Asked About Right Guard, Koetter Sounded Leery Of A Donovan Smith Return

August 31st, 2018

Talks “puzzle”

The Bucs’ regular season kicks off in nine short days and how Tampa Bay’s offensive line will look remains a mystery to fans.

Tonight after the loss to the Jaguars, head coach Dirk Koetter spoke as if he’s unsure of his lineup, too.

Joe asked Koetter whether the competition at right guard is over. Koetter didn’t say yes or no, but he did say he’s committed to getting the best five offensive linemen on the field. Then then Koetter took it a step further.

“If we’re uncertain about it, we’ll, you know, if we’re not quite where we need to be, if we have to trade some guys off, we’ll do that,” Koetter said. “The main thing that’s going to happen with the O-line is it’s going to come down to health. I mean right now Donovan [Smith] is out and that’s a big key to this puzzle. You know, we’ll see how he is come Monday.”

This did not soothe Joe and yes, Joe will have another sleepless night wondering how the Bucs will put their best foot forward in the Superdome.

Will it be Mike Liedtke at left tackle with Evan Smith at right guard? Is a left tackle with experience on the way to Tampa after NFL teams make cuts Saturday?

Caleb Benenoch did not play in last night’s preseason finale. Is he hurt or is he being rested for a starting gig?

Donovan Smith’s health exam Monday is going to be a very big deal.

20 Responses to “Asked About Right Guard, Koetter Sounded Leery Of A Donovan Smith Return”

  1. Jmarkbuc Says:

    I hope the Glazers have the balls to do the right thing with our GM and this staff….

  2. Chris in WA Says:

    Evan Smith is your week 1 starting Right Guard. Joe is winning that $20 from Ira.

  3. gp Says:

    I just hope this “team” has the “balls” to do what they could do

  4. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Well gp then we are both out on a limb huh?

  5. gp Says:

    Every given Sunday

  6. Buc believer Says:

    @Jmark… they didn’t have the balls to fire a 22-42 Gm who can’t draft anyone in the second round to save his life. Ie Roberto Aguayo-Ronald Jones to start with. No what did the Glazer gang do? Took his contract another year. It’s a really good thing they don’t operate their other companies like this or they would be flipping burgers.

  7. Jimmy Says:

    So much for Khalil Mack.

  8. destinjohnny Says:

    Jason has made it really hard for dirk to do his job

  9. SOEbuc Says:

    Are MJ and C.Davis injured? I know they both were at some point but I also don’t remember anyone asking much of their situations coming closer to week one.

  10. Rod Munch Says:

    I’m just happy that if someone is going to get killed because there isn’t an NFL level player at LT for the first few weeks of the season, at least it won’t be Winston.

  11. gp Says:

    I see a poker player keeping his cards close to the vest
    Are they the right cards?
    How will they be played?
    First game is coming up!

  12. America’s turnover machine Says:

    I know this is off topic, but I’m ashamed of these Bucs fans. Trying to run away Ronald jones? For Christ sake every time he ran there was a defender in the backfield as soon as he touches the Ball. Almost any other buc you guys try to defend but crucify Jones for getting blown up. Rant over

  13. James Walker Says:

    Don’t worry. Those Irish NFL experts think that a UPS delivery guy is better than Donovan Smith, and we all know how spot on they are. (sarcasm off).

  14. JameisNOT Says:

    Pretty sad that we never really addressed the OLine. Our mediocre QBs will have a long season this year.

  15. Joe Says:

    Pretty sad that we never really addressed the OLine.

    WWWHHHAAA???

    Didn’t Jason Licht back up a Brinks truck for Ryan Jensen? Didn’t the Bucs move Ali Marpet to left guard? Didn’t Licht succumb to all the dime store Woody Hayes out there and succumb to public pressure and cut J.R. Sweezy???

  16. 1sparkybuc Says:

    Don’t forget Cappa.

  17. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Just sad for some folks here. Why are you even going to watch the Bucs this year?

    If you believe we should replace the QB…fire the GM and HC and staff…the owners are rotten…what’s the efffin point.

    You can call the Bucs losers all you want…they do have a record that justifies that in the PAST. Get over yourselves…the past is gone…it’s time to tee it up and give it our best. But for you guys again I ask what is the point? If you’re so sure we’ll be awful and we are losers I ask who are the real losers…people who watch a team sure that the team is going to lose!!!

    There is a yin and yang to life. Lets see what happens before we give up!!!

  18. 813bucboi Says:

    d.smith wont be back until after the bye week….

    this medical staff has been off on the recovery time for every injury from LVD to kwon to Winston to grimes to VHG to Dotson to vita and now d.smith…..

    #NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!…GO BUCS!!!

  19. Trench War Says:

    coach speak

  20. Mike Johnson Says:

    I’m tell all of yas…If this team does not finish at least 8-8, Joe’s gonna have to Ban me. I’m startin a petition to hang Koetter/Smitty/Licht in downtown Tampa!!!
    I’ll provide the horses, stationary hangin apparatus and the rope!!
    NO EXCUSES BUC FANS..WIn or get the hell out of Town…PERIoD!!!!!!!!