Smith lobbying for Browns’ spot

OSU FootballWhile fans of Troy Smith would certainly love to see him go high in the NFL draft, Smith would rather go lower if it would mean being drafted by Cleveland.

“I have dreamed about it and talked about it countless times with my mother,” he said. “All she talks about is saving the Browns. If that were to happen, that would be a dream come true because I could stay in the community and give back.”

While Smith’s return to Cleveland would be a great story, it probably wouldn’t be best for him or for the Browns. The scheme doesn’t fit for his style of play… and scheme is everything in the modern NFL.

More than any other QB, Smith’s type of quarterbacking is most similar to Drew Brees (and not Vince Young, as many try to argue). They’re the same size, have the same strengths & weaknesses, have a very similar throwing motion, run similar offenses, etc.

Brees goes to New Orleans, fits in like a glove, and they make it to the conference championship. That’s what fans of Smith hope for; a team that has a scheme that Troy can “fit into.” I’m not sure Cleveland runs that type of scheme, or will anytime soon.

However, I would very much enjoy seeing Ted(dy) Ginn, Jr. in a Browns uniform. That seems like a better matching of talent and scheme to me.

What do you think?

Link
(HT: Barking Browns)

Comments

  1. I hate it when an athlete say’s “give back to the community”. What the heck does that mean? I think it is something they say because they feel they are expected to say it so they can be humble. I guess if he went to Denver he is not “giving back” to the community?

    I feel the same when a football player kneels down and “prays” in the end zone. What the heck does that mean? Is he thanking God for favoring him over the defensive players? Maybe God has money riding on the game or something? I guess they feel like they have to do it so they can appear humble.

  2. Bobster –

    I think he meant “since the Cleveland community produced me, going back there as a kerbillionaire would allow me to repay them somehow.”

    If you know a little about his history, he was someone who literally came from nothing; living in the Cleveland projects with a drug-addicted mother. He was headed down the path to be another “statistic” until a handful of community leaders took them under his wing & put a football in his hand. It’s one of the more satisfying sports stories, when the troubled kid grows up to meet his potential.

    So, in his case, he can play the “community” card better than most anyone else. 😉

    I TOTALLY agree with you re: the false humility of end zone prayers. The NFL should fine those players.

  3. sportMonkey

    Well…okay. I guess I can give him a pass on the “community” card stuff based on his particular history. I still think one’s family has more to do with “producing” a person and developing his or her skills and morales than a community does but maybe he is the exception. I still say the most athletes say it because they are trying to be humble is some way.

    As for the false humility after a touchdown I agree with you. Maybe if defensive player’s who sack a quarterback or block a pass start going down on a knee to say a quick prayer to God for allowing him to be so awesome and if sacked QB’s started taking a knee to thank God for the trial He delivered to him it would bring this crap into the light. If it happened enough I think the NFL would put a stop to praying after the play as it would become a major distraction to the fans much as excessive celebration was.

  4. Please forgive my sloppiness. I meant to type “…I still say THAT most athletes say it because they are trying to be humble IN some way.

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