“A blessing” is how Donovan Smith referred to being in Tampa Bay for the next three years. He said, with a smile on his face, that he wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.
Smith said his mother FaceTimed him once his new deal with the Buccaneers became official on Tuesday.
“One of the hardest things for me is to see my mother cry…whether it be happy tears or sad tears. For her, she just pretty much broke down and said ‘I prayed for this day,'” Smith said during a news conference on Wednesday.
Smith’s mom should be proud! Her son becomes just the second player in franchise history to start every game in his first four seasons. And while the “O-Lineman” wants to become better on the field this off-season, he also wants to grow into a more vocal leader in 2019.
“I can be more outspoken in my leadership…continuing to build who I am on the field, consistency, going in there week in week out and help the team win,” he said.
Smith avoids a franchise tag, but free agency hasn’t even begun yet. This could could put Bucs GM Jason Licht in even more of a salary cap crunch.
Licht told News Channel 8, “You’re dealt the hand you’re dealt with. We’re still going to look for good players. It’s a little bit of a chess match and it becomes challenging, but that’s why we do what we do.”
Other than Smith – who stays and who goes during the upcoming weeks? This is to be determined. However, at least we know Jameis Wisnton’s blind-side will be protected next season.