Bucs continue rebuilding offensive line, agree to terms with Evan Dietrich-Smith
TAMPA, Fla. -- Another new offensive lineman is coming to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team agreed to terms Friday with Evan Dietrich-Smith, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, on a four-year deal worth $14.25 million, per FOX Sports NFL Insider Peter Schrager. A five-year veteran, Dietrich-Smith has played in 61 games with 25 starts. He's listed as a center, but he could receive a look at guard with Tampa Bay.
"I actually rooted for the Buccaneers as a kid after meeting John Lynch at a football camp and when he and Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice and Mike Alstott and all those guys won the Super Bowl, I was pretty pumped," Dietrich-Smith said in a release. "Hopefully we can do that again. I saw the Buccaneers organization heading in the right direction, and when I got to meet the coaching staff, I was even more excited."
Dietrich-Smith, 27, went undrafted in 2009 out of Idaho State, and the Packers signed him as a college free agent before waiving him in the final round of cuts after training camp in 2010. After a month-long stay with the Seattle Seahawks in fall 2010, he rejoined Green Bay later that year and won a title with the team in Super Bowl XLV.
With Dietrich-Smith's signing, the Bucs have added seven players in free agency in the past week. Previous signees include quarterback Josh McCown, offensive tackle Anthony Collins, defensive end Michael Johnson, cornerback Alterraun Verner, defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and tight end Brandon Myers.
"Evan is a tough, physical lineman who gives us added size and versatility at the center and guard positions," Bucs general manager Jason Licht said in a release. "He is a very intelligent player with a strong work ethic who is hitting his prime and provides more veteran leadership on our offensive line."
