“Bellcow”
December 2nd, 2020
Ryan Smith
The Buccaneers’ special teams captain of last season is now working for the Jacksonville Jaguars as a special teams ace.
(Joe won’t type his name as it upsets the stomach of some fans.)
This year, the Bucs have a true standout on special teams, and he’s a guy that’s been doing it for a few years. That would be Ryan Smith. “He’s our bellcow on special teams,” Bucco Bruce Arians said last night on his radio show.
Smith is earning $1.75 million and he’s yet to play a snap on defense. Smith played a lot at cornerback in 2017 and 2018, but Todd Bowles waved a proverbial white flag on that role for Smith. (Thanks, Todd!) Smith played 50 snaps on defense last season and the Bucs turned to cornerback Russ Cockrell to fill in for injured Jamel Dean for the last two games.
Smith had a strong solo tackle against the Chiefs on Sunday, his second of the season. Smith also has had other good plays wiped out by penalties.
Arians added that if Smith is singled covered on coverage teams, then he’s likely to make a play. Bucs special teams chief Keith Armstrong noted on Buccaneers Radio that Smith is double- and triple-teamed so often on special teams that his value is often overshadowed.
Good for Smith, the Bucs’ last man standing from the 2016 NFL Draft. Add Smith to the list of 2021 free agents the Bucs will try to sign.
December 2nd, 2020 at 12:09 pm
His special teams play doesn’t bother me. It’s his constant game of “hide and seek” with receivers when he is in for normal scrimmage plays.
December 2nd, 2020 at 12:37 pm
Dare Ogunbowale. There i typed it for you Joe.
December 2nd, 2020 at 12:48 pm
If he’s double and triple teamed then where are the extra guys not making tackles on returners??? We have the worst special teams on the planet. We’re lucky we don’t get more field goals and extra points blocked!!!
December 2nd, 2020 at 1:18 pm
Some guys carve out a niche to stay in the NFL. Russel Sheppard and Ryan Smith have been the special teams aces before Shep left. Steve Tasker needs to be voted in the HOF if kickers and punters are.
December 2nd, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Great 4th round pick ….
December 2nd, 2020 at 1:41 pm
Joe, if my memory serves me correctly Ryan Smith was routinely burned on coverage when he was one of our cornerbacks ? Perhaps Todd Bowles stumbled across game film from his years as a Bucs cornerback and made the decision that he is just a special teams ace.
December 2nd, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Give Licht credit, he drafted a special teams ace. lol
December 2nd, 2020 at 2:11 pm
Ryan Smith is fantastic on Special teams.
He earns his keep
December 2nd, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Not a great 4th rd. pick but adequate. Just keep him on ST only.
December 2nd, 2020 at 4:56 pm
Guess what?! I’ve got a fever. And, the only prescription is more bellcow.
December 2nd, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Joe, you didn’t want to write his name down because you threw the sticky note with the correct spelling away huh? Haha
Every time I thought I had it spelled right I was wrong.
December 2nd, 2020 at 6:05 pm
Awful cornerback but a great special teamer!
December 2nd, 2020 at 10:37 pm
Been saying this for a few years now. Ryan Smith is Josh Robinson. Special teams ace but not a good corner. Robinson lasted about 6 years in the league on his ST play. Smith is right there. Not a bad career.
December 2nd, 2020 at 10:43 pm
I love Ryan Smith.
A Great Buc.
Go Bucs!
December 3rd, 2020 at 7:33 am
I agree that Ryan Smith is a liability as a corner – but what the heck is going on out there with the other corners – not blaming CDIII for his coverage on Cheetah, you left him on an island, ya tried and it didn’t work