Bucs May Have Found A Gem
April 28th, 2012
Call him a poor man’s LaMichael James if you will, but it appears the Bucs first seventh round pick, Michael Smith out of Utah State, is a burner.
He ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and had a 40-inch vertical leap.
It seems NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell is smitten with Smith.
A back with exceptional upper-body strength, Smith made a living coming off the bench to spell Robert Turbin at Utah State. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter spoke of Smith’s outstanding pro day — he timed at 4.33 in the 40-yard dash with a 40 1/2-inch vertical jump — as part of an argument for Smith finding a home in the fourth or fifth round. Smith is overlooked because his touches were reduced as a senior, but he averaged more than seven yards per carry over his career. Smith possesses exceptional burst and exploded in December’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, with 157 yards on 12 carries, two for scores. (Are you telling us you didn’t watch the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl? Priorities, people.)
If some think this guy should have been chosen three rounds higher, than yeah, Joe thinks this guy is a value pick.
Look, there are lots of running backs who flew under the radar in college that did something in the NFL. why not Michael Smith?
To his credit, Smith was stuck in a logjam at running back playing behind Robert Turbin who was drafted in the fourth round by Seattle.
April 28th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
I like it !…hopefully the groin injury heals. say goodbye Madu
April 28th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Really like the pick. I think he could be even better than LaMichael James. From what I read he’s a north/south runner that can run between the tackles. With his speed behind our line he could do some damage.
April 28th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Drafted names aside…..I am geeked about the “Identity”…defined by the draft and the new HC/FO…RUNNING the ball and STOPPING the run…..was hoping for tough as nails baller Chris Rainey…
April 28th, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Kids like an Earnest Graham, but faster. He catches and blocks well, probably be the new return guy, so we don’t have to use Doug Martin on Special teams as much as a returner. Looks like Graham and Madu are gone.
April 28th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Graham is a FA coming off a torn achilles, did anyone think he was coming back?
This is a new regime so I hope people aren’t surprised when fringe roster players like Madu get cut. Schiano is going to want his guys.
April 28th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
For the record…I like Madu
April 28th, 2012 at 6:10 pm
From Stephen Holder’s twitter: Michael Smith said his fastest 40 time was a 4.26 in pre-draft training. At his pro day he ran a 4.32
April 28th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Yeah, sad to say but Graham was never coming back. He had a great story of toughness and perseverance to make a career for himself. It was a pleasure watching him for the gators and bucs all these years. He was an under the radar franchise fan favorite, and all time role model.
April 28th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
I support the choice.
then, yeah*
not ‘than’ for christ’s sake.
April 28th, 2012 at 6:44 pm
Yeah it sucks that Graham had to waste his career in Tampa. Great talent that we never used properly. Could’ve been to a couple of pro bowls.
But I’m very pumped to see Martin and Smith nonetheless 🙂
April 28th, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Anyone who is that fast and can run between the tackles…..oh yeah…coach him up and hopefully we have a Sproles type change of pace RB.
April 28th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Martin & Smith = thunder and lightning. I like it too.
April 28th, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Cmon people settle down. He’s most likely just another Kenneth Darby. Without the punch from Talib hopefully.
April 28th, 2012 at 7:31 pm
Nice speedy RB to compliment our offense.
April 28th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
He was part of a one two puch in Utah with Robert Turbin.I like our depth at RB now. Hell Blount better watch out, I still like BLount better he will be competing for that starting role.
April 28th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
@snook That was Cory Boyd Talib punched, not Darby. And neither Darby or Boyd had/has the speed Smith has. Considering how slow our team is as a whole, I think he has a good shot to make it. Even if it’s only as a returner.
April 28th, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Meh. Speed is only an asset if you know how to use it. I’m not impressed with his highlight videos. Doesn’t look very impressive to me.
April 28th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Looks like our version of EARTH, WIND AND FIRE….
April 28th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
I must admit after bungling the first pick, Dominik stepped up and made this draft productive. I give him a B+.
Maybe, the Glazers and Schiano took the Rockstar’s power away after the 1st pick and let a competent football professional take over. Kind of like when the Glazers stepped in and forbade Gruden and Allen to move up to select Megatron and instead let Monte Kiffen pick Gaines Adams, only in reverse.
I still think he should have been fired with Radio Raheem but if it was Dominik who selected 2-7, I reluctantly give him props. Great job! We’ll probably never know the true story.
April 28th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
“Kind of like when the Glazers stepped in and forbade Gruden and Allen to move up to select Megatron”
If they would’ve gotten Calvin Johnson, they’d still be employed here. The whole last 5 years would’ve been completely different.
Funny how things work out right?
April 28th, 2012 at 8:58 pm
I loved Gruden and still disliked Gruden. He gave us a Super Bowl victory which no one can ever take away. He also gave us an offense that was ridiculously complicated and compared to learning Mandarin Chinese all in the hopes of creating one or two mismatches a game.
He was not very good in evaluating talent. He is very competent and enjoyable as an Monday Night Football analyst.
April 29th, 2012 at 2:40 am
I’d be interested to see if Michael Smith has any kick return moxie. That 4.25 40 speed and RB instincts could put some pressure on our current kick return depth chart.