“Dominant Physically”
December 24th, 2015
Rookie left tackle Donovan Smith
Measuring 6-6, 338 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine this year, Donovan Smith was considered by many to be an excellent guard prospect, a guy lacking too much athleticism and technique to be a valuable starting left tackle like he was at Penn State.
Ha, ha. They were wrong.
Last month on the Buccaneers Radio Network, general manager Jason Licht referred to Smith as an unsung MVP of the team.
It’s hard to argue against how Smith has exceeded expectations and been a solid and remarkably consistent cog on an excellent offensive line. Yesterday, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter cemented that take with deeper insight.
“Donovan probably had maybe his best game of the year two weeks ago against the Saints. He’s playing physical. You can pick out plays in every games where Donovan looks dominant physically,” Koetter said. “He got on one of the linebackers for St. Louis; I think it [was the] second play of the game. Pull that clip up, it was an outside run by Doug [martin] and he buried the outside linebacker – ran him all the way to the sideline. When you consider what we’ve asked Donovan to do this year – come in, be the blindside tackle, he’s played almost every snap this year, continued to get better – I don’t know if there’s a scenario where you could be more happy with how a rookie left tackle has done.”
How bout that Jason Licht! Hitting a true grand slam, so it appears, in the 2015 NFL Draft.
It feels like a Christmas miracle!
December 24th, 2015 at 10:44 am
future’s so bright, gotta wear shades…all defense in 2016 draft…
December 24th, 2015 at 10:49 am
Thank goodness for Licht. At least there is 1 competent person in the front office!
December 24th, 2015 at 10:59 am
Licht was the best non-player hire by the Bucs in decades, Koetter the second best. I’m really looking forward tot the start of the 2018 season, because if those two are still on board the Bucs will be true contenders by then!
Merry Christmas from the left coast to all my fellow Buccaneer fans!
December 24th, 2015 at 11:03 am
Was I the only person who saw D Smith getting worked over by Jordan Cameron in the Saints game?
December 24th, 2015 at 11:23 am
Smith & Marpet have done great!!!
We have done very well in the last two drafts….
Evans, ASJ, Sims, Winston, Smith, Marpet & Alexander….
We may be able to add Kenny Bell to the list.
Basically, we have not done well in FA…..you’ve got to hold Licht accountable for that to some extent.
December 24th, 2015 at 11:26 am
Omg Rob you’re so right!!! He made 1 play, showed up on the stat sheet with a TFL. He just worked over D. Smith and the O-line all day. You are a f’n genius with your “Film Study”. R’tard!!!!
December 24th, 2015 at 11:51 am
Forest through the trees Rob!
Nice job Donovan! You deserve the kudos!
December 24th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
I can’t recall anyone speaking about Donovan Smith as much as me
Examples:
February 16th, 2015 at 4:16 pm
(Possible Draft Selections)
• LG-Donovan Smith Penn State 6-6 341 (3rd Round)
• C- B.J. Finney KSU 6-4 324 (5th Round)
• RG- Laken Tomlinson Duke 6-3 323 (2nd Round)
• RT-Rob Havenstein Wisconsin 6-7 332 (4th Round)
February 20th, 2015 at 7:32 am
Projections
LG/LT (Swing Tackle Options) ←Value Picks
• Donovan Smith 6’5″ 335 Penn St. (Top 3rd)
• Jamon Brown 6’6″ 326 Louisville (Bottom 4th)
(Center)
• B.J. Finney 6’4″ 303 Kansas St. (Top 4th)
• Max Garcia 6’4″ 307 Florida
Right Guard
• Tre’ Jackson 6’4″ 330 Florida St.(Mid 2nd )
• Laken Tomlinson 6’3″ 330 Duke (Mid 2nd )
• John Miller 6’2″ 312 Louisville (3rd)
• Shaq Mason 6’1″ 300 Georgia Tech (4th )
Right Tackles
• Rob Havenstein 6’8″ 333 Wisconsin (top 3rd )
February 20th, 2015 at 7:50 am
Joe,
Go ask boy D.J (Danielle Jermiah) – about Donovan Smith’s (PSU) ability to play LG at the next level. Young athletic beast LG, that could eventually play LT
December 24th, 2015 at 12:28 pm
Won’t have to. Smith always was and is projected as a tackle. He’s fine. No need to tinker where there’s no reason to tinker.
December 24th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
Of course not now Joe. The kid has settled in at LT
That was just a repost of a conversation before the draft
February 20th, 2015 at 7:50 am
I thought it better for him to kick in a LG. Then eventually move over to LT.
December 24th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
*at LG
December 24th, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Yep, I was worried about him at the beginning, but he’s improving. Still need another prospect though for RT or possibly another G. Taylor Decker could still be there at the bottom of the first if we want to trade up after we draft a DE!
Yup DE will be first….ya’ll know that already. But Decker could really help anchor that O line for years to come.
December 24th, 2015 at 1:40 pm
Merry Christmas Brother LUV…..hope you’re enjoying the holidays.
December 24th, 2015 at 2:37 pm
MadMax
Same 2 U My Brotha.
Hope Ur having a great time with your family – and all is well.
December 24th, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Now imagine our #1 pick this year comes in and plays DE as well as #3 played QB this year. Imagine our 2nd pick comes in and plays DB as well as Kwon did MLB this year!
Then imagine two more starters the quality of Marpet and Smith. This team could be scary good next year.
December 24th, 2015 at 3:22 pm
I’d be all imagined out at that point, that’s for sure.
December 24th, 2015 at 3:27 pm
StPeteBucsFan
I Hope we can pick up as many 2nd and 3rd round picks as possible. That’s were the
Meat of the draft is at.
December 24th, 2015 at 5:39 pm
Draft VHIII then pick up DE IMO.
December 24th, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Licht has done a great job with the draft. Lets hope he gets spme help at DE and CB this offseason.
December 25th, 2015 at 7:27 am
Draft needs are, DE , safety, true #3 WR, and maybe a CB , if we can hit two grand slam in the draft for the def , we will be in good shape
December 25th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Donovan Smith has been solid and I will even agree that he has exceeded expectations but saying that he has been remarkably consistent is just a bit exaggerated. His problem this year has been consistency in being able to perform at a high level game after game. Yes, you can throw the rookie card out to get a pass this year. Next year I hope to see him be able to dominate throughout the entire season.
December 25th, 2015 at 4:15 pm
We need impact talent on this roster. BPA in the first round.
I hope we can have the opportunity to wheel and deal before the draft and pick up some additional picks. Maybe trade Dotson? Glennon?