Tampa Bay Buccaneers release defensive end Jacquies Smith
One night before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showcase their team on primetime for the first time in 2017, they’ve released one of their fan favorites.
Defensive end Jacquies Smith has shown flashes of greatness during his time as a Buccaneers pass rusher, but just couldn’t ever stay on the field consistently.
Coming onto the team from the Buffalo Bills, Smith played 15 games in 2014 and 12 in 2015. In those two years, he tallied 13.5 sacks total, and made a name for himself among fans of the team and the franchise itself.
This ability to impact the opponents passing attack is assuredly one reason the team stuck with the 27-year old when he tore his ACL in the 2016 season.
Late Wednesday night, Tampa Bay Times beat writer Greg Auman sent out a tweet which immediately perked my interest, and admittedly a little panic.
Sure looks like Bucs have waived Jacquies Smith. Agency tweeted "excited 2 see what Club is next." "Excited for the next chapter," he wrote.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 4, 2017
The speculation didn’t last long though, as he sent out a follow up tweet (seen below) and a little while later, published an accompanying article on the Tampa Bay Times website.
Bucs have indeed waived DE Jacquies Smith today. Great find off waivers in 2014-15 with 13.5 sacks. Missed past year after ACL surgery.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 4, 2017
The Buccaneers have yet to make a move to fill the void left by Smith’s departure, but the early favorite seems to be a call-up for safety Isaiah Johnson from the practice squad.
Free-agent acquisition T.J. Ward and late season star Keith Tandy are both banged up, and at least one of them may not be able to go this Thursday Night.
Johnson is familiar with the system, and at least provides some depth as Tampa Bay faces perhaps the greatest quarterback to ever play the game.
Speculation is great, but I’m sure the team will announce their move associated with this one soon enough.
Personally, it’s a sad day to see Smith leave the team. I’ll continue to pull for him as he continues his road to health and a successful NFL career. Until then though, the Buccaneers have decided to move on, and we’ll wait to see what comes next.
What are your thoughts on the release of Jacquies Smith?
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