It's Like Having a Coach on the Field

Bucs Lb coach Mark Duffner had a chance to talk with the media and talk mostly about the impact that Daryl Smith will bring to this team. Duffner was Smith's coach for seven years in Jacksonville so both know each other very well. Duffner said Smith is a true professional and will only help guys like Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander get better. Smith has been highly productive especially the past three seasons in Baltimore averaging at least 120 tackles per season. Smith is very familiar with this defense and Duffner thinks having Smith on the team is like having an extra coach out there on the field.

The linebackers group is in good hands with David, Alexander, and Smith who all can run and hit as well as cover if needed making the group pretty formidable. Daryl Smith might end up being the best free agent signing from this off-season just due to the fact he knows this defense and that he will be a leader on and off the field. I see this being very good for Kwon Alexander as he can learn from Smith and really learn how to anticipate what the opposing offense is going to do next. Meaning Alexander will be able to play even faster which will only help this defense become more formidable. Hopefully Smith can have a big impact this season, and make the defense click on the field.

Jaylon Smith Update

According to Ian Rapoport, Jaylon Smith's nerve issue is still similar to the same results as they were the first time they checked.

Teams are still reviewing info on #ND LB Jaylon Smith (knee) after rechecks. But I'm told his report wasn't much different from the Combine.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2016

 Looking at Jaylon Smith's game tape he is a sure fire top 10 pick without the injury and most teams have all the right in the world to drop him off their board if he doesn't get full use of his leg again. I on the other hand see this as a golden opportunity for a team that is willing to take the risk and I am saying that team should be the bucs. Smith was seen wearing an AFO, better known as an Ankle Foot Orthosis which is usually used for a condition called foot drop, where you have difficulty lifting the front part of your foot during walking. If Jaylon Smith were older and weaker this would be a major problem but his quads and hamstrings are more than strong enough as he already is squatting over 400 lbs and leg pressing 600. His main issue will be ankle stability moving forward as he hopes all the nerve innervation comes back which can usually take up to a year. This ankle stability issue can be helped simply by taping his ankle during games.

Looking at the Bucs current roster Smith would be an excellent pick up if he were available in the 3rd round as he would be able to have the year of rest he needs behind a more than capable Daryl Smith. Some team will be getting an all around player late in Jaylon Smith as most definitely he will fall come draft day. Hopefully Jason Licht see's the risk reward with Jaylon Smith and runs with it.

The Only Thing I Can Say "He's Legit"

Bucs new linebacker Daryl Smith took some time today to speak with the media today as it was the first time hearing Smith speak since joining the team. Smith touch on working for Mike Smith again and how the defense is very similar to his days in Jacksonville, and how the defense will be very aggressive in nature. Smith is very excited to work with fellow linebackers in Kwon Alexander and Lavonte David, and also said he will help them in any way he can. During this time, Smith had a straight face, just answering questions, and then was asked what his thoughts were of Jameis Winston. Smith's face got excited and had a big smile and went on to say the following per Greg Auman.

Daryl Smith on Bucs QB Jameis Winston: "The only thing I can say is he's legit."

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) April 14, 2016

That's strong praise from a veteran that has won a lot of football games, and just shows the kind of impact Jameis is having on this football team. Jameis has the attention of the whole team, and for a great veteran player like Daryl Smith to say that, so soon just displays what kind of leader Jameis is already and that he is the heart of this team. Smith believes in this team and most likely having Jameis on the team is a main reason he decided to come here.

What Will Daryl Smith Bring?

What kind of player did the Bucs get when they signed LB Daryl Smith. Lets throw some numbers around. Daryl Smith has over 1000 tackles in his career to go along with 30.5 sacks 11 interceptions and 69 pass deflections. What all those numbers mean is that the guy is always around the football. Yes, Smith just turned 34 but that doesn't mean he level of play has dropped off yet. His last 3 years with the Ravens he had over 100 tackles with a sack and a pick.

Why would Smith come to Tampa then? Most likely its due to the familiarity with coach Mike Smith whom he played under at Jacksonville for 2004-2007. Smith is a proven player in the NFL and the Bucs need players like that. He will bring a strong work ethic to an already strong group of LB's with Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander.

Smith stands 6'2 250 and plays the game the right way. One word to describe him is consistent. He will consistently be around the ball and bring a veteran leadership to a weak willed defense that is used to folding in and losing. Jason Licht has improved this Defense with upgrades at 3 different levels (DL,LB,CB) and will only continue that trend in the draft.

Here a glimpse at what Daryl Smith can bring to Tampa.

Bucs Free Agent Signings Have Winning Past

The great Vince Lombardi used to say that "winning is habit, but unfortunately so is losing", and the Bucs have made losing a habit since 2007 which is their last playoff appearance. Bucs Gm Jason Licht is trying to change the culture and build a winning organization. That started last year by getting franchise Qb in Jameis Winston, who has stated before that in 2016, the team is going to create a winning mindset. So far this off season, it looks like Jason Licht wants to accelerate that winning mindset by bringing in free agents who can not only play at a high level, but have a history of winning and playoff experience.

The Bucs have signed J.R Sweezy, Brent Grimes, Robert Ayers, Josh Robinson, and Daryl Smith whom all have been apart of winning organizations, and have won in the playoffs. Sweezy and Ayers have played in the Super Bowl which was in 2013 as they went against each other with their former teams in Seattle and Denver respectively. This free agent group is very talented with winning experience which will hopefully rub off on this roster, and can help this team learn how to win and finish games. The Bucs have a high quality veteran at every level of the defense as Ayers,(defensiveline), Smith(linebackers), and Grimes (cornerbacks). This is key as young guys like Jacqueis Smith, Kwon Alexander, and Johnthan Banks can learn from them and become better players as a result.

Jason Licht knows this team needs to start winning as 8-24 over the last two years are just unacceptable. It looks like Winston's end of the year press conference hit home with Licht, as it is time to create a winning mindset because this team has had a losing one for too long. With now having key quality veterans in place on defense, hopefully they can help Jameis instilled a winning culture into the rest of the team.

Buccaneers Have Signed LB Daryl Smith

The Buccaneers had Daryl Smith in today for an visit and have come to agreement hours later via Peter Schrager of FoxSports.

Buccaneers have agreed to a 1 year deal w/ LB Daryl Smith. @NFLonFOX

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 18, 2016

This is another good move by Jason Licht as Smith has familarity with DC Mike Smith and LB coach Mark Duffner. Even though Smith is 34, he has been playing quality football the past three years and can be a veteran leader for this defense as he will likely be the new starting strongside Linebacker. This will be good for fellow linebackers Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander and possible rookie pick as I expect the Bucs still to draft a linebacker possibly Aaron Wallace or Deion Jones. Now with Ayers, Grimes, and Smith the Bucs have a veteran at every level of the defense.  Smith has been a consistent player his whole career and should bring an impact to the Bucs run defense as well being able to make a play or two in the passing game.

Buccaneers meeting with LB Daryl Smith

Buccaneers are meeting with former Ravens Lb Daryl Smith per Adam Schefter of Espn.

Former Ravens LB Daryl Smith visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2016

Smith came into the NFL under new Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith, so there is a connection there, and Smith can still play as he has put up good numbers the past three years per Greg Auman.

Daryl Smith is 34, but had at least 120 tackles in each of last three years with Ravens. 30.5 career sacks, 11 career INTs ...

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 17, 2016

It looks like the Bucs want more veterans on defense, and that is never a bad thing as long as they are quality players, and Smith is definitely one of them. Smith would be an instant starter at the SAM linebacker position.