(07-01-2021, 03:37 PM)willieFANderson Wrote: If anything, Zac’s drafting has centered around pure utility  (i.e. tailor play call to position strengths rather than fitting player into offense). It is a very money-ball strategy: Sample, Carmen, and others are not well rounded players but parts of their skill set are elite. D’Ante Smith might fit into that group - when I watch his film I see an undersized but mobile player. My question is how will he be used in this offense and can he play?

(07-01-2021, 06:39 PM)Synric Wrote: I was a big fan of D'Ante Smith through the process after the seeing him work at the Senior Bowl. Everyone will mention his weight and  functional strength (especially the lower half) and those are things he needs to work on in a red shirt year... but in an NFL weight training and nutrition program I'm less worried about those issues over his others.

D'Ante Smith has a disconnect between his upper and lower halves. His body control is atrocious that has alot to do with his very wild technical skills as he is all over the place with his feet and hands. He tends to play with his shoulders over his feet which as we have seen leads to very bad things.

There are some excellent traits about Smith that he does being to the table. Outstanding Length matches by a perfect 6'5 height which is thr perfect build of an offensive linemen. He is very long but isnt overly tall giving away leverage. My favorite quality is he is very aggressive yes he needs to work on his strength but he's a DOG that wants to remove his assignments from the play. 

For D'Ante Smith the sky is the limit but he has to have that drive to get better. 

(07-01-2021, 03:37 PM)willieFANderson Wrote: If anything, Zac’s drafting has centered around pure utility  (i.e. tailor play call to position strengths rather than fitting player into offense). It is a very money-ball strategy: Sample, Carmen, and others are not well rounded players but parts of their skill set are elite. D’Ante Smith might fit into that group - when I watch his film I see an undersized but mobile player. My question is how will he be used in this offense and can he play?

(07-01-2021, 11:01 PM)Murdock2420 Wrote: Seen projections that he may be able to start year 3 if he can clean up some issues and put on weight. Honestly, he reminds me alot of Jake Fisher with slightly longer arms.

(07-02-2021, 01:07 AM)Bengal Dude Wrote: I see Smith being a game day inactive this year, or active with no snaps. Then I can see him being part of a competition for a starting spot next season. 

(07-02-2021, 10:50 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Interesting comparison.  And what could Fisher have become if he didn't have the heart issue?  

(07-02-2021, 10:54 AM)TJ528 Wrote: My question is though can you really hide him this year on a depleted line already of talent?  

If people think this draft pick was made for future seasons you can't just let him sit on the roster and not play.  

The kid is on the roster and if he has to play and he fails then he becomes Michael Jordan. 

It's the NFL.  It's sink or swim.  They aren't paying him to just sit on the bench. 

(07-02-2021, 10:59 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I hear a lot of what you are saying, but for a premium position like tackle (Ramczyk just signed a 5 year, $90 million dollar extension to play RT) it is worth it.  They also invested a fourth round pick on him.  I don't think they will risk him on the PS, especially with Adeniji out for the season already.  

Fred Johnson is still the first tackle off the bench (and please keep him away from the guard position), and Smith would be the second, most likely.  I don't think you move Carman outside and stunt his development at the RG spot. 

(07-02-2021, 10:50 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Interesting comparison.  And what could Fisher have become if he didn't have the heart issue?  

(07-02-2021, 11:03 AM)TJ528 Wrote: I always thought that the defensive side of the ball was the biggest issue on this team, but the more i look at the deficiencies I think its the OL. 

If you have 2 injuries on that OL you're pretty much screwed, and we both know that a minimum of 2 injuries are going to happen on that line this year.  

You do not have years where the OL stays 100% healthy especially with players already on the OL who have injury backgrounds.  

To keep JB upright this we best hope whoever is drawing up the game plans decide to run the ball more than last year.  Otherwise it may get ugly again.  

(07-02-2021, 04:38 PM)fredtoast Wrote: All 4th round picks are a "project" in some respect.  Less than half of them become starters.

I'd rather take a chance on a guy who needs to get bigger than a guy with serious injury issues.

(07-01-2021, 07:09 PM)ezekiel23 Wrote: (If) Smith has the motivation to really work hard at becoming bigger and stronger he might have a chance in the NFL.With D Ante,there are good things,and there are bad,as far as playing at the NFL level.I think he’s somewhat of a gamble.But overall I like the pick.Risky,but has has the potential to be really good.