gbill2004 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 @Wpg_BlueBombers: #Bombers have added INT linebacker Will Smith to the practice roster. Smith, 6-3, 220, Texas Tech, was 7th rd pick of Dallas in 2014.
Bomber_fanaddict Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 What is Walters doing signing a 46 yr old washed up actor???? That's such a Taman thing to do!
gbill2004 Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Posted October 10, 2014 Some scouting reports: Will Smith is probably not going to be drafted, as he is not ranked very high and there are several good LBs ahead of him. However, I've seen teams like the Patriots draft guys ranked 400 in the 2nd or 3rd round, causing me to grunt in frustration and repeatedly hit my head on the coffee table. His 40 time is right on target with several OLB, and his Vertical jump is better than most OLB, but what kills Will Smith the most is his strength. Many of the OLB get at least 23-25 bench reps, but Will Smith only was able to do 17 at his pro day. As an OLB in the NFL, you either need to have elusive speed and agility or be strong enough to be able to push through linemen and tackle the opposition. While Will Smith was a good tackler in college, it's going to be harder bringing some of the bigger RB and guarding the new type of TEs coming in. STRENGTHS: Good length with growth potential to add bulk to his frame?quick first step and initial burst?long striding speed and accelerates well, showing good chase speed and aggressive angles ? relentless in pursuit?nice job getting low and finishing tackles ? mean striker and looks to impose his will with a determined attitude. Alert and locates quickly to flow well with the action?active and energetic style with aggressiveness blitzing the pocket?good experience dropping in pass coverage and was given more and more responsibilities over his two seasons at Texas Tech (24 career starts)?athletic bloodlines ? father played football at New Mexico, mother played basketball at California Baptist?played on ST coverage and consistently made plays?excellent senior production with a team-high 120 tackles (3rd in the Big 12) and 4.5 sacks. WEAKNESSES: Lean frame and lacks ideal muscle definition?lacks the core or limb strength to overwhelm blockers with little shock in his hands?plays too upright and will be put on skates with his shaky anchor ? too often caught in reverse wherever blockers want to take him?streaky anticipation and is more of a see-ball, get-ball type?needs to better protect his body to shed blocks, struggling to sift through the trash?choppy pedal with some ankle stiffness in his cuts. Needs to do a better job getting his head turned in coverage ? often caught with his back to the QB?inconsistent tackling form and will slide off ballcarriers, needing to better square up his target?ends up hand fighting too much?undisciplined and will attract penalties ? too many personal foul and unnecessary roughness flags on his resume?only two years at the FBS level. Player Overview Smith received attention from several FBS programs out of high school, but academics forced him to go the long route, starting at Northwood University in 2010 and then hometown Riverside Community College in 2011. He was a four-star JUCO recruit and joined Texas Tech with the opportunity to see the field quickly, starting 11 games as a junior. Smith had his best season in 2013 as a senior with a team-best 120 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors. He is long and lanky and will benefit from a NFL conditioning program ? too easily taken away in the run game between the hashes, struggling to keep himself clean or shed blocks. Smith plays with an energetic, attacking style and is always around the football, but can be a tad wild and has room to tighten his angles and play speed. He doesn?t look like a future next level starter, but I like his potential to hold down a spot on special teams in the NFL.
Tracker Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 Sounds like a fringe player, maybe best suited to OLB but too bad he's a Scientologist. The part about taking dumb penalties is a concern- we've got one too many of those already.
Captain Blue Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 I want him to do well just for the Fresh Prince jokes and gifs possible. Oh, and so we can win games. That too. B140 1
Fatty Liver Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 Good or bad sounds like an ideal Etch selection for MLB.
Fraser Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 Bench press isn't always an accurate indication of strength/ability. Do you want a lanky guy that can wrap up on tackles and break up passes?Or a guy with t-rex arms that can bench all day? The oline guys that set rep records never seem to go anywhere.
gbill2004 Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Posted October 10, 2014 If this guys becomes a starter it will be a huge marketing success for the Bombers. He'll be the "Fresh Prince of Winnipeg"! Jersey sales will be through the roof!
mbrg Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 Bench press isn't always an accurate indication of strength/ability. Do you want a lanky guy that can wrap up on tackles and break up passes?Or a guy with t-rex arms that can bench all day? The oline guys that set rep records never seem to go anywhere. The characteristics desired in NFL players don't always translate well to a CFL field. Being a huge strong monster is fine in the NFL, more often than not in the CFL you're just an oversized pylon.
gbill2004 Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Posted October 10, 2014 Bench press isn't always an accurate indication of strength/ability. Do you want a lanky guy that can wrap up on tackles and break up passes?Or a guy with t-rex arms that can bench all day? The oline guys that set rep records never seem to go anywhere. The characteristics desired in NFL players don't always translate well to a CFL field. Being a huge strong monster is fine in the NFL, more often than not in the CFL you're just an oversized pylon. Just like Kuale.
Noeller Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 Embarrassed that I'm seeing this for the first time. Best one of these yet....man, I love Smitty...
Tracker Posted October 10, 2014 Report Posted October 10, 2014 The film clips were highlights of course so, they're pretty selective but as near as I could tell, he seems to have good speed and quickness as well as good instincts, but it was difficult to tell how good he is/was at shedding blocks. He's young enough that he ought to be able to adapt to the CFL game.
pigseye Posted October 11, 2014 Report Posted October 11, 2014 Regardless of how he does, I'm just happy to see an actual LB'er added to the roster.
gbill2004 Posted October 30, 2014 Author Report Posted October 30, 2014 @PentonKirk: The #Bombers have released LB Will Smith, apparently so he can re-join the Dallas #Cowboys practice roster.
Mark F Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 cause Darrien Durant's brother got hurt "IRVING — Justin Durant won’t play again this season. The Dallas Cowboys placed the weakside linebacker on the season-ending injured reserve list Wednesday, less than 48 hours after he tore his right biceps in a 20-17 overtime loss to Washington on Monday. Durant’s roster spot was filled by Tim Dobbins, a linebacker who has played eight seasons in the NFL, had stints with four teams and started 22 games in his career. He has been out of the league since August, when he was cut by Atlanta. He made his practice debut Wednesday. For the Cowboys, the loss of Durant is considerable. He leads the team with 61 tackles. He also has forced two fumbles and made an interception."
Jpan85 Posted October 30, 2014 Report Posted October 30, 2014 They looked not bad when they went to the 3-4 with Unumba, Smith, Wild and Sears at LB
SPuDS Posted October 31, 2014 Report Posted October 31, 2014 Hopefully he comes back to us next season.... Definitely didn't look out of place..
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