Bucs left deal with Donovan Smith is used to going through the sport’s greatest go rushers. And whenever you’re defending Tom Brady’s blind facet, you higher welcome these varieties of challenges — and win them.
During the last two years, Smith has completed an exceptional job at doing simply that. These battles are by no means simple, and he is aware of that he’ll take his losses infrequently. However today, he’s definitely successful his matchups most of the time.
Throughout his look on Monday’s Pewter Report Podcast, Smith mentioned going through the NFL’s greatest offers him an opportunity to elevate his standing among the many league’s left tackles. Not solely that, however he certain doesn’t concern anybody lining up throughout from him.
Bucs LT Donovan Smith – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
“It’s simply competitors. You go on the market and, they’re so-called the perfect, it brings out the perfect,” Smith mentioned. “It makes you go on the market, you’re employed twice as arduous. You go on the market and be sure you present and do what you all the time do — and apply to do — to be sure you put your title on the map.
“These issues, it’s simply one thing that simply comes, I say second nature. As a result of I’m all for the problem. I’m by no means gonna be terrified of one other man on the market. You win some, you lose some. However, you already know, you’re gonna preserve combating and preserve going. I’m gonna be sure I win greater than I lose, in order that’s the way in which it goes.”
Smith has gotten higher each 12 months since his 2015 rookie season, and he’s coming off of his greatest season to this point. However one of many defining stretches of his profession to this point got here two postseasons in the past, when the Bucs climbed to the mountaintop.
He had a implausible playoff run that started with him shutting down Chase Younger within the NFC Wild Card Sport (after the then-rookie proclaimed that he was coming after Brady). And ended with him and his teammates lifting the Lombardi Trophy on their residence area.
Bucs Will Face A lot Of Challenges Proper Out Of The Gate In 2022
Bucs LT Donovan Smith – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Smith and the Bucs haven’t any scarcity of robust exams proper off the bat in 2022. Tampa Bay opens up its common season on the street, going through Dallas and New Orleans. Nothing will get any simpler when the group returns to Raymond James Stadium both, with Inexperienced Bay and Kansas Metropolis coming to city.
That’s about as robust of a four-game stretch as you’ll discover within the NFL. As difficult as it’s, Smith mentioned he and his teammates are excited for what’s forward.
“To have the ability to go on the market and play our type of ball and are available out with a W, it’s going to be big. It’s simply gonna set us up for what our season is gonna be,” he mentioned. “As a result of, clearly, these groups are the usual, high of the highest tier, no matter it could be. To have the ability to go on the market, compete, have enjoyable and ensure we find yourself within the win column ultimately of the day is all that issues.
“By no means again down from anyone. We present up when it’s time and we’re prepared. It’s positively going to be reside, loud, ridiculously loopy – whether or not it’s residence or away.”
You’ll be able to watch Smith’s full look on Monday’s Pewter Report Podcast right here:
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