Tackles No. 18
October 23rd, 2018
Ranked.
Sunday, Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith had a rough outing. There was one overtime play where it sure appeared that Smith had just given up after getting beat.
Noticed Joe used the word “appeared.”
It was easily Smith’s worst day of the year and probably the second-worst game of his career (his injury-marred game at New Orleans last year was his worst — the only time he ever missed a snap when he sat out the second half with an injury).
When Smith is on his game, he’s right up there with the best. Generally, Smith shuts down the better pass rushers in the game.
Seth Walder of BSPN, an analytics guy (remember: you cannot spell “analytics” without “anal.”), tries to use numerical jibberish to figure out how good (or bad) offensive linemen are. And Walder believes the Bucs have the No. 18 duo of offensive tackles in the NFL.
Dotson and Smith both led the way in the Bucs’ best pass-blocking game of the year so far — the team’s Week 1 win over the Saints, which was the start of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s magical hot streak.
While Smith had a long afternoon Sunday, Joe thought Dotson played OK. Hey, Joe can’t remember Dotson’s name called much on the PA system at the Den of Depression. For an offensive lineman, that’s what you strive for.
It will be interesting to see how much Smith gets paid. He’s a free agent at the end of the season and Joe suspects Smith will ring a cash register for a lot more than some suspect.
Remember, we are in an offensive line crisis in the NFL and competent left tackles are about as rare of a find as a quarterback. While Bucs fans may frown at Smith, a lot of NFL teams that would do backflips for him.
Joe wouldn’t be shocked if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht franchises Smith if the two parties cannot agree on a pact.
October 23rd, 2018 at 5:22 am
No thanks.
October 23rd, 2018 at 5:33 am
I like Smith but I think Joe is right, he is going to get paid top dollar by someone. I don’t know of he will give us a hometown discount.
My big thing is, is he worth it? I mean you will be paying him for future production so if he is not uber motivated now, how is he going to be once he is a paid man.
Hopefully he just shuts down that left side the rest of the season and shows he deserves the loot but at this point I don’t see that as definitive.
I didn’t think he played all that bad, I mean Miles is a game wrecker and straight up freak. Other than that strip sack he didn’t do much damage.
Go BUCS!!
October 23rd, 2018 at 5:46 am
Is it just me or does it like Donovan doesnt really love football.
He always looks sullen and bored on the field.
October 23rd, 2018 at 5:50 am
@Joe … “Joe wouldn’t be shocked if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht franchises Smith if the two parties cannot agree on a pact.” Wow! Never saw that one coming Joe. That’d be a massive failure on Licht’s part IMO. Our OLine is already mediocre & desperately needs a new RG AND RT.
Donovan Smith may not be the #1 LT in the NFL, but he’s quite good actually, is an Ironman in the trenches AND the Bucs have invested 4 years now in developing him. Just can’t see Licht NOT getting a deal done in Donovan’s case. But if per chance he didn’t (dumb dumb dumb), paying Smith even for 1 year what it’d cost us to franchise him would be even dumber. That is Top-5 LT money, isn’t it?
October 23rd, 2018 at 5:55 am
Smith is a pretty durable player to say the least….he is competent at his job….sure, he misses a block now and then…..who doesn’t?
He is the worst of our problems…..I don’t think any of our Olinemen can run block.
This talk about running backs…..forget spending high draft picks or FA money on quality backs….we need a RG & RT….
October 23rd, 2018 at 6:57 am
@TBBF … “He is the worst of our problems…..I don’t think any of our Olinemen can run block.” I’m assuming you meant that Donovan is the LEAST of our problems TBBF (as opposed to WORST) … Benenoch’s got that one covered already.
We’re lacking TALENT in many positions IMO, BUT … some of these coaches aren’t doing the talent that we do have any favors it would seem. OLine performance has been mediocre since Mankins retired, which kinda sorta leads me to believe that George Warhop isn’t getting the job done. Feel the same way about Nate Kaczor our Special Teams coach (S/Ts just seem to keep getting worse & worse). Mike Bajakian has been Jameis’ QB coach this whole time, and the same problems keep recurring & recurring. We won’t talk about the Secondary coaches. But another group of coaches that need to be re-evaluated IMO is Dave Kennedy, the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach and his 2 assistant coaches. There are a few bright spots on this coaching staff, but for the most part I’m not seeing results out of this group.
And what really got me shaking my head was the article Joe ran a week or more ago about how the Bucs game-plan … or more precisely DON’T game-plan. It just wreaked of LEADERSHIP BY COMMITTEE which in my opinion is equivalent to NON-LEADERSHIP. Hate to see it happen yet again, but it’s time for a good old-fashioned house-cleaning at the end of this season me thinks.
October 23rd, 2018 at 7:31 am
I’m not a DS fan in the least. I find him whiffing way too many blocks and is lazy with mechanics. THAT being said outside of last week, he has had a decent year and has put together some great games. I don’t think he’s anywhere near top 5 tackle money. That being said if his play continues to be as it is now I’d be okay with resigning him for a fair short term deal. 3-4 yr. imho
October 23rd, 2018 at 7:35 am
I think there is a rift in the lockerroom
You know some of the players think Fitz should be in there and some like Jamies in there
Look at DJax on the side line
Look at Godwins play in Pitt compared to the last two games
October 23rd, 2018 at 7:37 am
Smith is solid not spectacular but solid. Some of 93s money will go towards his contract next season.
October 23rd, 2018 at 7:53 am
IMO I think D Smith is average at best. He’s the definition of an under achiever. He does not deserve a big contract but knowing Licht he will get it. Assuming he’s still around. Don’t even get me started on Bennoch. He may be one of the top five Worse RG in the NFL. They might as well have Cappa playing.
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:10 am
PFF grades
Donovan Smith 61.2
Demar Dotson 59.1
Laremy Tunsil 72.3
Ryan Ramczyk 83.9
Those are the two tackles I was mocking to the Bucs during the drafts
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:33 am
I’d rather draft a tackle in the early rounds then pay DS big money.
And yes Teacher777 it does seem that he isn’t really into playing football.
Strange yet durable tackle.
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:42 am
I would imagine that the O-line play (and stats) would dramatically improve if JW would, in Colt McCoy’s words, get rid of the dang ball. Still, it is mystery to me that JW holds onto the ball for what seems like an eternity but has one of the quickest releases in the NFL (ranked #8 according to the “time to throw” NextGen stats gurus at NFL.com).
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:43 am
Positives
• Smith is Durable
• Smith has streaks of greatness
Negatives
• Smith has more average games than great games
• Smith is not playing like it is a contract year
I think it is too early in the year to determine properly what he is worth, but if I had to guess right this moment, I would not pay him top dollar at all. Not long term.
He cannot bail on the team because they can franchise him…and frankly, if he doesn’t step up his game, that might be the way to go rather than make a long term commitment. He’ll be mad, but what can he do? He hasn’t earned the long term deal at this point.
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:45 am
As to Dotson, I believe the reason we have not seen Cappa replace Caleb is because Cappa is being groomed to take Dotson’s place, probably next year.
Although, at the rate injuries are happening, I would not be surprised if he is thrown to the wolves within a few games.
October 23rd, 2018 at 8:56 am
Lakeland, right on with those stats and the guys the bucs should have and throw in Lael Collins who the bucs could have had for an 6th-7th round pick if Licht had a clue, but he passed on all of those guys after drafting a franchise qb
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:01 am
pay the man!!!!!….marpet got paid and he’s often injured and has up and down performances as well…..benenoch is the problem…..
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:05 am
Dusthty
It seems to me that a team will use high picks on ‘Blue Chip’ O-Linemen
Then put the other pieces around them
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:10 am
Dude… three words: MILES F@#KING GARRETT!!!
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:11 am
Why spend high draft picks on QB,RB,TE,WR
And have a O-Line loaded with Bums?
Those skill positions are useless if the O-Line isn’t doing their job
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:13 am
IMBUC
Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins are up next
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:25 am
I thought I was the only one that noticed that.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:40 am
Dusty
I hear you say alarm Collins over and over again….
He stated that he would only play for the Cowboys so stop, please.
While we’re at it , please stop with the Nick Saban nonsense during the games.
Why would he ever leave Alabama?
He’s freaking royalty there.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:41 am
Until Koetter fires Warhop and fixes his always problematic OL, you really cannot properly gauge how good Jameis can be. Any QB getting pressured and sacked as often as Jameis and have to run and be tackled multiple times will have bad accuracy on throws, throw interceptions, and play nervously. I have seen it affect both Brees and Brady both! I also saw how poorly Young played as a Buc with another poor OL. We gave up on him and he became the most successful 49er QB of all time, winning multiple Superbowls! D. Smith not only caused a sack on Jameis he had to hold numerous times in the game because he was beaten time and time again. He should not be fired or traded; instead he should be moved by Warhop to LG and Marpet moved to LG. Liedtke replaced D. Smith when he was hurt this past preseason, and gave up no sacks and was not penalized for holding either. Try him at LT. But the Bucs will have to fire Warhop first. Try to hire Mankins to replace Warhop.
October 23rd, 2018 at 9:47 am
Owlykat
I posted a comment similar to your comment
After I was RIDICULED on here for suggesting the Bucs draft OT Ryan Ramczyk
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:13 am
Pretty average player that does not deserve the big bucs,and as teacherman777 says, his body languaje is horrible at the very least……….Seems that he doesn´t care, like he has ice inside his veins……
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:13 am
Thanks Lakeland! One Correction above: D. Smith should be moved to LG and Marpet moved to RG, his best position. If the Bucs pay D. Smith a huge LT Contract to keep him, they are making a colossal mistake. If Liedtke can play the position better, give him a long term contract similar to what Dotson is now paid (who was an undrafted free agent like Liedtke). If D. Smith plays well at LG give him a long term Guard pay contract. Mankins took both Marpet and D. Smith under his wing when he played for us to try to teach them the ropes and ran sprints with them. That was necessary because Warhop is horrible at developing new OL talent or even evaluating who should play where. He keeps starting Benenoch despite his terrible play at RG and LT. Let Mankins try to develop him and if still a bust cut him!
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:39 am
He’s no where near a top tier tackle salary imo. He needs some more dog in him because he seems a bit soft.
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:44 am
Collins can say whoever he wanted to play for and it doesnt mean jack squat its the nfl draft and he was a first round talent that had an alleged issue and fell to the 6th, the bucs needed OL, licht didnt pull trigger, just like when laremy tunsil was available, moves like that make a franchise a losing one……..and the bucs cannot pay saban 10 mil/year but with ppl like saban, jimmy johnson, spurrier, urban meyer, chip kelly, belichek (quit the jets) its about their egos, and without a doubt saban is thinking one more shot at the NFL, and where better than right here in tampa, come here give jameis a tryout for one year it doesnt work, draft Tua, dont be surprised that saban doesnt go to the NFL after bama wins another one this year, guy has one thing left to prove and that is in the nfl
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:04 am
@drstroud, well I guess our line play ,and stats, qouldve been way worse had Jameis not saved about 5 or 6 sacks escaping the pocket. See how that works?
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:17 am
After reading all these posts, (and watching a lot of Bucs football), it’s becoming clear that our problems are average talent at many, many positions. We do have good WR and TE, but that’s about it.
That falls on Licht for signing them, and this Div II college staff for not being able to coach them up, to at least get something out of them…
This franchise has returned to being the place where you go to pickup a few checks on your way out of the league. Circa 1992….
October 23rd, 2018 at 11:28 am
@Doosh,
So what if Collins stated he wouldn’t play for anyone but Dallas. Licht picked Iosefa. Where is he now? When you have 1st or 2nd round talent on the board and round 7 comes along YOU take your shot. Bo Jackson said he wouldn’t play for Tampa but he was the 1st pick and could play baseball which he did. Then the Raiders took him in, you guessed it, round 7 next year and how did that work out? This is what separates winners from losers, the risk vs reward outcome.
October 23rd, 2018 at 3:12 pm
So your argument about drafting a guy who said he wouldn’t sign with a team, was to reference a past situation where we did in fact draft a guy who said he wouldn’t sign with us, and then proceeded to not sign with us and go on to play for another team?
C’mon that makes no sense. I wanted Collins too but he had his choice of where to go and he didn’t choose us.
October 23rd, 2018 at 4:06 pm
It’s hard for me to understand the Donovan hate. The left side of our line (I have no freaking idea why Dirk and staff have Marpet at LG instead of his more valuable position of RG) has been fine. It’s the right side of our line that has been bad. I hope we sign D Smith to a long term contract. The people complaining about Smith will be whining that we didn’t pay him if he gets away. We already have to replace at least 1, probably 2 men on our O Line. Let’s not make it 3.
October 23rd, 2018 at 4:15 pm
La’el colluns dld not say he would only sign wuth dallas. This fanbase love to makeup stuff. The agent told teams that drafing him after the 3rd round would cause la’el not to report and enter the next year’s draft. Money is the reason. A 6th or 7th round contract for 4 years would only pay roughly 2 mil total. He wanted the opportunity to be an undrafted free agent so he could choose his own team and best fit. Dallas used their entire money left on the rookie free agent pool of 1.6 mil. Guaranteed every penny and he would be eligible for a new huge contract un 3 years versus 4 had he been drafted.
October 23rd, 2018 at 10:24 pm
@Unbeliveable,
So your argument about drafting a guy who said he wouldn’t sign with a team, was to reference a past situation where we did in fact draft a guy who said he wouldn’t sign with us, and then proceeded to not sign with us and go on to play for another team?
C’mon that makes no sense. I wanted Collins too but he had his choice of where to go and he didn’t choose us.
____________________________________-
My point was Bo Jackson was available in round 7 the next year and was drafted in the 7th round. Maybe I didn’t spell it out correctly. Also Bo Jackson was the FIRST pick of the draft (meaning that pick had a lot of value unlike a 7th round selection).
October 24th, 2018 at 9:39 am
On the Collins draft. Bit of revision going on. The week of the draft a pregnant woman was shot who was his former girlfriend. He was never a person of interest or named a suspect but was brought in for information. This happened so late no teams had any time to check out his story and no one would touch him. By the weekend, it really appeared that he had nothing to do with it and one of any of the 32 teams should’ve drafted him at that time. I kept hoping the Bucs would starting in the 5th He was publicly telling teams he was going to hold out if not drafted by the second round. He was able to choose the Cowboys, the Bucs pursued him but missed out. There is a article from JBF on Winston reaching out to Collins if you want to look it up.
He should’ve been drafted no later than the 5th round even with the uncertainty. The fact that he was undrafted points to collusion or a league office directive to stay away, in my X-file opinion.
October 24th, 2018 at 9:41 am
Webster beat me