Chiefs Chiefs Sign Former Bucs LT Donovan Smith - Page 39

Dante84 · 05-03-2023, 05:13 PM

Donovan Smith started 124 games over the past eight seasons with the #Bucs. After signing Jawaan Taylor to a big deal in March, Kansas City continues to invest in protecting Patrick Mahomes. https://t.co/CK4z151PD8
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 3, 2023

DJ's left nut · 05-05-2023, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Niang isn’t doing anything here. Might as well accept that now

Agreed, but most of those still holding out hope are doing so due to some revisionist history that's coloring this entire conversation. Such as:

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

That's kind of handwaving the Niang situation. He was the starter, blew out his patella and didn't get the job back. Knowing how Andy treats the OL, he wasn't ever going to take over the RT spot this year unless Wylie just imploded or got injured.

So that's just not what happened. Niang came out of camp as a starter - barely. Then Wylie took the job from him. Remember, Niang didn't blow out his Patella until the last week of the season. He was only getting playing time in that game because OBJ and Remmers were hurt.

Niang had lost his job well before he blew up his knee. Then he wasn't able to take it back the following season.

Andy will make changes on the line in-season. He's done it more than people acknowledge, though yes - the other guy has to clearly TAKE the job. The backup ain't winning any close questions. But doesn't that say loud and clear that Niang got outclassed by Wylie to lose his job and then not be able to re-gain it?

It just seems like Niang hasn't gained any traction here despite several opportunities. The team doesn't - and shouldn't - trust him.

O.city · 05-05-2023, 08:32 AM

You can keep Creed and possibly Smith if Morris develops into a starting LT>

O.city · 05-05-2023, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Agreed, but most of those still holding out hope are doing so due to some revisionist history that's coloring this entire conversation. Such as:

So that's just not what happened. Niang came out of camp as a starter - barely. Then Wylie took the job from him. Remember, Niang didn't blow out his Patella until the last week of the season. He was only getting playing time in that game because OBJ and Remmers were hurt.

Niang had lost his job well before he blew up his knee. Then he wasn't able to take it back the following season.

Andy will make changes on the line in-season. He's done it more than people acknowledge, though yes - the other guy has to clearly TAKE the job. The backup ain't winning any close questions. But doesn't that say loud and clear that Niang got outclassed by Wylie to lose his job and then not be able to re-gain it?

It just seems like Niang hasn't gained any traction here despite several opportunities. The team doesn't - and shouldn't - trust him.

I thought Niang was the starter pretty much all of 21 until he got hurt.

DJ's left nut · 05-05-2023, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPH83

I'm not fussed about losing 217, but you're telling me you wouldn't have liked Brooks or Kuntz there? Veach wouldn't have known who he was giving up when he made that deal, he was betting that noone he liked was there, maybe they were, maybe they weren't.

Brooks wouldn't have been there.

And since the pick at 178 was traded for a nominal upgrade a season later, it is fairly obvious that Veach simply put little/no value on the picks by then.

That's why I noted 'at that point in time' - because at 178 Veach didn't HAVE to project - he knew who was on the board; all those guys I named. And he traded the pick anyway.

He showed his cards on the bet he was making w/r/t the value of 217 when he traded away 178. You're grousing about hypotheticals when no hypotheticals are necessary or appropriate.

DJ's left nut · 05-05-2023, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

I thought Niang was the starter pretty much all of 21 until he got hurt.

He started 9 games in 2021, 2 of which were injury replacements late in the year, including the game in week 17 when he blew out his knee.

**The Franchise** · 05-05-2023, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

You can keep Creed and possibly Smith if Morris develops into a starting LT>

I would rather just have Taylor at LT, let Morris develop at RT and then worry about a LT 3 years down the road.

Wisconsin_Chief · 05-05-2023, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

Exactly. Again. Not rocket science here.

Pretty clear that is the most likely plan, even if people don't want to admit it. Or you have him play RT next year and kick Taylor over to LT after he has a year in the system playing his natural position and a full year of them seeing if he has the skillset to play LT. Signing Smith gives you a year to figure that all out without having to force anything short term.

It's going to be Smith at LT and Taylor at RT this year, though. Nothing else makes any sense barring a meteoric rise from one of the young guys. Those are your two best tackles on the roster, and it's not remotely close right now. Reid has never had a problem paying RTs top dollar going back to his Philly days. He's going to protect Mahomes as priority number one.

Direckshun · 05-05-2023, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Franchise

Best case scenario would be:

Taylor successfully transitioning to LT and locking down the LT position for the remainder of his contract.
Niang stays healthy and proves that he's the RT they envisioned in this offense.
Smith is our insurance policy for LT.
Morris gets a redshirt year and becomes our swing tackle moving forward.

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

So what IS the best-case scenario for the Chiefs' OL?

Best-case for 2023 would be:
Donovan Smith returning to his 2021 form LT, allowing Jawaan Taylor to play RT, and giving the Chiefs the same level of play from LT-RG they received in 21 and 22 (or slightly better, given Smith's talents are a better fit for this style of offense), with Taylor providing a massive upgrade at RT.

This would be the best offensive line in football, Smith would get paid at the end of the year, and it would likely pay off with a comp pick for KC.

Best-case long-term would be:
Wanya Morris blossoms under the wing of Heck, and by the end of the year is entrenched as the starter at RT, while Taylor has smoothly transitioned to LT and is providing above-average play there.

Now you're set at the tackles for 2024, 25, and 26. You still have one more cheap year of Humphrey and Smith, and you're likely in your last year with Joe Thuney at LG. So you draft a LG to develop, probably pay Creed Humphrey, and play out 2024 with the same OL starters, before working in 1-2 new guys at G in 2025.

Pest is right on.

While duncan's idea isn't bad, there's just no chance we have landed a quality left tackle in May for roughly $4m.

tredadda · 05-05-2023, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldman

Would we even be having this argument if Mahomes was left handed?

But one more time for “some people”. Best case scenario, Taylor makes the switch without a problem, Niang steps up to be a outstanding RT. Smith becomes a relativity cheap insurance policy and Morris red-shirts with a few snaps in mop up duty, becoming the RT in 2024. Option B is Smith starts at LT, Taylor stays at RT and Morris red-shirts/backup Smith. After the season, we say goodbye to Smith and hand him a lovely parting gift of a SB ring, Morris is the LT in 2024.

As mentioned before, there are a lot of teams that have 2 good EDGE guys, we may be one of them. If you want more weapons not having to keep a TE or RB out of the pattern because you need a chip blocker seems to be a good place to start. The bottom line is we have to keep PMII upright and endorsement pretty because our fate lies with him. Sorry, Gabbert is no Magic Moore so no miracles seem to be on the horizon.

Good point. On another note I always wonder why there are so few lefty QBs. Quite a few lefty baseball pitchers, but not QBs.

htismaqe · 05-05-2023, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Its way too early to worry about his exact spot IMO

All that really matter now is that Heck has a veteran, Super Bowl winning player to play mix & match with... as others have said before, it'll sort itself out in camp

Hell its not our money being spent, if Veach thinks its a good idea I'm down with it

I'm not sure anybody is "worried" about anything, other than maybe he who shall not be named.

I know I'm not.

Not worried at all, actually. Taylor is going to win the LT spot.

O.city · 05-05-2023, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

He started 9 games in 2021, 2 of which were injury replacements late in the year, including the game in week 17 when he blew out his knee.

That's right, he started the year, played til he got hurt (shocker) then got back in and got hurt again.

I'd say at this point anything you get from him is extra, would not count on much.

htismaqe · 05-05-2023, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stryker

I for one am very, very glad they keep addressing the OT position! The more the merrier! There is plenty of time to let the coaches see what is what and who needs to play where - I think we have an awesome coaching staff that I have faith in. It will all work out for the best. Stay positive!

Yep

I like this move a lot. Still doesn't mean I think he's going to start at LT but I like the move regardless.

O.city · 05-05-2023, 09:18 AM

Financially, if Morris took off and developed into your LT, that's the ideal situation.

kcbubb · 05-05-2023, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Pest is right on.

While duncan's idea isn't bad, there's just no chance we have landed a quality left tackle in May for roughly $4m.

This. Wanya is a better fit at RT. Let’s assume Taylor wins the starting LT spot, who is gonna back up Taylor at LT? We got the best available backup. If Niang or Wanya fails at RT, we can slide Taylor over to RT and insert smith at LT. This move gave us options and increased competition. Who was gonna push Taylor as competition for LT? We need competition. Signing smith gave us options and increased competition because Taylor will be taking reps on both sides. Niang and Morris will have to compete against Taylor also. Lots of accountability to work hard. This is a humble approach. Throw lots of talent in the group and see who wins the job.

**The Franchise** · 05-05-2023, 09:25 AM

I'm posting this again for all of the people that may have missed it from Nate Taylor's latest article.

Quote:

By signing his newest contract Thursday, Smith will go from protecting the blind side of Tom Brady, the NFL’s most legendary quarterback, to the possibility of earning the job of protecting the blind side of Patrick Mahomes, the league’s reigning MVP and Super Bowl MVP.

There’s two key words in that sentence. Possibility and earning. Doesn’t sound to me like he’s been guaranteed shit.

05-03-2023, 05:13 PM
Dante84 Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ATX & OPKS Casino cash: $-2108004 VARSITY	Chiefs Sign Former Bucs LT Donovan Smith Donovan Smith started 124 games over the past eight seasons with the #Bucs. After signing Jawaan Taylor to a big deal in March, Kansas City continues to invest in protecting Patrick Mahomes. https://t.co/CK4z151PD8 — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 3, 2023
Posts: 20,463

05-05-2023, 08:32 AM	#572
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-795936	You can keep Creed and possibly Smith if Morris develops into a starting LT>
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05-05-2023, 09:18 AM	#583
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $-795936	Financially, if Morris took off and developed into your LT, that's the ideal situation.
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