Chiefs Sign Former Bucs LT Donovan Smith

[Dante84]

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

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Insurance and depth. Why did they wait so long to sign McKinnon, who lwas 10th in the entire NFL in receiving TD's last year? Because he's insurance and depth.

And McKinnon will play a big role the same as he did before. I don’t see him sitting the bench all year.

IMO the Chiefs wanted Anton Harrison. Didn’t happen. They got another high profile tackle (Morris).

I think Smith starting is based on Morris’ readiness. If he’s not ready you have starting vet tackles. If Morris is ready it’s Taylor/Morris with a damn good insurance policy.

I think Niang and Wanogho are non-factors

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Oh I don't disagree.

The most likely scenario remains that Smith is just a backup and not a starter at all. But sure, if he clearly emerges at the best LT on the team, start him and put Taylor at RT. I just don't think he'll end up being the best LT on the team.

I think the odds are better that Niang demonstrates that he CAN'T start at RT than they are that Smith demonstrates he's a clearly better option at LT.

Either situation yields the same outcome, though - Smith at LT and Taylor at RT. Because ultimately even last year's clearly compromised version of Smith could still pass protect. I'm not all that convinced Niang can play at all. So if Niang struggles, even if Smith doesn't 'bounce back' - the best 5 probably still has Smith at LT and Taylor at RT.

Niang controls these outcomes just as much as Smith or Taylor do, IMO.

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The first scenario is just dumb. If Taylor is the best LT on the team, and you KNOW Smith is here on a one year deal, you don't start Smith.

The Chiefs aren't going to do that. They said the reason they let OBJ go was because they thought he was going to be a long-term solution and his demands pushed him beyond the point of keeping him.

When you combine what they say they want with age, injury, and athleticism, the best long-term strategy is to put Taylor at LT in 2023 and the placeholder at RIGHT tackle. Not the other way around.

Again, if Taylor isn't exhibiting his 2021 performance, then the above is obvious. If he is healthy and mentally good, and performing at his 2021 level, it is absolutely the best choice to put him at left tackle unless you have one of the other RT's step up and dominate.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by IowaHawkeyeChief

Again, if Taylor isn't exhibiting his 2021 performance, then the above is obvious. If he is healthy and mentally good, and performing at his 2021 level, it is absolutely the best choice to put him at left tackle unless you have one of the other RT's step up and dominate.

This could be EXACTLY what puts Taylor at RT.

Because it isn't about finding the best LT - not in this system, not when RT usually operates without help.

It's about finding the best combination of bookends. And if you don't have a clear winner in the RT derby, Smith at LT and Taylor at RT is probably the best duo you can create from this roster.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

If Smith is back to form, I think he'll win the LT gig.

The inertia is just too powerful. It's soooooooo easy.

I mean you have a guy who's demonstrated that he is capable of being a premium pass-protecting LT. And another guy who's demonstrated he can be a premium pass-protecting RT.

So...do that. And next year you still have Taylor under contract with a year under his belt in KC ready to make the transition over to LT and Wanye with a year under his belt ready to compete for RT.

I just have a hard time seeing a scenario where Smith starts but it's NOT at LT. I think your two most likely scenarios are Taylor at LT and Niang at RT or Smith at LT and Taylor at RT.

And I'd say it's a coinflip scenario either way. Both Niang and Smith are open enough questions (and Taylor's transition, for that matter) that I don't think you can really state anything with any level of certainty.

Yep that is how I seeing it playing out

[duncan_idaho]

So let's present some hypothetical fact statements:

1. Jawaan Taylor is the best LT on the team
2. Donovan Smth is back to 2021 form and the second-best LT on the team
3. The difference between them is not enormous
4. Lucas Niang continues to be inconsistent and has trouble staying healthy (or isn't what he was before the injuries)
5. Wanya Morris shows flashes, but is inconsistent and needs a year of seasoning before being trusted to RT
6. Prince Tano-Wanogha continues to be a better name than football player
7. Darian Kinnard proves that he is, in fact, just a G in the NFl
8. Donovan Smith is quite a bit worse at RT than Taylor

In this scenario, the SMART thing to do is play your best combination (like DJ has been saying).

If that means you're 5 percent worse at LT to be 20 percent better at RT, so be it.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The .gif that keeps on giving.

[smithandrew051]

More options with the potential to be good is a good thing

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by IowaHawkeyeChief

You answered your own question, most lefty's choose baseball, even if they play football, as lefty pitchers are highly sought after in college recruiting as well as the MLB. If they have an arm, most are going the BB route.

Awesome. Thank you for sharing. Does make sense.

[Warrick]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

So let's present some hypothetical fact statements:

1. Jawaan Taylor is the best LT on the team
2. Donovan Smth is back to 2021 form and the second-best LT on the team
3. The difference between them is not enormous
4. Lucas Niang continues to be inconsistent and has trouble staying healthy (or isn't what he was before the injuries)
5. Wanya Morris shows flashes, but is inconsistent and needs a year of seasoning before being trusted to RT
6. Prince Tano-Wanogha continues to be a better name than football player
7. Darian Kinnard proves that he is, in fact, just a G in the NFl
8. Donovan Smith is quite a bit worse at RT than Taylor

In this scenario, the SMART thing to do is play your best combination (like DJ has been saying).

If that means you're 5 percent worse at LT to be 20 percent better at RT, so be it.

There's no way to prove #1 is a fact with only 18 snaps at LT and #2 if D. Smith is back to 2021 form then he indeed is the best LT on the team. The rest of your list is correct however.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Warrick

There's no way to prove #1 is a fact with only 18 snaps at LT and #2 if D. Smith is back to 2021 form then he indeed is the best LT on the team. The rest of your list is correct however.

Nope. It’s all going to be about how they work in TC.

[Warrick]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Nope. It’s all going to be about how they work in TC.

In the end that is what it comes down to... The best meshed 5 on the field by the time game 1 comes around.

[Iconic]

Originally Posted by O.city

I'd try to get Wanya to develop into the next LT.

when you think about it like that veach can't really lose. taylor could play out the length of his contract at rt and it would have no bearing cap wise because we would have little expenditure at lt if wanya pans out the following season.

in fact taylor would come off the books at the perfect time to get an extension done with wanya - if he is the guy we think he is.

not bad for a worst case scenario

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Warrick

There's no way to prove #1 is a fact with only 18 snaps at LT and #2 if D. Smith is back to 2021 form then he indeed is the best LT on the team. The rest of your list is correct however.

I believe you overlooked the 'hypothetical' qualifier in his statement...

[Chiefnj2]

If Smith is healthy he has all the motivation in the world to play well. He's playing for a final contract and pay day. He was steadily improving every year until last year when he was injured.