Donovan Smith Talks Arians
February 13th, 2019
New energy at One Buc Palace.
The way Bucs left tackle (for now) Donovan Smith talked about the Bucs on “Good Morning, Football” today, he sure didn’t sound like a guy who will be signing a contract with another team in a month.
Smith is an unrestricted free agent and there is chatter being circulated that the Bucs may just franchise tag Smith so he doesn’t get away. But in an appearance this morning on the popular morning program on NFL Network, Smith gave no hint that he won’t be with the Bucs this season, and beyond.
First, he talked about his contract negotiations and didn’t rule out leaving the Bucs. But later he spoke about new Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians and the new vibe at One Buc Palace. Joe wasn’t sure if Smith was indirectly mocking former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter or subliminally telling fans he’s returning.
First, Smith admitted he met Arians and other coaches just recently as he spent most of last week working out at One Buc Palace. Since coaches are forbidden to have much if any contact with players beyond bro-hugs on red carpet events until offseason conditioning begins April 1, Smith said he sought out the coaches while he was in the building.
“It’s just amazing,” Smith said of the new energy at One Buc Palace. “Everybody is just so upbeat and happy. Just to see that aura come from one person [Arians], it’s crazy, that excitement, you feeling me? I love it. I can’t wait to get out there.”
That sure doesn’t come across as a guy ready to bolt Tampa Bay.
Joe will have more later as Smith also spoke of his contract negotiations and what America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, is really like when the TV klieglights are shut off.
February 13th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
I’m of the belief that no player on this team in the last 3 seasons can be properly evaluated because we had Fisher Price’s “My first coaching gig” level of coaching here. Let’s see what real coaching can do for him.
That said: Flacco to the Broncos seems to be a thing. Good for the Broncos good for the Ravens.
February 13th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
I’d get rid of McCoy over Smith if that is the decision.
Comes down to us having a premium pick in a draft loaded with pass rushing DTs vs no sure fire LTs. It’d be an easy clean break to just let McCoy go and move forward with Vita Vea + another young DT who can anchor the interior and grow together.
Comes down to Smith being 26 and McCoy being 31.
Per PFF they graded out pretty similar relative to their positions last year. Then again PFF grades suck. They had JPP ranked as like the 80th best edge rusher depsite their own ratings being good for him in both run/pass.. Literally just looks like some error on their site. Vita Vea graded out similar to McCoy – even with his early struggles.
February 13th, 2019 at 12:24 pm
Smith looked fat, happy, and lazy. Happy because he knows he’s going to be over paid by our clueless G.M.Jason Licht. He knows Jason will pay top dollar for average players, who’ve never won anything other then last place in the NFC south since they’ve been here. Like GMC, David, Jensen, Marpet, D Jax, Evans, Brate, himself, and probably Kwon, he’ll get rich, and happy while residing in the NFC south basement. The Tampa Bay Bucs, come enjoy the weather, get paid like a pro bowler, winning doesn’t matter, the checks will clear.
February 13th, 2019 at 12:25 pm
Also I would love to see the end of fans on here obsessing over McCoy.
Slash the new debates of how him leaving was the #1 cause as to why we got either better or worse. Because we all know that will be coming lol.
February 13th, 2019 at 1:04 pm
Three reasons Donovan Smith will sign with the Bucs even if he leaves money on the table. He loves Tampa. He loves the Bucs. And he really loves Ali Marpet!
February 13th, 2019 at 1:13 pm
I’d be upbeat too if I knew that I’d be making $14 or $15 mil this year. Have a sneaky suspicion that Donovan clearly expects the Bucs to franchise tag him for this year on a try-before-buy contract.
February 13th, 2019 at 1:16 pm
I really hope Arians is able to ignite a spark under the butts of some of these players.
Sure we got “talent”, we just need someone to coach it out of ’em.
February 13th, 2019 at 1:18 pm
I like Smith. pay the man.
February 13th, 2019 at 1:21 pm
D. Smith in his contract year wasn’t as good as he played in his rookie year—which wasn’t that good either. Mississippi’s LT is 6’5” 325 lbs. and is a smooth long athletic LT who was an excellent pass blocker in a drop back passing attack team (and not a spread Offense which BA is leery of) and very likely with no development would be better in his first year at LT than lazy Turnstyle Smith, and super cheaper for five years and would likely be a Pro Bowler by his fifth year. Don’t blow your cap Licht on an undeserving lazy D. Smith! And Mississippi this year is changing to a spread Offense with a lot of other college teams. BA needs to get his properly trained LT out of college now before all the college LTs are from spread programs and much harder to train to a drop back passing NFL Offense like ours.
February 13th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
Chanepic I cant agre with you more
February 13th, 2019 at 1:39 pm
Also NFL players at 26 YO are dumb as f*ck if they sign a contract then start loafing.
Most those contracts are not guarenteed fully. If you want to maximize your earnings you still gotta play your a4ss off or you will be cut and miss out on 1/2 your $$ and have a sh1t market value.
And playing 64 games straight isn’t exactly taking it easy on yourself / thinking long term career. Not sure why it appears he doesn’t always go 100%. Maybe being on a sh1t a4s team that is down by 3TDs in the 2nd quarter 25% of the time has been part of it. SHouldn’t be an excuse tho
February 13th, 2019 at 1:40 pm
tag doesnt count against the cap does it? Glaziers need not be cheap with this coaching staff. This is a short window to work with here
February 13th, 2019 at 1:57 pm
It would have to be a tag or a 1 year deal for me. I was disappointed in his overall performance. He appeared to me to be more interested in saving himself rather than being fully engaged and aggressive. Maybe more money will motivate him to play dominate, or maybe the coaching staff can reach him but as GM I’m not satisfied and will continue exploring other avenues. Great dude but not committed enough to be considered at the top of his position. I bet Cappa would show more promise at LT just because of his willingness to get down and dirty…
February 13th, 2019 at 2:04 pm
Every penny counts against the cap….
February 13th, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Gotcha didnt know that
February 13th, 2019 at 3:12 pm
at this point, i dont think we really have a choice if we’re trying to get better….ask yourself do you really want to see a rookie LT protecting winston….
#REALISTKNOWSNOTHING!!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!!
February 13th, 2019 at 3:16 pm
The only good reason to franchise Smith is you don’t want to give him a long term contract and you also don’t want to let him go.
If you franchise him you almost have to draft a Tackle in the first or 2nd round.
February 13th, 2019 at 3:47 pm
So Donovan – about that little consistency issue…
For $15M – that ish better disappear.
February 13th, 2019 at 3:54 pm
IMO franchise him.
Draft OT this year.
See how it plays out. If Smith doesn’t prove worth the $$ then drop him the next year with no cap hit and draft a LT. Or maybe you found it with the OT this year and can get a RT later. Or maybe Cappa pans out as RT or LT. Or Liedke.
Either way keeping Smith just gives us options. THere is no obvious safe upgrade at LT anywhere this year.
February 13th, 2019 at 4:54 pm
Why can’t they talk I find that so stupid. They should be allowed to get coached up during down times like this
February 13th, 2019 at 5:01 pm
Lorn Corn……Yours is the best plan. Having more options is a wonderful thing.
February 13th, 2019 at 6:10 pm
Tag and draft his ultimate replacement
February 14th, 2019 at 5:53 am
Lord Cornelius Says:
PFF grades suck. They had JPP ranked as like the 80th best edge rusher depsite their own ratings being good for him in both run/pass..
I’m pretty sure nobody at PFF really has any idea how to run Access. They just put a bunch of names in a spreadsheet and pencil whip the numbers.