Donovan Smith: Ticket Hawker
February 15th, 2018
The Bucs’ left tackle is a very wise young man.
Now entering his first contract year, Donovan Smith seems to know exactly how to proceed.
He looks fit, six weeks after the final whistle of 2017. And Smith is diving into the bowels of the organization.
Smith, per Buccaneers.com video, has been a Bucs intern this week performing various tasks. He noted that he spent time selling tickets, calling fans and closing deals, as well as leaving phone messages.
That’s how to ingratiate yourself to the wealthy men who soon will pay you $12 million per year, whether that’s in Tampa or somewhere else.
Sorry to those who just drove off the road or dropped their beer glasses. Indeed, Smith is on track for that kind of money from a team that admires and appreciates his game, his upside and his durability.
Joe sees Smith as at least an average NFL starter, perhaps a tick better. But Joe is very encouraged by Smith doing this “little thing” in February with the Bucs. Joe has a hunch Smith is going to come to camp in supreme condition and be very focused on a monster contract season.
February 15th, 2018 at 10:28 pm
Atlanta Falcons LT Jake Matthews will earn $12.5 million this season on his 5th year option. When he hit the market, he may set the pay scale for others like Donovan.
February 15th, 2018 at 10:28 pm
I am on board as far as resigning him. He still has upside and is defiantly in upper half of LT ‘ s in Nfl..IMO. Him and Ali should be keepers I would assume and hope. Now draft Nelson and a true center, BOOM top 5 line possibly.
February 15th, 2018 at 10:33 pm
The fact that he plays..every single game and with heart says a lot to me..Pay the man…we cannot afford to lose him..
February 15th, 2018 at 10:36 pm
Of course the Bucs resign him – it’s extremely difficult to find a LT and Smith isn’t a bad one regardless of what the dolts at PFF say. I’d put him at average, but will most likely improve somewhat as he’s still just 24. Obviously a new deal with Marpet has to get done as well – so the Bucs will be spending some big bucks here very shortly. Also get those extensions, as well as the Evans done this offseason, there’s no reason to wait as all that happens is the cost goes up. I don’t buy injury risk being why you wouldn’t want to do deals early, they could get injured the day after you sign them at any point, that shouldn’t be a deterrent if they’re long term solutions.
February 15th, 2018 at 10:47 pm
Donovan is a good dude and a good player. Some doubt him but he holds his own 90% of the time. He’ll be a Buc for a while.
February 15th, 2018 at 10:50 pm
12 Million for an average LT…….????? Eh?????
Is that really the going rate nowadays?????
Maybe we should scrub the rosters of the Canadian Football League and pay that average player 6 million….he’d be just as effective as DS???
I don’t understand why people says he’s even good?
Upside you say??? Sorry…..I don’t see it. He’s been a human turnstile on so many plays since he’s been drafted, that I’ve lost count.
You wanna see potential and upside……look no further than Ali Marpet……not DS.
February 15th, 2018 at 11:05 pm
I love Dsmith.
Now this is another player who gonna be a good one. 12 mil sounds about right.
February 15th, 2018 at 11:07 pm
Jake Matthews might demand $ 15 million a year, unless he give the Falcons a discount.
February 15th, 2018 at 11:26 pm
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WHOA!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g67mCOP75sk
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February 15th, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Nflnut – get that sh!t out of here man. People come to this site to get away from that stuff. There is a time and place for everything and i believe the majority would this is not it.
February 15th, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Would agree*
February 15th, 2018 at 11:56 pm
^
I did NOT make any political statement at all.
This is a Florida site and I thought it was important info for a Florida audience, that’s all …
February 15th, 2018 at 11:57 pm
I would NOT HESITATE to offer LONG-TERM extensions to BOTH Marpet AND Donovan Smith … Smith may not be as good as Marpet but he’s more durable and they’re both young and getting better … LOCK THEM UP LONG-TERM!
February 16th, 2018 at 3:16 am
Love Donovan Smith!
Good talent with great effort!
Pay this young man!
February 16th, 2018 at 4:33 am
Out of the top 34 LT’s listed on Spotrac, 12 contracts were worth between $10,000,000 and $13,600,000. 22 contracts from the Texans David Quessenberry @ $510,000 and the Raiders Donald Penn @ $9,350,000.
I believe Donovan Smith should make somewhere between the Chargers Russell Okung $13,250,000 and the Colts Anthony Castonzo $10,953,000. If Smith plays throughout the year the type of football he played last year in both the run and pass, he could fetch in the $13,000,000+ range. Smith is dependable, went at least one stretch of three games without giving up a single pressure and has been outstanding as a run blocker. Keep up the great work in your conditioning and show your “mean streak? this year and Tampa will have the LT they have so wanted.
Trent Williams – Redskins $13,600,000
Terron Armstead – Saints $13,000,000
Tyron Smith – Dallas $12,200,000
Joe Thomas – Browns $11,500,000
February 16th, 2018 at 7:26 am
@ NUT
You’re a monumental tool. A myopic believer. Don’t post that garbage here. Take your nonsense and put far up your ahole and fester on it.
February 16th, 2018 at 9:38 am
@Godzilla
Excellent research THX.
A couple of other sites that I’ve stumbled across break out the league by position and the average pay. Obviously QB tops the list…WR’s do well…DE’s get a ton and yes LT’s are also valued in the league. After that it starts dropping…if I recall correctly Safeties get the least not counting ST players like kickers.
February 16th, 2018 at 10:54 am
Smith is a good player and will be great. Super to see he is also quite a good employee, team first all the way. Another player the dumbest fans in the NFL want gone.
February 16th, 2018 at 10:57 am
He has always seemed to be a good smart Kid.
February 16th, 2018 at 3:31 pm
HOWTOSPELLRHONDE,
Interviews with students are “garbage”? Um, okay … try not to get triggered so quickly.
By the way, try not to use terms you don’t understand how to use …
February 16th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
@ Nut
Ok, sucker. Gunshots in hallways and corridors can be pinpointed exactly in the heat of gunfire and adrenaline by teenagers. I take it millennials are trained in combat, maybe even decipher response fire. You’re a tool.
February 16th, 2018 at 8:07 pm
^ Your above post makes zero sense … zero. Explain yourself.
February 17th, 2018 at 11:00 am
DSmith is a slightly above average Lt at best. Takes to many plays off. I don’t know if he just loses focus or what, but had the same problem in college. &-8 mil tops.