Donovan Smith Gets An Extension
March 24th, 2021
New contract.
This is both good news and makes Joe laugh out loud in an evil way.
Per Adam Schefter of BSPN, the Bucs extended left tackle Donovan Smith’s contract. He was to enter the final year of his contract this fall. His new deal will keep him blocking the blind side of park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting, handshake-stiffing, jet-ski-losing, biscuit-baking, tequila-shooting, waffle-grilling, trophy-throwing, Bucs-Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady through 2023.
Bucs wanted to extend their young left tackle, continue to keep Tom Brady safe, and create more cap space this year. All now done. https://t.co/0VWbO6MYIy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2021
So why is Joe laughing like an evil villain?
Because Joe knows there is a sect of Bucs fans that just cannot stand Smith because… Joe isn’t sure why. So by this move, not only did Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht get more cap space to play with, it also gave the angry anti-Smith folks ample fuel to kvetch for the next three seasons.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:21 am
This is a smart move by the Bucs.
Hopefully, they are looking to do the same with Carlton Davis and Chris Godwin.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:23 am
smith played his arse off last year! Happy for him, he’s a great player.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:24 am
The wheels of the Mad Scientist, Jason Licht, keep turning, and the monster is injected with new life. Now get AB, Suh, and Fournette under contract. It’s Aliiiive!!!
March 24th, 2021 at 9:25 am
He made a brilliant decision by not sitting out last year due to covid. I believe he was leaning towards doing it
March 24th, 2021 at 9:27 am
So much good news, I forget that the draft is coming up soon
March 24th, 2021 at 9:27 am
Donovan has been a good tackle, and really great as far as durability and playing through injury is concerned. His biggest knock has been his inconsistency at times which I have seen coaches say he gets too angry/emotional in the trenches and uses poor technique that gets him beat.
With Brady as his QB I believe he will continue to keep his emotions in check stay focused because of the accountability that is present in the locker room. The organizations immediate future and success depends on it.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:28 am
SUH IS COMING BACK!!! CHECK RAP SHEET
March 24th, 2021 at 9:28 am
Rapoport says Suh is back
March 24th, 2021 at 9:32 am
Mitch where did you see this?
March 24th, 2021 at 9:33 am
Ian Rapoport an NFL insider on twitter. That is where he posts all his breaking news. His twitter handle is RapSheet
March 24th, 2021 at 9:34 am
Thanks, i see it now. Awesome news!
March 24th, 2021 at 9:35 am
extend Godwin. He will only be more expensive next year
March 24th, 2021 at 9:37 am
lets get it!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
March 24th, 2021 at 9:41 am
Even though I wanted BUCS to draft’s coming out of Penn St.
I definitely, haven’t been a big fan of his play the past couple years.
But I must admit down the stretch last year – he played well enough the justify a raise.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:42 am
Even though I wanted the BUCS to draft’s coming out of Penn St.
I definitely, haven’t been a big fan of his play the past couple years.
But I must admit down the stretch last year – he played well enough to justify a raise.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:43 am
Why don’t some fans love him? You guys watch the games like us fans. You’ve seen why. Come on Joe’s! Every game he takes plays off. It was known he didn’t finish his blocks and he looked lazy at times and let’s not forget the last time he signed a contract extension. Cam Jordan literally celebrated him staying with the team. I mean a division rival publicly celebrated him resigning. That’s unheard of. With that said. Smith has gotten better and this year was his best year. And 98% of the time Smith is playing well. His durable and still young. I love the resign!
March 24th, 2021 at 9:45 am
Licit biggest accomplishment?
Making Npuppy and Realisto disappeared.
It’s a New Bucs Life!!!
March 24th, 2021 at 9:47 am
Hat’s off to big Don playing well last season. Keep on keeping’ on.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:47 am
His cap hit went from almost 15 million to just 3.5 million this year. Probably enough to sign Suh and one other player. I think they will need to extend at least on more player maybe two to sign AB/Lenny/ a RB/ and depth in for the defensive side of the ball.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:56 am
Well deserved. Still has fans wanting to cut him but the guy did his job.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:00 am
He really shined during the Bucs late season run and showed what he’s capable of. Glad to see him stick around another few years and allow Wirfs to just stay focused on being the best RT in the game.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:02 am
Glad they didnt do anything stupid here….Smith has been bettert than average and wasnt appeciated enough before Brady came here. Luckily Jason Licht didnt listen to guys like Realist last offseason …
March 24th, 2021 at 10:02 am
Exactly what Eric2706 said..
Until this 2nd half of the year he did not deserve an extension. The last 8 games he may have taken a play or 2 off, but not games. In the previous years there were games where no names with 1 move were blowing by him untouched. Many times I read on here people calling him a turnstile, that was embarrassing. He has earned an ext, let’s hope we get the most recent iteration.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:04 am
I’ve been a Smith critic. I’ll go on record as saying I thought he played well in the home stretch last year.
He also had games in the first half of the season where he almost ended our season by getting Brady killed. I don’t like having to accept the bad while hoping for the good with offensive linemen.
Smith picked it up towards the end. Let’s hope he figured out how to focus.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:04 am
Ive critized Smith alot, but I couldnt complaint much about him after the Bears game the rest of the season.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:10 am
Solid move by Licht, can’t find enough durable, quality LTs through FA, or the draft.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:13 am
Well, Joe, I maybe apply to that group. I am sometimes , and repeat sometimes question his attitude…..There is no doubt that he elevate his game since TB12 is the QB…he only had two poor games, the rest was awesome…..But if you watch the films of some other seasons, his attitude pisst of a lot of people, not just me…..I heard you several times complainning about the Smith’s detractors…I use to be one, and I gave the reasons….If he can keep his game like last season you’ll never here complaints on him again….Is not rocket science
March 24th, 2021 at 10:14 am
I had a feeling this is where the Bucs would find some scratch. I think it was a great move on the part of the Buccaneers to help secure others for the upcoming two year stint. Smith’s improvement has been dramatic and he is deserving of the kind of money they will be giving him. That Brady is a miracle worker.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:18 am
Donovan Smith had an excellent year. The only reason why people thought he was bad all this time is because Jay-Miss held on to the ball too long and ate a ton of sacks. It’s a good extension.
That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with either getting younger at that position. Bucs should draft a capable backup.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:28 am
Love it!!
O-Line is my jam. I believe thats where you win Games.
Smith has always been good, with long stretches of Very good.
Last year, he was very good- with long stretches of great.
Last 7 games, he was the best Left tackle in Football.
Donovan is a big guy. Skill players need preseason, to get their timing right.
Ive always said- training camp and preseason wear down the big guys!
I think we should rest our big guys alot during training camp.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:37 am
oe knows there is a sect of Bucs fans who just cannot stand Smith because… Joe isn’t sure why.
Donovan Smith had an excellent year. The only reason why people thought he was bad all this time is because Jay-Miss held on to the ball too long and ate a ton of sacks. It’s a good extension.
That said, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with either getting younger at that position. Bucs should draft a capable backup.
The reason Jameis held onto the ball too long is because every receiving option was running vertical and didint look for the ball until they were a minimum 15 yards down field. Same reason Brady started throwing ints before convincing the coaching staff to change the playcalling the second half of the season. If Jameis starts in New Orleans with a good playcaller and defense he will have his career best season. Prpblem here was Jameis had no say ( and probaby didnt even TRY to convince the coaching staff to try anything different ) and defenses KNEW what was coming.
So somewhat to your pointm the playcalling doesnt only help the QB, it helps the O-line tremendously.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:48 am
Smith is probably in the upper 50% of left tackles in the league, really no reason to spend the money out would take to upgrade from him.
Speaking of all the extensions and restructures, anyone notice that Cheetah refused to restructure? Great team-mate
March 24th, 2021 at 10:55 am
I seem to have read somewhere that a lot (if not most) of Winston’s interceptions were on short throws, not deep routes. One reason why he had so many pick-6s. Winston’s career path will not change until he can play/think at NFL speed.
March 24th, 2021 at 10:57 am
You’d THINK picks would most likely happen on third and long amidst a blitz….a huge % of his were under zero pressure, it’s like he couldn’t remember what route the guy was running
March 24th, 2021 at 11:17 am
I was usually skeptical about DS. But he really came into his own this year. It just goes to show that it takes time to develop and he needed the right motivation. Apparently getting paid the 2nd highest on the team wasn’t enough. Am glad to hear we have him for a while. He should be taking TB12 out for supper.
March 24th, 2021 at 11:20 am
Someone is a troll.
March 24th, 2021 at 11:30 am
Capt.Tim Says:
March 24th, 2021 at 10:28 am
“O-Line is my jam.”
Love it!
That should be your username!!
March 24th, 2021 at 11:46 am
Awesome!!
March 24th, 2021 at 11:54 am
I was never a Donovan Smith hater by any means, but there were certainly times I questioned whether he could be a SB caliber starting Left Tackle. I am very glad he proved me wrong.
March 24th, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Played his most complete season and sticks with $15.5M per year. No complaints when top-LT money is hovering at $20M per year (Tunsil not blocking for TB and not winning a SB).
March 24th, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Winning is the ultimate perfume! There is no way that you can say with a straight face that Smith has been a consistent LT during his tenure here. Sorry, it’s the truth! His play is inconsistent.
I’m happy he restructured and as long as he’s a Buc I root for his success.
March 24th, 2021 at 1:08 pm
OK…yes…during the Jameis regime, D did take some snaps off. It was never a lack of talent. It was a matter of maturing and growing into a higher level of constancy and professionalism. He has done so. I expect no backsliding…and frankly, couldn’t be happier that that won’t be a position of need in the short term.
March 24th, 2021 at 1:09 pm
Why does the sec of idiots hate Smith? Because one scouting report coming out of college used the word “lazy” – and so these doors have spent years convincing themselves he’s a lazy slob. No amount of play will change their moronic position. The amazing part is that these dummies also LOVE Ryan Smith and would talk about how he’s a try hard player.
March 24th, 2021 at 1:31 pm
Great deal for the Bucs and DSmith. Dude never misses a game, rarely makes a fuss, and does his job. He has taken his share of criticism in stride and continues to make the best of the situation. Not really sure what an alleged elite left tackle looks like, but i do know that Smitty kept TB12 upright enough to enable his team to win a championship. Championship teams are built on a bunch of guys that show up and do their job like Donovan does. Congrats to the team and player.
March 24th, 2021 at 1:48 pm
I was one of those fans Joe but D Dmith played his Best ball last year
Congrats sir, thx for proving me wrong.
Keep it up
March 24th, 2021 at 2:29 pm
10 million a year instead of 14 million?
Sounds like Durable Donnie is now even more TRADEABLE!
Come on JL, do the right thing.
March 24th, 2021 at 4:05 pm
Smith inconsistent play has frustrated me over the years, but very good Left Tackles don’t come available…plus, we don’t want to break in a new young left tackle while we are in a SuperBowl window. D. Smith was due $14m and change this year, so he gets a raise to $15.9mill for 2022 and 2023…so 2021 and 2022 are guaranteed and if we created some cap space…then we must have converted his 2022 salary to a signing bonus to spread over the 3yrs….I’m actually shocked he did this, if he plays like he did down the stretch next year…he would have been in the $18m – $20m discussion in FA next year.
Go Bucs!
March 24th, 2021 at 4:06 pm
I mean – converted his 2021 salary to a signing bonus
March 24th, 2021 at 4:16 pm
I’ve been justifiably critical of Smith in the past, but he was better overall this year, especially in the playoffs. If Trent Williams is getting 23 million per year then Donovan was worth 15 million all day long last year.
March 24th, 2021 at 5:02 pm
People can whine about it. But the cost of drafting a left tackle or finding one in free agency is pretty high. Smith is better than most give him credit for. He has some lapses, but when he’s on, he’s pretty damn good. And he rarely misses time.
March 24th, 2021 at 5:47 pm
You’re a sick puppy. Have another beer to bring ya down even further.
March 24th, 2021 at 7:37 pm
Donnie picked up his game because he saw his replacement every day out play him. Wirfs pushed Donnie to be better. This lazy bum would still be his usual lazy self if Licht didn’t draft Wirfs. As long as Wirfs is around old Donnie should be ok but if Wirfs gets hurt or is lost for the season expect to see the old lazy Donnie again.
March 24th, 2021 at 8:39 pm
He actually played well the last 8 games. Haters gotta admit that. Brady has him on point now. Congrats to the big man, now go work on ya blocking. Lol.
March 24th, 2021 at 9:40 pm
here we go again joe calling out fans who probably made comments after bad games (just like you have). you were also on the pro jameis crowd so should you be villified for that? you didnt care for brady when he signed or were “wary of a 43 year old”. can we just move on? smith played great but stop calling out fans
March 24th, 2021 at 10:59 pm
I haven’t been a Donovan hater, but I haven’t been a big fan either. For a while he was getting paid a like a Top 5 LT, but his production was middle of the pack, so that definitely screamed “overpaid.” Plus, the occasional loafing is very real, though not so much this year (getting TB12 sacked due to loafing was probably a sideline conversation with Brady of BA that Donovan did NOT want to have).
March 24th, 2021 at 11:19 pm
This is a common misperception Joe isn’t sure how it got started. Joe’s written several stories about this. Last year Smith was somewhere in the high-teens as far as highest-paid left tackles.
The Bucs told Joe before the Super Bowl his salary for 2021 projected to be the 14th-highest paid left tackle. OvertheCap.com has Smith as the 12th-highest paid left tackle. The way Smith played the last half of the season and through the postseason, an open-minded person could argue the Bucs are getting a deal.
Smith absolutely stonewalled Chase Young in the playoffs and that’s a stone-cold fact.
March 25th, 2021 at 1:55 am
they asked tom if donny is protecting him well…
tommy said sign big donnie up…
and you all know how the story goes…
#TricksAreForKidsHePlaysMuchGigs