DJ Smith

[Brandon494]

The backups played two games. Does anybody remember how shitty the ILBs played against the Giants and the fact we gave up 35 points?

The defense as a whole played shitty against the Giants.

[Tarlam!]

The defense as a whole played shitty against the Giants.

There was a lot of confusion in the first quarter; they said the headset wasn't working or something, didn't they? That kinda set the tone for the poor outing. The kids certainly improved against Oakland, though, but Palmer is a statue and Manning proved he is quite mobile.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Its clear that this defense is playing better with hawk out. Following packer fan logic, Hawk > Barnett and Smith > Hawk. Its obvious that Smith simply calls the game better and is a better QB on the field than Hawk...its the only possible explanation.

Excellent point. Hawk has gotten way too much credit and way too much blame. He's always been a decent starting LB.

As the secondary improves, we may have to conclude that Nick Collins was just a guy.

[bobblehead]

I think he played his shortness to his own advantage against Oakland: Palmer thought he could loft one over him with no problem and didn't realize Smith has some jumping ability. I expect him to come up with several picks based on QBs misunderestimating him.

wouldn't misunderestimating him mean that the qb actually didn't underestimate him?

[bobblehead]

Bobble, after Barnett went down last year and Hawk got the headset, we all said the same thing! The defense started playing lights out and we praised Hawk's ability to obviously QBing the defense better.

I am not disagreeing with, BTW, but it has been eating at me all season long.

Yes tarlam, that was my point. Our fans LOVE to come up with wild theories and explanations for them. Some jackass even thought that TT would cut Grant in the preseason due to his overvalued contract that he had leveraged during the Favre fiasco.

[Upnorth]

I would love to see Smith be the player to put Hawk on the bench, but I want to see more action before trading Hawk away. I am a big believer in the team we have, and love to see backups out play the starters, that is developing in house talent and the way that teams like the Steelers have a decade plus of excellence. So are these injury replacements the key to our D's turn around intime for the SB just like last year? As fan I am saying yes!

I know this is about Smith, and he played awesome, but Frenchy proved that his int last week was no fluke. That was a great route read by him, also way to punch out the ball deep in our territory!

[Harlan Huckleby]

wouldn't misunderestimating him mean that the qb actually didn't underestimate him?

I think Hoosier was just making a fuuny word. At least that's the line I'd take if I were him.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I would love to see Smith be the player to put Hawk on the bench

I want to see Francois start playing on passing downs, that will help team more, me thinks. Maybe Smith can earn starting job eventually. That will take a camp battle.

[Deputy Nutz]

I think this injury to Hawk might have been the best thing to happen to him this season. He was playing pretty poor. He was missing too many tackles and not getting off of blocks quick enough. If Bishop can't return this week it will be interesting to see the combination of Hawk and Smith with Hawk wearing the headset. It might free Smith up to make even more plays. Smith and Bishop both play the inside position that is asked to blitz and run free to make plays. Hawk takes the brunt of the blockers and is asked to clean things up. Hawk in a sense has more responsiblity but less playmaking responsiblity. Hawk certainly does need to play better, but I can't in good faith claim that Francois or Smith is a better football player that Hawk. Two games, failing grade in one game passing grade in another. Francois tackles like shit, decent against the Raiders in coverage, but very poor against the Giants.

[Deputy Nutz]

I want to see Francois start playing on passing downs, that will help team more, me thinks. Maybe Smith can earn starting job eventually. That will take a camp battle.

He does play on passing downs, very rarely do they take out linebackers in Dom Capers nickle package.

[ThunderDan]

DJ Smith will take Bishops spot not Hawk's in the defense if he stays permenantly.

[hoosier]

I think Hoosier was just making a fuuny word. At least that's the line I'd take if I were him.

But it loses something when you have to explain it! Of course (note to self) it is also possible it never had it to lose in the first place.

[Zool]

Might be kinda early to compare him after only a few games but DJ Smith reminds me a lot of London Fletcher.

I thought that same thing this weekend. They play a lot alike. That would really be a find if he turned out that good.

[Fritz]

It would not surprise me to see Hawk return and play much better than he has been this week.

Nothing like your understudy turning in a very good performance to tweak your sub-conscious into pushing a little more.

[Brandon494]

It would not surprise me to see Hawk return and play much better than he has been this week.

Nothing like your understudy turning in a very good performance to tweak your sub-conscious into pushing a little more.

I hope so, I hear Hawk was pretty mad about not playing in the Raiders game after they told him he would.