I went through 5 pages of search results and couldn't find a thread about this guy. He's only one season removed from being a sure handed 6 catch/game player. Granted, that was only a half season, but the season before that was the same story. So has he recovered from what I believe was microfracture surgery or is he never going to be the same? If he's recovered, how is he not the best WR on the roster? He's listed behind Amendola on yahoo's depth chart, but I doubt that means anything. From the game thread it sounds like Smith saw several early targets. But I honestly know very little about the situation in StL and haven't been following them at all.Every year a few guys slip through the cracks. I feel like Steve Smith and Sidney Rice might be a couple of candidates for bounce back years. Anyone consider Steve Smith a serious bounce back possibility?Just realized I should probably glance at the camp update. Here's what it says:
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Steve Smith, StL (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter FF Ninja
- Start date
Zackattack
Footballguy
shut the f*** up!! I have been targeting him late. I haven't heard that much about the Ram recievers. He was good before I would burn a real late pick on him.
silentcoach
Footballguy
Maybe. This is will where preseason games can help.
so far S.Smith = 3 targets and D.Amendola = 2. Let's wait and see.
IMO I think Kendricks may be the better play....SO FAR.
so far S.Smith = 3 targets and D.Amendola = 2. Let's wait and see.
IMO I think Kendricks may be the better play....SO FAR.
bulger2holt
Footballguy
Amendola > Smith
duaneok66
Footballguy
I really don't know what this means. They ARE both slot guys, but Smith is more suited to play outside if they need him to do so. They both started on Sunday. I think the OP is right - Smith is worth a flyer, and can do some damage if the rookies need time to develop.
bulger2holt
Footballguy
My point is, Amendola will only play the slot. He will FAR out score Smith in a PPR in the Rams offense. The Rams o-line is terrible and they will run 3-5 step drops with lots of underneath throws. WR Givens and DX will be the deep threats and Quick, Salas and Pettis getting the intermediate routes. Plus you have TE's Hoho and Kendricks. I just don't see a lot of balls going to Smith. If Amendola goes down and Smith gets moved to the slot, then that would change things.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
The Rams are a hot mess right now on offense, no idea what the numbers are going to shake out like. Best bet is to wait for waivers week 1 IMHO.
bulger2holt
Footballguy
SJax and Amendola are the only Rams players worth starting, with Amendola only as a wr3 or flex in a PPR. I wouldn't touch any others with a 10', make that a 20' pole.
Run It Up
Footballguy
This.Steve Smith isnt gonna be playing out of the slot this year almost guaranteed, and unfortunately it actually kills his value.SJax and White Chocolate.
duaneok66
Footballguy
Agree about Amendola in the slot. Point is, slot receivers really dont make a lot of hay in fantasy unless they are super. Outside, DX spends more time with the trainer than he does on the field, so I don't know why you brought him up. Reports say that Quick and Givens are struggling early. Are Salas and Pettis even going to be on the team?? The situation is clear as mud right now, so you are a better man than I if you have it all scoped out. The OP said, and I agree, that Smith is worth a roster spot.
bulger2holt
Footballguy
lyon812
Footballguy
Disagree. I don't think any Rams receiver is going to put up stellar numbers, but Smith is with the ones for a reason. His ability to get open outside is pivotal for this team, and they targeted him accordingly. Don't forget he had the DB beat for a TD on the first drive if Bradford puts it on target. Smith is surehanded and more dynamic than Amendola. Will Amendola get his share of targets? Sure. But he'll be targeted on his traditional six-yards-and-fall routes, while Smith will be getting the useful ones. Smith's a 26-year-old former All-Pro who rushed back a year early from injury. If he's as healthy as camp reports say, I don't see any way he doesn't lead th team in yards.
Run It Up
Footballguy
They also recently reported, several times. That Amendola has been the most targetted WR in camp.
Zackattack
Footballguy
Amendola averaged like 8 yards a catch. He doesn't have much value if you ask me. I would roll the dice with Smith just incase.
TheFanatic
Footballguy
Yeah, he has no YAC. He catches a lot of balls and then goes down at first contact which he can't seem to avoid...Amendola is the safer bet, Smith is the riskier, but has a higher ceiling...
TwinTurbo
Footballguy
Smith also has a low YAC career avg and is no deep threat. Even though it's a couple yds higher than Amendola, neither of these guys stretches the field.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Agree with both you and Fanatic here. Amendola will have 80/650/2TD...The problem is he could be a top 40 WR but never have much impact on any game or for any owners. Bess very similar although Bess has more upside IMO and has more skills. Steve Smith is not a stretch the field WR, he simply is not even if he had reeled in a long pass in the game the other day, only would increase his draft spot and in the end it would be a false impression of what he will likely do.
duaneok66
Footballguy
good point.
Pigskin Fanatic
Footballguy
This is the problem in gauging each player's value against the other. Smith is a good player and looked good imo even before Eli started going to him on a regular basis. He was the odd man out with an influx of great receivers there unfortunately. Amendola is also a good player and they play a very similar game. No criticism of his skills, but imo Amendola's numbers are inflated due to the lack of other options. I don't think anyone can say one will outproduce the other at this point, the only edge here is the fact that Amendola is already established with Bradford and knows the offense. Comparing skills for these guys is moot.⚡DEADHEAD⚡
Footballguy
How has he looked lately?
duaneok66
Footballguy
Ordinary. I am in the process of watching the game for the second time. Rookie Mo Claiborne had him on lock last night. Still, the positive is that Smith (with Amendola) are the starters and Gibson comes in on three wides (with Amendola moving inside). The rookies (Givens and Quick) only played with the second string.
Manster
Footballguy
Count me in the Amendola camp. I liked him when he was with the Cowboys, and wish they would have found a spot on the roster for him. Bradford seems to really like him, and thats what matters.
That said, both Smith and Amendola can be had cheap. Might be worth rostering both if you can swing it.
That said, both Smith and Amendola can be had cheap. Might be worth rostering both if you can swing it.
Lott's Fingertip
Footballguy
Smith is still a good NFL WR, but he will be locked down by strong cover CBs. I'm not sure how the Rams' offensive system will shake out in the regular season, but he will have to be moved around the formation to have a chance against strong CBs. I think he and Amendola will be reliable route runners with reliable hands, something Bradford did not have last year. Bradford makes extremely precise throws, so a reliable WR only has to be a little open to be open. Smith will be able to do that against average CBs and zone defenses.
ninerfanatic492000
Footballguy
It was reported as a good sign of his knee that he has often been running deep routes or occasionally used as a deep threat. Watching the last game, Bradford just missed steve a few times deep and just missed him in the enzone when inside the 20. His stats could've been much nicer...........I worry more about Bradford than anything. His OL isn't that great and Bradford just doesn't look that impressive. He is well behind the potential he showed as a rookie 2 years ago.
