Kevin Smith demoted to 2nd string (1 Viewer)

[gianmarco]

Smith unhappy about losing job

Lions' Smith unhappy about losing starting job

by Tom Kowalski

Monday September 29, 2008, 3:36 PM

Rookie running back Kevin Smith has been told that he's lost his starting running back job to veteran Rudi Johnson and Smith isn't happy about it.

"Personally, I don't like it. I think I should be playing a lot more. But it's all about winning,'' Smith said.

"I've got a new attitude. I went home at the break and got a new attitude, I'm just going to get me better. Now I'm going to work on getting myself better every day and try, not the impossible, but I've got the mindset that I'm going to try to hit a home run on every play now. I might only get one carry. If I only get one carry, I've got to make it count.''

In three games this season, Smith had 29 carries for 102 yards (3.5-yard average) and scored one touchdown. Johnson, who was signed at the end of training camp, has 18 carries for 99 yards (5.5-yard average).

"It's nothing against Rudi, he's a good back. If you want to play him, play him,'' Smith said. "But when my number's called, I'm going to perform, bottom line.

"I'm good. I can make as many plays as anybody on this offense. Anybody. We'll see what happens.''

Smith said he's not going to let the demotion get him down.

"I'm not going to lose because I'm not competing. I refuse to let anybody be better than me,'' he said. "You know what the funny thing is? I always start up from the bottom. I did it in high school and when I got to Central Florida. I had to work my way up. The cream of the crop always rises and eventually the story will be told.''

I actually like his attitude here. Seems dedicated to proving himself without going over the top or putting anyone else down.

 

[coolnerd]

Glad he wants to prove himself, but losing the job to Rudi at this point does not make me feel great about his long-term prospects.

 

[switz]

Glad he wants to prove himself, but losing the job to Rudi at this point does not make me feel great about his long-term prospects.

Where is that 24k thread to bump?Bottom line is Smith is an okay, but not great RB. He is IMO like Brandon Jackson... good enough to see a few plays, be a backup, but not a star.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Glad he wants to prove himself, but losing the job to Rudi at this point does not make me feel great about his long-term prospects.

whens the last time detroit as a team has made a good decision...i think hes a good back and will prove it during the year

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Personally, I don't think he played bad enough to lose the job, nor did Rudi do anything special. That being said, I just don't see anything special out of Smith that tells me he will be a long-term starting RB. I do think he got screwed though. He should not have lost his job based on Rudi putting up a few big runs when SF was laying back protecting a big lead.

 

[skillz]

I thought he was running well but something must be going on for the team to bench him in favor of Rudi. Considering Millen drafted him, he is probably on the road to being a bust.

 

[TitusIII]

Smith didn't impress me in the two UCF games that were televised last season, and he hasn't impressed me with the Lions. I don't think he has what it takes...sell if you can.

 

[flooredyas]

Glad he wants to prove himself, but losing the job to Rudi at this point does not make me feel great about his long-term prospects.

whens the last time detroit as a team has made a good decision...i think hes a good back and will prove it during the year

Well there was one thing just recently-Canning Millen.Other than that you have me at a loss.

 

[footballisbetter.com]

I don't understand this. Rudi Johnson is done and will NOT be any better. Just proves that this organization is clueless.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Glad I didn't waste a 1st round pick on this guy.

 

[LionsFan78]

I don't understand this. Rudi Johnson is done and will NOT be any better. Just proves that this organization is clueless.

Same here. What pisses me off about this whole thing is that I kept reading/hearing after the draft that they passed on both Mendenhall in the 1st and Rice in the 2nd because they thought they'd get Kevin Smith in the 3rd. And now, after one fluke Rudi Johnson game, he's sitting? Oh well, getting used to these things

 

[W1cked]

I don't understand this. Rudi Johnson is done and will NOT be any better. Just proves that this organization is clueless.

Same here. What pisses me off about this whole thing is that I kept reading/hearing after the draft that they passed on both Mendenhall in the 1st and Rice in the 2nd because they thought they'd get Kevin Smith in the 3rd. And now, after one fluke Rudi Johnson game, he's sitting? Oh well, getting used to these things

Nothing new... that is what the Lions are about. It has happened before... it will happen again.

 

[cowboyz]

maybe his pass blocking isn't good?

 

[Brother Mouzone]

There was already a thread about this. Rudi won the job because he is light years ahead of Smith in pass protection. Smith's career will be OK when he learns how to pass protect.

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

I don't understand this. Rudi Johnson is done and will NOT be any better. Just proves that this organization is clueless.

Yeah, let's completely forget those 83 yards in week 3.....

 

[CASS101]

There was already a thread about this. Rudi won the job because he is light years ahead of Smith in pass protection. Smith's career will be OK when he learns how to pass protect.

And ironically Kitna was injured in the first game that Rudi Johnson took over as the main ball carrier......

 

[QUEZILLA]

Detroits schedule is brutal! Chi, Minny, Hou, Wash, Chi, Jax, Car, TB, Ten, Minny

 

[Riffraff]

maybe his pass blocking isn't good?

Exactly. Kitna should see the bench in a few weeks. Pass protecting a young QB will be paramount to his progression.