Alex Smith: Better than advertised?

 

Smith Article from PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Smith: This Is A Big Year For Me
  September 8, 2009 | Last Updated: 9/8/09 4:50 PM ET
By: CHRIS McPHERSON

Tight end Alex Smith has caught 129 passes for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns in his four NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As good as those numbers have been, the former third-round pick believes that he hasn't "met his potential." The 6-4, 258-pound Smith signed a one-year deal with the Eagles on Tuesday. The Eagles released tight end Tony Curtis to make room for Smith on the roster.

"I would say (my career is) a work in progress," said Smith, a 2005 draft choice out of Stanford. "By no means do I feel like I've met my potential. I don't ever like to make excuses for why that is. Every year I continue to try and get better. This is a very big year for me. I've been blessed to have this opportunity. I think I can take full advantage."

TE Alex Smith

One of the reasons for that is the Eagles' stability at quarterback. Donovan McNabb has been the starter since the end of the 1999 season. In Tampa Bay, Smith worked with six different starting quarterbacks.

"To have that constant rotation and never having chemistry with a quarterback, it speaks volumes when you don't have that chemistry, when you guys aren't always on the same page," Smith said.

Smith's tenure in Tampa Bay ended when he was traded in April to the New England Patriots for a fifth-round pick in 2010. It was around that time when, Smith said, that he had his ankle scoped. The Patriots had a bevy of tight ends in their training camp and Smith was released in the final roster cutdown. Smith acknowledged that he didn't feel completely healthy from the ankle surgery until there were two weeks left in training camp.

"I might have been a little behind the 8-ball just trying to catch up to the guys and get a hold of that offense," Smith said. "I have no ill feelings. For whatever reason, it didn't work out as planned. They've moved on in their direction and now I'm here with the Eagles."

The Eagles have two tight ends on the roster in Smith and starter Brent Celek. A third tight end, Rob Myers, is on the team's practice squad. Even though Smith wasn't in camp with the Eagles, his familiarity with the West Coast offense from his time in Tampa Bay should make his transition a smooth one.

"(Coach Andy Reid) doesn't see any problems throwing me in the mix and getting things done," Smith said.

If Smith's reputation has been altered by moving on to his third team in such a short amount of time, he is confident that it can be reversed very quickly.

 

"I think it's just more important for me to just get out there and play," Smith said. "I think the rest will take care of itself. Once I'm back out there making plays, everything from the last six months will be forgotten."

I don't know about you guys but after reading that article I'm pretty excited about Smith. Six different quarterbacks in just 4 seasons? That explains why he has not met his potential. The guy was a third round pick so we know he is talented. To tell you the truth, i was never big on Brent Celek(sorry Whodie, JIBTA i know you agree with me). I always thought he was a good second tight end, not a starter in a Superbowl contending team. You never know, he might prove me wrong and continue his run from the playoffs last year to have a monster season. I doubt it, he showed nothing in the preseason. He is still nursing a sprained shoulder; If Smith starts and excels versus Carolina i would keep him as the starter.

 

Here are some info on Smith.

Adam Caplan for Scout NFL had this to say...

As a rookie in 2005, Smith finished second on the team with a career-high 41 receptions for 367 yards (9.0 avg.) and two touchdowns while playing in all 16 games with 10 starts. His 41 receptions led all NFL rookie tight ends that season and ranked third among all league rookies, while standing as the highest reception total by a Tampa Bay tight end in 10 years. As a blocker in 2005, Smith helped open holes for running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, who had six 100-yard games and won the NFL Rookie of the Year award.

 

Via USA Today, Smith was the 3rd highest ranked tight end in the 2005 draft behind Heath Miller and Matt Jones(he is a converted WR).

With Utah's quarterback in the mix to be chosen No. 1 overall, Stanford's three-year starter is "the other Alex Smith" in the draft. But Smith has made his own name. With 52 catches in 2004, he became the first tight end to lead the Cardinal in receiving since Bob Moore in 1969. Until last season, Stanford hadn't had a first-team all-Pacific-10 pick at tight end since Greg Baty in 1985. ...

 

Heath Miller	Virginia	6-5	256	Soft hands but lacks burst for deep seams
Matt Jones(QB,TE,WR, Freakish athlete)	Arkansas	6-5	239	Stud athlete has an erratic arm for a quarterback
Alex Smith	Stanford	6-4	258	Gets quick jump for precise, polished routes

 

From Patriots.com...

College

Played four seasons at Stanford (2001-04) after redshirting in 2000 ... Was a three-year starter who was considered to be the premier tight end among college football's seniors in 2004 ... Awards included 2004 runner-up for the Mackey Award, given to the nation's top tight end ... Became the first Stanford tight end to be named First-Team All-Pac-10 since Greg Baty in 1985 and the first tight end to lead the team in receiving since Bob Moore in 1969 ... 2004 second-team consensus All-American, 2004 Team MVP, 2003 Honorable mention All-Pac-10, 2003 Honorable mention academic All-Pac-10 and 2002 Academic All-Pac-10 ... Played in 44 contests with 32 starts ... Finished his career with 107 receptions for 1,291 yards and eight touchdowns.

Wait, didn't somebody make a post like this for Tony Curtis? Gee...wonder what happened soon after. lol

I hope that wont be the case for Alex Smith. Smith averages 30+ catches a season, Curtis averages 3.7

Alex Smith Highlights.

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Alex Smith vs Packers

Poll

What do you think after this post?

12%

Alex Smith will be our starter in the near future.

17 votes

40%

He is only a good backup. Celek is our best tight end.

55 votes

0%

Smith will be cut.

1 votes

19%

You are hyping him waaaaay too much.

26 votes

26%

I don't know but you certainly got me excited.

36 votes

135 votes | Poll has closed