• April 26, 2024

Former Pro Bowler Steve Smith Has Been A Major Disappointment

Has anybody noticed how former New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith has disappeared from sight? The Eagles don’t utilize him for anything. He has been very disappointing.

This former Pro Bowler, who caught over 100 passes in a season, can’t catch the ball cleanly. Every time I see him catch the ball in practice, it’s a double catch.

He doesn’t seem to have enough speed or explosiveness to separate from defenders. The guy can barely get off the line in practice, so he’s been put on the bench and I see no reason that he will leave there any time soon.

I thought he had good hands, but his hands are terrible. I’ve never seen a player look so good for another team, but come here and look terrible.

That drop he had against the Giants was very detrimental to the Eagles. They would have grabbed a lead if he had caught the football.

GCOBB

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scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
October 13, 2011 1:29 pm

G, I think you’re a bit overboard. First you said the Eagles don’t utilize him then says he’s been disappointing. So are they not utilizing him because he’s disappointing or is he disappointing because they are not utilizing one. One faults the player and the other faults the team. You also can’t compare his stats on this team to what he got in New York. He’s the 4 WR on this and up there he was Eli’s #1 option. Also, I thought he wasn’t 100% healthy. Coming off that bad knee injury, who expects a player to return to form so soon? I mean I couldn’t care less about him, but Steve Smith is the least of the Eagles problems. Just the fact you had to go back 3 games for one of his biggest mistakes just proves how much it really matter when our main guys are the ones costing us the games each week. Way overboard on this one.

greenfan
greenfan
October 13, 2011 1:47 pm

Wouldn’t Plaxico have looked better as a signing, compared to the lack of production from Smith?

The Birds problem in the RedZone is every bit as bad as past years. Plax could have provided a tall target as an option instead of trick plays and half-back shovel passes.

andrew p
andrew p
October 13, 2011 1:55 pm

What do you expect from a player that wasnt 100%? I agree with greenfan, Plaxico would of been a way better fit, BTY, does Riley Cooper still play for us? you sure wouldn know it, add his name to the list of failed draft picks picked by our brilliant front office.

Rasheed1
Rasheed1
October 13, 2011 2:01 pm

Steve Smith will be fine… The Eagles need to worry about Maclin, Jackson, and Avant right now…

If the other players are playing well, Steve Smith will fit in..

Maybe its just the fans or the reporting, but the focus seems to be all over the place…

Everybody hates the pickups that they loved 2 months ago, and its getting out of control

fans need to settle down and the team needs to focus on executing the plays..

Im sure Steve Smith can fill a valuable role, once the other players on offense settle down and show some consistency

schiller
schiller
October 13, 2011 3:10 pm

Rasheed – I think the focus is anywhere were fans or in this case, Garry, can (dis)place blame, fault, failure or any other form of their negativity. The team is playing poorly, no doubt. But the fans/media perspective is – let’s find all the problems, everyone, and go – problem, problem problem problem, blame blame blame blame…. it’s ridiculous

schiller
schiller
October 13, 2011 3:12 pm

scorp, you’re right.

Andrew P, plaxico has been up and down himself. And cooper – you expect a lot out of a 4th round pick wide receiver who was 4th and then 5th on the depth chart, not becuase of himself, but becuase there were 3 and 4 good WRs ahead of him? His job was not to surpass jackosn maclin and avant. And have you discounted his special teams contributions entirely? What a typical ignorant negative comment…

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
October 13, 2011 3:21 pm

OK – that’s Rasheed 1 is a paid consultant by the commisioners office to bring reason and sanity to this board – but don’t think I forgot one day you posted to someone you would break there jaw and put them in the ICU – one of the funniest lines ever posted on here

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
October 13, 2011 3:24 pm

Wow – hold on – a quote from that story about Mathis and Kelce and the sign – not from me – clearly – MAthis is a paid Eagle schill ——

Mathis, who has played for the Dolphins, Bengals and Panthers in previous career stops, said, “You don’t know how good you have it around here having Andy as a coach. Andy is a good coach.”

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/Kelce-Mathis-defend-asking-fans-to-remove-sign.html#ixzz1agvnvstp
Watch sports videos you won’t find anywhere else

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
October 13, 2011 3:51 pm

Hmm… there is a report out from shefter that the eagles have offered the broncos a 3rd round pick for Dawkins and LB Dj Williams. I would not mind if there were able to pull that off and bring back a HOF safety whos better than all of the ones on our roster lol and DJ williams is better than all of our LBs… lets see if the broncos are as dumb as i think they are…

andrew p
andrew p
October 13, 2011 4:06 pm

schiller, I love how your making excuses for Cooper by saying he was a 4th round pick, your point? What round was Avant taken in? what does it matter? the bottom line is he was suppose to be our red zone target this year an hasnt even sniffed the field, ask the front office if they drafted him for his special teams play.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
October 13, 2011 4:22 pm

OK Andrew P – re-read the posts so asking very nicely, with Djax, MaClin and Avant in the fold – and Avant is a very highly regarded #3 by all in NFL despite the two problems this WE – when the Eagles drafted Cooper – where di you see him fitting in? What is the criteria that you are using to label him a ‘fail’ is he on the team – yes, does he play, yes, mostly special teams… but the eagle typically keep 5 WRs – he is one of 5 WRs? And Smith is a former pro bowler – so you have 2 pro bowl WRs, a 1st round pick and one of the best slot guys in the NFL – so that makes Cooper a bust? What happens if someone gets hurt?

Keith
Keith
October 13, 2011 4:25 pm

Smith is getting a bad rap. Until the Eagles address their offensive line issues, no one will flourish! Notwithstanding Shady’s contributions, can you name another weapon that’s having a Pro Bowl type of season? We hear Vick on the regular complaining about the protection, in directly, of course. There aren’t many teams playing superb defensively, so the brunt of the Eagles’ success is placed solely on how well they perform offensively. This is an pass- oriented league. There is only one teams who does this on a consistent basis, and that team resided in Wisconsin.

Keith
Keith
October 13, 2011 4:36 pm

Oh, by the way, has anyone heard from Jamal Jackson. He is so inept at grasping the MUDD system, Coach refuses to release him. I WONDER WHY!
I bet the Eagles wished they had a few road graders now! SO DOES VICK!

paulman
paulman
October 13, 2011 4:44 pm

Being a conspiracy Junkie that I am, I thinkg Steve SMith was paid by the Giants to come to PHilly and stir up trouble nad get inside information to funnel back to Caoughlin and the Giants… I think the NFL Commish apporved this too..
Sources overheard S Smith calling Giants OC Kevin Gilbride stating, run and throw the ball at #50 (Matthews) .. this is how you can finally beat the Eagles.
He’s gone after this year as is Ronnie Brown, Vince Young, DCR, Jarrod Page, A Samuel,A Jrodan,J Parker, J Jackson, Devan,T Laws,

paulman
paulman
October 13, 2011 4:50 pm

How about TE Brett Celek.. there’s another dispearring act and I can’t believe Most Philly fans thought this guy was All-Pro material and comparable to Jason Witten.. Are you kiiding me…He’s not even ranked in the Top #25 of TE in the NFl as far as production goes… Stop overrating and overhyping Eagle players..
1 Good season does not make and All-Pro.. playing at a High-Level Consistently

nev856
nev856
October 13, 2011 4:56 pm

aside from the drop againdt giants, i dont think there is an room for him . i kinda think he was brought in for insurance reasons , macklins illness and a possible jackson holdout . he is a one year signing that will probably suceed next year in another system.

Rocko
Rocko
October 13, 2011 6:20 pm

Fire Reid; He is the problem. He never utilizes players correctly and he picks terrible draft picks all around, except for a few players that become play makers. Overall, he’s finished.

2000man
2000man
October 13, 2011 7:00 pm

it takes a while to get our system down , that goes for all players, so smith and nate are almost healthy, look for eagle SB next year, with andy

jott1972
jott1972
October 13, 2011 9:38 pm

what did you expect G? There are not enough footballs to go around…. Roseman only signed Smith to keep him from the Giants.. thats it!! Roseman is a fantasy football GM who is clueless on building a team thru the draft.

larrwd
larrwd
October 13, 2011 10:02 pm

avant is big strong and fast.. and is a late bloomer..hes turning into the best reciever on the team., clay haarbor is improving dramatically also maybe its time for change

paulman
paulman
October 13, 2011 11:13 pm

Avant fast… I am not so sure about that, but hs is strong and uses his body well and is the toughest WR on the team bar none and a good leader/mentor for th young players.. I definintely want to see Harbor get more chances to see if he’s a legitimate TE.. Celek is to slow and old style.. He can run away from coverage and his hands just are not that good any longer.. Clock is ticking , I think Celek is a good guy, good teammate but a spotty blocker and the lack of overall productions the TE position is a weakness with this Team..

BigE
BigE
October 13, 2011 11:27 pm

AVANT DOES NOT HAVE THE SPEED OF MACKLIN AND JACKSON. HE HAS GREAT MOVES AND RUNS PATTERNS WELL AND DOES HAVE DECENT HANDS.

BigE
BigE
October 13, 2011 11:28 pm

STEVE SMITH IS STILL RECOVERING FROM HIS KNEE SURGERY.

DCar
DCar
October 14, 2011 4:00 am

Like I said when they first signed him, it was a needless signing & a waste of $$$. Just as Brown & VY was! Especially when they had dire needs & holes at LB, O-line & safety! FREAKING GENIUS & AWESOME, ROSTER DECISIONS! BRILLIANT!!! BTW, how is Smith a disappointment, when he isn’t even on the field, getting any playing time!? He is a non-entity, right now, not a disappointment. Just saying.

DCar
DCar
October 14, 2011 4:07 am

Navy, thus is another reason why they wasted $$$ on Smith. Already 3 good receivers, & highly regarded/ liked 4th receiver, in Cooper (Reid’s words). You agree? Another example of this teams, inability to properly make roster decisions. This list is so long, of the reasons Reid & his cronies should be gone ASAP, it’s astounding! Arguments, can’t even be made anymore! The past is the past, I agree. That’s why major changes have to be made, to get some greatness & fear back with this team. There are no teams scared of this team anymore. We are a joke & laughing stock in the league.

DCar
DCar
October 14, 2011 4:12 am

2000, SB next year with Reid!!?? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😆 Thank you for that belly & back aching laugh, I’m crying. LMFBO!!! Dude you have to be joking? Please, tell me you’re kidding? 😆

schiller
schiller
October 14, 2011 7:04 am

Dcar – if you agree that the past is the past (as do I), then why cant you move on and stop perseverating over it?

paulman
paulman
October 14, 2011 7:09 am

R Cooper is a 4th/5th WR and a Special Teamer and nothing more..
Put him on the Packers, Patriots, or Saints & Texans and he’s a 50-60 Catch WR but not on the Eagles…They just don’t utilize him properly…
Get D-Jax off the Field in Red-Zone & put Cooper in, Use slants,fade routes where he can use his size… Just another case of ‘not putting players in position to be succesful” on this team…

stillaphan
stillaphan
October 14, 2011 8:14 am

Just a thought: What do you guys think about Herm Edwards as the new HC?

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
October 14, 2011 8:27 am

Stillaphan.

Herm might be the guy..

He knows how to call a game and defense..

Hell, they need to hire Herm and have him bring in Green Bay’s quarterback coach as offensive coordinator.

Give Andy, Juan, Mudd, & Washburn a one way tiicket the hell outta here.

paulman
paulman
October 14, 2011 8:38 am

Coach AR will have 1 more Season (2012) as the entire Staff will..
You bring in a new HC after this season and the 2012 is a whitewash too with all new systems,philosophy,etc,etc,.. QB M Vick does not fit into a traditional offense so you just can’t go out and hire someone who doesn’t run this west-coast,pass-happy type of offense.. Remember the Eagles SIgned Vick to a 5-6 Year $100 Milllion Deal so coach AR/MM & VIck are all tied into this together… I do think they bring in real D/Coordinator for next season and keep Castillo as a LB’s coach and maybe have him down on the field while the “real” is up in the Press-Box watching,calling plays and coverages from up there

andrew p
andrew p
October 14, 2011 8:40 am

navyeagle fan, again, this was the year Cooper was suppose to be Vicks redzone target, what part dont you understand? How is it they used him there last year with the same three guys playing ahead of him and this year he cant even get on the field? Please dont try to tell me because of Steve Smith, if he cant beat him out as bad as hes played so far then that proves my point even more, i’d take Chad Hall over both of them right now.

andrew p
andrew p
October 14, 2011 8:53 am

SONGSRME2, I think theirs only one coach that can come in here with what we got and turn it around, Brian Billick! Think about it, he already coached a guy like Vick by the name of Randall Cunningham and made him a complete QB, he won a SB with Trent Dilfer as his QB, TRENT DILFER! That shows he can win with just one side of a team playing great, and hes know as a disciplianarian which we need more then anything else on the field rght now, i would definitely have him in the discussion.

stillaphan
stillaphan
October 14, 2011 9:32 am

Brian Billick! Not bad….somebody call Joe Banner! And i think everyone needs to embrace to fact that it’s time for change. I’m sure when they gave Vick that contract “Candy” Reid wasn’t in the plans…..why even wait,,,,,I know what the contract says, but they could fire him. We’re the only team that seems to be putting up with this Non-sense…J. Jackson could help out in the redzone, yet he’s on the bench because MUDD likes smaller lineman? And so could Cooper,…and on Def. did yawl see Buf run 6yrds on a quarterback sneak, because Juan/HC left the middle “wide open”…LOL, come on yawl…..I just named a few things, we all know there are more. Of course missing tackles, fumbles, interceptions are all on the players, but IT”S JUST TIME FOR CHANGE DAMITT!! Everyone on the team is pretty NEW except Cole and J. Jackson….why not the coaches. It’s like hooking up a HD Cable box to a Floor model TV……UP Grade “moronic front office azz chumps”……….Times Yours!

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
October 14, 2011 9:51 am

Bring Ray Rhodes back as Dcord or as a consultant… Andy would never do it and Rhodes probably would decline anyway… but in all honesty, i was thinking that they need to keep juan c as the LB coach and bring in a defensive guy like a mike singletary who runs the 4-3 defense and could even help coach up the LBs big time… mudd will be back and so will washburn if all goes well… And andy will be too, they just need a more experienced guy back there looking over that defense…

schiller
schiller
October 14, 2011 10:03 am

Why does everyone assume that coaches that a retired and some who have been for decades want to come back to work? That blows my mind. And keep in mind, Ray Rhodes coached in an entirely different era of football. I’m not saying he couldn’t do a good job, but what he did and what his area of expertise was in don’t necessarily apply to today’s NFL football…

And andrew p – dude why are you worrying about Riley Cooper? And if the coaches aren’t playing him, that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily not any good.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
October 14, 2011 10:10 am

Schiller….if Riley Cooper is good,why aren’t the coaches playing him?

If Cooper’s good and the coaches believe in his talent why sign Steve Smith from the Giants?

schiller
schiller
October 14, 2011 10:26 am

Songs, to your first question – then the answer would be bad playcalling. Everyone including fans, media, and the coaches themselves have admitted bad redzone playcalling.

To your second question – They’re different players, it’s a way to weaken the Giants, and if Maclin had prolonged issues, and/or Jackson got injured (far fetched, I think not), he’s way better ‘fast, good routerunner’ option for an X or Z (outside) WR.

Come on now, you should know that stuff. You don’t say ‘we’re cool at 1-4 so let’s not improve’ you try to keep inproving.

If you want to say ‘they should’ve gotten a better safety or LB’ well, fine, DUH, but that has nothing to do with Smith/Cooper

stillaphan
stillaphan
October 14, 2011 10:30 am

Well I say keep R. Rhodes where he is….but ***schiller: we “assume that coaches that are retired and some who have been for decades want to come back to work?” because a lot of great coaches never had a team that’s stacked like this Phila Eagles team is. And a “GREAT” coach could win atleast 2 SBs in 5 years with this core! I’m sure there are coaches out there retired or active that would LOVE to coach this team….especially this “D” which has 13 sacks between Babbin and Jenkins alone…..Nnamdi who is NOT being use correctly, DRC & Samuel? Not to mention our offense! They’d come back and coach this team faster than you think!

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
October 14, 2011 10:32 am

Schiller, shouldn’t these coaches be fired for not maximizing talent by bad play calling?

This red zone deficency have been a problem since Mcnabb days.

Do you agree this can be remedied by firing Reid?

schiller
schiller
October 14, 2011 10:35 am

Still – in terms of (all other things aside) this team being an attractive option to an incoming coach – DEFINITELY, I’m right there with you.

But if you are retired and/or have been for a while, you’re old, and you’re done working. Coaching a NFL football team, regardless of their talent, involves a HUGE time/energy commitment. It involves going from not working, to working MORE THAN full time. And older people who are retired have CHOSEN to be retired. You’re not factoring all of that ‘off the field/real life’ stuff….

Hey, I’d love Herm Edwards or any other coach – it’s an attractive idea to bring in a fresh, proven, face who could potentially solve our problems. But it takes two to tango. And ‘tango’ here, isn’t just a short little fun dance. It’s a HUGE commitment and responsibility….

stillaphan
stillaphan
October 14, 2011 10:39 am

schiller: I agree 100%….and when I say retired I mean more like a “Herm Edwards, Billick, Gruden, Jeff Fischer….recent retirees. Even Bill Cowher whom I’ve heard is not interested in returning.

frankdialogue
October 14, 2011 10:47 am

Smith may have recovered from his injury, but a player needs some regular playing to get in a rhythm to really get back to form. He is a good receiver.

While Reid has been taking some much deserved flack, let us also consider the offensive ‘co-ordinator’, Marty Morhinweg. I feel that we also need a change at this spot, as Morhnigweg has not distinguished himself here, IMHO.

Smith is in the Wes Welker mode, a receiver perfect for the classic West Coast offense, yet we have never seen this offense, which is built on slants and medium range passes in rhythm, used to full effect in the Reid era.

schiller
schiller
October 14, 2011 10:50 am

frank and others – when evaluating Smith/Cooper or any WR, you gotta ask – are the line and QB functioning well? If not you’re ignoring what happens before WRs get any attention/do anything worth analyzing. We all know the answer to that question with the Bridz right now. So again – WHY are we talking WRs?!

paulman
paulman
October 14, 2011 12:20 pm

Ray Rhodes was doing some cosulting work for the Seahawks last I heard about 1-2 years ago.. I also read a couple of times where he is not in the best of health (heart issues, I believe) and very unlikely that he would ever return to Coaching in the NFL on a full-time basis…

Butch007
Butch007
October 14, 2011 1:41 pm

New system, no camp, no conditioning leads to a guy that needs time to become an effective player. The Eagles need to keep trying to work that dude into the line-up once he’s ready he’ll be a money receiver again like he was with the gints.