Anthony Smith S Steelers (1 Viewer)

[BigSteelThrill]

In Steeler circles many have known this kid has player written all over him.

Today Anthony Smith started at FS for his first time (he seems to be a good fit at SS also) and he made an impact all day long.

Leading the team with 8 tackles and "laying the wood" as he does almost every time he is on the field, be it practice,

preseason, special teams and now in a regular season game.

This a serious IDP stud in the making. His drawback would be the Steelers team being so good as to limit his chances.

But that hasnt stopped other Steeler DBs from enjoying some years atop the IDP heap.

He may or may not grab the starting gig from Ryan Clark in the immediate future.

But if he keeps getting chances to show his wares, he will force the team to play him more often.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I like Anthony Smith as a player, but there’s no historical precedent for IDP value in his current role. He’d have to be a significantly better player than Chris Hope to become a “serious IDP stud”.

2006 Ryan Clark 59 solos (projected)

2005 Chris Hope 70 solos

2004 Chris Hope 59 solos

2003 Brent Alexander 60 solos

2002 Brent Alexander 50 solos

There’s some big play value to be had with Smith, but even Hope in 2005 with his 70 solos and three interceptions barely cracked the top 25. The bulk of Smith’s tackles today came on running plays that broke into the third level. When the Steelers upgrade their ILB or find a MLB of the future should they move to a Tampa-2, that’s not sustainable.

I think Smith will have more IDP value than most of the FS in the league, just not more than low DB2 upside.

Regardless, he needs to be playing over Ryan Clark.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Jene, I think he can steal alot of the "in the box" role from Troy.

Occasionaly switching with Troy can improve the passing defense overall and that will increase the stats for Smith.

It will lend itself to an interchangeable safties. A matchup nightmare used by Tomlin and LeBeau.

While history may be limited, Hope posted 90 and 97 tackles there and was not nearly the player or playmaker that Smith is.

He will certainly be an improvement on those numbers. Which is a fine starting spot of 95 combined tackles.

If he can improve on what that position has done, then he can be a stud... and I am enamored with what I have seen him do.

As I have been in the past, with players like Adrian Wilson, Pat Tillman, Kerry Rhodes, Bennie Blades, David Fulcher, DeRon Cherry and such.

Though I do admit, I was very high on lots of players who did not pan out or are still works in progress.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Jene, I think he can steal alot of the "in the box" role from Troy.Occasionaly switching with Troy can improve the passing defense overall and that will increase the stats for Smith.It will lend itself to an interchangeable safties. A matchup nightmare used by Tomlin and LeBeau. While history may be limited, Hope posted 90 and 97 tackles there and was not nearly the player or playmaker that Smith is.He will certainly be an improvement on those numbers. Which is a fine starting spot of 95 combined tackles.If he can improve on what that position has done, then he can be a stud... and I am enamored with what I have seen him do.As I have been in the past, with players like Adrian Wilson, Pat Tillman, Kerry Rhodes, Bennie Blades, David Fulcher, DeRon Cherry and such.Though I do admit, I was very high on lots of players who did not pan out or are still works in progress.

Great discussion, BST, thanks.That's pretty high company you're putting Smith in, though. You should have listed Ful-Rock first. :IBTL: I'm just sick at the crap the Bengals have been throwing out at SS since they lost him. Kaesviharn, Ohalete, Jackson, Herring, etal. :X

 

[yinzer]

In Steeler circles many have known this kid has player written all over him.

Today Anthony Smith started at FS for his first time (he seems to be a good fit at SS also) and he made an impact all day long.

Leading the team with 8 tackles and "laying the wood" as he does almost every time he is on the field, be it practice,

preseason, special teams and now in a regular season game.

This a serious IDP stud in the making. His drawback would be the Steelers team being so good as to limit his chances.

But that hasnt stopped other Steeler DBs from enjoying some years atop the IDP heap.

He may or may not grab the starting gig from Ryan Clark in the immediate future.

But if he keeps getting chances to show his wares, he will force the team to play him more often.

I noticed the statline yesterday too, but I wasn't watching too closely since I was working so I didn't know why he was starting?I wasn't aware of Clark ever getting injured, so why was he starting? Coaches disappointed with the DEN game or what?

Based on his stats, I dont see why he wouldnt continue to start either. And I agree with you, ever since first seeing highlights after we drafted him and seeing him last year, I dont mind at all that they let Hope go.

And despite being a FS, I too think the numbers could be there for him to be big. Troy is great as an NFL player, but he doesn't really get a lot of tackles for a SS so it's not like Smith's numbers should be limited by that. As for the limited opportunities, in my eyes the most glaring weakness of the D the past 3 years has been their ability to prevent 3rd down conversions. Despite the D being as good as they are as a whole, I think this helps boosts his stats more than most would think.

Its hard to project tackles, but what I will say is if this guy plays 16 games, I'd almost guarantee he creates 10 turnovers (FF, Int). He's a ballhawk and has been since college. His big-hit ability only increases the chances of him causing FF's and with that in mind I would expect to see LeBeau blitz him as much if not more than Troy, with Polamalu playing more all around the field in front of the LOS.

 

[JoeSteeler]

In Steeler circles many have known this kid has player written all over him.

Today Anthony Smith started at FS for his first time (he seems to be a good fit at SS also) and he made an impact all day long.

Leading the team with 8 tackles and "laying the wood" as he does almost every time he is on the field, be it practice,

preseason, special teams and now in a regular season game.

This a serious IDP stud in the making. His drawback would be the Steelers team being so good as to limit his chances.

But that hasnt stopped other Steeler DBs from enjoying some years atop the IDP heap.

He may or may not grab the starting gig from Ryan Clark in the immediate future.

But if he keeps getting chances to show his wares, he will force the team to play him more often.

I noticed the statline yesterday too, but I wasn't watching too closely since I was working so I didn't know why he was starting?I wasn't aware of Clark ever getting injured, so why was he starting? Coaches disappointed with the DEN game or what?

Based on his stats, I dont see why he wouldnt continue to start either. And I agree with you, ever since first seeing highlights after we drafted him and seeing him last year, I dont mind at all that they let Hope go.

And despite being a FS, I too think the numbers could be there for him to be big. Troy is great as an NFL player, but he doesn't really get a lot of tackles for a SS so it's not like Smith's numbers should be limited by that. As for the limited opportunities, in my eyes the most glaring weakness of the D the past 3 years has been their ability to prevent 3rd down conversions. Despite the D being as good as they are as a whole, I think this helps boosts his stats more than most would think.

Its hard to project tackles, but what I will say is if this guy plays 16 games, I'd almost guarantee he creates 10 turnovers (FF, Int). He's a ballhawk and has been since college. His big-hit ability only increases the chances of him causing FF's and with that in mind I would expect to see LeBeau blitz him as much if not more than Troy, with Polamalu playing more all around the field in front of the LOS.

Smith was playing because Clark was found to have a blood condition aggravated by dehydration and Denver's high altitude. It caused inflmation of his spleen.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Its hard to project tackles, but what I will say is if this guy plays 16 games, I'd almost guarantee he creates 10 turnovers (FF, Int). He's a ballhawk and has been since college. His big-hit ability only increases the chances of him causing FF's and with that in mind I would expect to see LeBeau blitz him as much if not more than Troy, with Polamalu playing more all around the field in front of the LOS.

There is a name comparison that keeps presenting itself...Brian Dawkins.

Since entering the NFL in 1996, Dawkins, according to Stats Inc., has recorded 32 INTs and 26 FFs for a combined NFL-best 58 "disruptive plays."

A FS with serious IDP impact. His fantasy performances are all-world. Big plays, ballhawking and tackles.

Much like Bob Sanders who is another FS who blurred the line between FS and SS with his/these abilities and is currently among the very best DB-IDPs, when healthy.

 

[JoeSteeler]

Clark has been put on IR so Smith should be starting the rest of the year.

 

[Mikey16x]

I was able to watch the games... NY Homer... Giants fan but watched the Jets game mainly because I wanted to see Anthony Smith play. Man, this guy has a high motor... and can he hit!

He didn't get a tackle for this one but it was something like 3rd and goal or 2nd and goal on the steelers 2 and the jets handed it off to thomas jones.... he went into a hole and POP anthony smith didn't knock him down but pushed him back about a good 4 yards and somebody else cleaned it up...

i am very impressed with this kid and he looks like he can put up some serious IDP numbers for the remainder of the season.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Man, this guy has a high motor... and can he hit!

He does the same stuff every time he is on the field. Even in practice or on special teams.He also led the team in tackles this week with 8 total. But it isnt often the Steelers give up so much rushing to an opponent.