Veteran linebacker Daryl Smith will be meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to decide whether or not he will be a good fit for their franchise. Smith was released by the Baltimore Ravens earlier in the offseason, however reports have circulated that the Ravens might want him back for a discount.
This may end up not happening thanks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith, at the very least, wanted to find out what he was worth to other teams before he went back to the Ravens to hammer out a deal. The Bucs do have a huge need at strongside linebacker, and cutting Bruce Carter and Danny Lansanah does not particularly help the situation.
At 34 years old, Smith is an aged veteran who brings a different kind of leadership to such a young Bucs team. Smith also has not missed a game in more than three seasons and was one of the soul survivors of the Ravens injury-plagued season that saw quarterback Joe Flacco tear both his MCL and ACL and Steve Smith tear his Achilles.
Bringing in Smith would be a reunion of sorts for the Bucs coaches as Smith played on the Jacksonville Jaguars while head coach of the Buccaneers Dirk Koetter was the offensive coordinator, Mike Smith was the defensive coordinator and Mark Duffner was the linebackers coach.
Signing Smith seems to make sense as the Bucs still have a lot of cap space and a few holes to plug on this roster. The move to strongside linebacker would help extend Smith's career and keep him physically sound. Smith will also not command that much money, considering the Ravens cut him instead of paying the $3.5 million he scheduled to earn in 2016.
Smith should go for half of that and sign a one- to two-year contract. He would be given a starting role given the situation at the position, and will be alongside Nebraska alum Lavonte David and talented linebacker Kwon Alexander.
Signing Smith should give this linebacking corps a brand new edge that has not been seen so far. The Buccaneers could use Smith either as a stop gap linebacker before they select one in a future NFL Draft, or they could sign him until he decides to call it quits.
