Saloon Door Donovan Smith
November 5th, 2017
Joe really thought Donovan Smith would bounce back today from his rough game against the Panthers last Sunday.
He didn’t.
Oh, Smith has the talent and the durability and the big upside at 24 years old. He’s put a lot of great stuff on film in his 40 career games, but Smith has not progressed this season. And that’s a problem.
Look at the hit that knocked out America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, today. What brand of nasty was Smith delivering on that play? And he got beaten multiple times.
Smith had a career pattern of standing up very strong to some of the best edge rushers in the NFL. Not today. Cameron Jordan was too nasty and so were the other guys lining up across from him.
Speaking of nasty, where is the nasty on the Buccaneers’ offensive line.
Jason Licht, Dirk Koetter and the offensive linemen themselves said guard J.R. Sweezy would be the nasty edge this team needed, and missed after Logan Mankins left the building. It hasn’t materialized.
Former Bucs guard Ian Beckles said last week he’s seen enough of Smith for him to be defrocked from left tackle next season. Joe thinks it’s way too early for that kind of talk, but if Smith wants out, then all he has to do is close this season the way he played the last two games.
That’ll make that call very easy.
As Bucs fans noticed, and it could have been injury-related, Smith was replaced late in today’s game by Caleb Benenoch. However, Joe walked out of the postgame locker room alongside Smith and he had no noticeable limp.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:18 pm
He looks a little light. Maybe Jaboo could serve him up some of those pre-game W’s he was feasting on.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:19 pm
America’s Present Laughingstock, Captain of Immaturity, Only Seen in Local Markets, Backed into Pro Bowler Because Three Others Backed Out, Benched for Ineptness, Mr. Magoo aka Jameis Winston does not need an o-line because he can’t throw an accurate pass anyways.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:20 pm
Starting to see Donovan for what he is huh?
November 5th, 2017 at 5:22 pm
He needs to eat some Grand Slams from Denny’s. The Licht’s Out alleged Grand Slam is disintegrating before our eyes. Kwon sans any PEDs ( allegedly…he claims it was a Red Bull or something ) is ordinary. Marpet is a servicable center I suppose.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:23 pm
“Winning” coach Koetter will figure it out.
Our Oline absolutely $ucks and has for some time….there is a reason why we don’t have a running game and Jameis is pounded too much….
That and the putrid-predictable playcalling of “Winning” coach Dirk Koetter.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:23 pm
This team is just filled with Lichts crap
November 5th, 2017 at 5:25 pm
To be fair who has progressed this year? Seems like pretty much every guy has gone the other way. That’s coaching.. and running a soft camp
November 5th, 2017 at 5:26 pm
How about Josh McDaniels?
November 5th, 2017 at 5:28 pm
He’s seriously overweight. LT may be our biggest priority.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Why the f**k is Donavon Smith getting worse?
Every dam player on this team is getting worse……This is not a random player here and there…..it is every young player we have? This is becoming an orginazational problem.
This has to be the most desavtating era in Bucs history…..Maybe in all of sports.
I’ve never seen a team get this much worse from one year to another without there being a major loss of talent is some type of major rash of injuries. I can’t think of any team ever that has been this fat of a disappointment.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Move him to LG or RT..
November 5th, 2017 at 5:45 pm
Welcome to reality Joe. I’ve been saying since he was drafted he’s not a good LT. at best he’s a road grader guard. His footwork is sloppy, his pass pro sucks, and his first step always puts him in a position to lose the battle.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:49 pm
He sucks. One of the worst I’ve ever seen.
November 5th, 2017 at 5:53 pm
Yes Josh McDaniels that’s what I have been screaming
November 5th, 2017 at 5:56 pm
I’m always skeptical when people say move this guy here….but people keep keep saying move him to guard and others have said pamphile could be q good tackle. Wonder if they have ever toyed with simply switching those two. Doubtful but..
November 5th, 2017 at 6:01 pm
@ B of you go back and read his draft profile, many “experts” agree his NFL position is guard. He could be a big guard ala Carl Nicks. He just won’t be moved inside until we draft a real LT
November 5th, 2017 at 6:33 pm
Move him to guard….GO BUCS!!!!
November 5th, 2017 at 6:58 pm
About time Joe
November 5th, 2017 at 7:01 pm
Time to replace him
November 5th, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Whole line can go besides marpet if u ask me.
November 5th, 2017 at 7:32 pm
Finally Joe has to admit that Smith is simply not very good. Damnit Licht had Tunsil there for the taking and took a guy who is now our nickel corner instead. Those types of misses along with kickers in the first round, a DE who hasn’t done anything and is injury prone along with other misses like 2nd round TEs is hard to overcome. I was defending Licht somewhat before this season started but this isn’t working. Time to clean house either now or at the end of the season. Time to start the rebuild yet again.
November 5th, 2017 at 7:34 pm
Oh and I seriously hope JW is going on IR. He needs to get healthy. The way he is playing lately along with his boneheaded moves like he did on the sideline ain’t cutting it and this team won’t get anywhere unless he can step up his play and his decisions.
November 5th, 2017 at 8:29 pm
Stop piling on Winston. He’s hurt. Only a complete and utter idiot wouldn’t recognize that.
The Bucs have a lot of priorities to address. Priority nine to IMO needs to be upgrading the offensive line – especially at LT.