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.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

I hadn't put as much on his injuries this past year as I assumed that he was back 100%, but I realize some injuries are still healing even as a player is back on the field. Maybe his health was a big part of it, but at 33 I just don't see him being able to win the job against a good rookie prospect.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=SouperMeister;538467]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[/quote]

You are absolutely right!

The question about this guy isn't "can he play"? He can play. The question is whether or not he can become a 10-year fixture at Left Tackle. If not, then he may need to become a starter at Right Tackle or, worst case, Guard. We would want him for RT now, anyway. He would only move to LT later in his and Chris Samuels' careers.

The fact that he showed his immaturity by screwing up at the Combine and then had the audacity to run shirtless with man-boobs at his Pro day workout (both of which are superficial things that turn people off) may turn out to be the only way we could draft him at #13.

If we take him, he'll be coming to a place where there is outstanding peer leadership. He'll come under the influence of Chris Samuels, Randy Thomas, Jon Jansen, and others. He'll be fine.

If he's there at #13, he will almost certainly be the best player available - and at a position of need. With him, we would get a true Top 10 player (after deducting 3 slots for immaturity and man-boobs). If I were Vinny, I'd turn in my selection card for him PDQ.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

Pass on Smith, too much bust potential. From the article:

"For a player who isn't emotionally ready for the demands of NFL life, a good support system is vital. Smith may not have one. "Smith hasn't been getting stellar advice," Rapoport said."

We don't have the luxury of a Vince Young or worse scenario to happen on us. Trade down, get Britton later. If we have to pick an OT, make it Oher.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;538523]Pass on Smith, too much bust potential. From the article:

"For a player who isn't emotionally ready for the demands of NFL life, a good support system is vital. Smith may not have one. "Smith hasn't been getting stellar advice," Rapoport said."

We don't have the luxury of a Vince Young or worse scenario to happen on us. Trade down, get Britton later. If we have to pick an OT, make it Oher.[/quote]

Britton has very short arms. I see that as a problem for him as an NFL Tackle. Oher might be a good pick, if he's available.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;538523]Pass on Smith, too much bust potential. From the article:

"For a player who isn't emotionally ready for the demands of NFL life, a good support system is vital. Smith may not have one. "Smith hasn't been getting stellar advice," Rapoport said."

We don't have the luxury of a Vince Young or worse scenario to happen on us. Trade down, get Britton later. If we have to pick an OT, make it Oher.[/quote]

I see it just the opposite, We have a solid group of OL guys that could give him that support system. We arent talking QB, and he could get huge benefits from Samuels and Dockery. This is a positive for him coming here.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;538568]I see it just the opposite, We have a solid group of OL guys that could give him that support system. We arent talking QB, and he could get huge benefits from Samuels and Dockery. This is a positive for him coming here.[/quote]From Smith's perspective, this is one of the best places he could get drafted to, but I'm hesitant to say that it should factor into our decision to take him at No. 13 or not.

Re: Andre Smith article
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;538568]I see it just the opposite, We have a solid group of OL guys that could give him that support system. We arent talking QB, and he could get huge benefits from Samuels and Dockery. This is a positive for him coming here.[/quote]
If this guy is basically a knucklehead now what makes you think once he gets a 7 figure check he's going to listen to / relate to guys that are 10+ yrs. older than him. D. Thomas did a fine job of allowing Santana to mentor him last year..... Character flaws are character flaws, you don't change a leopard's spots. You either accept the character flaw because of the exceptional talent or don't, you can't expect it to change.

I don't take the risk on him because his talent level isn't enough to justify the risk. Most scouts have this guy pegged as an RT or G, not a starting LT.