music? I bet you have criticized music you don’t like and are not a musician. Shoot, you probably have criticized NFL football players, maybe even some on this very Bucs team and never even once strapped up in pads and a helmet. You are a straight up MFhypocrite and you know it.
To answer your question, no the Bucs were worse after idiot Licht came to town to the tune of worst team in the whole damn league leading to the first overall pick the next year which is the only fn reason Winston is here and the record has improved. It’s not because genius Licht is competent as an NFL administrator but rather has more to do with his fair share of incompetence along with Uncle Lovie. So I’m gonna go ahead and keep my issues right here in beautiful Tampa Bay so you should probably get used to it you tourist.
March 15th, 2017 at 4:16 pm
And there it is…Hawley gets the extension after 2016. Jason Licht is the greatest talent evaluator and decision maker ever to do the mantle of NFL GM. GOAT!
March 15th, 2017 at 4:17 pm
I’m all for people having an opinion, on this site, and everywhere.
That’s said, I don’t pretend to know more, or act like my opinion is FACT. You do. You literally think you know more than not just people here, but, NFL personnel. I have yet to see you suggest who should have been hired instead of Licht at the time, nor who he should be replaced with now. So, by all means, grace us with your “opinion”.
And, the that’s not even the worse part. It’s the ridiculous OCD Tourette’s opinion diarrhea that you spew over and over and over.
Holy hell, we get it, you think Licht and McCoy suck. Are you climaxing as you say it every time? It’s beyond repetitive. Do you think somehow word will make it to the Glazers if you complain enough times about the same thing over and over and over?
It’s so freaking boring, I’m shocked you’re not bored with the same thing over and over. I’m even bored writing this. But, again, you love you some you. I can’t wait to hear how you feel about Licht and McCoy. Please enlighten in multiple threads, every day, again and again and again.
March 15th, 2017 at 4:22 pm
@Dallas man they stay acting like Licht is the best thing since sliced bread. I give him absolutely no credit for Jamies he couldn’t mess that up if he wanted to but even then we’d have Mariota. His free agent signings have been more miss than hit. I give the scouts and others credit for Kwon. I’m not saying he’s bad but getting desean Jackson isn’t enough this year for me to give him extra praise.
March 15th, 2017 at 4:29 pm
LWD- your whole premise of this whiny diatribe is inaccurate. I have never once pretended to know more or act like my opinion is fact. Just making sht up now. Speaking of, you have me confused with plenty of other opinions on this site that harp on McCoy and his overrated aass.
March 15th, 2017 at 4:32 pm
Our OL is SOFT… look at what the upgrade did for ATL. Very disappointed in Licht’s approach to OL
March 15th, 2017 at 4:32 pm
Hawley is re-signed and adding zuttah would be good for depth, but Zuttah is on the decline
March 15th, 2017 at 4:42 pm
LOL. People who complain the most often and think they know the most, never realize it, nor admit it.
So, sure, just keep complaining about the same things repeatedly.
We know you don’t like like McCoy and Licht.
We know Tampa Tony thinks Jameis needs to work on his accuracy and throwing high.
We know Mike Johnson doesn’t want to hear how good the team is, prove it on the field.
But, sure, I have you mixed up with someone else.
And the irony of you of all people using the adjective “whiny” is duly noted. Goof stuff.
March 15th, 2017 at 4:43 pm
Apparently crickets = re-sign the same day, ha-ha.
March 15th, 2017 at 5:03 pm
LWD- I complained a whole lot about incompetent Lovie Smith way before it was popular and his lousy ways were ready to be acknowledged by the throngs of sheepy fans. It’s not always about being right but in that instance it was and will be in this instance too. But that’s just my opinion. See the difference?
March 15th, 2017 at 5:11 pm
“DallasBuc Says:
March 15th, 2017 at 5:03 pm
LWD- I complained a whole lot”
You could have stopped there.
I don’t care what anyone’s opinion is whether I agree with it or not. It’s the incessant, repetitive bitching. Holy hell, you must be a blast in real life. Or do you just get out all your miserableness here?
Do you think no one already knows how you feel? Jesus christ. Does it make you feel better to moan about the same topics constantly?
March 15th, 2017 at 5:29 pm
DallasBuc you and I have had our differences in the past and I eat the Lovie crow you realeased but you my ‘friend’ are in championship form today! Your posts are carazee funny! Got me laughing my butt off, now I gotta go find it. DallasBuc taking on all comers!
Only one thing left to say to you……………………
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
March 15th, 2017 at 5:34 pm
L&WD, reading your posts makes it very easy on my eyes. Half of what these trolls post on here is so grammatically incorrect, that you can’t even understand whatever point they’re trying to make. My good sir, thank you for having a standard (at the least) education
March 15th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
DallasBuc, touché. You made great points, however you supported my own point. Youre criticizing me as if you know who I am, which is what you are doing regarding Licht. Additonally, I have nothing to say about a us president cause I don’t know anything about politics. I DO critcize music because I am a musician (guitar/drums). I also rarely criticize football players….. but I was once a football player. Obviously not nfl but football is football. Anyway, at least we both will be bucs fans for life, but… I hate you and go away. P.s. I have proof of everything I have stated. Stop living life on assumptions and petty criticism of which you cannot control.
March 15th, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Matt- here’s the problem, one can have valid thoughts and pass judgements on other people personally or professionally without having lived their life or done their job. It happens everyday and there is nothing wrong with it. This is why we keep the great fighting force in civilian control and most NFL GMs aren’t exNFLers and if they are they probably weren’t very good. I have never been a musician but I own more music than most and am very opinionated about what constitutes quality listening. Doesn’t make me wrong about any or all of it.
Bottom line tho is your hate for me, a guy you don’t know and never met is entirely irrelevant and I am not going anywhere.
March 15th, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Dallasbuc, I agree with your first sentence, but you contradicted your other argument!!!! Whatever man go bucs. When they win a superbowl (make it to the playoffs) I won’t hate you, and you won’t hate licht either
March 15th, 2017 at 7:45 pm
Don’t kid yourself Matt. Dallas know Jason. He’s still mad he didn’t get a call back. Something about a woman scorned.
March 16th, 2017 at 1:16 am
Think Warhop might be counting on Josh Allen , Or Ben Gottschalk.
Pamphile may also be an option.
Eitherway, Bucs seemingly arent as concerned about Center as we, The Fanbase, are.