Anthony Smith maturing?

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

I still think that if Smith was as big a discipline problem as people keep making him out to be, he'd be gone by now. I don't think LeBeau, or Tomlin for that matter, have the time or the inclination to play babysitter.

I gotta say I agree.

After all, if they put their starting NT on the PUP list because he simply failed the run test... if they let their starting LG go because he is a locker-room cancer among other things... if they let Porter go because of a HINT of a hold-out...

Does ANYONE think they would hold on to a second string player who completely and repeatedly disrespects coaches?

Oh, and by the way... I was one of the harshest critiques of him last year when he don't show up to a signing because of money. This isn't about drinking the kool-aid. it is about being honest with assessments.

[Steeldude]

if they let their starting LG go because he is a locker-room cancer among other things... if they let Porter go because of a HINT of a hold-out..

IMO, faneca was more of a price tag problem and porter was more of a washed-up problem with a better LB waiting in the wings.

i like smith's aggressiveness, but he needs to learn that there is a lot more to football than trying to see how hard you can hit someone. other than a handful of hard hits, i haven't really seen anything positive from him on the field. i still think he would be suited as a SS.

Does ANYONE think they would hold on to a second string player who completely and repeatedly disrespects coaches

they could be tolerating him because they aren't sure of clark's health yet or perhaps his upside outweighs his poor attitude for the moment.

oh well, whatever the case may be i hope he does better in coverage this season and keeps his mouth shut

[Preacher]

Originally Posted by Steeldude

IMO, faneca was more of a price tag problem and porter was more of a washed-up problem with a better LB waiting in the wings.

i like smith's aggressiveness, but he needs to learn that there is a lot more to football than trying to see how hard you can hit someone. other than a handful of hard hits, i haven't really seen anything positive from him on the field. i still think he would be suited as a SS.



they could be tolerating him because they aren't sure of clark's health yet or perhaps his upside outweighs his poor attitude for the moment.

oh well, whatever the case may be i hope he does better in coverage this season and keeps his mouth shut

On that... we completely agree!

[Blah! Blah! Blah!]

I don't know a whole lot about the Steelers chemistry or leadership but it would seem to me that if he is really a problem then the team/veterans should put him in line and hold him accountable. To me that would come across as a more powerful statement than having the coaches having to spend time babysitting and dealing with the BS IF he is truly a problem. I also think that the leaders/veterans putting players and their teammates in line and holding them accountable goes a long way in developing the team. Again I do not know a whole lot about the Steelers leadership or chemistry etc.

[GBMelBlount]

Originally Posted by Steeldude

they could be tolerating him because they aren't sure of clark's health yet or perhaps his upside outweighs his poor attitude for the moment.

oh well, whatever the case may be i hope he does better in coverage this season and keeps his mouth shut

I feel smith has potential and certainly would like to give him another year or two to hopefully improve his play and mature. I really like his attitude, he just needs to be a little more controlled and focused at times imo.

[BlastFurnace]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

Yep, and it's coming from a pretty dubious source from where I'm sitting:



OK, so somebody told somebody else that A. Smith "waved off" LeBeau. What does that mean, exactly? Maybe Smith pulled up short during the play and LeBeau began heading in his direction to see if he was hurt and/or offer assistance and Smith made a 'waving off" gesture to indicate he was OK. But no, everybody has to assume the worst and that Smith was being insubordinate, and I still say these assumptions are being made based largely, if not entirely, on his performance in the Patriots game.

The person I read this from was Dale Lolley, who happens to attend Steelers camp every day. Dale, from years of reading his material, is a very good and reliable source.