Smith totaled 35 tackles (28 solo), including two for loss, one fumble recovery and one interception over 16 games during the 2016 season.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran tackling machine posted what was easily his lowest total of stops of any season in which he'd played at least 14 games. Smith held down the starting strongside linebacker job throughout the duration of the campaign, but the drop in his production was especially notable considering he was coming off the three most prolific seasons of his career from a tackles perspective. New defensive coordinator Mike Smith's scheme, which Smith had played in for four seasons (2004-07) in Jacksonville, seemed to funnel a great deal of the action to MLB Kwon Alexander, who posted 145 tackles. The 13-year pro notably wasn't the only established linebacker on the Bucs to see a precipitous drop in his numbers -- Lavonte David's 87 tackles also represented a low-water mark for him -- so the downturn likely wasn't exclusively age-related. However, Smith is now an unrestricted free agent, and given his largely disappointing season, the Bucs would currently appear unlikely to bring him back into the fold for 2017.

Smith supplied four tackles (two solo), a half-sack and an inteception in Monday night's 17-14 win over the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Smith tallied a season high in tackles while also getting into the sack and interception columns for the first time in 2016 as well. The 14-year veteran has not quite been able to post the type of prolific tackle numbers that he's become known for throughout his career and is currently on pace for a low-water mark in stops for a full season.

Smith (undisclosed) will not play Friday against the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran linebacker will miss his second consecutive preseason game Friday as he recovers from an undisclosed ailment. Both Smith and Devante Bond (hamstring) are sitting out Friday, so Josh Keyes figures to see plenty of snaps at strongside backer against Cleveland.

Smith (undisclosed) sat out another practice on Wednesday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

There continues to be no official explanation for the veteran linebacker's absence, which is now at a full week and included last Saturday's preseason contest versus the Jaguars. Smith is presumably not in any danger of missing regular season time, although without any exact details on the injury, it's impossible to determine a timetable for return. At minimum, his chances of playing in Friday's tilt against the Browns appear dim at this stage.

Smith (undisclosed) is not in uniform for Saturday's preseason affair with the Jaguars, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was a late scratch Saturday and it's not clear why as of right now. A high-volume tackler, Smith has been a clear-cut starter in this league for 13 seasons. While it makes sense to speculate that the Buccaneers could be giving Smith the game off to rest, nothing is certain until an official word is given.

Smith snatched his first interception of training camp Sunday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The starting strongside linebacker, who has extensive familarity with defensive coordinator Mike Smith's scheme from their time in Jacksonville in the mid-to-late 2000s, was Johnny-on-the-Spot on his pick, diving to snare the ball after it deflected off the hands of wideout Vincent Jackson. Smith has built an impressive resume as a tackling machine throughout his career, but has also shown a nose for the ball. The 34-year-old has 11 career picks to his credit, with three of those coming in each of his first three campaigns under Mike Smith's tutelage with the Jaguars.

Smith is excited about his new defensive teammates and once again playing in coach Mike Smith's scheme in 2016, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 13-year veteran, who topped 120 tackles in each of his last three seasons with the Ravens, is reunited with coach Mike Smith in Tampa after having played under his tutelage for four seasons during the latter's defensive coordinator tenure in Jacksonville in the mid-to-late 2000s. Smith's familiarity and past success in the scheme provides considerable reason for optimism, but his new teammates have him excited for the coming season as well. ""We've got a young roster that can play," he said. "We've got talent that nobody really might not know it just yet, but hopefully we'll prove that." The 34-year-old is particularly looking forward to playing alongside Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander in the linebacker corps in a defensive scheme he feels will be an ideal fit for their respectives skill sets. "They're both young," he said. "Lavonte's been around a few years, All-Pro, knows what he's doing. Kwon is young, but knowledgeable about the game and so eager to learn. Already they're asking so many questions. It's a defense they'll thrive in."

Smith signed a one-year contract with the Buccaneers on Thursday, Peter Schrager of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran Smith will join Tampa Bay's young but talented linebacking corps on a one-year deal after being released by Baltimore earlier in the offseason to clear some cap space. Smith recorded 121 tackles and three sacks as a middle linebacker in the Ravens' 3-4 system last season, but he could be a replacement as the strong side backer with the Bucs releasing Bruce Carter this offseason. Despite the fact that he'll be 34 when the season gets underway, Smith still has decent coverage skills for a linebacker and could serve as a solid one-year stopgap in Tampa Bay.

Smith is paying a free agent visit to the Bucs on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 14-year veteran, released by the Ravens on Mar. 3, played under new Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith in Jacksonville from 2004-2007 during part of the latter's stint as the Jaguars' defensive coordinator. An above-average run-stopping presence throughout his career, Smith amassed 372 tackles (196 solo), 12 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, 30 passes defensed and five interceptions over the last three seasons in Baltimore. The Bucs are seeking to re-stock their linebacker corps after the releases of Danny Lansanah and Bruce Carter earlier in the offseason.

Smith was released by the Ravens on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith is coming off of another strong season in which he recorded 121 combined tackles and 3.0 sacks, but he'll turn 34 later this month, and the Ravens have opted to cut ties as they'll look to get younger at the position. The move also saves Baltimore roughly $2.6 million. As a free agent, Smith figures to draw considerable interest, though it's unclear how many teams would be willing to offer him a full-time starting spot.