Are we "done" with Anthony Smith?

[SteelerScott]

I'm certainly OK w/ it, but didn't know the Steelers were perhaps considering dumping him.
Get well soon, Mundy!

Growing oh-so tired of Anthony Smith
Saturday, August 09, 2008
By Gene Collier, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Philadelphia Eagles let Donovan McNabb play through two possessions last night at Heinz Field, one more than the Steelers risked with Ben Roethlisberger and one less than ultimately was prudent for Charlie Batch.

There is no thinner coaching tightrope than preseason football, when careful, calculating men like Mike Tomlin and Andy Reid inch from one platform to another across a 100 X 53-yard pit of fire.

Four times. Five if you're unlucky.

Sometimes it seems the whole purpose of this interminable NFL August is to arrive at September with some semblance of the roster with which you started training camp. The volatile mix of semi-bored veterans, confused and skittish rookies, and desperate, borderline psychotic free agents is potentially disastrous from the standpoint of what polite company calls wellness.

So there was Batch, kneeling in front of Steelers trainer John Norwig in the second quarter, feeling like an anvil had fallen on his throwing shoulder. Forced to run on a broken play resulting from an apparent miscommunication with running back Mewelde Moore, Batch was smacked by Eagles safety Sean Considine, who fracturing the right collarbone of the one of the league's top backup passers.

Frightening as that was for Pittsburgh's quarterback depth, the more pivotal collision in the near term might have been the leg injury to rookie safety Ryan Mundy earlier in this first preseason game.

If Mundy isn't unavailable to backup starters Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu, it will delay and perhaps even prevent the Steelers from making the one personnel move most called for after two weeks of camp and four quarters of approximate football: ridding themselves of Anthony Smith.

Last seen preening over the crumpled form of Hines Ward on a St. Vincent lawn 48 hours earlier, Smith was on the sidelines last night in street clothes and a backward visor, ostensibly the sufferer of a groin injury that somehow didn't keep him out of practice Wednesday afternoon, even after Tomlin had declared him unavailable for the Eagles appointment.

If you can't get through a preseason game with any expectation of avoiding serious injury, you should at least be able to get through a practice without having to watch your four-time All Pro receiver and the competitive soul of the offense absorb a bone-rattling cheap shot from the notorious Smith.

Smith will be 25 years old on Sept. 20, but continues to back pedal from maturity faster than if he's covering Terrell Owens.

It was one thing for Bill Cowher to attribute to inexperience Smith's embarrassing rookie performance at Carolina, in which defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau practically dragged him off the field at the end of a ridiculous high-stepping interception return.

It was another when Tomlin scolded the media for paying any attention to him when Smith predicted a victory at unbeaten New England last December, a severe stupidity spasm that earned him a pat on the head and a severe toasting by Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

But this week's training camp thuggery at the expense of one of the franchise's most decorated veterans smells to me like strike three. There was a time in Smith's alleged development when his wealth of athleticism and general disregard for the safety of himself and opponents was thought to be manageable by a veteran coaching staff. But Smith just doesn't listen.

After the Wednesday collision with Ward, who'd personally scolded Smith last year at Latrobe when Smith nearly took Willie Reid's head off in a drill, LeBeau walked from his usual station behind the offense all the way over to where Smith was sitting on his helmet. Whatever the esteemed defensive coordinator said to the third-year underachiever out of Syracuse, the player never altered his gaze nor acknowledged the coach.

Tomlin did not go into his second training camp as a big fan of Anthony Smith and will admit to a certain distaste for safeties who let opponents get behind them, but after Wednesday, I couldn't figure out why Smith should be allowed back on the field with this team.

The reason temporarily might be Mundy's less than satisfying debut last night. A sixth-round draft choice out of West Virginia via Michigan via Woodland Hills, Mundy made consecutive tackles on two McNabb completions at the end of the first quarter. Problem was, the completions netted 40 yards and Philly's DeSean Jackson made the second one with Mundy looking a little too much like a spectator, drawing a brief lecture from Tomlin. Four plays later, Mundy tackled Lorenzo Booker after a six yard gain, needed to be helped to his feet, and went off in a slow wobble.

Waning depth at safety will likely keep Anthony Smith around for awhile, which just as likely means, again, somebody's going to get hurt. If I know Hines Ward, it might be Anthony Smith.

Gene Collier can be reached at gcollier@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1283. More articles by this author
First published on August 9, 2008 at 12:00 am.http://postgazette.com/pg/08222/903121-150.stm


Sorry, guess it would've made sense to put this in the "Anthony Smith lays out Hines" thread.

[Supersteeler]

Wow, that's shocking. I don't know if that's just his unfounded opinion or if there's actually any truth to it, but wow. If Anthony Smith is cut, half of this board will form a lynch mob and charge the Steeler front office with torches and pitchforks, lol.

[markymarc]

From what I read Tomlin said Smith didn't play last night because they did not want to take any chances with his groin. Yes there may be something more to it. IMO this will be the make or break year for Anthony Smith. I don't really care who steps up, I just want #23 removed from this squad.

[Steel Dino]

I think cutting him would be a mistake......but if they did....I wouldn't light my torch....

[TMC]

I found this at Scout.com....it was free....

http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=2&c=776364

LATROBE – Anthony Smith was at it again, this time with a surprise forearm shiver that knocked Hines Ward to the ground during the Steelers’ 7-on-7 passing drill Wednesday afternoon.

Ward got up slowly as offensive coordinator Bruce Arians shouted an obscenity at Smith. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau walked over to talk to Smith, who was pulled from the field and sat on his helmet on the sideline. Smith did not appear to acknowledge LeBeau, and moments later, during team scrimmage, found himself running third team with undrafted rookie safety Roy Lewis.

Smith was not available for comment, but his teammate and friend Ryan Clark said the perception did not match the reality.

“You mean Kill Shot?” said Clark, referring to Smith. “Really, he didn’t hit him all that hard. It just looked that way from the sideline. And to tell you the truth, Hines flopped a bit.

“Now, I know you’re not supposed to be hitting Hines, but he really didn’t hit him that hard. Y’all are looking to make a bigger story out of this than it is.”

What about the seeming lack of respect Smith showed LeBeau?

“It wasn’t anything like that,” Clark said. “When you’re in that situation, you just sit there and listen, and that’s what he did. If you talk, or try to defend yourself, it just becomes a bigger deal.”

The practice was Smith’s first since injuring his hamstring early in camp. Earlier in the day, he was ruled out of Friday’s preseason opener at Heinz Field by Coach Mike Tomlin, as was tight end Cody Boyd (shoulder).


It also mentioned that Hampton is expected back middle of next week and Polamalu may be back next week. Sepulveda had surgery but has not been placed on IR and won't be until after the cutdown to 75 players because he would have to clear waivers.

[Supersteeler]

If he really did ignore Lebeau like that after all the dumb shit he's done, then he deserves whatever he gets.

[Jesse]

Regardless of Mundy's health he should be cut. There's other safeties available I'm sure.

[StuartSteelerFan]

The only reason I wouldn't want to cut him is the chance he'd be picked up by another AFC North team that we'd have to play twice... giving him two chances to head-hunt against the team that cut him. He strikes me as the kind of dumb ass that would do that kind of shit.

[BermudaSteel]

I don't like Smith's behavior and I hope this news is "presumptuous"; I'd give him one more chance though...

[In Ben We Trust]

IMO releasing Smith would be a bad mistake. He has not been around long enough to truly get a gage on how good he can be and hitters like him do not come around often. If he is cut it will be less than 24 hours before another team gets him under contract, and as somebody else mentioned if that team is in our division he could make us pay big time. You just don't dump 2nd round picks this early in the process.

[DerbyCityBNGfan]

my torch is already lit. he is the best 3rd safety in the league. cutting him would be a disaster.

[Steelerman58]

Smith's gonna be a good player. Just because he's a dick doesn't mean he can't play.

[Hallmarky]

Even if Mundy impress in preseason, cutting Smith would be a mistake because he is still better than Tyrone, who hasn't been that good lately.

[Mosh Pitt]

In related news, Mundy is OK.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_582061.html?source=rss&feed=9

Mundy OK

Rookie free safety Ryan Mundy hurt his shin while making a tackle early in the second quarter Friday, and the Woodland Hills graduate may be limited in practice this week.

Tomlin said Mundy should suit up Thursday when the Steelers play the Bills in Toronto.

Mundy, who was playing in front of a handful of family members, made three tackles before leaving the game.

"It was a shame because that was a young guy that we anticipated getting a lot of work in there," Tomlin said.

Lewis looking good

One rookie who continues to open eyes is undrafted free agent Roy Lewis.

A cornerback at the University of Washington, Lewis has been playing safety. What has made his adjustment to a new position all the more impressive: Lewis was not permitted to participate in OTA practices because of a rule that prohibits rookies from attending OTAs if class is still in session at their respective schools.

"He is a very deliberate striker for a former corner," Tomlin said of Lewis, who was credited with two tackles and two assists against the Eagles.

[MattArndt]

my torch is already lit. he is the best 3rd safety in the league. cutting him would be a disaster.

I hope that was sarcasm. He isn't the third best safety in our division, and maybe not even on the team.

[Blind Official]

Wow, that's shocking. I don't know if that's just his unfounded opinion or if there's actually any truth to it, but wow. If Anthony Smith is cut, half of this board will form a lynch mob and charge the Steeler front office with torches and pitchforks, lol.

Is now when we talk about hating the pick when it was made?

[SteelBreeze]

Shitcan him. The sooner the better. And I'm just fine with him going to another AFC North team. Ben can light him up twice this season like Brady did.

[markymarc]

It would be a mistake releasing Smith this year. IMO he is the 2nd best safety on our team right now. Yes he has mental lapses....but that is part of the learning curve. I really hope he learned from the N.E. game last year. He can still play safety though.

[Spike]

ha ha

I told you Tomlin would bench A. Smith.....another one in the doghouse

Tomlin don't dick around with headcases.

Smith just wants to make the big hit and get on sportscenter....of course, we encourage him...so we're all to blame. He'll be back if he don't piss off the big dog again.

[Coryea]

so let me get this straight, our FS who was a 2nd year player last year had two bad games, but up until that point was showing signs of being a damn good player is now on the block because of a cheap hit in practice? Shit I can think of a few Olinemen, Mahn, Simmons, Starks who played horrible last year, but all got nice pay raises, hell two of the start and the other one is the highest paid back up in NFL histoy. How about the Dline, Eason, Kirschke didn't both these guys resign this offseason? They were down right horrible last year.

Yeah, it makes a ton of sense to cut a guy for having two bad games, and guaranteed a win, eventhough, unlike the guys that got raises and resigned, Smith has made several plays in two seasons here.

[Spike]

.

Yeah, it makes a ton of sense to cut a guy for having two bad games, and guaranteed a win, eventhough, unlike the guys that got raises and resigned, Smith has made several plays in two seasons here.

Calm down muffin.....this is just more rumor-mongering by hack reporters.

Happens all the time.....don't believe what you read - especially around here.

[Supersteeler]

so let me get this straight, our FS who was a 2nd year player last year had two bad games, but up until that point was showing signs of being a damn good player is now on the block because of a cheap hit in practice? Shit I can think of a few Olinemen, Mahn, Simmons, Starks who played horrible last year, but all got nice pay raises, hell two of the start and the other one is the highest paid back up in NFL histoy. How about the Dline, Eason, Kirschke didn't both these guys resign this offseason? They were down right horrible last year.

Yeah, it makes a ton of sense to cut a guy for having two bad games, and guaranteed a win, eventhough, unlike the guys that got raises and resigned, Smith has made several plays in two seasons here.

It may be more of Smith being a total head-case than having two bad games. Just my 2 cents.

However, I don't think cutting him at this point is the answer, he has potential and is young. But if he doesn't act like a professional football player pretty soon, his time will be up.

[Coryea]

It may be more of Smith being a total head-case than having two bad games. Just my 2 cents.

However, I don't think cutting him at this point is the answer, he has potential and is young. But if he doesn't act like a professional football player pretty soon, his time will be up.

head case maybe, but so far in two plus seasons, he high stepped out of bounds on an INT, he made a dumb guarantee, and he took a cheap shot at Ward in practice. It's not like he's out beating women or smoking weed.

[Supersteeler]

head case maybe, but so far in two plus seasons, he high stepped out of bounds on an INT, he made a dumb guarantee, and he took a cheap shot at Ward in practice. It's not like he's out beating women or smoking weed.

No, not exactly, but it definitely shows a lot of immaturity. We are in Year 3 now, he's not a rook any more. Time to shape up or find another team willing to put up with it. Tomlin apparently isn't that guy.

[Spike]

Then again.....you never know...the coach likes this guy


Lewis looking good

One rookie who continues to open eyes is undrafted free agent Roy Lewis.

A cornerback at the University of Washington, Lewis has been playing safety. What has made his adjustment to a new position all the more impressive: Lewis was not permitted to participate in OTA practices because of a rule that prohibits rookies from attending OTAs if class is still in session at their respective schools.

"He is a very deliberate striker for a former corner," Tomlin said of Lewis, who was credited with two tackles and two assists against the Eagles.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_582061.html?source=rss&feed=9

[deljzc]

I hope Tomlin knows what he's doing.

There's one thing to set rules and pick favorites to keep the inmates from running the asylum. There's another when you do this at the expense of talent and on-field performance.

Personally, this love affair with Mundy (drafted way too high in my opinion), the promoting of undrafted guys in the media all might be good if Tomlin wants to show he's in charge, but I'm not so sure it will lead to more wins or make us a better team in the long run. In fact, it might push us back a couple years while "Tomlin approved" replacements are found in free agency or the draft.

I agree Smith is responsible for his actions. But this coaching staff hasn't really helped much either in my opinion.

Mark me down for giving him another shot this year (and that means playing time too) and I'll maybe decide if and how big a RFA tender we should put on him in 2009. I'm not ready to close the book on the 2nd most talented safety we have on the team. Let's face facts: Mundy and Lewis can't really hold Smith's jock when it comes to playmaking ability or talent. And if we cut Smith, that means another need next year (on top of the growing number of others). It's not worth it in my opinion to dump him to make a point that most other guys on the team already know (it's not like Smith's attitude is rubbing off on the team).

[steelersoldier]

Can you say guarantee??? I can't stand that guy. If he didn't open his mouth and cause Brady to go after his rookie ass then we probably would of won that game. The only thing I can guarantee with him is that he got his ass lit up by Brady and everybody else in the league.

[dobre shunka]

head case maybe, but so far in two plus seasons, he high stepped out of bounds on an INT, he made a dumb guarantee, and he took a cheap shot at Ward in practice. It's not like he's out beating women or smoking weed.

And three other cheapshots to Willie Reid over the past 2 camps during non-contact drills. As the last line of defense at the safety position, are those qualities you want at that position? Reckless, stupid, undisciplined, 'headcase', jackass? 4 times he's hit an unsuspecting/defenseless WR in a controlled environment such is practice. Each time resulting in a dressdown by multiple coaches. Yet he shows no ability to learn/correct/be coached. Is that the kind of player you trust to not bite on playaction or pumpfakes during a live full speed game? Or jumping up on the underneath looking for a big hit, abandoning single high? In the past they've sacrificed athleticism at that position for smarts/discipline. Obviously those are traits they place above all else. And it's not like he's much of an athlete anyways. Aside from jumping, he's below average in that department too. I think he's damn lucky they're so thin at safety right now.

[CornerBlitz]

The bad thing is he wasn't a rookie last year, it was his second season. I could care less if we keep or cut Smith, he seems to lack the brains necessary to play safety instead leading with his mouth. Million dollar body, 10 cent head does not a champion make.

[GoSteelers]

trade him to the saskatchewan rough riders. he is undisciplined most of the time. he can't back up his mouth. cut'em and take your losses.

[Ike Kelly]

I Sepulveda had surgery but has not been placed on IR and won't be until after the cutdown to 75 players because he would have to clear waivers.

??? Sepulveda wouldn't be waived as he would be on IR. Plus why would we want to waive to waive him?


My 2 cents....this whole attitude thing with Smith is still immaturity. He is trying to make his mark on the team. He was extremely disappointed in not winning the job last year and was pressing when Clark was injured. All in all he played poor in a couple games being too aggressive, but his play was solid considering all the injuries. In any case, he is playing out of position. My bet is he will be moved to SS as Polamalu's back up, and Mundy takes over as Clark's understudy for one more year. Carter will be gone anyway and they will place Lewis on the PS.

I think I read in another thread Williams was given Kudos. How and why was that indicated?

He was burned by a TE for which he was flagged for Int. That allowed for the exciting last half minute of the game. I also believe he blew coverage on the wide open TE in the endzone that Feely threw 10 miles high. He had a couple of coverage tackles that looked good, but that's his job. Madison, whiffed on a couple tackles late in the game as well.

[USM]

But this week's training camp thuggery at the expense of one of the franchise's most decorated veterans smells to me like strike three. There was a time in Smith's alleged development when his wealth of athleticism and general disregard for the safety of himself and opponents was thought to be manageable by a veteran coaching staff. But Smith just doesn't listen.

After the Wednesday collision with Ward, who'd personally scolded Smith last year at Latrobe when Smith nearly took Willie Reid's head off in a drill, LeBeau walked from his usual station behind the offense all the way over to where Smith was sitting on his helmet. Whatever the esteemed defensive coordinator said to the third-year underachiever out of Syracuse, the player never altered his gaze nor acknowledged the coach.

He may or may not be a good player...that remains to be seen. His disrespect for the coaching staff and cumpulsion to disreguard the rules, written and unwritten, are evident. His hits in practice could have cost the team contributions The Steelers need from other players if they were unable to play due to injury. This time he hit one of our most valuable players and if Ward was injured then it would hurt the whole team in ways I dont even want to think about, much less watch unfold as the team pursues another championship.

[Vader]

I'm getting really tired of Smith. This is the 3rd camp for him. He obviously has a learning problem. He can't stop hitting people in non-contact drills and he can't get it through his thick skull that when you are playing a team that throws the ball 50+ times a game DO NOT BITE ON THE RUN, something is wrong. I don't think he has the mind to play safety in this league.

[SteelerAl]

I'm getting really tired of Smith. This is the 3rd camp for him. He obviously has a learning problem. He can't stop hitting people in non-contact drills and he can't get it through his thick skull that when you are playing a team that throws the ball 50+ times a game DO NOT BITE ON THE RUN, something is wrong. I don't think he has the mind to play safety in this league.

Agreed...with Troy spending so much time in box, we need a FS that truly understands that his first priority is preventing big pass plays not making highlight reel hits.

[TazmanianDevil43]

Ever since Smith opened his mouth about the Gurantee, he's name has been a target for the media and him doing dumb-stuff like hitting Ward isn't helping his case.


with that being said, let's not forget we all loved how he was playing safety, some even forgot about Polumalu.

Remember that Bengal game in Cincy? he personally sought out Chad Johnson and told him to buckle up because he was going to lit him up, he backed it up on the field and he definitly put a couple nice licks on Johnson. He definitly caught Palmer and Chad's eyes, and i gurantee you this, if we cut him now, he will be a Bengal.


Our safeties were playing great untill they played the Pats. The fact Smith was lined up with Tyrone Carter (another gangsta wannabe) it's a testament to Smith talent at the safety position.



The coaching staff needs to take another approach with Smith. Instead of Alienating him and talking down to him (i know, i know what he did was stupid and he was at fault here..) but you gotta use different strategies. The coaching staff needs to use a different strategy, and put the guy on the field. He'll learn, he's still pretty young. oh yeah, and he can definitly play.

cutting him would be a huge mistake.

[USM]

The coaching staff needs to take another approach with Smith. Instead of Alienating him and talking down to him (i know, i know what he did was stupid and he was at fault here..) but you gotta use different strategies. The coaching staff needs to use a different strategy, and put the guy on the field. He'll learn, he's still pretty young. oh yeah, and he can definitly play.

Bullshit...JMHO. He is an employee of The Steelers and he acts like he dosent care about the team. He should get a boot in his ass or shown the way out the door. 3 years and he is still pullin the same shit. He is old enough to know better.

[Coryea]

Can you say guarantee??? I can't stand that guy. If he didn't open his mouth and cause Brady to go after his rookie ass then we probably would of won that game. The only thing I can guarantee with him is that he got his ass lit up by Brady and everybody else in the league.

No way we would'v beaten NE regardless of what Smith said, I don't recall the other upteen safeties Brady and Moss abused last season guaranteeing anything, Smith got beaten on one TD that game.

As for the hitting in practice, I agree it's stupid and unsafe, but I've seen Lloyd do it on a few occasions and get bitched at by coaches, I've seen Holmes do it, Porter, Kirkland, etc. Does the fact that those guys were probowl players(aside from Holmes) make it ok that they hit people in non contact drills also?

He might be an immature idiot that is a head case and will never learn, but IMO now is too early to cut him.

[Steelersrule]

I hope Tomlin knows what he's doing.

There's one thing to set rules and pick favorites to keep the inmates from running the asylum. There's another when you do this at the expense of talent and on-field performance.

Personally, this love affair with Mundy (drafted way too high in my opinion), the promoting of undrafted guys in the media all might be good if Tomlin wants to show he's in charge, but I'm not so sure it will lead to more wins or make us a better team in the long run. In fact, it might push us back a couple years while "Tomlin approved" replacements are found in free agency or the draft.

I agree Smith is responsible for his actions. But this coaching staff hasn't really helped much either in my opinion.

Mark me down for giving him another shot this year (and that means playing time too) and I'll maybe decide if and how big a RFA tender we should put on him in 2009. I'm not ready to close the book on the 2nd most talented safety we have on the team. Let's face facts: Mundy and Lewis can't really hold Smith's jock when it comes to playmaking ability or talent. And if we cut Smith, that means another need next year (on top of the growing number of others). It's not worth it in my opinion to dump him to make a point that most other guys on the team already know (it's not like Smith's attitude is rubbing off on the team).

Mundy drafted way too high? What are you smoking? He was our last pick in the 6th round, and we had no 7th round pick. Nobody said he should have been a first rounder, and he is doing well.

Smith is over aggressive, granted. He is a good safety, as long as Troy is on the field. Smith and Carter is not a good pair. It may take Hines jacking Smith up to get Smith to understand who the enemy is. Hines promised to talk with Smith in the locker room, so this may be a dead issue.

[deljzc]

Mundy drafted way too high? What are you smoking? He was our last pick in the 6th round, and we had no 7th round pick. Nobody said he should have been a first rounder, and he is doing well.

Smith is over aggressive, granted. He is a good safety, as long as Troy is on the field. Smith and Carter is not a good pair. It may take Hines jacking Smith up to get Smith to understand who the enemy is. Hines promised to talk with Smith in the locker room, so this may be a dead issue.

In my opinion, Mundy is an undrafted talent. Nothing more, nothing less. Picking him at all was a overdrafting him.

The point I was trying to make is giving up on Smith creates another need for this team. Mundy and the rest of the camp fodder we currently have on the roster at safety isn't going to fill this need.

I agree with the previous poster that this coaching staff is not handling Smith very well. That he very well could be singled out more than necessary and it is effecting his mental approach to the game.

At this point if Smith fails with this team it is 75% Smith's fault and 25% our coaching staff's fault. And that's unfortunate to me because if we have to go out and sign another safety (overspending on the open market) or use another high draft choice on the position, it will adversely effect our team from taking the next step. We have to many other needs right now to be using resources on a another safety.

In my opinion, he deserves this season on the field vs. real opponents to see if he can improve. Cutting him does nothing. a) He's not adversely changing the actions of others. b) He's not holding back the development of any real talent on the roster. c) He's not costing a lot on the salary cap.

If keeping him doesn't hurt you, then cutting him makes no sense.

[DaSwitz]

Ever since Smith opened his mouth about the Gurantee, he's name has been a target for the media and him doing dumb-stuff like hitting Ward isn't helping his case.

Smith didn't even make a guarantee. He was asked by a reporter "Do you think you'll win the game against the Patriots?"

He responded by saying something on the lines of "Yeah I think we'll win. If we play the way we're capable of playing, we can beat anyone."

What's he supposed to say? The media made this out to be a big deal--he just answered a question a reporter asked him. It wasn't like he called the Patriots completely out of the blue.

[TazmanianDevil43]

Smith didn't even make a guarantee. He was asked by a reporter "Do you think you'll win the game against the Patriots?"

He responded by saying something on the lines of "Yeah I think we'll win. If we play the way we're capable of playing, we can beat anyone."

What's he supposed to say? The media made this out to be a big deal--he just answered a question a reporter asked him. It wasn't like he called the Patriots completely out of the blue.


That is true, I stand corrected.

He said if the Steelers play like they're capable of playing, he guranteed the Steelers would win....or something of that sort.


Either way he only made himself look stupid.

[Vader]

No way we would'v beaten NE regardless of what Smith said, I don't recall the other upteen safeties Brady and Moss abused last season guaranteeing anything, Smith got beaten on one TD that game.

Sorry Tom but Smith was beaten for 2 TDs in that game. I remember both of them. This was the write up after the game:

They didn't just target Smith. They abused the young free safety, hanging him out to dry on touchdown bombs of 63 and 56 yards to Randy Moss and Jabar Gaffney. Tom Brady's exquisitely executed play-action fake reeled in Smith and was the key to Moss's score; and the other touchdown came on a Brady-to-Moss-to-Brady-to-Gaffney flea-flicker, on which Smith unwisely bit once again.


This guy bites TWICE on the run after being told ALL week not to let these guys get behind you.

[CornerBlitz]

Vader , Coryea loves certain players and coaches and FACTS can't change hgis mind.

Here is my summation on ther thread where Smith blindsided Hines in practice, it sums up Coryea's blind love, pun intended, for one of his favorites. Hell he is still m aking excuses fior Porter's big mouth and less than stellar play 2 years after we cut the unproductive guy.

I said Smith sucked in the New England game and the played poorly after that and was benched last year.

Coryea said he WASN'T benched, that he played WELL in the first Jags game and used his 8 tackles and interception as evidence.

Coryea then said he was BENCHED but not after the New England game and then he said he played POORLY in the second half of the first Jags game, the same game he used stats to laud his play.

I can see why Coryea confused you while I stayed consistent and didn't contradict my OWN statements like Coryea did.

[Sluzilla]

Sorry Tom but Smith was beaten for 2 TDs in that game. I remember both of them. This was the write up after the game:



This guy bites TWICE on the run after being told ALL week not to let these guys get behind you.

i'm not sure if one of the plays you are talking about was the brady to moss to brady to someone else for a td play or not...but he did get beat deep on that play...i'd think most would...but that wasn't a bite on a run play...

[Vader]

i'm not sure if one of the plays you are talking about was the brady to moss to brady to someone else for a td play or not...but he did get beat deep on that play...i'd think most would...but that wasn't a bite on a run play...

He came up to support a lateral to Moss. Which is technically a run even though a WR was doing the running. Moss through it back to Brady and Brady hit Gaffney for a TD. Smith was on the other side of the play to Moss and he NO responsibility EXCEPT to keep Gaffney from getting behind him. Which he failed miserably. IF he were even within 15 yards of Gaffney he could have knocked the ball down but he was beaten so badly that Gaffney had time to wait on the ball and still walk into the endzone.

Anyway he bit on the run to Moss instead of doing his job.

[USM]

In my opinion, he deserves this season on the field vs. real opponents to see if he can improve. Cutting him does nothing. a) He's not adversely changing the actions of others. b) He's not holding back the development of any real talent on the roster. c) He's not costing a lot on the salary cap.

If keeping him doesn't hurt you, then cutting him makes no sense.

Cutting him might save one of the other players from an injury from practice instead of a game play situation. I would hate to see any of our key players hurt at all but especially from practice. If Ward now had a couple of broken or bruised ribs, seperated shoulder, cuncusion or another injury. How would you feel then ? I know it is a hypothetical scenario but it is somethin the team needs to consider in their evaluations of Smith as they proceed. He has knows the deal and has kept up the same reckless attitude. I think it kinda goes to the deal with Hampton...no more F'n around we need discipline if we want another Lombardi. Losing key players dont mean a whole lot towards his hit on the cap, when someone who is payed well to play and contribute is on the bench because of one of his dumbass moves.