SaintsReporter

I don't know what to think about this. I'm sure he's a good player but he doesn't really fill a need. Cris Gamble was still on the board and that would have been my pick. Oh, well. Someone tell me how good of a pick this was? Anyone.......

cardboardboxer

Here is bio from nfl.com

Will Smith
Position: Defensive End/Inside Linebacker
College: Ohio State
Height: 6-3
Weight: 267
Hometown: Utica, N.Y.

OVERVIEW
One of the most decorated prep players to ever wear a Buckeyes uniform, the three-year starter at right defensive end returned for his senior campaign in 2003 (rumors had him applying for the 2003 draft as an underclassman, but a late season injury would have prevented him from working out at the NFL Scouting Combine, resulting in him deciding to return to school) … Finished his career with 167 tackles (111 solos) with 21 sacks for minus-129 yards, 47 stops for losses of 190 yards, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and nine pass deflections in 51 games (37 starts) … His 21 sacks rank fifth on the school\'s career-record list, topped only by Eric Kumerow (23, 1984-87), Matt Finkes (25, 1993-96), Jason Simmons (27½, 1990-93) and Mike Vrabel (36, 1993-96) … His 47 tackles behind the line of scrimmage also rank fifth in school annals, behind Andy Katzenmoyer (50, 1996-98), Simmons (56.5), Finkes (59) and Vrabel (66).

ANALYSIS
Positives: Quick-twitch athlete with a wide upper-body frame and good lower-body muscle development … Has thick hips and thighs … Aggressive off the edge, using his hands properly to rip through blockers … Shows outstanding initial quickness coming off the line and the field vision and awareness to immediately get to the ball … Has the nimble feet and balance to consistently show explosion off the edge … Reads and reacts quickly and moves well laterally with balance to shut down on plays early … Uses his strength effectively to defeat double teams and has an array of spin moves to escape blockers to penetrate into the backfield … Plays at a low-pad level, using leverage to explode into ball carriers … Has the speed to press the pocket and shows the body control and change-of-direction agility to stay with the play in pursuit … Solid tackler who stays low in his pads and shows a relentless nature chasing down the play … Very natural pass rusher, whether coming off the edge or working in-line … Keeps his hands extended to prevent blockers from getting underneath him and also uses them with force to grab, yank and knock his opponent off-stride … Has enough quickness (along with past experience) to possibly move to inside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme … Despite lacking ideal bulk, he is very stout vs. the run, generating a strong surge to gain leverage and drive the lead blocker back into the rush lane … When asked to play linebacker, he shows the ability to drop and shadow the tight ends and running backs in the short area passing lanes … Has that rare explosive first step to run hard after the ball, showing exceptional sideline range.

Negatives: Needs to develop more bulk and strength in order to consistently stand up the blocker and hold his ground … Lack of size prevents him from gaining leverage and moving a pile vs. the larger blockers … Will get a little out of control trying to press the pocket, causing him to miss his target … Struggles to disengage from the larger blockers and needs to develop a smoother swim move in order to escape and penetrate.


I like the negatives: \"Needs to develop more bulk and strength in order to consistently stand up the blocker and hold his ground … Lack of size prevents him from gaining leverage and moving a pile vs. the larger blockers …\"

We have no trouble growing them big boys here. I hope in two years we don\'t read how he is to fat!

[Edited on 24/4/2004 by cardboardboxer]

cajuncannon

Bad pick hands down. We already have two great DE. We need CB, LB, and safety more than anything. I don\'t understand who is in charge of making these decisions. Will Smith won\'t even start and your 1st round pick needs to make an impact. Once again the draft gods let me down.

lumm0x

This is leverage in contract negotiations with Howard and insurance at the position because of Howard\'s health history. I\'m fairly certain that this was not the player they envisioned drafting at this spot, but became more of a value/secondary agenda decision. They could have taken Wilfork to give us a very young and talented front four or reached for a corner. Smith is not a reach here. He is good value. Not a pressing need though.

SaintsReporter

Maybe you\'re right. But, I still have this bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I just have no faith in this coaching staff anymore. Long time no see LummOx. Oh, this is Billy.

lumm0x

Hey Billy...yeah I\'m back. From year end to the draft I just can\'t talk football. I don\'t like the pick either. I was trying to rationalize it a bit. I agree that it seemed too reactionary. They needed to be pro-active and arrange to get the guy they want, or the foresight to see that what they want won\'t be there. We need LB and CB with the 2nd round picks or we will have wasted today.

iceshack149

I thought for sure that they would.
This defensive line- on paper- sure does look impressive, though.

SaintsReporter

Exactly !! It just seems like they have no plan. I\'ve heard many experts say you take the best player on the board. I can understand that. You don\'t want to go reaching for a player and end up getting a bust. Understood !!

But, we still have a glaring need at linebacker. You would have thought they would have done a better job at addressing this in free-agency. Regardless of what happens in the rest of the draft, I think this administration is pissing in the wind.

whowatches

Something else is at work here.

We\'re either trying to motivate Howard and Grant, or we have a trade in the works.

The best scenario would have been to trade dow, of course.

turbo_dog

I bet Darrin Howard signs a new contract pretty soon.

This pick isn\'t that bad, because Smith was a good player at that spot ONLY because the two corners and the two linebackers were gone. That being said, I really thought they should have traded down a few spots.