Smith making big first impression on Lions (1 Viewer)

[Alluro]

May 9, 2008

So far, Lions coaches are tickled with rookie RB Kevin Smith, who not only could start as a rookie from Day One but could be the first-year player who makes the biggest immediate impact. Yes, first-round OT Gosder Cherilus figures to get every chance to start at right tackle, and second-round LB Jordon Dizon will get the same crack to earn the starting “Mike” LB spot. But Smith appears a great fit in the Lions’ new zone-blocking scheme, and with a serious need at the position — only Tatum Bell figures to challenge Smith for a starting role — there are many who feel he could put up very strong numbers as a rookie. New coordinator Jim Colletto figures to run the ball more as he has said he wants better balance in an offense that was way too slanted toward the pass under former coordinator Mike Martz. The biggest adjustments for Smith likely will be third-down duty; whether or not he can learn to catch the ball and pass-protect likely will determine whether the coaches will give him full-time duty or have him split time with Bell or others.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/N...WHI/default.htm

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I've been saying it and I will continue to say it: 24K will win rookie of the year. He has "it" whatever "it" is. Incredibly underrated coming out of Central Florida. Lets get the bandwagon rolling !!! all aboard !!!

 

[Winning IS Everything]

May 9, 2008

So far, Lions coaches are tickled with rookie RB Kevin Smith, who not only could start as a rookie from Day One but could be the first-year player who makes the biggest immediate impact. Yes, first-round OT Gosder Cherilus figures to get every chance to start at right tackle, and second-round LB Jordon Dizon will get the same crack to earn the starting “Mike” LB spot. But Smith appears a great fit in the Lions’ new zone-blocking scheme, and with a serious need at the position — only Tatum Bell figures to challenge Smith for a starting role — there are many who feel he could put up very strong numbers as a rookie. New coordinator Jim Colletto figures to run the ball more as he has said he wants better balance in an offense that was way too slanted toward the pass under former coordinator Mike Martz. The biggest adjustments for Smith likely will be third-down duty; whether or not he can learn to catch the ball and pass-protect likely will determine whether the coaches will give him full-time duty or have him split time with Bell or others.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/N...WHI/default.htm

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I've been saying it and I will continue to say it: 24K will win rookie of the year. He has "it" whatever "it" is. Incredibly underrated coming out of Central Florida. Lets get the bandwagon rolling !!! all aboard !!!

If his only competition for third down duty is blocking and catching the ball out of the backfield, the tatum Bell is not much competition. Bell sucks at both as well. I hope Smith does well, he is in a decent spot.

 

[a_rackowski]

Where does the nickname 24K come from?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Where does the nickname 24K come from?

didnt he have like 2,400 yards? or maybe he's GOLD!

 

[Alluro]

Where does the nickname 24K come from?

Smith was number 24 at UCF and their jerseys are Gold. Hence 24K for the obvious 24K(evin) Gold reference

 

[teamroc]

Where does the nickname 24K come from?

Smith was number 24 at UCF and their jerseys are Gold. Hence 24K for the obvious 24K(evin) Gold reference

I like it.24K.Over/under on how many "OMFGG HIS INITIALS ARE KS!!!! KEVIN SMITH!! KS!!! NOT 24K!!!" posts we'll get. I say less then AD/ADP/AP last year, but still over 20.

 

[Garts]

Tatum Bell is really motivatd this year. He's a skinny pick who shows up overweight.

 

[NorrisB]

have fun on this bandwagon guys

 

[Chunky Soup]

Where does the nickname 24K come from?

Smith was number 24 at UCF and their jerseys are Gold. Hence 24K for the obvious 24K(evin) Gold reference

I like it.24K.Over/under on how many "OMFGG HIS INITIALS ARE KS!!!! KEVIN SMITH!! KS!!! NOT 24K!!!" posts we'll get. I say less then AD/ADP/AP last year, but still over 20.

It's really a weak nickname. Named after his college jersey and number? Yah, that'll stick.

 

[FUBAR]

I'l hitch a ride for a year. Smith (sorry, can't get behind the 24K thing when he now wears blue and gray) could very easily be ROY if McFadden isn't. But I don't like his prospects long term.

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

I'l hitch a ride for a year. Smith (sorry, can't get behind the 24K thing when he now wears blue and gray) could very easily be ROY if McFadden isn't. But I don't like his prospects long term.

Agreed. In redrafts he's worth a flyer at the right price... Off the top of my head I'm thinking he'd make a low-end RB3 or high-end RB4.

 

[Power Monster]

Ohhh great this should initiate the Lions being the top sleeper of the year pick for 2008 just like in the past 4 years. Maybe Kitna can give us his over and under for wins in 2008 as a convenience for NFL fans?

 

[LarryAllen'sJockstrap]

I'l hitch a ride for a year. Smith (sorry, can't get behind the 24K thing when he now wears blue and gray) could very easily be ROY if McFadden isn't. But I don't like his prospects long term.

Why? Is it just your opinion he doesn't have the skills to be a good NFL RB?

 

[gianmarco]

I'm on

<----UCF alum

 

[puckalicious]

Considering that when healthy, Kevin Jones was able to put up several 100yd games when they actually fed him the ball at least 20 times. Knowing that the Lions are planning to have a "balanced" offense (read: run the ball) I think they will have much better success running the ball this year. And if Smith is the primary ball carrier... he should be a worthy FF starter. As long as we don't see a RBBC develop - what has Coletto done in the past?

 

[LHUCKS]

Hype thread #3 of 16897 over the next four months...lovely.

 

[zamboni]

I'l hitch a ride for a year. Smith (sorry, can't get behind the 24K thing when he now wears blue and gray) could very easily be ROY if McFadden isn't. But I don't like his prospects long term.

Why? Is it just your opinion he doesn't have the skills to be a good NFL RB?

Seriously. It's just as premature to dismiss his long-term prospects as it is to start calling him rookie of the year. Probably more so.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Hype thread #3 of 16897 over the next four months...lovely.

Exactly.Detroit hasn't run blocked in 2 years

 

[Banger]

Hype thread #3 of 16897 over the next four months...lovely.

I don't think he's flying up the draft charts but it's a situation to keep an eye on considering the lack of any other quality....

 

[awesomeness]

I'l hitch a ride for a year. Smith (sorry, can't get behind the 24K thing when he now wears blue and gray) could very easily be ROY if McFadden isn't. But I don't like his prospects long term.

Why? Is it just your opinion he doesn't have the skills to be a good NFL RB?

Seriously. It's just as premature to dismiss his long-term prospects as it is to start calling him rookie of the year. Probably more so.

Why would you say that? If you look at his college videos, you can tell his game wont translate well to the NFL.

 

[Burning Sensation]

Hype thread #3 of 16897 over the next four months...lovely.

Exactly.Detroit hasn't run blocked in 2 years

Fixed

 

[Alluro]

I'l hitch a ride for a year. Smith (sorry, can't get behind the 24K thing when he now wears blue and gray) could very easily be ROY if McFadden isn't. But I don't like his prospects long term.

Why? Is it just your opinion he doesn't have the skills to be a good NFL RB?

Seriously. It's just as premature to dismiss his long-term prospects as it is to start calling him rookie of the year. Probably more so.

Why would you say that? If you look at his college videos, you can tell his game wont translate well to the NFL.

What aspects of his game do you think won't translate to the NFL?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Come on. Like any of you know more than an NFL GM does. He wouldn't have been drafted if he wasn't talented.

 

[FavreCo]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

I dunno. Depending on my league's scoring Chris Johnson and Felix Jones could be worth more in a PPR.

 

[gianmarco]

Scouting report with some video

Video clips from Kevin Smith's webpage

 

[switz]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

And people said that last year about Brandon Jackson

 

[FavreCo]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

And people said that last year about Brandon Jackson

And he was taken then. I didn't say Smith is the answer but he will be taken 4th.

 

[LarryAllen'sJockstrap]

I'l hitch a ride for a year. Smith (sorry, can't get behind the 24K thing when he now wears blue and gray) could very easily be ROY if McFadden isn't. But I don't like his prospects long term.

Why? Is it just your opinion he doesn't have the skills to be a good NFL RB?

Seriously. It's just as premature to dismiss his long-term prospects as it is to start calling him rookie of the year. Probably more so.

Why would you say that? If you look at his college videos, you can tell his game wont translate well to the NFL.

Sorry to make an example out of this awesomeness, but posts like this are a little premature, don't you think? Kinda like that Maroney=Speed nut that likes to tell everyone how much of a bust Jonathon Stewart is going to be.Let's take every RB drafted in the first three rounds this year

- McFadden

- Stewart

- Mendenhall

- Jones

- Forte

- Rice

- Smith

- Charles

- Slaton

Now, let's answer a few simple questions for each player.

- Did all of these players achieve success in college?

- Do all of these players have the measurable to play the RB position (do not tell me McFadden has skinny legs or a Steve Slaton doesn't weigh enough). RBs range in size from Dunn to Jacobs.

- Did PROFESSIONAL NFL scouts and organizations regard these players highly enough to draft them in the first three rounds?

- Have you ever seen one of the players listed above fail at the NFL level?

So, please explain how it is that you can watch the college games of any of these players and judge, better than professional scouts, that, while there is no evidence what so ever to support your point, player X is not going to translate well to the NFL.

Bottom line is until any of these rookies actually do succeed or fail, no one really knows.

 

[FavreCo]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

I dunno. Depending on my league's scoring Chris Johnson and Felix Jones could be worth more in a PPR.

Neither is going to do much of anything. Chris Johnson plays with no QB and Felix, while outperforming the suckage that was Julius Jones, will not catch enough passes nor score much. Johnson isn't even on my list because that team totally sucks. Yeah Detroit sucks but not as bad as Tennessee.

 

[Sabertooth]

As a Packer fan I hope Kevin Smith isn't as good as I think he is.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

I dunno. Depending on my league's scoring Chris Johnson and Felix Jones could be worth more in a PPR.

Neither is going to do much of anything. Chris Johnson plays with no QB and Felix, while outperforming the suckage that was Julius Jones, will not catch enough passes nor score much. Johnson isn't even on my list because that team totally sucks. Yeah Detroit sucks but not as bad as Tennessee.

Why would you think Felix Jones wouldn't catch many passes?And wouldn't poor quarterbacking mean more dumpoffs to the running back, increasing Johnson's opportunities?

 

[purplehaze67]

Ohhh great this should initiate the Lions being the top sleeper of the year pick for 2008 just like in the past 4 years. Maybe Kitna can give us his over and under for wins in 2008 as a convenience for NFL fans?

Ask and you shall receivehttp://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A...1126/SPORTS0101

 

[FavreCo]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

I dunno. Depending on my league's scoring Chris Johnson and Felix Jones could be worth more in a PPR.

Neither is going to do much of anything. Chris Johnson plays with no QB and Felix, while outperforming the suckage that was Julius Jones, will not catch enough passes nor score much. Johnson isn't even on my list because that team totally sucks. Yeah Detroit sucks but not as bad as Tennessee.

Why would you think Felix Jones wouldn't catch many passes?And wouldn't poor quarterbacking mean more dumpoffs to the running back, increasing Johnson's opportunities?

Normally yes on dumpoffs. That's how Frank Gore gets so many. I wouldn't bank on Vince Young dumping it off. He will run instead. Total catches by RB's in Tenn last year 46 split amongst 3 RBs. That's less than 3 a game. Chris Johnson will not change that.I would project Felix to catch less passes than Julius did. Barber catching the 1st and 2nd downs AND some 3rd down passes. All that changes with a Barber injury obviously. Barber/Jones 66 last year. But Barber still gets the majority. Heck that is one guy that should not be out of the game. Nobody runs like he does.

 

[switz]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

I dunno. Depending on my league's scoring Chris Johnson and Felix Jones could be worth more in a PPR.

Neither is going to do much of anything. Chris Johnson plays with no QB and Felix, while outperforming the suckage that was Julius Jones, will not catch enough passes nor score much. Johnson isn't even on my list because that team totally sucks. Yeah Detroit sucks but not as bad as Tennessee.

Here's the flaw in your thinking:1. If Johnson plays w/ no QB, it's likely he will see a ton of dump offs, instead of the lousy QB throwing the ball downfield. Dump offs mean opportunity.

2. If Felix Jones is going to outperform Julius, he's going to get more than 220 carries and 20 receptions (Julius' average over 4 seasons). Except that he's a better receiver than Julius, and is better in the open field, and the Boys will want to get him more involved.

 

[gianmarco]

He's the #4 RB taken regardless. If not sooner. Who would you take instead of him if McFadden, Mendenhall and Stewart are 1-2-3? No one, you'd take Smith.

And people said that last year about Brandon Jackson

Thing is, there are actually some people who were high on Smith BEFORE the NFL draft, myself included. He's been in my top 5 since the day he declared. I think some people are bumping him up for the wrong reasons (situation) whereas others had him high to start with. Last year, however, I may not have noticed, but I don't think there were many Brandon Jackson supporters until after the draft.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Normally yes on dumpoffs. That's how Frank Gore gets so many. I wouldn't bank on Vince Young dumping it off. He will run instead. Total catches by RB's in Tenn last year 46 split amongst 3 RBs. That's less than 3 a game. Chris Johnson will not change that.

He was throwing to Lendale and Chris Henry. Johnson is a far superior pass catcher.

I would project Felix to catch less passes than Julius did. Barber catching the 1st and 2nd downs AND some 3rd down passes. All that changes with a Barber injury obviously. Barber/Jones 66 last year. But Barber still gets the majority. Heck that is one guy that should not be out of the game. Nobody runs like he does.

I like Barber too.

 

[switz]

I would project Felix to catch less passes than Julius did. Barber catching the 1st and 2nd downs AND some 3rd down passes. All that changes with a Barber injury obviously. Barber/Jones 66 last year. But Barber still gets the majority. Heck that is one guy that should not be out of the game. Nobody runs like he does.

If that was reality, then there was no reason for the Boys to draft Jones. You're clearly not looking at things from an unbiased angle at all.There's no reason to think Barber will get ALL the 1st and 2nd down work, and MOST of the 3rd down work. There's just no basis for it at all, including last season. Julius has far worse hands than Felix, so why would you expect him to see LESS catches, when last season he saw more than he did the previous year, even though he had the lesser role in the rotation.Plus, Julius and Barber were rotating series. Felix isn't going to be used that way. He is going to be used primarily as a game changing, pass catching, COP back. All that means MORE passes, not less.

 

[gianmarco]

I would project Felix to catch less passes than Julius did. Barber catching the 1st and 2nd downs AND some 3rd down passes. All that changes with a Barber injury obviously. Barber/Jones 66 last year. But Barber still gets the majority. Heck that is one guy that should not be out of the game. Nobody runs like he does.

If that was reality, then there was no reason for the Boys to draft Jones. You're clearly not looking at things from an unbiased angle at all.There's no reason to think Barber will get ALL the 1st and 2nd down work, and MOST of the 3rd down work. There's just no basis for it at all, including last season. Julius has far worse hands than Felix, so why would you expect him to see LESS catches, when last season he saw more than he did the previous year, even though he had the lesser role in the rotation.Plus, Julius and Barber were rotating series. Felix isn't going to be used that way. He is going to be used primarily as a game changing, pass catching, COP back. All that means MORE passes, not less.

Because J. Jones still had some experience and Barber's workload increased as the season went on. You're assuming that Felix will come in and automatically get at least what J. Jones was getting if not more. That's a big assumption, esp. considering that J. Jones was considered the starter and now that role has been given to Barber. While it will likely be a timeshare, the bigger piece of the pie now belongs to Barber, not to Felix replacing JJ. There haven't been any indications yet to suggest otherwise including Jerry Jones naming Barber the starter himself.

 

[FavreCo]

I would project Felix to catch less passes than Julius did. Barber catching the 1st and 2nd downs AND some 3rd down passes. All that changes with a Barber injury obviously. Barber/Jones 66 last year. But Barber still gets the majority. Heck that is one guy that should not be out of the game. Nobody runs like he does.

If that was reality, then there was no reason for the Boys to draft Jones. You're clearly not looking at things from an unbiased angle at all.There's no reason to think Barber will get ALL the 1st and 2nd down work, and MOST of the 3rd down work. There's just no basis for it at all, including last season. Julius has far worse hands than Felix, so why would you expect him to see LESS catches, when last season he saw more than he did the previous year, even though he had the lesser role in the rotation.Plus, Julius and Barber were rotating series. Felix isn't going to be used that way. He is going to be used primarily as a game changing, pass catching, COP back. All that means MORE passes, not less.

We'll see. Want to talk bias? Jerry Jones picking the guy. There's your bias. All Felix Jones will do is spell Barber. That's it. Barring injury, he is a spot 3rd down back. When it's 3rd and 1 who do you think is going to be in there? Seriously. And when they fake the run the only RB that will be in there to possibly catch it is Barber. I'm not bias in the least. I don't own Barber and I hate the cowboys. Jones will be in on a releif series here and there and on SOME 3rd and longs.

 

[FavreCo]

I would project Felix to catch less passes than Julius did. Barber catching the 1st and 2nd downs AND some 3rd down passes. All that changes with a Barber injury obviously. Barber/Jones 66 last year. But Barber still gets the majority. Heck that is one guy that should not be out of the game. Nobody runs like he does.

If that was reality, then there was no reason for the Boys to draft Jones. You're clearly not looking at things from an unbiased angle at all.There's no reason to think Barber will get ALL the 1st and 2nd down work, and MOST of the 3rd down work. There's just no basis for it at all, including last season. Julius has far worse hands than Felix, so why would you expect him to see LESS catches, when last season he saw more than he did the previous year, even though he had the lesser role in the rotation.Plus, Julius and Barber were rotating series. Felix isn't going to be used that way. He is going to be used primarily as a game changing, pass catching, COP back. All that means MORE passes, not less.

Because J. Jones still had some experience and Barber's workload increased as the season went on. You're assuming that Felix will come in and automatically get at least what J. Jones was getting if not more. That's a big assumption, esp. considering that J. Jones was considered the starter and now that role has been given to Barber. While it will likely be a timeshare, the bigger piece of the pie now belongs to Barber, not to Felix replacing JJ. There haven't been any indications yet to suggest otherwise including Jerry Jones naming Barber the starter himself.

Dude gets it. What he said and what I said after him.

 

[FavreCo]

Now with that said, back to the regularly scheduled Kevin Smith show.....

 

[switz]

I would project Felix to catch less passes than Julius did. Barber catching the 1st and 2nd downs AND some 3rd down passes. All that changes with a Barber injury obviously. Barber/Jones 66 last year. But Barber still gets the majority. Heck that is one guy that should not be out of the game. Nobody runs like he does.

If that was reality, then there was no reason for the Boys to draft Jones. You're clearly not looking at things from an unbiased angle at all.There's no reason to think Barber will get ALL the 1st and 2nd down work, and MOST of the 3rd down work. There's just no basis for it at all, including last season. Julius has far worse hands than Felix, so why would you expect him to see LESS catches, when last season he saw more than he did the previous year, even though he had the lesser role in the rotation.Plus, Julius and Barber were rotating series. Felix isn't going to be used that way. He is going to be used primarily as a game changing, pass catching, COP back. All that means MORE passes, not less.

Because J. Jones still had some experience and Barber's workload increased as the season went on. You're assuming that Felix will come in and automatically get at least what J. Jones was getting if not more. That's a big assumption, esp. considering that J. Jones was considered the starter and now that role has been given to Barber. While it will likely be a timeshare, the bigger piece of the pie now belongs to Barber, not to Felix replacing JJ. There haven't been any indications yet to suggest otherwise including Jerry Jones naming Barber the starter himself.

I didn't say Barber wouldn't get the larger piece of the pie. But to say "Barber catching the 1st and 2nd downs AND some 3rd down passes" implies Jones will see at best , very limited work in the passing game, and only on third downs. And as much as the Barber love-fest is out of control on these boards, to assume Jones is only going to see limited work and only on third downs goes against history and everything the coaches have said. I don't think Felix will see as many rushing attempts as Julius had, but definitely more receptions.

 

[FUBAR]

Normally yes on dumpoffs. That's how Frank Gore gets so many. I wouldn't bank on Vince Young dumping it off. He will run instead. Total catches by RB's in Tenn last year 46 split amongst 3 RBs. That's less than 3 a game. Chris Johnson will not change that.

He was throwing to Lendale and Chris Henry. Johnson is a far superior pass catcher.

They wouldn't have drafted Johnson if they weren't planning on throwing to him. (seems weird to say about a RB, but it's the truth here)I'd be shocked if Johnson didn't get an average of 4 receptions per game (that he plays in), at least.My list:1. McFadden2. Mendenhall3. Stewert4. Johnson5. Smith6. Jones7. Forte

 

[switz]

We'll see. Want to talk bias? Jerry Jones picking the guy. There's your bias.

That's all the bias needed to know that Jones will get a ton of work, especially in situations where he can make the greatest impact. Whatever...Both Johnson and Jones are far more valuable in PPR leagues than Smith.

 

[ThePittbully]

Just about every Matt Millen pick outside of the first round (and even some in the first round) have been absolutely terrible. All of them. I want no one in a Lions uniform on my fantasy team

 

[gianmarco]

We'll see. Want to talk bias? Jerry Jones picking the guy. There's your bias.

That's all the bias needed to know that Jones will get a ton of work, especially in situations where he can make the greatest impact. Whatever...Both Johnson and Jones are far more valuable in PPR leagues than Smith.

Is that for 2008? Because I'll take that wager....

 

[FavreCo]

Normally yes on dumpoffs. That's how Frank Gore gets so many. I wouldn't bank on Vince Young dumping it off. He will run instead. Total catches by RB's in Tenn last year 46 split amongst 3 RBs. That's less than 3 a game. Chris Johnson will not change that.

He was throwing to Lendale and Chris Henry. Johnson is a far superior pass catcher.

They wouldn't have drafted Johnson if they weren't planning on throwing to him. (seems weird to say about a RB, but it's the truth here)I'd be shocked if Johnson didn't get an average of 4 receptions per game (that he plays in), at least.My list:1. McFadden2. Mendenhall3. Stewert4. Johnson5. Smith6. Jones7. Forte

64 receptions..........as a rookie......... on a team that can't muster up 50 receptions a year out of their entire backfield? If you are that high (ranked #4) on him, you are betting for sure that he is playing in all 16 games thus 64 catches is your opinion. I'll say that he plays in all 16 games. That I will say. Also, I'll say 25 rec. at best.

 

[FavreCo]

We'll see. Want to talk bias? Jerry Jones picking the guy. There's your bias.

That's all the bias needed to know that Jones will get a ton of work, especially in situations where he can make the greatest impact. Whatever...Both Johnson and Jones are far more valuable in PPR leagues than Smith.

Is that for 2008? Because I'll take that wager....

I'll take it too. Especially Johnson. I cannot beleive people think that guy is going to do anything of fantasy value as a RB.

 

[FavreCo]

Just about every Matt Millen pick outside of the first round (and even some in the first round) have been absolutely terrible. All of them. I want no one in a Lions uniform on my fantasy team

I say that about Tennessee and Miami among others. You can only dream of having Calvin Johnson I guess. I'd take Kevin Smith all day long with the 4th dynasty pick.