Andre Smith..Would You Take Him At 13?

[SC Skins Fan]

Let's look at the tape rather than just basing our analysis on the fact that a bunch of "mock" drafts had Smith as a top five pick prior to his combine meltdown. Apart from the horrible music at the beginning, this clip shows a good number of plays from the 2008 season. I don't like Smith's footwork, he looks slow (and I'm not talking about 40 time), he will struggle with elite speed in the NFL (sound familiar), he is not from this tape a LT prospect (which is fine for the Redskins) and I wonder if he will ever turn into a LT. He gets his nose in front of his toes more times than I would like, even in this limited film and he does not display as much power as I thought I would see. Overall his technique and his footwork makes me think he is more of a guard (which would be fine, but do you want to spend the 13th pick to get Randy Thomas' replacement?) He is not as good an athlete as Michael Oher. Just from this tape I would not take him at 13 (and that is before even considering his off-field issues).

Andre Smith:


Michael Oher:

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

Let's look at the tape rather than just basing our analysis on the fact that a bunch of "mock" drafts had Smith as a top five pick prior to his combine meltdown. Apart from the horrible music at the beginning, this clip shows a good number of plays from the 2008 season. I don't like Smith's footwork, he looks slow (and I'm not talking about 40 time), he will struggle with elite speed in the NFL (sound familiar), he is not from this tape a LT prospect (which is fine for the Redskins) and I wonder if he will ever turn into a LT. He gets his nose in front of his toes more times than I would like, even in this limited film and he does not display as much power as I thought I would see. Overall his technique and his footwork makes me think he is more of a guard (which would be fine, but do you want to spend the 13th pick to get Randy Thomas' replacement?) He is not as good an athlete as Michael Oher. Just from this tape I would not take him at 13 (and that is before even considering his off-field issues).

From the tooks of it, Oher is doing a better job with the outside pass rush, but that is because he takes a cheat step to the outside. That manuever works fine in college, but in the pros it will make him vulnerable to the inside move. Smith plays the rusher honestly and at times can be beat with elite speed to the outside, but a little bit better footwork will help him there. In all honesty Smith seems to have more talent.

[SC Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by Angry

From the tooks of it, Oher is doing a better job with the outside pass rush, but that is because he takes a cheat step to the outside. That manuever works fine in college, but in the pros it will make him vulnerable to the inside move. Smith plays the rusher honestly and at times can be beat with elite speed to the outside, but a little bit better footwork will help him there. In all honesty Smith seems to have more talent.

I meant footwork rather than technique (though I wouldn't call Smith's technique stellar either). Oher has quicker feet and I think he looks like a better prospect from those films anyway. I don't see anything 'elite' about Smith. Oher looks like a better athlete to me. I'm just a fan, though, and can't claim any great expertise.

[vallin21]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

I meant footwork rather than technique (though I wouldn't call Smith's technique stellar either). Oher has quicker feet and I think he looks like a better prospect from those films anyway. I don't see anything 'elite' about Smith. Oher looks like a better athlete to me. I'm just a fan, though, and can't claim any great expertise.

I agree. If you ask me whose the better prospect I'd say Smith, but if you ask me who'd be the better pro Oher would lock down a OT spot for 10 years, plus Smith's character and work ethic are spotty which makes me believe he might coast when he gets to the NFL.