“It’s Definitely Been A Great Year For Myself”
December 16th, 2021
One of the most underrated quotes of this Bucs season came from right tackle Tristan Wirfs.
It was last month when Wirfs explained that left tackle Donovan Smith does things on the field that Wirfs would never attempt. The message was that Smith’s mad skills and experience are something Wirfs strives to attain.
And that’s damn special considering Wirfs was arguably the best right tackle in the game in 2020.
Smith, 28, is in his prime and loving life. He’s got a massive contract, job security and he’s playing strong ball week after week.
Yesterday, Smith sounded like a guy who believes he should be considered one of the greats in the game.
“Probably,” Smith replied when asked if this his his best NFL season. “I guess you guys would say so as well. It’s definitely been a great year from myself. … It’s just something that, you know, I’ve been working towards my whole career. Just go out there and be the best left tackle there is and do it consistently. So it’s just what I go out there and do each Sunday.”
Joe roots for Smith for many reasons, but one big one is because the better Smith plays, the longer Tom Brady is likely to stick around. Joe is convinced the quickest thing to launch Brady’s post-football career will be a shaky offensive line or a nagging wife.
December 16th, 2021 at 9:03 am
The Bills game may have been his best yet.
The call against him when Brady hit Godwin on the 3rd and 6 for a first down, he pancaked his guy and it got called as holding, I guess because the idiot ref who threw the flag didn’t think Donnie was up to such beasti g.
He has been outstanding although there are eggplants around who know he really sucks, because they have special insight. Right from the short bus.
December 16th, 2021 at 9:29 am
He wasn´t my favourite player, he still isn´t, but no doubt that he is a way much better player than what he use to be…..And he is (touching wood) a very healthy guy……Hope he can stay longer………
December 16th, 2021 at 9:39 am
Donovan Smith is the best LT this team has ever had. He’s one of the best in the NFL. If he finishes his career here, he’s ROH.
December 16th, 2021 at 9:49 am
Donnie’s downfield block on the safety on the final play of the bills game was a thing of beauty.
December 16th, 2021 at 10:10 am
Very pleased with his play, which, once again, is all we’ve ever asked of him. Except for Doosh. Stand by.
December 16th, 2021 at 10:15 am
Donovan has been making a lot of visitors of JBF look like fools this season! I’ve been a reader long enough to remember the many negative comments about both Donovan and Jason Light when he signed a 3-year extension in 2019. Good thing for the Bucs, the joke’s on some of JBF nation!
December 16th, 2021 at 10:41 am
So who were all the Donny’s a “bust” talkers here on JBF…
Can we get a list of names?! So we know who just likes to blurt stuff out or doesn’t truly know what they’re talking about
Even when he was playing average ball to start his career or prior to this year, he still was not a “bust” or even a below-average LT….yet he was always being called that. He sure proved them wrong and I’m happy for Donny!
December 16th, 2021 at 11:20 am
@Joe
He already has the nagging wife so let’s hope he continue to ignore her.
I of course side with Brady, ultimately it’s his life. But she does have a point. Perhaps she worries about growing older with a guy with premature dementia from too many hits, or gimpy from a horrible knee injury.
Here is what amazes me most about Brady. HE HAD NOTHING LEFT TO PROVE!
Yet he still puts in the mountain of effort required to stay on top of the game.
He’s doing something because he LOVES it. Is the most pure thing in life. Somebody pursuing something because it’s who they are…what they love. The fame and fortune are just distractions. Football is what really counts!
December 16th, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Some of Smith’s strongest detractors of a couple of years ago seemed to have disappeared from our midst. Yay! 😊
And, yes, he has become even more consistent. He has definitely made adjustments to his basic game under the tutelage of Joe Gilbert. He is at the top of his game now.
Go Bucs!
December 16th, 2021 at 1:04 pm
ModHairKen Says:
December 16th, 2021 at 9:39 am
Donovan Smith is the best LT this team has ever had. He’s one of the best in the NFL.
———
Uh, no, that would easily be Paul Gruber.
But Smith has always been a much better player than the idiots who comment here say. Stuck up for him, for years, as these dopes have yelled and screamed for him to literally be cut.
Why all the anger at Smith, despite how consistent and reliable he’s been?
Because the morons read a scouting report in 2015 that said he was lazy. Seriously, that’s 100% of why these low-IQ morons have hated on him. Some idiot college scout said the word ‘lazy’ and these dullards then repeated it as if it was a fact, then they added ‘soft’ to it as well.
Lesson is, most people commenting on football are morons that don’t know anything about football.
December 16th, 2021 at 1:26 pm
Side note about Donovan just to add to the love. My son and I were at a Lightning playoff game a few years ago and we both recognized D Smith as he walked right by us outside of the Arena. I said “what up big Donovan” and he smiled and said what up guys. That little moment of politeness and decency goes a long way. My son still talks about that with me.
December 16th, 2021 at 1:37 pm
cmurda – SEE THAT JUST PROVES HE’S SOFT… GRRRRR!!!! MAKES ME MAD… HE SHOULD HAVE SPIT AT YOU AND PICKED HIS NOSE TO PROVE HE’S A TOUGH GUY!!!! GRRRR!!!!!
December 16th, 2021 at 10:43 pm
A talented, underachieving player coming of age and kicking a$$ due to hard work and excellent coaching. It’s so much fun to be a Buc’s fan right now. 😜