Alter vs. Centerville
Beckett Park nearly finished
Marshall vs. Valley View
Views on Smith's NFL value vary
Sunday, January 14, 2007
From high praise to stinging criticism, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith is getting plenty of both from NFL scouts in the wake of the Buckeyes' 41-14 loss to Florida in the BCS Championship Game.
Smith's poor performance didn't help his draft status.
Extras
"But he hasn't totally blemished himself," said Vince Newsome, assistant director of pro personnel for the Baltimore Ravens. "I still think he has some work to do as far as preparation and showing us all the things about him. But basically, it's what you do on the field."
Gil Brandt, senior analyst for NFL.com, said Smith compares favorably to Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints. Both are 6 feet tall with strong arms. Brandt sees Smith going late in the first round of the NFL draft.
Jerry Jones, who publishes The Drugstore List of draft prospects, said Smith's performance against Florida "hurt him. It may knock him out of (round) one."
The beauty of the NFL draft is that it only takes one of 32 teams to fall in love with a prospect. The Ravens and Carolina Panthers are among the teams interested in Smith.
"There has to be caution about how quickly you expect that guy to be a starting-level — and good — NFL quarterback, based upon what he's coming from and based upon the most competitive game he played," Cincinnati Bengals scout Greg Seamon said. "Name the great NFL quarterbacks that have come out of Ohio State's systems? There haven't been any."
Key dates for Troy Smith
Jan. 21-27: Senior Bowl week, Mobile, Ala.
Feb. 21-27: NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis
TBA: Ohio State Pro Day, Columbus
April 28-29: NFL Draft, New York
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By dpnana
February 2, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
If anyone played a “powder puff” schedule in college, it would be Brady Quinn before Troy Smith. I like Brady, but Troy has won more big games than Quinn has, including beating Notre Dame last bowl season. With his skills, character, and work ethic, Troy will do well in the NFL regardless of which round he goes in. I’m sure Greg Seamon is unfamiliar with the concepts of “work ethic” and “character”, so his professional opinion doesn’t impress me much.
By Danny
February 1, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Its funny how people knock on Troy after the national title game. I cant think of any other sports out there when a team has to wait almost two months to play for the title. that is just insane. Its funny how everyone talks so much about the south and how good they are especially when they get blown out by the north 27-0. Where was Chris Leak that day? Funny how everyone hated him then thought he was a god and now he is a nobody once again. At least people in columbus stay behind their QB.
By Scooter
January 26, 2007 05:51 PM | Link to this
Any team in the NFL would be lucky to get Troy smith on their team! not every team can brag that even their waterboy has won a Heisman!He will be an excellent waterboy. 41-14. He looked like he never played a game of football in his life. I can’t wait to watch him scramble his way though the sidelines with that bottle tucked beneath his arm! Remember Troy, protect the bottle!
By MN
January 25, 2007 04:57 PM | Link to this
The Bengals scout can stop trashing Troy or OSU. Troy has more character than the Bengals can hope to have…how many of their players are in trouble with the Law this season….I fully agree, if Brady Quinn who chickened out for the Senior Bowl, is the second best QB (maybe his stock would have gone down when pitted against the best) maybe the NFL should just lay it simple…we will pick any QB who is white irrespective of his achievements on the field!Brady has not WON any big Game! Stop
By Scott
January 25, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Greg Seamon is a joke. To say that the “overhyped Heisman-winning quarterback who would flop in the NFL or not make it at all” is crazy. He was 25-3 as a starting QB, 3-0 against Michigan and set a number of records at Ohio State. I hope Troy does very well and rubs it in to the Bengals every time he plays against them.
By Bryan, Lithia, FL
January 19, 2007 05:58 PM | Link to this
I think Smith will be a good pro. He had one bad game. Big deal. Name me a QB who hasn’t had a bad game. Peyton Manning has had plenty of bad games but everyone considers him the best QB in football. Personnaly is Troy has one bad game out of every 5 then I would take it.
By kenny j.
January 19, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Troy need a good NFL mentor that is a proven Vet, like a Steve McNair and Ray Lewis. His football natrual abilities can land him a job in the NFL. To put the lost on him is unfair, the lost goes to the whole team (even coaches). First round or last round who cares as long as he goes to try-out(s) a do his best. Let me warn all of you now….we have this same conversation next year about our Greg Ogden his draft status. That’s just the nature of the beast, right?
By edmond
January 19, 2007 09:46 AM | Link to this
Troy will do well in the NFL, he has leadership, a great arm, people tend to forget he was 25-2 as a starter before the flordia game. His line didnt show up, neither did the defensive backs, and Ted Ginn goes down, and you bums put it all him.
By mark
January 19, 2007 05:05 AM | Link to this
When Troy steps back from the threads and the limos he will become a first round draft choice. If he continues to live the high life like he did before the NCG then the 3rd round awaits.
By ryan
January 19, 2007 02:24 AM | Link to this
It truly is a shame that most of the people who are saying that Smith’s stock went down are some of the same idiots who whwn he won the Heisman were saying he was a high first rounder. The one thing is nobody really knows except Troy himself. If he goes to the NFL and works as hard as he did at Ohio State the past two years and studies film he will be an excellent NFL guy. I think the most true post I have seen is how can you say Brady Quinn is a top guy he beat average teams in college.
By mac
January 18, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this
Give the guy justice. He spent the whole night running for his life,he never had a chance. His line was beaten all night. He proved his self all year long and will be a winner in the NFL.
By Tom
January 18, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
If Troy is drafted by the right team, like Baltimore, he will have a great pro career. He is too much of a competitor not to. The only thing that would kill his pro career would be getting drafted by Oakland.
By Bob
January 18, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Troy will go first round. His height (6’0”) is short by NFL standards. While his passing has improved, no one thinks of him as a big passing threat. The thing one says is, “He makes the plays/throws he needs to make.” But in the NFL, making throws requires greater accuracy. Troy might be tried as a “slash” type player (i.e. Cordell Stewart), but I don’t think he’s fast enough to line up at wide receiver. He might just be a good college QB.
By Fan
January 18, 2007 09:45 AM | Link to this
Powder puff….nice!!! After the season they had, he has 1 bad game and he gets trashed. This is why kids and young men/women think if they are not perfect, they are worthless. What a pathetic world we live in.
By don coon
January 18, 2007 09:45 AM | Link to this
as I was watching the game it looks as if the offenice line didn,t show up to blay. and no one could excel at their position , weather it be joe montana . tom brady or payton mannaing . don coon
By FAN
January 18, 2007 09:39 AM | Link to this
Powder-puff schedule…nice! With the great season he had now everyone acts like he is washed up because he had 1 bad game.
When OSU went undefeated all season we were proud but if they are not perfect we’re out…right?
What if he were your son would you like the sudden hatred?
What a pathetic world we live in.
By Walt
January 18, 2007 06:42 AM | Link to this
Smith should do well if he gets on with a good NFL team who happen to play a “powder puff” schedule.
By JJ
January 18, 2007 05:45 AM | Link to this
If Smith can avoid character issues and get the right coaching, he could be a worthwhile 3-4th round pick.
By Craig
January 18, 2007 01:59 AM | Link to this
If the value of a quarterback is how he plays in big games, how can anyone mention Brady Quinn as a top pick in the draft? Is there a big game he has won in college? Has he beaten Ohio State, a “good” Michigan team? It amazes me how a player can win all of these awards as the top collegiate player and lose all of his value when he has a poor game while losing his top receiver (and first round draft pick). Troy Smith is a winner who did not answer the challenge for one game- period.