Andre Smith article
 

Thought I would post this article up on Andre Smith so you all can read about his history a little. Maybe this former top 5 draft pick falls to us. One interesting thing about this I know some are worried he is not a workout warrior - but there have been countless number of guys who were can't miss due to impressive workouts (Tony Mandarich or Mike Mammula comes to my mind) that never were great players - but they all had amazing workouts. Put Andre Smith under Bugel and I think he can do wonders.

Also as far as the bench press and Smith not getting as many as others had hoped with 19 reps - the long arms may have something to do with that (see qoute below). Also I think if Smith comes here having a fellow alum Chrsi Samuels from Alabama playing on the offensive line can make the transition easier as well.


[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/news/story?id=3974920]NFL Draft 2009: Alabama tackle Andre Smith hopes to erase the stigma of his combine departure - ESPN[/url]
[quote][/quote]
When he goes topless during the 40-yard dash, bloggers gasp. His times aren't embarrassing, but they don't rank among the Top 10 prospects according to NFL.com. Smith also gets low marks in the 225-pound bench press, managing just 19 reps.
But one item that wasn't widely mentioned, former Cowboys exec Gil Brandt says, is that Smith has unusually long arms, making it harder to have big numbers on the bench press.
"Long arms are a prerequisite for being a good offensive lineman," says Brandt, an NFL.com analyst. "His arms are probably as long as anybody's in this draft.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is that he works out better than his numbers indicate. Sometimes you go to a restaurant and the restaurant doesn't look very attractive, but once you get in there the food is pretty darn good. In this case, I think the body is not very attractive, but once you see him move around and do things, he's a lot better than what you're led to believe." [QUOTE]

Re: Andre Smith article
 

I'm all for him as a RG or Rt...

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=Eknox;538181]I'm all for him as a RG or Rt...[/quote]

Well we need a RT. I wouldn't write him off as a LT. He did win the Outland trophy as a LT.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

We desperatly need help on o line. If he's there ,and the best o or d lineman available I say we take him.. Worst case senerio, I think he develops into an average starting guard.. Thats a good addition for the o line youth movement.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

The draft is easily the most overanalyzed and overthunk thing in the world. It's simple, when you turn on the tape the guy can really play. He's a good choice, I'd be all for him.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=Schneed10;538191]The draft is easily the most overanalyzed and overthunk thing in the world. It's simple, when you turn on the tape the guy can really play. He's a good choice, I'd be all for him.[/quote]The tape is the number one thing. Issue only comes up when we start to talk about things that don't show up on tape.

I think the tape says that he's a great guard or RT prospect. I think it shows that elite edge rushers could have their way with him. But at the end of the day, I agree with you, if his work ethic isn't an issue, I think we have a player on our hands.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

For some odd reason I think this whole thing may get him to drop to us - I know they are different players with different backgrounds - but this kind of reminds me of when Fred Smoot dropped to the Skins in the 2nd round years back - many draft observers said Smoot had the skills and showed he could play against top competition - he just fell to the 2nd round because too many were afraid of his off the field issues. Now with Andre Smith during his 3 years of playing he was not guy you really had any major issues with - it wasn't until he got suspended for this last game and than the combine where supposedly a lot of teams are now turned off on him. I think Smith will turn out to be a player and if we got him at 13 I don't think it would be really that much of a reach. I am hoping we got him at 13 and than a good player at either lb or defensive end with the 3rd round pick or Mack but can't get too greedy.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

Forget this guy, he's too much of a gamble.

Get this guy, he's the opposite:[url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AqriwlScWwpwBxANxEDuzk9DubYF?slug=ms-trippintuesday031709&prov=yhoo&type=lgns]Cal's Mack stays grounded about criticism - NFL - Yahoo! Sports[/url]

[url=http://blogs.nfl.com/category/pro-days/]NFL.com Blogs Pro Days «[/url]

Re: Andre Smith article
 

Go after Mack if an OT isn't there at #13. Then trade our other slots for a high 2nd rounder to get Britton or Loadholt as an OT.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

Well I hope we don't draft Smith to be a RT, because that job is Jansen's and he's going to the pro-bowl this year. According to him anyway.

[url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/19/jansen-says-starting-job-is-his/]Washington Times - Jansen says starting job is his[/url]

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=GMScud;538331]Well I hope we don't draft Smith to be a RT, because that job is Jansen's and he's going to the pro-bowl this year. According to him anyway.

[URL="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/19/jansen-says-starting-job-is-his/"]Washington Times - Jansen says starting job is his[/URL][/quote]

That's Jansen for you. You can't question his heart or determination, but at this point his skills are in serious question. I'd love for him to prove us all wrong. Sounds like he's in good shape, so who knows maybe he can catch lightning in a bottle for one more year.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=Schneed10;538191]The draft is easily the most overanalyzed and overthunk thing in the world. It's simple, when you turn on the tape the guy can really play. He's a good choice, I'd be all for him.[/quote]Tape doesn't lie, and long arms are much more important for an OT than the number of bench press reps at the combine. I would be happy if we took Smith - it's time for the FO to address our situation at OT

Re: Andre Smith article
 

Good article on the Tackles in the draft, plus some old fashioned play diagrammin'

[url=http://www.footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2009/walkthrough-tale-tackles]FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Football analysis and NFL stats for the Moneyball era - Authors of Pro Football Prospectus 2008[/url]

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=GMScud;538331]Well I hope we don't draft Smith to be a RT, because that job is Jansen's and he's going to the pro-bowl this year. According to him anyway.

[url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/19/jansen-says-starting-job-is-his/]Washington Times - Jansen says starting job is his[/url][/quote]

I hope Big John can back it up but age and past injuries may not let him. It won't be from a lack of trying if he can't. I'm sure he'll give it whatever he has.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=GTripp0012;538469]Good article on the Tackles in the draft, plus some old fashioned play diagrammin'

[url=http://www.footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2009/walkthrough-tale-tackles]FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Football analysis and NFL stats for the Moneyball era - Authors of Pro Football Prospectus 2008[/url][/quote]

Yes that is a good article. Interesting how different they are.