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Bucs re-sign guard/center Evan Smith to two-year deal

Veteran can help at all three interior spots on offensive line, as he did during 2017 season.
 
Bucs offensive lineman Evan Smith, just signed to a two-year contract, started games at left guard, center and right guard in 2017.
(OCTAVIO JONES -- TIMES)
Bucs offensive lineman Evan Smith, just signed to a two-year contract, started games at left guard, center and right guard in 2017. (OCTAVIO JONES -- TIMES)
Published March 24, 2018|Updated March 24, 2018

For someone who can move around a lot on the offensive line, Evan Smith is staying put.

The veteran offensive lineman, an unrestricted free agent who started at left guard, center and right guard in games last season, has re-signed with the Bucs on a two-year, $4-million deal.

Smith, 31, is the only remaining member of general manager Jason Licht's first free agent class in 2014. Having completed a four-year, $14.25 million contract, he's back for another two seasons. Only five current Bucs players have now been with the team longer — T Demar Dotson, DT Gerald McCoy, LB Lavonte David, S Keith Tandy and DE Will Gholston.

Smith's natural home last year was left guard, where he split time with Kevin Pamphile, who just signed a one-year contract with the Titans. But the former starting center took over for Ali Marpet at center for three starts, then for J.R. Sweezy at right guard for the final two games.

Smith's deal has $1 million guaranteed as part of $2 million in base compensation for 2018, with the chance to earn another $1 million in playing-time incentives. In 2019, he's due to earn $2 million in base salary, with another $1 million available in playing-time incentives.

Smith wouldn't be a starter in the current projected line for 2018, as the Bucs made Baltimore's Ryan Jensen the highest-paid center in the league, shifting Marpet back to guard. Sweezy also returns, though he is still recovering from a season-ending leg injury suffered in December.