| Professional Football Moderated. NFL, CFL, NFLE, Arena, Arena2, former Buckeyes all fair game. |
05-11-2006, 03:17 PM
|
 |
Lets go Bucks and Steelers
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 124
Points: 2,201.70
Bank: 0.22
Total Points: 2,201.92
|
|
|
Jimmy Smith says good bye
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jimmy Smith, one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, has decided to retire.
Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who overcame several health problems and a drug addiction during his 13 seasons, scheduled a news conference Thursday with the Jacksonville Jaguars to announce the decision.
The 37-year-old receiver led the Jags with 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns last season. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th in receiving yards. He has more receptions than every receiver in the Hall of Fame, and only Marvin Harrison has more catches and yards receiving than Smith since 1996.
Smith contemplated retirement during the offseason, but Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio asked him to take his time and be sure he was making the right choice. His announcement came a day before the team opened a three-day minicamp.
Smith's longevity was surprising -- even to him -- especially considering what he overcame.
In 2001, he had three operations to remove scar tissue from his abdomen. Some questioned whether he would play again, but he caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards despite being arrested in November that year for suspicion of drunken driving. Tests later revealed he had cocaine in his system. He vehemently denied using the drug.
He was suspended for the first four games of the 2003 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He then publicly acknowledged an addiction and spent several weeks in rehab.
He had other issues early in his career, too.
The third receiver selected in the 1992 draft behind Desmond Howard and Carl Pickens, Smith broke his leg and missed most of his rookie season. In 1993, he needed an emergency appendectomy and suffered through infection and stomach problems. He missed the entire year. He didn't play in 1994, either, after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.
In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother sent coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him earn a tryout.
He made the most of his chance and set receiving records that could be hard to break.
|
05-11-2006, 03:37 PM
|
 |
Throwback
Moderator
|
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 7,687
Points: 4.13
Bank: 0.00
Total Points: 4.13
|
|
|
To me Jimmy Smith is the poster child for the "modern" ultra-pass-oriented era. He was no doubt a good player, and I want to take nothing away from him, and I hope he enjoys retirement. But he put up some gaudy numbers in an era where everyone has basically put up some gaudy numbers. Does anyone think "top 10 receivers of all-time" when thinking about Smith? Is he even in that conversation? What about top 20?
I think that football, like baseball, basically is about eras, and there is no doubt that Smith was one of the better receivers of this era. However, I don't think his inflated numbers put him in the class of guys like Don Hutson, John Stallworth, and Raymond Berry by any stretch. To me he's a good player...nothing more.
__________________
"When I'm gone, I'd like to be known as the best offensive lineman that ever lived." ---Jim Parker
"Jim Parker was the greatest offensive lineman I ever coached. I'm not sure there has ever been a better offensive guard. He was everything an offensive lineman should be."---Woody Hayes
|
05-11-2006, 03:43 PM
|
 |
The Wolverines!!
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 15,868
Points: 5,442,123.11
Bank: 0.00
Total Points: 5,442,123.11
|
|
|
He's no Art Monk, that's for goddamn sure!
|
05-11-2006, 06:53 PM
|
 |
You probably don't think I'm a very nice guy...
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,920
Points: 156.89
Bank: 795.80
Total Points: 952.69
|
|
Good riddance!
"Didn't you have him?"
"No, I thought he was yours!"
"Beats me"
Smith: "Heh heh heh heh" |
05-12-2006, 12:30 AM
|
 |
Boom Goes the Dynamite
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,037
Points: 103.05
Bank: 0.00
Total Points: 103.05
|
|
|
Hall of Fame, or not?
__________________
Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here.
|
05-12-2006, 12:37 AM
|
|
You probably don't think I'm a very nice guy...
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,920
Points: 156.89
Bank: 795.80
Total Points: 952.69
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ScarletBlood31
Hall of Fame, or not?
|
Not even close.
In about 10 years, getting 500-600 catches won't mean a damn thing. Heck, look at Andre Rison's career stats.
It's amazing how many people whine about the case of Art Monk just b/c of his aggregate stats. Monk rarely was in the top 5 in any major statistic in any year and was almost never considered the top player at his position during his career. |
05-12-2006, 12:45 AM
|
|
Boom Goes the Dynamite
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,037
Points: 103.05
Bank: 0.00
Total Points: 103.05
|
|
|
I agree. There is talk about him having a shot at the hall, but I think he will always be remembered as a "good" player, but not a "great" one.
__________________
Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here.
|
05-12-2006, 02:06 AM
|
|
Throwback
Moderator
|
|
|
| | |
