Getting into his eighth season with the Bucs, offensive sort out Donovan Smith is constructing fairly the resume. Out of 113 common season video games since his rookie season, Smith has began 111. That reveals his skill to be an iron man.
By way of three beginning quarterbacks (Jamies Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tom Brady) Smith has established himself as a reliable blind-side protector. He has steadily improved his degree of play with every passing yr. And whereas that enchancment hasn’t paid off with the everyday All-Professional and Professional Bowl accolades, Smith is eyeing a extra team-centered honor as a end result of his profession.
Whereas becoming a member of the Pewter Report Podcast, Smith was requested what it could imply to him to be inducted into the crew’s Ring of Honor. Smith’s response reveals that it could imply quite a bit to him to be thought of together with different Buccaneer greats like Lee Roy Selmon, Paul Gruber and Ronde Barber.
“It could imply quite a bit, simply being a man from the place I’m from,” Smith mentioned. “Numerous ‘quote unquote’ uncertainty on what was happening popping out of the draft. And stuff like that. So, to have the ability to have the Glazer household and the Bucs take an opportunity on a man like me. And nonetheless right here eight years later. It could positively imply quite a bit to have my title put up there within the stadium. As a result of it simply reveals the exhausting work, dedication, and dedication that I’ve for this crew. And the household to go on the market and compete and be the most effective that I may be. So, it positively would imply quite a bit.”
Smith Aiming To Be The Bucs’ Finest LT
Smith’s resume is constructing in the direction of making a robust case for the Bucs Ring of Honor. He’s now sixth in franchise historical past in video games performed amongst offensive linemen. And he has anchored a number of of the groups most prolific offensive strains.
Former Bucs left sort out Donald Penn made a few Professional Bowls throughout his time in Tampa Bay. And though Gruber was snubbed for the Professional Bowl for a few years within the late Nineteen Eighties and the Nineties he’s the lone O-lineman within the Bucs Ring of Honor. Smith is hoping to make a number of Professional Bowls of his personal and be part of Gruber in having his title completely displayed at Ray-Jay.
Smith, who simply turned 29, is beneath contract with the Bucs for the subsequent two seasons. By the point his present deal expires he may have been in Tampa Bay for 9 seasons. Another contract extension with the crew and continued stellar play and he very effectively might obtain Bucs Ring of Honor standing.
Watch Smith’s look on Monday’s Pewter Report Podcast proper right here:
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