Ryan Smith Busted By NFL
July 10th, 2019
Popped
In the final year of his Bucs contract and — Joe’s trying to be polite — having an inconsistent career in the NFL thus far, a lot is riding on the line for cornerback Ryan Smith.
And now, among other obstacles, he has a suspension hanging on his shoulders.
The NFL slapped Smith today with a four-game unpaid suspension to start the season for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Maybe the pressure of this possibly being his final season with the Bucs, or the NFL, got to Smith? Regardless, Bucs AC/DC-loving Jason Licht, likely still in the northeast on his beach vacation, sounded less than compassionate for Smith in his released statement.
“We are disappointed that Ryan will be unavailable for the first four games of the season,” Licht said. “We do extensive training and education for our players regarding the league’s policies, but ultimately each individual is responsible for what they put in their bodies.”
The suspension is much like what happened to America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, last season. Smith will be allowed to practice and play in preseason games and be around One Buc Palace right up to the start of game week to open the regular season. Then he will be gone for four weeks.
The already weak Bucs secondary will start even weaker for the first quarter of the season.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:22 pm
Even better it means the new guys will get even more time
July 10th, 2019 at 4:23 pm
Dissapointing since he actually seemed to be playing pretty solid when given chances last year.
Still we have 4 deep before we have to consider needing Smith at least. Possibly 5 if Edwards or a S is playing nickle
July 10th, 2019 at 4:27 pm
Man…….what a “Hassle”.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:27 pm
Smith needs to be cut. He wasn’t much before, and this is bad way to start another year–make an example of him.
And good show of leadership by that golf cart guy named Bruce Arians that these guys all want to play for. Yeah, evidence he’s really laying into them with discipline. I just hope his record is as good a Raheem’s.
Yeah, it happens…Arians needs to make this the last one.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:28 pm
I was relying on this guy to be a solid depth and Special Teams player for us. Last year he provved that’s what he was turning into.
Now he is a liability & I don’t know how you can have a liability as a drpth player. Disappointing
July 10th, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Feel bad for the guy and it was probably a stupid mistake that either his trainer or the incompetent bucs training and medical staff screwed up for smith but this is another in a long line of jason gump’s abysmal picks. Again why does jason licht have a job in the NFL as a GM
July 10th, 2019 at 4:29 pm
Nah. He played better last year and this year he will have real coaches. Plus, he’s cheap. He’s not f’ing up the salary cap. Would be much different if it was someone making a pile of cash.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:32 pm
The Bucs probably knew this was going to happen well before the draft just like they knew Jay-Miss was guilty of assaulting an Uber driver before the 2017 season ended.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:32 pm
Morris Claiborne
July 10th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
“The suspension is much like what happened to America’s Quarterback”
Nothing of the sort!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At least R smith was trying to be better on the field!!!!!!!!!!!! the excuses and lies to protect Jw3 know no bounds around here!!!!!!!!!! And the “there is so much talent” is being exposed more and more weekly!!!!!!!!
#not_my_quarterback!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2019 will reveal answers to the sheep, that the “real” fans already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 10th, 2019 at 4:38 pm
Can you make a list of you top 5 offensive and defensive players that are either available or will potentially be apart of the upcoming roster cuts? For example, the 9ers have 4 solid backs one is likely to be let go. Maybe some OL/DL
July 10th, 2019 at 4:38 pm
Hes pulled some clutch on special teams. Never been a great starter, but versatile and good in a pinch. If we do cut him, the Pat’s will probably snatch him right up. He could be a special teams captain for a long time in the NFL.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:39 pm
Jesus Christ… this guy is the worst corner I’ve ever seen – and he had to be hopped up on drugs to even be that bad.
Just cut him already, he’s awful.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:40 pm
dooshlarue…..lmfao! I love that comment brother.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:41 pm
Joe – Ryan Smith did not play better last year, he got less playing time as the year went along. Because Nick Foles kept overthrowing the guy that Smith was covering doesn’t mean he suddenly got better – he was as terrible as he’s ever been. If you want to say paying him $2m a year because he’s a good special teams is worth the money – OK, maybe, but I’d rather have someone that won’t personally lose the team multiple games.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:41 pm
Bucs are snake-bit, man. Car wrecks, 4-game suspensions… ugh! Law of averages says we have to catch a break sooner or later… right?
July 10th, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Dude roids up and still sucks, see ya.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:45 pm
Rod Munch…….Foles also looked to throw at Smith quite a few times in that game and was forced to go to another option.
That happened more then you apparently noticed last year.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:46 pm
This is the byproduct of drafting so many corners in the draft. What did they think was going to happen? Arians will have plenty of excuses for failure.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:51 pm
…well there goes one of PFF’s highest graded Bucs’ cornerbacks last year :p
July 10th, 2019 at 4:51 pm
Makes sense not to cut him now since he is cheap. Also pretty sure won’t don’t take up a roster spot during the suspension so his roster status is another benefit to not needing to cut him.
The biggest question is if he ever gets activated to the team. He was probably gonna have to fight for a job to start with and with this suspension it looks like it’s gonna be real hard to win it.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
Joe…with the 2,345 new DBs the Bucs drafted and already had, do they even need him? The best utility he can be right now to this team is an example for those who may be contemplating what he did to NOT do it. You may be right if they are desparate, but I don’t see it.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:52 pm
I realize that he played out of position his first couple seasons,however, if he actually had promise we would see gradual improvement in his play, it never materialized. Just cut the guy already and bring in a guard for depth.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:54 pm
I hear Lowes is hiring. Truth is he was a long shot to make the team this year, since we’ve drafted like a dozen DB’s the last two years.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:58 pm
I get the suspension but truly have never understood why guys can’t be around the facility. Take the paychecks but let the guy still go through film study and practice but they don’t suit up on Sunday. Now that’s a punishment you’re going to put in all the work but you’re not going to play or get paid. I remember in college I got caught drinking on campus(at age 22 btw) got suspended for a game but still had to go through everything that week knowing I couldn’t play on Saturday. Never did anything dumb again.
July 10th, 2019 at 4:59 pm
I bet they cut him and they sign clareboirne
July 10th, 2019 at 5:00 pm
CB Ryan Smith now suspended for the first 4 games of 2019 had a base salary of 2 million with escalators. Perhaps this opens the door for a veteran CB the Bucs have been interested in. Go Bucs!
July 10th, 2019 at 5:01 pm
He isn’t worth keeping. Free up a spot for someone that wants to play for the team. Adios clown
July 10th, 2019 at 5:01 pm
Hope’s and dreams of this team dont depend on a bad back up. I do feel for him he was probably desperate to make sure he made the team now that he has competition
July 10th, 2019 at 5:22 pm
This is the funnest statement of the day! Whether we draft or sign a CB we will still carry the same amount of CB’s on the roster.
“This is the byproduct of drafting so many corners in the draft. What did they think was going to happen? Arians will have plenty of excuses for failure”
July 10th, 2019 at 5:25 pm
Let’s not be so quick to write him off. Ryan’s a solid S/Ts player & he’s a decent (and inexpensive) experienced backup corner who can play both outside & nickel. Besides, none of us know the details of what the NFL is accusing him of at this point … could just as easily been something that he did accidentally as that he took on purpose. We simply don’t know right now.
Sure do wish that we had a starting caliber veteran CB right now on our team though. No, I don’t count VHIII as meeting that criteria. 50% availability doesn’t impress me. Plus his $9 mil extension IF he’s on the team next March pretty much sealed his fate IMO.
July 10th, 2019 at 5:34 pm
And my Bucs famous HITS…just keep on comin!
July 10th, 2019 at 5:35 pm
BA will make the call…let the coach do his job!
July 10th, 2019 at 5:36 pm
Could they have known prior to the draft???? It sure seems like it – Dean is 4.3 speed guy…not going to start this year…sounds like the next up gunner to me
Smith is a very good ST player and it was a PED, not hard drugs or beating his girl…cut the man some slack
An injury in weeks 1-4 (VHIII) makes his return almost a lock…
July 10th, 2019 at 5:37 pm
Smith is trying to make that roster but the key is to not get caught. Unfortunate for him he’s no Patrick Peterson so this may cost him his roster spot.
July 10th, 2019 at 5:56 pm
ehh…this doesnt change the wins and losses. JPP was a loss..
July 10th, 2019 at 5:57 pm
Don’t think this helps his chances, will Licht and Bowles come calling on Claiborne again. I have been and still in Ryan Smith corner, but this can not be good for a fringe player from NCCU. He probably exchanged samples with VHIII, can’t trust them Gators
July 10th, 2019 at 6:05 pm
BucEmUp……Kinda foolish to think depth players can’t change W-L.
Granted it will likely affect the L department more then the W but it can and does make a difference 16 weeks per year across the NFL for the last 100 years.
July 10th, 2019 at 6:10 pm
Ryan Smith = Josh Robinson.
Nothing more, nothing less.
July 10th, 2019 at 6:17 pm
Dusty Rhodes,
You say his trainer or bucs staff made a mistake. Can you elaborate on the type of mistake you believe one of two may have made?
I’m curious as to why you reflexively shifted accountability away from the player and to someone else. I mean there’s no information other than he failed a test .
What is your rational for immediately dismissing the player.
Unfortunately, its the player who gets suspended and loses game checks. No penalty is ever levied on a trainer, don’t know if he has one…or staff member .
It’s all on the player.
t
Since this is the case, wouldn’t it seem in best interest of player to educate himself on the drugs he’s taking and how long they are able to be detected with a urine and blood test?
Rephrase the last part, only a player will pay the price for failing a ped test. Would that factor into your decision?
July 10th, 2019 at 6:24 pm
JimmyJack – Go back and watch the game – Foles would overthrow the guy who Smith was covering and the guy would be wide open. Smith made like one decent play swatting a poorly thrown ball away from the Eagles TE, but most of the time he was running around with no idea what he was doing. Foles threw for over 300 yards in that game, which is by far the highlight of Smith’s awful career. That says something.
July 10th, 2019 at 6:25 pm
Could be a blessing in disguise. Smith might come back and only be a special teamer because someone took his job. Someone drafted this year and gets valuable playing time.
July 10th, 2019 at 6:27 pm
Smith is most important on special teams. Speaking of secondary help, I can’t believe the Cardinals got Jalen Thompson Washington State in the fifth round supplemental draft today. He’s a 2nd round talent with no issues he just became ineligible.
July 10th, 2019 at 6:32 pm
Rod I did. Which play are you talking about? The one where Smith had blanket coverage on his man and he would of had a PD? Or the one where Foles likely saw Smith jumping the route and threw the ball poorly bacause of it……..had the throw been on target Smith may have even gotten a pick6.
Was a good game from Smith whether ya wanna admitt or not. Also included a few real nice plays at the line of scrimmage too.
July 11th, 2019 at 12:33 am
Blessing in disguise for Smith..BB will pick him or Pete Carrol and make something out of him by teaching how to break down tape properly.
Just another Buc succeeding while being chased out of town. Nothing to see here folks.
July 11th, 2019 at 2:03 am
Don’t be that guy! It’ll be tough to get out of the BA doghouse! GO BUCS GO SUHY COME BACK R SMITH!!!
July 11th, 2019 at 8:21 am
Considering Red Bull is on the banned substance list, I won’t judge the kid for whatever it was, but I do believe he should know better by now.
I’m just glad it wasn’t someone else.
July 11th, 2019 at 10:09 am
in a couple years, on a good team, a guy like this becomes a “glue guy” (as koetter would say)…and it’s true…try to hang onto smith if you can…imho
July 11th, 2019 at 3:07 pm
JimmyJack – The play to the TE, where the TE was basically standing still and Ryan Smith was standing there, and Foles threw it anyways – that’s the play I was talking about. Someone said last year either before or after the opening game that you could put a lawn chair on the field and it would be a better defender than Smith- and it’s a brilliant comment.