How Safe Is Donovan Smith?

January 18th, 2019

Future with Bucs?

A lot of Bucs fans are willing to turn the page on left tackle Donovan Smith. Finding a replacement may not be as easy (or as cheap) as Bucs fans want to think.

But what does the new coaching staff of the Bucs think of the free agent who has never missed a start since being drafted in the second round in 2015? New run game coordinator Harold Goodwin (no, Joe doesn’t know what a “run game coordinator” is) may have shed light on Smith’s future with the Bucs when he was introduced last week to the local pen and mic club.

Goodwin was explaining how the NFL is an offensive line crisis and why that is.

“The CBA makes it hard,” Goodwin began. “When I first got into the league, [as early] as March you could start beating the crap out of those guys. Well, not necessarily beat the crap out of them but you can go hit the sleds, you could do your combination blocks and work on blitzes and things like that. You can’t do that anymore. In college, it is all about ‘Let’s go fast, let’s go fast, let’s go fast.’

“Those [college] coaches are under a 20-hour rule and they can’t teach as much as they want to. I witnessed that again myself working in college football. When [college linemen] come to the NFL, we must start with them from ground zero beause they haven’t had time to learn the game.”

Now Joe can’t find it in his notes and will have to go back and watch videos, but Joe heard a recent interview in which an NFL coach said if you need three years to develop a left tackle — and generally, that’s what it takes normally in today’s NFL — you will be developing a left tackle for the next coach because you will get fired.

Since Arians was hired to quickly turn around the Bucs, it seems unlikely he will want to draft and develop a left tackle and let Smith walk. Does that mean Arians might want to sign Patriots left tackle Trent Brown, who will be a free agent like Smith? Perhaps.

Joe does know one thing: This habit Smith has of not playing to a whistle will come to a screeching halt with Arians. If Arians is willing to square up on a right tackle for loafing in walk-throughs, imagine what Arians will do when he sees some of Smith’s game tape.

69 Responses to “How Safe Is Donovan Smith?”

  1. tmaxcon Says:

    bucs would have scored more points and committed less penalties if they just used blocking dummies at RT and LT last year.

  2. Buccernutter Says:

    I know a lot of us don’t want to keep smith but he is currently listed as the best free agent linemen. Jonah will take a while to develop and smith hasn’t missed a game like Joe just mentioned.

    I say we franchise him. It will be a contract year for him and Bruce won’t put up with anything like Joe had also mentioned. We could pursue Jonah and have a solid ol. A change of coaches could be what this guy needs.

    But first and foremost, KEEP KWON! Dude is more than just a good lb. He’s the heart of this defense.

    I repeat, KEEP KWON. May get a discount after the injury.

  3. Loyaltotheend Says:

    Kwon is OVER RATED takes bad angles, can’t shed blocks and is just not a player who can be counted on as he’s played a full 16 games once in four years

    Re sign on your terms or let him walk

    Smith has the leverage and is a must sign

  4. DooshLaRue Says:

    He’s the GMC of the OL, only more durable.
    Get a vet and draft a rookie to groom.

  5. Buccernutter Says:

    Lol kwon is not overrated. He’s had rough games in what was overall the worst defense but has been top of the league in tackles nearly his entire career. Even with missed games.

    He could use some bulking up but it’s more than just his play. Dude is a leader and has the exact mentality needed for this league.

    Dude isn’t going anywhere.

  6. tmaxcon Says:

    kwon is a loud mouth that can’t tackle… yet another low standard bucfan confusing popularity with the ability to play football.

    hate to break it to you but not a lot keepers on this roster… i know that hurts nostalgic low standard bucfan’s feelings but winning is all that matters and this roster is filled with career losers and mediocrity. i am surprised Arians has not had a gripper already.

  7. Loyaltotheend Says:

    What has Kwon lead other than the worst d since he’s been in the league? Leaders have to lead you to something to be considered leaders

  8. LongSeason Says:

    I don’t want to give up on Donovan. Didn’t he have a couple of hits in the 60’s or 70’s? Oh. Wrong Donovan. I prefer not to give up on him, but maybe he would be more suited to Right Tackle? Demar Nissan, I mean Datsun, errr…. Dotson is getting a bit older. If there is better in the draft or free agency then you do what you must to improve your football team.

  9. Buccernutter Says:

    Lol okay so now the mlb is responsible for the defenses success and failure? The same defense with a retired DC that was fired for being the worst in history?

    You’re telling me kwon isn’t a leader? You evidently don’t know jack about him or the team’s opinion of him. Players and coaches cried when dude went down.

    This site is full of constant ignorance. Must be frustrating Joe.

  10. Darin Says:

    Dirk doesnt know what a run game coordinator is either

  11. Pryda..sec147 Says:

    If smith plays to the whistle and changes the I’m all for it

  12. Loyaltotheend Says:

    Your words not mine, that he is a leader, I’m just using logic and asking what he’s led the Bucs to?

    The hilarity of one internet stranger attempting to insult a other is quite hilarious.

    When your d consistently gets run over, can you honestly say they have any leaders on that side of the ball?

    Unless Kwon is making a splash play he’s normally out of position or stuck in a block. Film doesn’t lie

  13. tmaxcon Says:

    Buccernutter Says:
    January 18th, 2019 at 1:29 pm

    This site is full of constant ignorance. Must be frustrating Joe.

    so if someone does not agree with your ignorant takes they are more ignorant. You must be a Pelosi or a Clinton….

    just maybe you are the dumbarse

    you sure like a lot of losers for players.

  14. Buccernutter Says:

    Well you don’t seem like a funny guy then.

    He’s been out of position, yes, which can be improved on with coaching.

    As far as suggesting a bad team can’t have leaders or inefficient ones, well that’s laughable. I guess keuchley isn’t a leader either since his defense sucked last year. LMAO

  15. Buccernutter Says:

    Tmax don’t get me started. You’re literally the dumbest guy on this site. You’re lucky it’s the internet because the way I’ve seen people clown you, you might be suicidal in real life as a result of the dumb things you’ve said. Promised to leave when you’re wrong and here u are. Spending an obsessively large amount of time on the internet.

    No it’s not my opinion. If you’re in touch with this team it’s clear he is the leader on defense. Do some due diligence. There is a ton of quotes from olayeesy supporting this.

    Now kwon’s a loser? Lol okay. At least he doesn’t spend all day trashing GMC on the internet. Only you know how much of a loser you truly are.

  16. Buccernutter Says:

    Ugh tmax. Weren’t u supposed to be gone like 3 years ago when u were wrong about a lot of things and yet here you are spending all day on the internet still bashing GMC?

    We all know how smart you are.

  17. tmaxcon Says:

    Buccernutter

    i have never been wrong about anything. you have me confused with someone else. i have predicted cancer93 failures and basement titles correctly year after year. I am always right….

  18. tmaxcon Says:

    Buccernutter Says:

    One question please. If kwon, lvd, cancer93 etc etc etc and all these career losers you love were so great why do they own pretty much every WORST OF defensive record in NFL History…. Not just bucs history dumbarse NFL HISTORY… again if all these bums were so great why do they continuously blow leads in the 4th qtr, uninspired play for big games, blow out after blowout after blowout… they ALL SUCK!!!!!! no matter what excuse you use they SUCK!!!!!

    again dude facts and hisory are not on your side. back to the safe space

  19. Buccernutter Says:

    Always single.

    The regulars know who u are in real life.

  20. tmaxcon Says:

    Buccernutter

    trying to get personal because I am right and you can’t back up your BS with facts it’s pretty funny. you do not posses the skills nor brains to get under my skin… no go back to playing with your cancer93 doll.

  21. RODNEY J ALLEN Says:

    Tmax if they listened to u on what players suck n should go we would have been worse off than we were the last 2 seasons. It’s like u hate the good players n love the crappy ones 🤷‍♂️

  22. RODNEY J ALLEN Says:

    Tmax all undo is bash good players n love bad ones. To say u have never been wrong is laughable

  23. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    You give this guy ANY kind of money – its check & checkmate.
    He’s not obligated to adhere to his new coaches. Or get in shape, or finish off blocking assignments. He can just take the money & run.

    He’s already shown you who he is. So turn the page.

    Who gives a flying-phuck if take his head out his a*s, and plays better elsewhere.

  24. tmaxcon Says:

    RODNEY J ALLEN

    how can consecutive basement title and soft play on the field be any more embarrassing????

    reread what you said. the bucs were the worst of the worst both years. hard to beat that especially considering the defense was setting WORST OF records for NFL history not just team history.

    reality is not that scary… accept and hope BA and leftwich can fix this circus of a franchise. glazers have proven they can’t fix it so they are the last hope.

  25. Bucsfanman Says:

    The best line of the day:

    “bucs would have scored more points and committed less penalties if they just used blocking dummies at RT and LT last year.” ……..LOL!

    Buccernutter- I’m not 100% on Kwon. The dude overruns and misses a LOT of tackles, a lot! He’s a good enough player, but I think his position can be upgraded. Just my opinion anyways.

  26. Buccernutter Says:

    Lol I can’t back up that kwon’s a leader? LMAO 😂. You got it.

    Only GMC gets on tmax’s nerves. It’s clear I didnt get to u by your response about me not getting to you. 😂😂😂😂😂 Irony.

    Didn’t take long for another stranger to call our how dumb you are. Now if GMC would just tell u the deal.

  27. Buccernutter Says:

    I respect that bucsfan. Intelligent rebuttal.

    He needs work. I’m not debating that but his passion is unrivaled and he has played very well for extended period of time.

    Just follow him on Twitter. Dude is obsessed with the bucs. A

  28. Bucsfanman Says:

    LUV- If, and I mean if, he’s retained I think it will be more based on a business decision as opposed to a productivity one. There will be quite a few holes to fill. If they don’t have to shop for TWO tackles and only one, that’s one more player they can address in FA or the draft. ONE year at the most contingent upon 2019 production.

  29. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Yeah most of us were pulling for Kwon – but he’s shown us he is.
    So pass.

  30. Jimmy Says:

    If Kwon was so good, how come the defense got better without him?
    The longer Kwon was the starter with the Bucs, the defense got steadily worse. Each and every year the defense got worse with Kwon as a starter. He’s all bark.

  31. TexBuc Says:

    Genghis Kwon is a fast LB and with so much speed I do not understand why he is so poor in pass coverage. Maybe a new LB coach can help him understand angles to the ball and tackling fundamentals. As a armchair GM my vote would be to resign him to a fair but cheap contract (prove it) as my priorities would be DL and OL.

  32. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Bucsfanman

    I rather give Leonard Wester or Michael Liedtke a shot.
    And draft a kid Like Bobby Evans from Oklahoma.

  33. Bucsfanman Says:

    Buccernutter- You have to love his passion, no doubt. For me, the talent has to be greater than the passion though. I’m certainly not writing him off, I would just like to see better play.

  34. Lord Cornelius Says:

    If we keep him it has to be on a 1 year tag. No way he deserves a long term deal. In that sense I agree with LUV.

    Also not sure I agree with the 3 year development rule.

    Ryan Ramcyk just made All Pro his 2nd year and was great as a rookie. Although that’s RT not LT.

    Quenton Nelson was f*cking All Pro as a rookie lol. But OG is different.

    Also randomly noticed New England released their 3rd round OT pick from that 2017 draft – Antonio Garcia – just one year later in March of 2018.

    For as much sh1t as we give Licht – a lot of other teams f&ck up the 2nd and 3rd rounds hard consistently. That guy who was cut by the Pats was picked 1 spot after Chris Godwin.

  35. Bucsfanman Says:

    LUV- Wester and Liedtke put some decent film out there. Keep in mind though, we need TWO tackles. We’d be rolling the dice a little.
    What’s the scoop on Evans? I KNOW you’ve done your homework.
    No love (LUV!) for Jonah?

  36. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Smith is going nowhere. Here’s the thing, you can’t let him out without having a plan. Arians himself said it takes at least 3 years to develop an offensive lineman after drafting him, and that you would likely be developing him for the next head coach.

    Which means they need a veteran…except Donovan’s Smith’s contract is up. They can’t risk letting him go and not getting the guy they want…so Smith has to be re-signed.

    On the other hand…if they time his contract right, they can have him off the books about the time a fresh draft pick is fully developed.

  37. TexBuc Says:

    M. Liedtke getting a shot with this coaching staff is not far fetched. BA was impressed with Liedtke’s play at LT when he called the preseaon game against Detriot. Given BA’s opinion it takes 3 years to develop OL in the NFL I could see the Bucs starting both Wester and Liedtke next year.

  38. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Bobby Evans #71
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhHsQOhTkEI

  39. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Also…we all know Warhop sucked. Maybe Smith can be better than he’s been.

  40. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    @TexBuc

    I’ve been saying for weeks that Liedtke, Wester and Cappa will be our future starters. Tampa fans always want to draft someone new though.

  41. Buccernutter Says:

    Ya I want to see improvement. I just think he will.

    As far as the defense got better when he left na. That was the game Smitty was fired. He played a half and balled. Everyone improved when Smitty left. Including him with his limited sample size.

    The longer Smitty was on the staff the worse the defense got.

  42. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Bucsfanman

    Jonah Solid – doubt he’s on the board when we draft though.
    I see us picking up a few serviceable linemen – in the Free Agency & the Draft.

  43. Kobe Faker Says:

    “Kobe can read the eyes

    the eyes is the door to your soul

    this lazy POS is going to run for the hills when the guaranteed glazer money clears the bank account

    Donny DOES NOT LOVE FOOTBALL

    I can see right thru this impostor. He wont even look straight back at me. His eyes look straight to the ground….sheepishly

    He doesnt want a long career. He wants that guaranteed upfront money and he will slowly disappear little soft tissue injury at a time

    Donny DOES NOT LOVE FOOTBALL

    LOOK AT HIS EYES! He is going to do us dirty

    YOU HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED”

    Kobe Faker

  44. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Bucsfanman

    Potential Upgrades: Offensive Line

    Free-Agents Prospects
    • Trenton Brown LT 26<
    • Ja'Wuan James RT 26
    • Jamon Brown RG 26<
    • Max Garcia G 27
    • Mitch Morse C 27<

    Draft Prospects
    • *Cody Ford – G, Oklahoma | Height: 6-5. Weight: 301.
    • Connor McGovern -G/C, Penn State | Height: 6-5. Weight: 301.
    • *Bobby Evans – LT, Oklahoma | Height: 6-5. Weight: 301.
    • *Isaiah Prince – RT, Ohio State | Height: 6-6. Weight: 306.
    • Tytus Howard – OT, Alabama State | Height: 6-6. Weight: 306.

  45. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Demar Dotson – Understudy??

    #58 Tytus Howard RT, Alabama State | Height: 6-6. Weight: 306.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVBVpVzWLoY

  46. Hodad Says:

    Unfortunately tmax is right, Kwon, David, McCoy haven’t won squat since they’ve been here. Everyone wants Kwon back even tho he won’t be ready till maybe the beginning of the season, maybe. Expecting him to play well coming off an ACL with no OTA’s, no training camp, and learning a new defense is crazy talk. I’d rather have a LT like J. Williams who was coached by Saban, and went to a real program then pay fat boy Smith the human turnstile 14 million. Paying the same losers more money, and expecting better results is the definition of insanity.

  47. aceinthehole Says:

    Haven’t you guys figured out by now that tmax really IS GMC? He just wants us all to come to GMC’s defense so that he can feel better.

  48. Buccernutter Says:

    Meh you’re insinuating his rehab will take longer than another 7 months when many players including beckwith have proven it can be done much sooner with modern technology and rehabilitation. Kwon has already posted a video of him doing squats. I wouldn’t bet against him.

    Your logic is insinuating that players performance is directly correlated to wins and losses. Just not true. That’s like saying Joe Thomas is a loser who didn’t deserve to be paid. I’m sure you don’t mean lvd is a loser. That’s crazy talk.

    We’re about to find out just how influential and fundamental a coach can be on a team. If that were the case then hiring Bruce is pointless as he will never help Jameis considering his team has lost more than it has won. Which again isn’t the case.

    So no tmax is not correct. He rarely is. Or should I say GMC lol

  49. tmaxcon Says:

    Buccernutter

    You live in a make believe wotld tinker bell… ive never been wrong accept it…

  50. Not there yet Says:

    Completely exaggerated when I see undrafted free agents starting and low draft picks making there mark, not every lineman is taking years to develop. It’s the media pushing a narrative that a second round pick is hard to replace when his only quality is durability. Everyone is replaceable if you know how to develop talent, Dirk and his staff didn’t so they couldn’t afford to lose average players. We’re no better at left tackle than when Anthony Collins was here. If you believe in drafting go out and draft a guy who will play to the whistle do pay a lazy player 14 million

  51. Rod Munch Says:

    I hear nothing but Pats fans complaining about Trent Brown, exactly the same way you guys do. Smith isn’t special, but he isn’t bad either, he’d start for probably half the teams in the league. So no, you don’t just let him walk in order to go into the unknown and try to outbid everyone to get a guy who isn’t good enough for the Pats to keep around (hint, if he was worth keeping, they’d keep him).

  52. stpetebucsfan Says:

    @LongSeason

    I always enjoy posters who can work in a musical reference. I’m so old I remember listening to “Sunshine Superman” and “Mellow Yellow” on the radio.

    @Luv You are my contract guy….think the Bucs could coax Donavan’s agent into an incentives loaded one year prove it contract to protect ourselves. Most here seem to think he’s lazy doesn’t play to the whistle and perhaps Arians staff could cure that?

    @Everybody else…Jimmy Johnson on a Fox Sunday show…people were always telling me get rid of this guy get rid of that guy and my question back was always the same…OK who are you gonna replace him with? One thing I enjoy about Luv is he never makes a criticism or suggestion without listing players who could be solutions.

  53. JimmyJack Says:

    Rod Munch. You should take note that the Patriots drafted a Tackle in the 1st round last year. He got injured and didn’t play.

    There is speculation that the Patriots will be getting rid of one of their tackles with their draft pick returning next year. They wouldn’t be letting one of their tackles go because they arent good enough…….They will be looking to cut salary or cut a trade(for their RT) because it’s a position of strength for them.

  54. GrimmBucsfan Says:

    I agree with tmax.

    No more 93 softening up our guys.

    Give me Sapps attitude all day. That man didn’t play for the money like 93. I was a supporter for years but I’m sick of him cashing his paycheck every week.

    Need more Sapp attitude and heart or we will continue being the next browns.

  55. Bird Says:

    Smith has good reps then crap reps. He has been average.
    But Warhop was his coach – enough said

    Jameis has been same -ups and downs and played average
    Jameis is getting a chance with new coach at 21 mil to bring out his best

    They should give Donovan same opportunity on 1 year tender and new coaching to bring out his best

  56. Bucsfanman Says:

    stpete- Love me some LUV, in a manly way of course! He posts videos of guys that he references that frankly, I’m too lazy to research. Look above at Howard and Evans. Who does that?! Not many posters here.
    BTW, you sell yourself short. Your posts are always a good read because you put a lot of thought behind them. If memory serves, you’re the former broadcaster right? It shows.
    Anyway, I still think they franchise Smith (to LUV’s chagrin!). I think they will be closely scrutinizing his play before any type of long-term deal is even considered.
    In a perfect world, some of the younger talent, like Wester,like Liedtke, like Cappa will develop and render this an easy decision. I still think we need to draft quality linemen, perhaps even sign some FAs.

  57. Buccfan37 Says:

    Off topic but Donovan had many hit songs in the 60’s. Sunshine Superman, Season of the Witch, Hurdy Gurdy man, Jennifer Juniper, Wear your love like Heaven and those mentioned.

  58. stpetebucsfan Says:

    @Bucfanman

    Thanks!

  59. BucEmUp Says:

    I predict he stays and.Arians gets the most out of him. Anyone you bringmin righy now will be a downgrade. Maybe draft one to develope but Smith is more valuable than anyone wants to admit

  60. DooshLaRue Says:

    Kobe

    I gotta agree with your take on DS.

  61. jerseybuc Says:

    Kwon is one reason the Buc D is so bad. Dude is constantly out of position, as are most of the LBs, and is a sucker for misdirection and fakes. Hopefully Bowles can address this, but one reason our team gets run out so badly is that the LBs are not in their gaps. Been going on for years. BUT…he is athletic!!! Most overrated thing you can say about an athlete. It means you are fast. So what. Performance trumps speed, and it trumps size. Just get it done.
    This is the perfect draft to change our direction. Lets get a thumping tackling machine at inside LB who can be someone an opposing QB has to worry about. Kwon is coming off a big injury, as is Beckwith, I would keep Beckwith and replace Kwon unless he wants a one year prove it contract.

  62. Defense Rules Says:

    Wow, you all hang it up too early. There were some good comments and ideas flowing in this thread.

    @Bonzai … “Smith is going nowhere. Here’s the thing, you can’t let him out without having a plan.” I mostly agree Bonzai, because of Donovan’s size & durability. I would still prefer to see him moved to LG & let Ali move back to RG. Draft a LT with our #5 pick (Donovan did pretty good as a rookie if y’all remember … with Mankins to help him through it all).

    One of the things that continues to be of concern is depth of our OLinemen, as well as versatility. Who do we have for instance as a bonafide LT if our starter goes down? Dotson? Liedtke? If we franchise tag Donovan & still draft a starting LT this year, could use Donovan as our starting LG or RT AND he’d also serve as an experienced backup LT. That’d also give Coach Arians a chance to see if he wants to sign Donovan to a long-term contract. Win-win. Franchise tag him on a 1-year ‘prove it’ deal, just like Jameis is already on.

  63. catcard202 Says:

    I can see a scenario where D.Smith gets tagged, but GMC has to go to pay for it. Same case with DJax – Humphries, no matter what the spin is. (It’s either DJax or Humphries…Can’t have both.)

    If the plan is to keep the faith in Smith for 1 more yr…I’m not going to complain….But would assume that means #5 is either DT-DE / EDGE-OLB – (Oliver/Wilks – J.Allen/Ferrell) unless they find the right deal to go down.

    Regardless, FO has to target a guy that can be a mauler in waiting.
    (2 would be better!)

    Smith would basically be on a 1yr prove it TAG & Dotson’s days are #’d (Knees/Age).

    The good thing is, this class has some dudes that can start in this league, that will go in the middle rounds (3-5) due to this being such a top heavy DEF class.

  64. Caleb Says:

    This guy… @Tmax, smh.

    Ok, “Mr. I’m never wrong”… the one thing I notice is you want to continually talk trash about the guys on our defense that lead many statistical categories (or close to leading) since they came in the league. For example, lvd=second most tfl’s since he came in the league behind only JJ Watt, GMC=6 straight pro-bowl appearances, Kwon=Tackling machine, I’m just going to use the game vs. Dallas in 2016, he had 21 total tackles. I’m sorry buddy, but your assessment of a man that “can’t tackle” doesn’t rack-up 21 tackles in a game. He also had a 17 tackle performance vs ATL that same year. These guys are very good at their respective positions, and have the stats, which you say they don’t to back it up. So for a man that is always right is undoubtedly wrong about these 3 guys. These guys wouldn’t have these kind of accomplishments if not for being one of the best at their positions.

    Here’s something to think about as well… our offense since these guys have been in the league has consistently put the defense in unwinable games, and that’s facts. This is a team game, both side must do their part to win football games. While I’m not going to sit here and act like the defense has been perfect be any means, I will though defend the 3 guys mentioned above because they are by no definition, trash.

    Have a great day everybody!

    Go BUCS!

  65. Jean Lafitte Says:

    I don’t know if that would hold water with a LT. Like you said Joe, because LT’s are at such a premium, they get prima donna status, so will BA come down hard on Smith if he’s loafing? Can you guarantee it? Seems Smith evidently doesn’t feel to threatened by the thought.

  66. adam from ny Says:

    in the end, all players are system players no matter how good they are individually…bruce “the koala bear” arians and staff will dig into tape extensively on these guys, and decide if they can thrive in the system…if not…poof…goodbye…

    #TheKangolKoalaWillDecideTheirFate

  67. SOEbuc Says:

    LEIDTKE!!! That guy is shut down compared to this soft a$$ tree humper.

  68. SOEbuc Says:

    Or might I say…

    *LEIDTKE!!! That guy is shut down compared to this soft a$$ tree “jumper.”

  69. SOEbuc Says:

    Cappa’s got a high ceiling with this good offensive staff. Hope he’s working his butt off this offseason.