Brady “May Want To Go Back To The Patriots”
July 13th, 2020
Bucs LT Donovan Smith.
Except for the subset of fans who for reasons unknown have been trying to run Donovan Smith not just off the Bucs but out of the NFL for years, few NFL fans have any idea who Smith is.
Remember, Smith, like most offensive linemen, is faceless to fans and given how the Bucs have largely stunk out loud since he was drafted, it’s not like he played in many (any) big-time national games.
But last week Smith made a name for himself for the rest of his career.
He took to Instagram and confessed he’s torn whether he should play and risk both his career and his family with “The Sickness” while, he believes, the NFL is giving players the double-talk.
Smith made waves by writing “I am not a lab rat.”
This story became so big that Smith was a talking point on “Pardon the Interruption” last week, with debate between Michael Wilbon and Frank Isola (subbing for Tony Kornheiser) on BSPN.
Wilbon asked Isola, how important it would be for “the Patriots and Tom Brady… ” if Smith sat out. Wilbon quickly corrected himself and said, “For Tampa Bay!”
Isola joked that if Smith “opts out, [Brady] may want to go back to New England.”
If Smith did opt out from practicing, then Joe is guesses the starting left tackle would be Joe Haeg or green-as-grass rookie Tristan Wirfs.
Joe is guessing the Bucs want to keep Wirfs at right tackle (provided he is ready) as to not screw him up by flipping him back and forth on the line.
Joe totally gets Smith’s take. Unlike medical professionals and first-responders, athletes didn’t sign up expecting to work in the face of a pandemic at some point. And given that “The Sickness” seems to save a special wrath for big people, regardless of age, Smith and other linemen seemingly are at greater risk of complications.
A small percentage of young, athletic people who had the virus are still maimed by the aftereffects months later, so Smith or any athlete could be seeing their careers potentially washed away.
Despite being asked to work in these conditions, the NFL wants to hold 35 percent of salaries in escrow, so Joe understands some players’ overall frustration.
Regardless, Joe doesn’t like to think of a reserve lineman or a rookie being responsible for Brady’s blindside.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:13 am
Hi Joe, member of the “subset” of fans who don’t care for DS here.
The reasons are known.
The subset thinks he’s lazy, over paid and doesn’t always finish plays.
It’s not a secret.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:15 am
I’m going to apologize in advance for my take on this. Donovan smith gets paid more money a year then the majority of Americans who have to face this pandemic head on to PLAY A GAME. What about the millions of other Americans that have to go to work day in and day out in this pandemic for minimum wage? Aren’t they the lab rats. Donovan smith get your head out your butt and put on your big girl panties and play the game you are getting paid extremely well to play or quit.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:18 am
If I’m Donovan’s wife I’m telling him “You best get you an apartment and get your sorry a$$ to work…..we’ve got $14 mil on the line or all divorce you and take half along with our new baby”
July 13th, 2020 at 8:18 am
Do or don’t, everyone is screwed either way.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:30 am
One full name: Tristan Wirfs
July 13th, 2020 at 8:31 am
Put Tristan Wirfs on the left to replace DS and then look for some more tackles
July 13th, 2020 at 8:34 am
This virus is no joke, and it’s certainly no hoax. It’s not going to disappear anytime in 2020. No game is worth risking lives over. Cancel the season and regroup next year. The economy can recover. Lost lives cannot. Nobody knows what long term effects this virus can have on people who survive it. Goodall and the owners have a decision to make. It’s $$$$ or lives.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:36 am
You people are unbelievable.
Smith has the right to do what he wants. If he sits out because of the risk, that’s his call. But if he sits out, his guarantees will be voided and his replacement might fully replace him.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:37 am
Moving Tristan Wirfs to left side will cause an opening on the right side. I imagine RTs are easier to find than LTs, but this late? We’d have issues.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:43 am
Joe we need to know what happens with D. Smith cap wise if he ops out. Can we use the money he was going to be paid. PLEASE call J. Peters!
July 13th, 2020 at 8:44 am
@ Buccaneer Bonzai
If Tristan Wirfs is the amazing athlete and will be amazing eveyone is predicting and if he was good enough to play it in college…….then his transition shouldn’t be bad at all.
Yes the right side will be exposed……but it was exposed all last season with Demar Dotson……….Dotson is pretty much a big rotating statue and don’t ask Dotson to run block cause lord knows that is disastrous.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:48 am
Life or death situations possible and you a-holes are talking about how much money he makes. You think the all these people that died alone in hospitals without family with them gave a seconds thought to how much money they did or didn’t make. So sick!
July 13th, 2020 at 8:52 am
“Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
July 13th, 2020 at 8:36 am
You people are unbelievable.”
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I think you criticism is little misguided.
Yes, people don’t really use much “Tact” when posting on a message board.
But they’re simply saying he’ll be getting paid 14 MILLION DOLLARS to do a dream job while a store clerk at Walmart getting paid $11 an hour is risking their health too…..
So all these people here who cry “Superior Athlete”….blah blah blah….they’re getting paid to do a job like Millions of Americans are.
July 13th, 2020 at 8:57 am
Figure it out!
July 13th, 2020 at 8:58 am
So let me get this right. Because the majority of Americans still have to take the risk and go to work, Donovan Smith should risk the health and safety of his family for the entertainment of those same Americans?
I respectfully disagree. Donovan worked his ass off just like every other NFL player to get where he is in life. He’s a grown ass man, and if he can afford to not play and that’s what he thinks is best for his family, who the hell are we to criticize him.
July 13th, 2020 at 9:00 am
The “real” fans support DS76 sitting out!!!!!!!!!!!!! The man has the right to do what is in his best interest and his family!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact, it is the so-called fans running around, and acting like fools, is the “real” reason he is considering opting out!!!!!!!!!!! And “word” on the street is that there is a 50/50 chance that DS76 will even get a chance to opt out because the season shutdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 13th, 2020 at 9:03 am
“TheBradyBunch Says:
July 13th, 2020 at 8:48 am
Life or death situations possible and you a-holes are talking about how much money he makes.”
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Doesn’t the world work by people working???? Hummmmmmmmm……….ah yes, don’t you need food and supplies for your household by people working????
Or are you blessed by having tons of money and have the luxury of not working????
People are quick to point out “Life n Death” but yet fail to realize people gotta work.
and before you into “he doesn’t have to work”…….yes, that is true…and he’s a millionaire now cause of ALL OF THE FANS WHO WORK AND USE THEIR MONEY TO SUPPORT THE NFL FROM JOBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
People I swear…..there’s so much more of a bigger picture here than alot of these short-sided thinkers come on here and type just what is flying off the top of their heads
July 13th, 2020 at 9:07 am
Hey Brady Bunch,
Donovan made it about money remember?
If it was solely about his and his family’s health even the most ardent DS dislikers would likely understand,
But again…….. HE MADE IT ABOUT MONEY!
July 13th, 2020 at 9:08 am
I’d say Mr. Smith has more options than most of us do when it comes to this situation. Ultimately it’s his decision, but if it were me, I’d get an apartment for a couple of months and make do with that until the season is over OR we see a vaccine. Should he get paid his full salary to sit out? No not really, none of us would get paid for not working. No one would have had issue with this if he just stopped at “I’m trying to protect my family” but he didn’t. He went on to complain about the 35% holdback the league was wanting and he said he should get extra pay based on the situation. That leaves him open to speculation that if there was more money involved or no pay cut, maybe his family might not be in all the much danger after all.
July 13th, 2020 at 9:11 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
………and not only did he make it about money but at the same time INSULTED millions of Americans who are working and are putting themselves at risk everyday.
Okay…..let’s just say he lost all of of his money tomorrow……then, by all means he’d have to go out and work a normal job to support his family.
So whining about playing as a multi millionaire athlete is pretty insulting to your average working American…….
July 13th, 2020 at 9:16 am
Do not know. Uncharted waters.
July 13th, 2020 at 9:37 am
It’s my understanding that if a player sits out the team gets a cap credit. Could be wrong….
July 13th, 2020 at 9:39 am
TIL football is an essential business and the players should be compelled to risk their and their families lives for your entertainment. Wow, y’all are sick.
July 13th, 2020 at 9:42 am
There is a YUGE difference between a big, muscular in-shape young pro-athlete human and a lump of hypertensive and diabetic Cheeto and Fried Chicken Wing lard melted into a sweat-soaked couch.
Smith’s comments are a perfect example of the Fear Porn being spread.
July 13th, 2020 at 9:46 am
These athletes are young and most of them are in the best shape of their lives. 75% of all covid deaths are in long term care facilities, 75%! These guys have literally nothing to worry about.
July 13th, 2020 at 9:48 am
Risk their lives? They are more likely to be paralyzed or suffer from CTE than to die from Covid.
July 13th, 2020 at 9:49 am
Financially it would not be feasible for him to sit out the season, so it would be more likely that he has to isolate from his family and make his money. Also, I can’t remember a time when the Bucs have had this much talent at Tackle, so we are in a decent position to cover the position if need be.
July 13th, 2020 at 9:49 am
Joe
Explain to us the ramifications if DS sits out this season???
* Does the team get that cap space back for the season?
* Does he have to forfeit his salary?
July 13th, 2020 at 9:58 am
Let D. Smith sit out. Take his cash and give it to J. Peters then Cut Smith next year. He is overpaid, below average and lazy.
Good riddance.
July 13th, 2020 at 10:04 am
If Donovan sits out and Joe Haeg steps in and does a better job, it would make an interesting discussion about who to pay and keep next year at LT.
July 13th, 2020 at 10:10 am
Would anyone like to wager that Smith doesn’t sit out?
It’s a free Country….he can do as he wishes….and so should we.
We are permitted to sit on a plane hours inside….but could be prohibited from watching a game outside
What’s the deal here?
July 13th, 2020 at 10:11 am
Simple…. He don’t play he don’t get paid and replace him like 3 years ago. He sucks anyway. Covid or not he still a liability. And we have the nerve to have block for Brady. Either way it was a waste
July 13th, 2020 at 10:12 am
@ Joe- If Smith chooses not to show up, how does this affect his cap number?
If he quits can we just move on?
This guy has always been lazy and when this first started I told everyone Smith will milk it for all it’s worth.
July 13th, 2020 at 10:15 am
Sign Jason Peters trade Smith for a draft pick in 2021 whatever you can get. The Washington Redtails are looking for a left tackle. Tell Rivera you be willing to pay part of his salary. You will still come out ahead.
July 13th, 2020 at 10:17 am
Smith will play. He was just voicing concerns and folks took him waaaaay too seriously.
July 13th, 2020 at 10:19 am
Smith already was not on my list of good players. Yes, he has been dependable up to now to suit up and start but his level of play is Brawley average on a good day.
July 13th, 2020 at 10:44 am
Screw this pos
July 13th, 2020 at 11:20 am
He’s having an infant in 3 weeks. There is more to life than the game, including the important one of having your first child. He can choose to forgo future earned income if he prioritizes his family over Tom Brady and the Super Bowl. Were he not having an infant in 3 weeks, he might feel differently. I too am having a child in 3 weeks, and I can assure you I would not be working in a close contact maskless job until the country gets a handle on covid.
July 13th, 2020 at 11:46 am
People who say “he gets paid more in a year than i do in my life to play a game!” are simpletons. If you were getting paid 16 mil a year to sell insurance, and had a baby on the way and could sit out and afford it, then you could too.
The same people who say that are the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps!” are the people upset at Smith-hypocrisy at its finest
July 13th, 2020 at 12:03 pm
@Me……..I don’t think many people have a problem with him sitting out. That’s his choice.
When he made it about $…….That is what pisses people off
July 13th, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Goodell has been promoting this season as if it’s going to happen for months now, and Smith just now has an opinion? Fail.
July 13th, 2020 at 12:57 pm
I don’t care if Donavan plays or not, but if he opts out he should have to forfeit his pay as well. He can work an ordinary job like so many Americans do.
July 13th, 2020 at 1:28 pm
I said on another post that I’m prejudiced…my son was born the 22nd of this month 44 years ago. I still remember the feeling surrounding not just his birth but the time leading up to it. The fear..will he be healthy…the excitement.
Perhaps I’m an outlier. But as patriotic as I like to consider myself…nothing..no country..nothing…certainly no freaking football team…is more important to me than family. Family is where it all starts. I totally understand and admire that Smith gets this! Apparently some here do not. For them football is paramount or they still believe 130,000 deaths later this is a hoax and no real danger.
NOBODY in the U.S. is forced to risk their lives except for our servicemen and women. They have VOLUNTEERED to risk the ultimate sacrifice for a specified period of time. I salute them!
Our essential workers…frontline nurses and docs are all their by CHOICE. This is what makes their actions all the more heroic. I SALUTE THEM AS WELL.
But their courageous choices are saving lives and so they are committed to the effort.
Football is not going to save lives. DS is not an essential worker. He should not be compared to one. His decision will impact his family! Fans and teammates to a much lesser degree.
Final thought…how dare a giant black man demonstrate such remarkable intelligence and consideration? *snark font off now* don’t kill me Big Hog it was a bad sarcastic joke to illustrate points you so frequently make.
July 13th, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Ummm service men and woman did not VOLUNTEER to risk their lives, they made a choice (unless Drafted) and got payment for it. And people find it distasteful to complain to the masses (who pay your salary, and are at risk themselves) that it is too risky to go to work. I suppose the plane flight, the bus ride, the 300 pound guy trying to tear your head off all have no chance of hurting you? It makes tons of sense to be scared of something that has taken out less then 1%of the population, and of that 1% how many were sick and old??? Yeah let’s shut down the world for a bad cold.
July 13th, 2020 at 1:59 pm
stpete
I read through every post on this thread(all 52,53?) and not a single one of them had even one iota of racism in it *UNTIL* I got to yours.
One word. REALLY?
July 13th, 2020 at 2:02 pm
Didn’t Mike Leidke do a passable job the one time he replaced DS a year or so ago? Considering his low salary, I was surprised to see solid back-up let go.
July 13th, 2020 at 2:03 pm
(sorry, 42 comments)
July 13th, 2020 at 4:26 pm
GP
I stand corrected. It was a bad joke which is why I apologized to “Big Hog”but you…are you serious…you’re going all snowflake on me?
You haven’t heard or been around the folks who make assumptions like the one I just poked fun at? Really. I could take you to my next door neighbor for starters and continue through a lot of my cousins…to…well perhaps you’ve led a sheltered life.
July 13th, 2020 at 5:13 pm
stpete
I used to work a service job which put me in upwards of 40 different houses a week, from gubmint housing to multimillion $ homes.
I have learned that neither color nor wealth reflect intelligence in any way. And to those who will say that my black customers were all in the lower half of the housing values, you would be wrong. At least in this area, the mix is actually quite even.
On a side note, neither color nor intelligence directly affects wealth either. I’ve met absolute idiots who couldn’t tie their own shoes in million dollar mansions, and I’ve met incredibly intelligent people living in shacks.
To your question stpete, No, I honestly haven’t. I don’t deny that they are out there but I haven’t met any that have expressed such ideas to me.
July 13th, 2020 at 5:18 pm
15 yrs
canned because fixing the problem was more important to me than getting lots of jobs ‘completed’ (fix or no fix) lots of good conversations along the way
July 13th, 2020 at 8:13 pm
@stpete: I don’t know anyone who says the virus is a hoax.
I do know people who say, based on the facts, the fear of the virus is badly overblown.
Huge difference.
You keep trying to make people believe that 130,000 were all due to the virus, and the vast majority of those deaths were NOT directly from the virus. Facts state as such.
The virus affects specific demographics: older and already infirm. Can you tell me what % diseases, infirmities or viruses…or even the seasonal flu do NOT affect the same demographics as this one? I’ll give you a hint: close to zero.
Exactly which demographic group are Smith and his family in to have such fear?
But continue your fear campaign. Carry on.
You listen to Smith and get your feeeeeels all atwitter. I listen to Smith (and you) and think: “This boy done been mind polluted.”
That said, I don’t care what his opinion is, even if brainwashed, and I truly don’t give a crap whether his fear makes him sit out this season or not. IMO, it just makes him seem unthinking.
July 14th, 2020 at 4:29 am
Cut his ass, take the cap hit and find somebody willing to actually work for his paychecks
July 14th, 2020 at 7:54 am
shut up and give him a chance
July 14th, 2020 at 10:36 am
All about money, always is. Calling Smith’s bluff on this one. No chance he passes up $14 mil, deferred or not. Go ahead Donovan, sit this one out. Next man up!
July 14th, 2020 at 10:44 am
Some folks have some ‘splaining to do about the bogus positive CV19 tests.
You really think there is an “explosion” of positive tests? How about just ONE (of many) test sites reporting 98% of their tests are positive when the REAL number is 9.4%? Or, are they counting the test AND anyone they ever came close to in the prior weeks?
To anyone who buys this “explosion” bilgewater, I have some south Monroe County land to sell you…
July 14th, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Anthem…wonder if these complaining are closet socialists?
Smith earns what he does based upon his ability. He likely has millions in the bank. That gives him a right to do what he pleases with his money, including taking a year off. Anyone that can bank big money has the right to do so. This is America..no big government telling you that you have to work because someone else has to.
Amazing how weak so many Americans have become. You earn good money so you can do what you want. You don’t? Because you don’t get an education, training, or happen to not be blessed with some marketable talent? Do the best you can and take your chances. That is the way the world works. That is the way our economic system works. Just because one American has to work in a risky environment doesn’t mean those that can afford not to, should have to. Welcome to America…welcome to Capitalism…closet Socialists.
July 14th, 2020 at 4:52 pm
@stpete: I don’t know anyone who says the virus is a hoax.
During a Feb. 28, 2020, campaign rally in South Carolina, President Donald Trump likened the Democrats’ criticism of his administration’s response to the new coronavirus outbreak to their efforts to impeach him, saying “this is their new hoax.” During the speech he also seemed to downplay the severity of the outbreak, comparing it to the common flu.
So technically you are correct Cobra…he ONLY compared it to a hoax. And that’s a huge difference eh?
HE is the reason we have the virus deniers…DENY is an actual word with literal meaning not a perjorative insult…unless you think it’s stupid to deny the virus which the President did REPEADTEDLY this year. Are you saying he’s stupid?
July 14th, 2020 at 11:31 pm
Wait a minute Brady may want to come back to the Patriots, hold up who would say that the Patriots want him back. Mad respect for Brady and all that he accomplished as a patriot, but he made his choice and now we got Cam Newton. Best of luck to you.