Buccaneers’ Donovan Smith on new contract: ‘The security is a blessing’

Life in the NFL isn’t exactly known for being secure, as any number of players, coaches and executives can attest.

So when the opportunity comes to get a little extended peace of mind, it is welcome.

‘Now that you’re being able to just relax and go out there and do what you do, nothing on your mind, it’s just great’

That’s the case with Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Donovan Smith, who Tuesday signed a three-year contract extension with the team reportedly worth $41.25 million, with $27 million guaranteed.

“In this business, it’s tough and we kind of sit there and have it in the back of our heads and the what-ifs and all this other stuff.”

“To be able to just know that you’re secure, no matter what, it’s huge,” Smith told Lance Medow and David Diehl on The Red Zone. “In this business, it’s tough and we kind of sit there and have it in the back of our heads and the what-ifs and all this other stuff. But now that you’re being able to just relax and go out there and do what you do, nothing on your mind, it’s just great. The security is a blessing.”

‘You know their strengths and weaknesses, you know how he thinks’

Not only that, but Smith also is looking forward to the continuity the Buccaneers have established with their line.

“Anytime we can get a unit together and build for multiple years, it’s only going to get special, because then you start knowing that guy next to you and you could play for him,” Smith said. “You know their strengths and weaknesses, you know how he thinks and his train of thought out there on the field. To be able to start it off, me, (center) Ryan (Jensen), (guard) Ali (Marpet), get it going and then the young guys and stuff, it’s going to be great.

‘(Bruce Arians) has a lot of fire and that’s just what we need as a team’

“With (coach Bruce Arians) coming in, he has a lot of fire and that’s just what we need as a team and as a unit, to get things going. It’s going to be great.”