Alphonso Smith?

by syrsteelerfan on Apr 23, 2009 11:53 PM EDT Comment 8 comments

I was watching NFL Network tonight, and they showed a segment with Mike Mayock and Brian Billick predicting teams picks. It's a regular segment, and tonight they predicted the Steelers pick.

I've made no secret of the fact that Mike Mayock is my favorite draft guru. I've trusted him since last year, when I was impressed with his NFL.com analysis, he predicted like 8 picks in a row on draft day, and he was proven right about the future success of NFL picks (he loved Matt Ryan, didn't like MacFadden, for example).

Nevertheless, I was suprised to hear him predict Alphonso Smith, CB from Wake Forest as the Steelers pick at 1.32. I've heard a lot about Mack, I think Darius Butler or Hakeem Nicks could fall, and my favorite Steelers beat reporter Jim Wexell both loves Eric Wood.

And it makes a certain amount of sense - especially when you consider this section from the Tomlin / Colbert pre-draft press conference:

Mike, what about the corners and receivers that may be a little shorter than ideal but were really productive in college?

MT: Short in what area?

Height.

MT: You know, there’s no cookie cutter. I’ve always subscribed to that. When you go to Canton and walk those halls, they come in different shapes and sizes. I’m a believer in that. Guys that can play, can play. Guys that are short find ways to compensate for that. If they’re a great player, they do. Guys that are slow compensate for that if they’re great players. I tend to lean on the tape.

"I tend to lean on the tape." Well not only does that sound like the Mike Tomlin we know and love, but going that route could definitely lead you to Alphonso Smith.

After all, as NFL Draft scout says:

Alphonso Smith could be this year’s Flowers. He’s only 5-9 and 193 pounds. But he ran a 4.47 time in the 40. "It’s unfortunate how much people put into the height," Smith said. "The only thing I can say is I make plays and I’m a pretty decent player." Smith showed first-round coverage ability for the Demon Deacons, producing 15 interceptions the past two seasons. Counting pickoffs and passes defended over four years, he got his hands on 72 passes. "You have to be smart," Smith said. "I understood our defense and I knew when I could take chances and when I could not take chances. I was an offensive player my whole life until I got to Wake Forest. So I was used to getting the ball in my hands." Smith is one of the top four cornerbacks in this year’s draft and probably rates as a second-round pick for most teams

Here's NFL Draft Countdown on Smith as well. No doubt he's a gamer. But there's that one small problem:

He's small.

Just 5'9", Smith also isn't a bulky corner. And though aggressive, tough, and an absolute ballhawk, as a Scout said to Jim Wexell, "in 3 years, he'll still be 5'9"."

So I don't know how I feel about this. On one level I'm totally with Coach Tomlin and we've seen the impact of players that were under-rated for physical reasons who go on to make plays. On the other hand, we're talking about first round money, and I can't get that jump ball between Fitzgerald and Ike Taylor in the Super Bowl out of my head.

Does Alphonso Smith make that play because he's more instinctive about getting his hands on the ball? Or does he come nowhere close because, after all... he's 5 foot 9 inches.

What do you think? Would you be dismayed? Thrilled? Accepting if he's BPA? Personally I'm still hoping for Eric Wood, but I'm open to a bunch of other options and completely unsure how I feel about Smith.

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Definitly would not be dissapointed

I think Smith would be great. Just don’t put him on the biggest receiver. I would not be upset if we took a corner in the first. But the line HAS to be addressed soon after. If he is as smart on the field as he claims to be, then Lebeau would love to add him as a weapon that can learn complex blitz schemes. I say go for it if we get the opportunity. 15 picks in 2 years sounds pretty damn good to me. We can have stone hands Ike on the tallest receiver and Alphonso covering the ones he can compete for the ball with. All I know is I’m stoked for Saturday!

by SoCalSteelerFan on Apr 24, 2009 2:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Soooo,

Darius Butler is 5’10"
Vontae Davis is 5’11"

I don’t hear any whining over those two being short. If the other CBs at Smith’s level were over 6 feet tall, then I’d consider their height advantage. But 2 inches? If Smith has superior skill, we take him. Simple as that.

Of course, I wish he had more experience as a return man.

by betelgeuse on Apr 24, 2009 2:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Davis and Butler more than Smith, but he’s definitely deserving of low first, early second round grade. I tend to think that we could get a little more value out of our pick or fill a little bigger need with about the same value (like the centers or Beatty)

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by BadMaafala on Apr 24, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BPA

Smith can play and “they” say he’s the best pure cover CB in this draft, so I’d be okay with him at 1/32. But I don’t know if he’s much better than several other CB’s that should be there in Rd 2, including Sean Smith, Utah (I like this kid) who’s 6’ 3" and might be able to switch to S.

I think we’re overpaying for a guy like Wood at 1/32 – A Caldwell of ’Bama could be just as good …. both those guys should be 2nd rounders.

I’d take Mack, D Robinson or Moala over Wood at 1/32.

by Watty4ever on Apr 24, 2009 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No way

Caldwell is nowhere close to Wood. Nowhere close.

He’s bigger, nastier, and more intelligent. And most importantly, he’s more mobile on a line that’s way too slow.

Duke Robinson, same deal. Big and slow, lost in pass protection, no way is he a first rounder.

Mack i’d take, but my preference is Wood because a) he’s more physical b) he’s a better guard c) he plays with a nasty demeanor. Mack is a bit more of a technician, Wood a brawler. But if Mack was our center of the future, that would be awesome.

by syrsteelerfan on Apr 24, 2009 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs