KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It was a year ago at this time Rob Smith prepared for his first start in the NFL. But after what he thought was a bright future with the Cleveland Browns, the former University of Tennessee offensive lineman found himself without a job before the start of the regular season this year.
Thinking there was no doubt he'd have another shot at the NFL, Smith kept himself in shape while working as a volunteer assistant football coach at Campbell County High School in Alexandria, Ky., not far from where he attended Highlands High School.
"I was actually kind of enjoying that and I was hoping to get picked back up," said Smith, who started 24 of his 33 career games with the Vols.
Then the call came from the Kansas City Chiefs. They signed him Oct. 30 to their practice squad where he has remained since, mainly as the scout team center.
"I'm not a starter, so my job is to go out there and do the best I can and give the defense the best look they have," said Smith. "That's my role."
Most of Smith's starts in his senior season at UT were at center though he also shifted to guard on several occasions. His only start with the Browns (Dec. 31, 2006), with whom he signed as an undrafted free agent, was at left guard to replace starter Joe Andruzzi and back-up former UT standout Cosey Coleman. Both were injured and seeming next in line was Cleveland's fourth-round draft pick in '06, Isaac Sowells. But Smith got the nod.
"I just kind of outworked him (Sowells) throughout the year and beat him out," said Smith, who spent the first 11 weeks of his rookie season on the Browns practice squad before they activated him Nov. 28, 2006.
Smith thought he had a job locked up this year as the Browns back-up center.
"I had a great (training) camp," said Smith, who added that he snapped the ball with the Browns' first offensive unit a few times.
As a victim of the Browns final cut, Smith was left disappointed.
It appears that Smith would have a shot at competing for the center job with the Chiefs due to the uncertain future of incumbent Casey Wiegmann, a 12-year veteran. Wiegmann, an undersized center who fit former coach Dick Vermeil's style of offense better with his mobility, may be close to retirement.
At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Smith is more of a prototype for the smash mouth offense that Chiefs coach Herm Edwards prefers.
"They (the Chiefs) tell me I'm doing good, but you really don't know for sure in all honesty," said Smith.
At UT, Smith has noticed the change in the type of offensive linemen that offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe seeks in his offense.
"It's nothing like when I was there," said Smith. "It's a completely different offense. The offensive lineman are a lot smaller, a lot more built for quick pass blocking. When I was there, I was by far the smallest and I was 310 when I was there."
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Comments » 17
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
A nice parting shot at Cutcliffe to close out the article.
Ironcity writes:
Not a shot at Coach Cut just stating the obvious. I think Smith wishes he had Adkins and Cut as his coaches instead of Stephens. If anything he cracks on all the fools that post hear and complain our offense hasn't changed in 20 years.
Southland writes:
okay smart boy from Iron City tell me us how much we have changed. Smaller and faster-same plays-big deal and if Iron City is the one I know about I would not even tell folks I was from there
chrisw2967 writes:
Ironcity:you were suppose to say no to drugs , you moron.
slambob2#228938 writes:
Wow, the bitter parade started early.
Chill, life is good.
Ironcity, I think you're probably right.
auttat writes:
Didn't Smith leave after his Junior year cause he was ticked that they fired Sanders?
Ironcity writes:
I expected to be cracked on but I never thought people would take a run at where I came from. As for changes in the offense let me list them for you:
No fullback
Two tight ends
Throwing to the tight end often
No option (QB incapable of runnng the play)
More traps (Hard for some of you smart guys 3rdtenn to tell).
Lack of throwing downfield (I wish this wasn't the case).
Higher pass to rush ratio
More of a run and shoot look then a pro set
Yes the offense has evolved. I am not sure its better then it was but it is what it is. I believe coach Cut changed the offense to fit his QB who had a confidence issue, poor downfield throwing mechanics and limited mobility. He had virtully no fullbacks on the roster so he used the H Back. I can agree that from game to game the plays look the same but if you watched any team every week you will eventually start to notice a predominent use of about a dozen plays.
So next time you guys want to crack on me or where I was born, come with some information instead of a blanket vague statements.
Brama writes:
When Smith was here our lineman may have weighed 340 lbs but they could not move 5 yds. Cutcliff realizes that you need to have quicker more althetic lineman who can block for screens and sweeps etc.
Hunter writes:
I thought Smith left early as well....
TnVolFaninSmyrna writes:
Smith left early in part to Sanders leaving, but don't forget Jimmy Ray Stephens was part of the coaching purge as well. That was the main reason I think.
Speaking of Stephens, anyone care to guess where he ended up?
auttat writes:
UT Martin
auttat writes:
No, MTSU
Southland writes:
whew glad you corrected me on our very complex offense and the great changes we have made in the Fulmer years. WE have kept everyone guessing as to what plays we would run from year to year.
vol4jesus writes:
Jimmy Ray(ex gator coach)Stephens was icing on the cake for Smith leaving.
Southland writes:
Iron city You are right I should never have made fun of anyone from Iron City. Anyone that comes from a place with five cut throat beer joints and two dead churches and thats the positive side of the community deserves sympathy, not criticism. Iron City is the place where the riff raff of northeast Bama goes to cut each other up in knife fights. I am deeply sorry
Ironcity writes:
3rd tenn you are relly stupid if you think I came from Alabama. Get your head out of your A@# and think a moment and use some creativity.
orangebloodgmc writes:
I can't disagree with Ironcity and Brama. Our 2005 OL was not impressive, as I recall. I thought they were going to have a great year, but they looked slow at times. On the other hand, that unit was banged up with a lot of injuries that year.
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