The CheckerBoard

I don't understand how a tweener who started his sophomore year can be labeled a 'major disapointment.'

Also, the media reports on him have been that he is a hard worker with a good attitude, so not really sure the reason to speculate negatives.

Just my two cents, but it clicks with different players at different times, and there is no need getting down on someone who it hasn't clicked for yet. He's not getting in trouble with the law, he's not coming in out of shape, and he was a huge asset during his recruitment, I hope it works out for him.

Well, he was pretty bad last year. He started many games more out of necessity than having earned it on a competitive team, IMO.

By all accounts, he's a very good kid, no one is bashing him. I don't think it's unreasonable to be disappointed by his performance on the field given the hype and expectations around him (not only from HS, but remember Chuck Smith's proclamations!). He still has a real shot to have it click and turn into the player we all hoped/expected he would be. Having it click in the junior year would certainly not be unusual, especially on the DL.

At the end of the day, the Jack position is a high priority position in Sal's scheme and seems almost tailor made for Smith's physical talents (size etc). If he doesn't produce some real results this year, unfortunately the next man will be up quickly.

+1 for a nice difference of opinion here

He's still listed as starter at JACK so he's doing something right.

Maybe it's because in this defense he doesn't have to be unbelievable to be good, I remember during the draft process people being alittle down on Upshaw because he rarely had to fight to get in the backfield since the scheme would already have the blockers taken care of, isn't Smith playing the same position? I could be wrong, just a thought, plus no news is good news right lol

Hope this is right.

In the 34, the OLB still needs to "set the edge" in run defense, like a 43 DE does. I felt like this was a major issue for Smith last year. How many times did he get sucked inside and let the runner get to the corner far too easily...