Kevin Smith (1 Viewer)

[JD8p]

So all we get is tap dancing from Schwartz as it relates to Best, and praise for Kevin Smith.

Is this something we need to act on? I think the RB position from Detroit holds some value, and Maurice Morris has been OK...Smith knows the team well and should know the system. Anything to see here?

 

[Sack-Religious]

I think there is. Smith works well out of a spread offence and can do a bit of everything. The Lions have had a couple weeks to see what they have in Williams and Morris and they went out and brought in a guy who performed pretty well for a Lions team that wasn't nearly as good as the current incarnation. With Best's return-date still in question, I think there are definitely worse guys to take a flier on.

 

[Da Guru]

I think so, it is looking more and more like Best will be shut down for the season. Smith could have decent value.

 

[sycamore]

I'm pretty skeptical of Best returning to the field this season at all so been sitting on Morris. Added Smith for Taiwan Jones since I've got the roster space.

 

[JD8p]

Let me ask this...what do you see as that line between "drop for" and "do not drop for" Kevin Smith?

Is it a guy like Moreno? Ingram? Torain? Grant?

 

[sycamore]

Moreno is a waste of space. Ingram's a hold.

The other two could/should be dropped depending on how deep your league is. Let me ask you this. Would you feel good about starting any of those guys? It's worth grabbing Smith in place of Torain to wait and see what Smith might do.

 

[mcd]

I'd only add Smith if I had a deep roster & an extra spot for him. Ingram has way more upside in my mind.

Comments from Schwartz:

"And honestly in his case, we hadn’t really planned on signing anybody, but Kevin looked so good. Ran well, moved well, was in great shape, and you know, has been a productive player for us when he’s been on the field and I think, one of the silver linings in this was it gave his body time to heal. "

 

[JD8p]

Moreno is a waste of space. Ingram's a hold. The other two could/should be dropped depending on how deep your league is. Let me ask you this. Would you feel good about starting any of those guys? It's worth grabbing Smith in place of Torain to wait and see what Smith might do.

In answer to your question - hell no.

 

[solwoldjr]

I picked him up. I can definately see a high upside. The Lions are clearly not happy with their RB situation. In an offense like this there are points to be had by a capable RB. If Smith comes back healthy he could really help a fantasy team in the play offs. The opportunity is there so I am willing to take a flier.

 

[fCheeze]

Would be interested in others POV in how Smith would rank with the following RB's. I am debating cutting Hunter or Quiz for Smith. I own neither Gore or Turner

DWILL

Hunter

SMITH??

Rodgers

 

[steelwind]

Smith was the featured back for the Lions as a rookie in 2008 with 1200 total yards from scrimmage and 8 TDs with 39 receptions. In 2009 was when he got hit with the injury bug but still had over 1100 total yards from scrimmage and 5 TDs with 41 receptions in 13 games. Last year the Lions drafted Jahvid Best. Smith fell out of favor due to his injuries and he never got a chance to reclaim the featured role. With the injuries to Best and LeSheure Smith will get another chance.

This year, Smith has completely healed from his injuries. If you recall, Smith was an every down back. He's 217 lbs, 6'1 and he's 25. He knows the offense, was once the featured back, and the Lions are in a playoff race.

He's gonna get a shot and we all know it. He's worth an add if you are a Best owner. Keiland Williams is not the answer. Morris will always be that veteran who can be servicable. But Kevin Smith has a chance to make the other teams respect the Lions' running game.

 

[MIMN]

I'm trying to figure out if I should drop Morris for Smith. I don't have the waver $ to wait until the tide turns and hope to win on a bid. I have the feeling that Smith has a higher ceiling. If there is anyone with a better feel for the Lions strategery it is appreciated.

 

[ourmanflint]

I'm trying to figure out if I should drop Morris for Smith. I don't have the waver $ to wait until the tide turns and hope to win on a bid. I have the feeling that Smith has a higher ceiling. If there is anyone with a better feel for the Lions strategery it is appreciated.

Here is what we know If Best plays again this year, he is the guy. If not, you probably need to own Smith. Until then, I guess Morris is still the best back in this offense.

 

[solwoldjr]

Smith was the featured back for the Lions as a rookie in 2008 with 1200 total yards from scrimmage and 8 TDs with 39 receptions. In 2009 was when he got hit with the injury bug but still had over 1100 total yards from scrimmage and 5 TDs with 41 receptions in 13 games. Last year the Lions drafted Jahvid Best. Smith fell out of favor due to his injuries and he never got a chance to reclaim the featured role. With the injuries to Best and LeSheure Smith will get another chance.This year, Smith has completely healed from his injuries. If you recall, Smith was an every down back. He's 217 lbs, 6'1 and he's 25. He knows the offense, was once the featured back, and the Lions are in a playoff race.He's gonna get a shot and we all know it. He's worth an add if you are a Best owner. Keiland Williams is not the answer. Morris will always be that veteran who can be servicable. But Kevin Smith has a chance to make the other teams respect the Lions' running game.

Smith is no sure thing, but the opportunity is there and his upside is a must start low end RB1. It is opportunities like this can win you a fantasy SB. And if he fails so what.

 

[Sup_Yo]

I'm trying to figure out if I should drop Morris for Smith. I don't have the waver $ to wait until the tide turns and hope to win on a bid. I have the feeling that Smith has a higher ceiling. If there is anyone with a better feel for the Lions strategery it is appreciated.

Here is what we know If Best plays again this year, he is the guy. If not, you probably need to own Smith. Until then, I guess Morris is still the best back in this offense.

If I were able to roster only one of Morris/Smith, it would be Smith.

 

[Xue]

Would be interested in others POV in how Smith would rank with the following RB's. I am debating cutting Hunter or Quiz for Smith. I own neither Gore or TurnerDWILLHunterSMITH??Rodgers

If you're in a re-draft get Smith over Quizz. I dropped DWill in a re-draft for Smith.

 

[phillybirds]

Still waiting for Best's melon to get re-checked, but in the meantime, until we know more, I agree that it can't hurt to pick up K.Smith and see what happens.

 

[Joe Summer]

Available free agents in my league:

Pierre Thomas (just dropped, will be on next week's waiver wire)

DeAngelo Williams

Knowson Moreno

Ryan Torain

Maurice Morris

Javon Ringer

Delone Carter

Donald Brown

Danny Woodhead

Kevin Faulk

Taiwan Jones

Danny Ware

Where does Smith fit in with these scrubs??

 

[phillybirds]

Available free agents in my league:

Pierre Thomas (just dropped, will be on next week's waiver wire)

DeAngelo Williams

Knowson Moreno

Ryan Torain

Maurice Morris

Javon Ringer

Delone Carter

Donald Brown

Danny Woodhead

Kevin Faulk

Taiwan Jones

Danny Ware

Where does Smith fit in with these scrubs??

DeAngelo Williams - has sucked all year i thinkKnowson Moreno - mcgahee is the clear #1

Ryan Torain - shanny

Maurice Morris - default back for right now, and doesn't have much upside

Javon Ringer - backup to a guy who got PAID this offseason, team will not sit CJ

Delone Carter - indy sucks

Donald Brown - indy sucks (he's on indy right?)

Danny Woodhead - pats run game is poo for fantasy, no consistency

Kevin Faulk - pats run game is poo for fantasy, no consistency

Taiwan Jones - mcfadden will be back at some point and until then bush clearly has no problems handling his own

Danny Ware - bradshaw will have to be out for the season and jacobs will have to fail for him to be worth it

 

[Joe Summer]

Available free agents in my league:

Pierre Thomas (just dropped, will be on next week's waiver wire)

DeAngelo Williams

Knowson Moreno

Ryan Torain

Maurice Morris

Javon Ringer

Delone Carter

Donald Brown

Danny Woodhead

Kevin Faulk

Taiwan Jones

Danny Ware

Where does Smith fit in with these scrubs??

DeAngelo Williams - has sucked all year i thinkKnowson Moreno - mcgahee is the clear #1

Ryan Torain - shanny

Maurice Morris - default back for right now, and doesn't have much upside

Javon Ringer - backup to a guy who got PAID this offseason, team will not sit CJ

Delone Carter - indy sucks

Donald Brown - indy sucks (he's on indy right?)

Danny Woodhead - pats run game is poo for fantasy, no consistency

Kevin Faulk - pats run game is poo for fantasy, no consistency

Taiwan Jones - mcfadden will be back at some point and until then bush clearly has no problems handling his own

Danny Ware - bradshaw will have to be out for the season and jacobs will have to fail for him to be worth it

So you think Smith is a better choice than all of these guys except maybe Morris?

 

[phillybirds]

So you think Smith is a better choice than all of these guys except maybe Morris?

Smith is a lottery ticket. I don't know the odds of that ticket, just saying all those other choices are not good odds for success.And at least for this week, Morris should get his share of chances, just not sure what he'll do with it.

 

[FantasyTrader]

No. The Lions are a pass first team and have had problems running the ball. Add to that the presence of Morris, Williams, Best and Lord knows who else. At some point an already mediocre opportunity gets so watered down that even the best case scenario is an emergency plug-in at best. I think we've reached that point with the Lions backfield.

 

[kimbosliced]

I dropped Morris for this guy. It's one of those things where if you have someone you can drop that you don't need now, you take a chance at a home run.

 

[phillybirds]

I dropped Morris for this guy. It's one of those things where if you have someone you can drop that you don't need now, you take a chance at a home run.

Exactly.Homerun, Lottery Ticket, whatever you want to call it. If you have a standard 15 man roster(i think that's the standard), chances are you have some scrub you could cut to make room for a week or two to see if it works.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

A lot of love in this thread. I tend to agree. This late in the season, you need to pick up a guy like this as speculative add or not get him at all. If he fizzles out, continue to churn and burn your roster. Picked him up in both leagues. One of those, I am a Morris owner. So if Best doesn't come back, it'll be nice to have the tandem for the fantasy playoffs.

 

[jwb]

Intriguing, for sure. He was supposed to be their RB1 just a short while ago. Didn't quite work out, but I never thought he was a bad player - but that was a bad team he was on.

I think we've seen enough of Morris and Williams to know they aren't close to being an answer. If Best stays out, I don't think either one will keep Smith on the bench for very long. He's likely their second best running back right now.

 

[gsmayes]

I'll put it this way, my 10+ year local league with deep rosters is mostly Lions fans with an odd Viking/Bears fan, and Kevin Smith is still a free agent.

The Lions can't run block, the only reason Best had any value was his pass catching and explosiveness. Kevin Smith was a mediocre runningback before multiple injuries. I just don't see this high upside / lottery ticket evaluation on any non-Best Lions rb. I'd say the upside would be 50 yards a game and a TD once every three games...chances are you'll have better options even for your flex.

 

[Scrappy Doo]

I'll put it this way, my 10+ year local league with deep rosters is mostly Lions fans with an odd Viking/Bears fan, and Kevin Smith is still a free agent.

The Lions can't run block, the only reason Best had any value was his pass catching and explosiveness. Kevin Smith was a mediocre runningback before multiple injuries. I just don't see this high upside / lottery ticket evaluation on any non-Best Lions rb. I'd say the upside would be 50 yards a game and a TD once every three games...chances are you'll have better options even for your flex.

Didn't they just also sign OG Leonard Davis? Not sure where is his game is at this point but maybe Schwartz knows he'll need to run the ball more as the cold games start coming along.

 

[steelwind]

It's the second half of the year and teams run the ball more. And a playoff team will need to run the ball or at least make the other team respect the run. Lions aren't gonna get that with Morris. Smith is the man long as Best is out.

 

[ourmanflint]

Not that I'm not a believer but there won't be any cold weather games for the Lions this year until week 17. Just pointing that out.

 

[PhantomJB]

I'll put it this way, my 10+ year local league with deep rosters is mostly Lions fans with an odd Viking/Bears fan, and Kevin Smith is still a free agent.

The Lions can't run block, the only reason Best had any value was his pass catching and explosiveness. Kevin Smith was a mediocre runningback before multiple injuries. I just don't see this high upside / lottery ticket evaluation on any non-Best Lions rb. I'd say the upside would be 50 yards a game and a TD once every three games...chances are you'll have better options even for your flex.

Didn't they just also sign OG Leonard Davis? Not sure where is his game is at this point but maybe Schwartz knows he'll need to run the ball more as the cold games start coming along.

Agreed the Lions are relatively poor at run blocking.But those 2008 and 2009 teams...now those were poor run blocking teams. And Smith put up 1200 total yds on both those teams.

Just saying if he is in shape there are decent odds he can do better with at least a pass game to help open things up.

 

[Bri]

I like the term default RB

 

[Black]

I think that he can be valuable, esp. in PPR leagues. The question is can he come off the street and do it without pulling a hammy etc. I don't recall the injury (injuries?) that caused DET to let him go. But the accounts are that he is healthy now.

I am pretty sure Shanny pulled Torain off the heap last year after he had been out of football 1/2 season and put him in for a few games with good results.

Here's what I think we know:

1) The Lions didn't 'really' need another RB. Keiland and Morris are both healthy (and think they have James Davis, too?).

2) Whatever RB value that exists will mostly be of the PPR variety.

3) For the Lions, It is more important to know the system and protections to keep the passing game (Stafford) healthy.

4) Smith is running as the 3rd-team tailback...for now.

So, I am inclined to think the Lions saw something to suggest he is healthy, and that he could be helpful (possibly more helpful than KWilliams and MMorris). If he can ramp up into football shape, he has experience in the offense and was a very good PPR RB (in this offense).

As a Jahvid Dynasty owner, I consider him a wait and see still, but will watch practice reports and any gametime he gets closely the next couple of weeks.

Here's what Rotoworld has:

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/NFL/4638/Kevin-Smith

Lions OC Scott Linehan confirmed that newly signed Kevin Smith could see action at running back against the Bears this week.

Smith has been running as the third-team tailback in practices. We remain skeptical that he'll have fantasy value in the next couple of weeks, but the coaching staff has been impressed with his condition. The depth chart isn't a daunting climb with Jahvid Best (concussion) out. Nov 10 - 2:19 PM

 

[G-King]

I'll put it this way, my 10+ year local league with deep rosters is mostly Lions fans with an odd Viking/Bears fan, and Kevin Smith is still a free agent.

The Lions can't run block, the only reason Best had any value was his pass catching and explosiveness. Kevin Smith was a mediocre runningback before multiple injuries. I just don't see this high upside / lottery ticket evaluation on any non-Best Lions rb. I'd say the upside would be 50 yards a game and a TD once every three games...chances are you'll have better options even for your flex.

Didn't they just also sign OG Leonard Davis? Not sure where is his game is at this point but maybe Schwartz knows he'll need to run the ball more as the cold games start coming along.

As a Dallas watcher, although Leonard Davis is the scariest individual I've ever laid eyes on, he just can't get it done anymore. Seems lazy and old.... Good luck with that .Also one of the reasons I picked up Hanson as a kicker was because all but this weeks games from here on are either in a dome or sunny weather, so the cold weather theory doesn't hold water.

 

[-jb-]

Silly question - why was he released to begin with if he is clearly better than Morris? injuries?

 

[Joe Summer]

Silly question - why was he released to begin with if he is clearly better than Morris? injuries?

I think it was a combination of injuries and money (Morris was under contract, Smith was a free agent).The real surprising thing to me is that Smith couldn't catch on with another team. He wasn't even invited to any training camps despite being (supposedly) healthy.

 

[cvnpoka]

Silly question - why was he released to begin with if he is clearly better than Morris? injuries?

schwartz said he looks to be in much better shape since getting the time off. i guess he never really regained form after his acl tear. its proly just coachspeak and the suspect best is done for the yr and need another rb and smith makes the most sense since he is familiar with the team.

 

[gbill2004]

Kevin Smith is going to win alot of leagues this season. Pick him up asap if he is still available in your league. Best isn't playing again this season.

 

[urbanhack]

Best isn't playing again this season.

Link?

 

[Morton Muffley]

Kevin Smith is going to win alot of leagues this season. Pick him up asap if he is still available in your league. Best isn't playing again this season.

You might be right, because....Playoff Weeks (i.e. 14-16)Min, @Oak, SDAccording to Football Outsiders those defenses are #12, #27, and #26 against the run respectively.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Best isn't playing again this season.

Link?

:intuition:

 

[_lurker_]

Suppose you buy the hype, have a free roster spot, and only have one contract year in a dynasty available... would you burn that contract year on him now, wait to see how he performs, or hold the spot to play defense?

 

[gbill2004]

This guy is gonna be a fantasy football erection in a box, come playoff time.

 

[urbanhack]

Best isn't playing again this season.

Link?

:intuition:

intuition doesn't fly around here guy

 

[sycamore]

Common sense should fly around here. A guy with 2 concussions in the past couple months whose job it is to run into large groups of 300-pound men should probably take a prolonged break from doing that job.

 

[P Park Pimps]

Would you drop Earl Bennett for Smith? Sorry to hi-jack but I posted in the assistant coach forum and didn't get a reply. I feel another train coming on and don't wanna miss it.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

Silly question - why was he released to begin with if he is clearly better than Morris? injuries?

schwartz said he looks to be in much better shape since getting the time off. i guess he never really regained form after his acl tear. its proly just coachspeak and the suspect best is done for the yr and need another rb and smith makes the most sense since he is familiar with the team.

the lions said they did not intend to sign smith when they worked him out, but were blown away with how healthy he was and how good he looked that they flt they had to fwiw.

 

[Joe Summer]

Would you drop Earl Bennett for Smith? Sorry to hi-jack but I posted in the assistant coach forum and didn't get a reply. I feel another train coming on and don't wanna miss it.

I'd keep Bennett another week at least.

 

[ldizzle]

this is odd. i am a best owner but have hope he is coming back. All this time nobody has even given smith a chance. The pats worked him out in August but they already had a really crowded backfield. this signing doesnt make me believe best is done however. he is just replacing the role jerome harrison had. whats intriguing is that the lions werent even considering signing him but he "looked to good to pass up" that is exactly what im interested in.

 

[kimbosliced]

Would you drop Earl Bennett for Smith? Sorry to hi-jack but I posted in the assistant coach forum and didn't get a reply. I feel another train coming on and don't wanna miss it.

I'd keep Bennett another week at least.

I'd drop him. What's Bennett at best? WR3 maybe Wr2 at best? You probably have 4 guys ahead of him. Why not take a chance on a guy like this? That's all I'm saying.