“Dealing With Some Things”
December 9th, 2022
Donovan Smith
Donovan Smith shared today that he’s having some personal challenges.
Hey, if Smith thought the world should know that at a news conference, then it must be important, so Joe is typing it up.
Smith was asked about the uptick in his penalties the past two weeks and if there is a reason.
“Playing the game of football the best way that I know how. I’m dealing with some things. That’s the way it go,” Smith said.
Smith was asked what he was referring to and then cut off the questioner: “Personal. Don’t feel like sharing.”
Joe hopes everything is ok with Smith. But from a football standpoint, Joe was glad to hear Smith seems to think personal issues are affecting his play. That’s better than the alternative — an injury or him just being worn out after a long career.
December 9th, 2022 at 5:19 pm
I don’t know what his ‘personal issue’ is but it seems as if it has been ongoing as he is the Most penalized OLman since he came in the league.
December 9th, 2022 at 5:21 pm
He just may need what the team allowed Brady …a little me time! …But the fans would react totally different from the butt kissing they gave Tommy B.
December 9th, 2022 at 5:25 pm
Tough distractions, hopefully his family is well.
December 9th, 2022 at 5:25 pm
Let’s hope his personal issues are resolved soon, and I wish him the best. We need you to play well, big guy!!
GO BUCS!!!
December 9th, 2022 at 5:32 pm
Stay Strong Donovan.
December 9th, 2022 at 5:35 pm
Stop holding and illegal hands.
December 9th, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Personal problems could be worse he could retire like Marpet.
December 9th, 2022 at 5:42 pm
The Brady hate amongst the commenters on this blog is palpable. I am so excited for TB12 to take his talents to Santa Clara next year for the beginning of his golden years (for real this time as Tampa could have been that place).
People like O’NeilBucs, LaMarcus, Cmurda, Guzman, ttbucs3 — too many to name — where trashing Brady from Day 1. Don’t think that vibe doesn’t make it back to the GOAT.
He gone. And all of us TB12 “FANBOIS” will follow him to his final resting place. And I suspect it will be SF. And I suspect that he will once and for all be appreciated there.
Why? Because SF fans are some of the least restless, least bitter and some of the more intelligent and thoughtful people (not referring to their knowledge of football) that exist in the collective NFL fanbase.
Tampa Bay has too many SEC honks that hate Brady because he’s not one of theirs’. Like say a Peyton Manning might have been. BAW-STUN fans are just total a-holes (the term Masshole is real) that think they are entitled to winning and believe they are superior in some way you cannot even put your finger on.
As a lifelong Lions fan, I cannot understand Tampa fans at all. I’m looking forward to when the GOAT leaves Raymond James behind and the franchise slips back into irrelevance for eternity. It took me 3 years to develop that sentiment. Rest assured, TB12, who I’ve followed closely for 25 years, has reached the same conclusion.
If he reaches the playoffs one more time with Tampa, he’ll have accomplished what he set out to do this year. A year he tried to get out of dodge when he saw the writing on the wall but was prevented from doing so for some reason that will only become clear many years down the road.
December 9th, 2022 at 5:54 pm
All the best to Donovan…hope he & his family are ok. Tough guys like TappedOut ( 145lb. MMA wannabe ) provide much needed comedy to this site.
December 9th, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Seems when they don’t play well…. It’s the “personal issue” thing we hear. Smith, Devin White, Brady and there was another one
December 9th, 2022 at 6:02 pm
His biggest challenge is staying between his man and the QB, without drawing a penalty for holding or a false start.
He has regressed from a very good LT to a penalty-prone, below average LT.
December 9th, 2022 at 6:21 pm
Hope everything is okay. He’s had lazy footwork for a while now. When a guy that big holds, everyone can see it. It was a problem when he was a rookie. Regression isn’t something you expect from a franchise LT.
December 9th, 2022 at 6:25 pm
His name is Cade Otton, Lamarcus, who had a death in the family. Sheesh, have some compassion, man.
December 9th, 2022 at 6:28 pm
You and me both big fella. Hope it gets worked out soon. We’re rooting for ya even tho it doesn’t seem so at times!
December 9th, 2022 at 6:29 pm
I’m impressed by the compassion of some on this site … unfavorably. Stay strong Donovan.
December 9th, 2022 at 6:29 pm
Please retire.
December 9th, 2022 at 6:52 pm
The Brady trolls have multiple account they don’t like him for multiple reason color of his skin. On top of that they’ve never seen like him for 20 years they don’t get it. They simply don’t get it. He’s winning as an anomaly. No one’s done it like him and he’s done for over two decades. They’re gonna be a lot happier going 4-13 with a mobile quarterback from the SEC. Who runs for 500 yards throws 15 touchdowns with 17 interceptions but it will be exciting to watch. Absolutely clueless fans!! But he did what he had to do. He left hoodie came down to the worst franchise in the history of sports won a Super Bowl first year, going on historic playoff, run, and almost had a second Super Bowl birth after another incredible come back. Only 2 have one or the worst calls by a coordinator in playoff history . They have spent two decades, hating him with upset, stomachs, migraines, and sleepless nights. It’s awesome!!
December 9th, 2022 at 7:05 pm
Such is life.
December 9th, 2022 at 7:16 pm
This is kinda lame from Donovan. Brady never once complained that whatever personal issues he had was affecting his play. People just psychoanalyzed and assumed his marital issues were affecting his play. Brady never used that excuse. He’s never used any excuse for his poor play, even though he has one right now. His hand and shoulder are really injured. He has not been the same really since he hurt his finger in first Saints game and when he injured his shoulder against the Chiefs.
NFL Network reported after the Chiefs game that he had a “minor” rotator cuff injury, and they said it wouldn’t affect his accuracy. That was a load of BS. He needs to pull an Aaron Rodgers and just disclose his injures, but he would never do that because he sees it as an excuse or a sign of weakness. He rather take the heat for some of his poor play.
As Redeemer has pointed out, he just has been lazy with his technique which isn’t new to him. Marpet covered up a lot for Donnie. He misses him greatly. Brady also helped Smith out with his quick decision making and release, but now he can’t even save Donnie because he’s getting pressure from everywhere.
December 9th, 2022 at 7:36 pm
Okay lie to your self your have been the weakest link from a rookie. You are the most penalized player for the longest. I pray when they won the Superbowl you was the best for about a month. You stood tall for a month, now back to your old ways Ali market and Ryan Jensen saved you. You are not good just admit it.
December 9th, 2022 at 7:46 pm
I’m sorry, Mr. Smith. Hope things work out. We sometimes forget that you are all human.
December 9th, 2022 at 8:22 pm
He is playing with a serious elbow injury. He’s a warrior.
December 9th, 2022 at 8:38 pm
Fanboi President
Right there with you dude! Before Brady in 2001, I was a Lions fan all the way. And I will follow Brady wherever he goes.
Lamarcus… you are a human duuuuuuuuuusssssssshhhhhhhhhhbbbbbag
December 9th, 2022 at 8:41 pm
We all go through things. Just got to do your job and be a pro. We appreciate it big man!
December 9th, 2022 at 9:27 pm
Fanboi P, I think your characterization of SF fan base is overblown. SF is notorious for bandwagon wine sipping luxury box normies who are not only not hardcorel, but disinterested in their own team unless they are winning (which they are at the moment). The truly hardcore 49er fans are old or gone. Their stadium is in the SOUTH suburbs of the city because they couldn’t muster up any love in the north.
Everyone’s assuming that Brady is a 49er next season. While it would be an easy fit plugging him into a deep and stacked team, Brady and Shanahan aren’t buddies, and the Niners remain invested in Trey Lance. Bringing TB12 would be an insult to Lance, touted as the next coming.
December 9th, 2022 at 9:38 pm
D S has done an excellent job protecting our quarterback–and I wish to thank him for that!!!!!
December 9th, 2022 at 10:16 pm
Pat McAfee was talking about the Bucs win and Smith’s terrible holding penalty, noting that he’d had the most holds by a lineman since 2015.
2015! That’s seven years. I don’t understand how the Bucs front office works sometimes (I NEVER understand how Leftwich’s playcalling is still utilized).
December 9th, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Brady will go into the HOF as a Buc. Suck it!
December 10th, 2022 at 12:09 am
Donnie just never seems to play well when Wirfs isn’t on the other side.
December 10th, 2022 at 12:12 am
Kieft is third OT against Bosa. Smith is garbage. Can’t count the number of “Oh my god” that also involves 76. He is atop the penalty leaders every year.
December 10th, 2022 at 5:02 am
Time to move him to the right and bring Wirfs to the left. I know Smith has said he’s not willing to move but at this point it could save his career or at least his spot on our roster.
December 10th, 2022 at 8:23 am
Mr. Smith you and your family are in our prayers. Please do not put football before your family.
December 10th, 2022 at 8:56 am
A “lifelong Lions fan” calling the Bucs irrelevant. Ha! Hope D. Smith gets it all worked out. Go Bucs!!
December 10th, 2022 at 9:08 am
Hopefully he is dealing with trying to find a crib in a new city
December 10th, 2022 at 9:23 am
This team is Number One…. In excuses.
December 10th, 2022 at 11:15 am
Triple D laying the groundwork of excuses for this Sunday.
December 10th, 2022 at 6:13 pm
I dont care what anybody any alien any reptilian human cross breed screams. This is a extremely serious and life altering very sad problem. until your own mental health has been affected you just cant comprehend. I am not weak! He is not weak! its the feelings as if your in danger when theres nothing to worry about it makes you want to escape your very skin. kuddos and joyful harmonistic Saxophone Blows to all those who will never know the utter terror this crap can cause but I challenge you to please have more empathy. This affliction seems to have no exact practical remedy.
December 10th, 2022 at 7:40 pm
Maybe change your handle to TrippingmyballsoffinYbor?
December 11th, 2022 at 10:19 am
DR: lots of idiots on here. You know that. Smith is human like all the rest of us. He’s got a right to privacy.
December 11th, 2022 at 1:40 pm
THIS GUY IS NO GOOD. HE
HAS BEEN Garbage FROM THE START. I WOULD OF CUT HIM AND STARTED A ROOKIE! HE DOESN’T HAVE A PERSONAL PROBLEM ( THAT’S A SHIELD/ DEFLECT) SO YOU CAM FEEL SORRY FOR HIM !!! CUT HIS A#% Do he remind you of Donald Penn ? Sorry player but want big $
December 11th, 2022 at 4:24 pm
Tony W(uss),
You’re a bit of a hothead! I know the penalties are frustrating.. Smith explained that personal issues have gotten them into a bit of a slump right now. Since he knows the source of the problem perhaps he can snap out of it.
Having said that maybe next season is the time that he and Wirfs switch positions. Also The Bucs have gotten really good Play from our number three tackle who may challenge Smith for a job next year.