Devin Smith: the Human Torch - Page 2

Direckshun · 03-29-2015, 04:03 AM

http://zonereads.com/?p=2702

The Human Torch: Devin Smith
by vixticator
Posted on March 22, 2015

If you haven’t watched any tape of Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, then you’re in for a treat. He’s preternaturally gifted when it comes to making catches deep down field. In fact, that’s essentially all he does. He only caught 33 passes as a senior, 12 of which were touchdowns, for an average of 28.2 yards per reception. These numbers are meaningless without context. That’s what the game tape is for, and thanks to Draft Breakdown I’ve been able to watch four of them (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Cincinnati).

In the game against Michigan State, Smith makes two beautiful over-the-shoulder catches. On the first play, he starts off standing on the 35-yard line, runs more or less straight down the field, and makes a rather ridiculous reception around at the 20-yard line. I’ll leave the math to you. That’s a big chunk of yards. The most impressive aspect of this play isn’t the speed, but the way he locates the ball midair and plucks it with both hands over his shoulder at an awkward angle. Later in the game he makes this catch for a touchdown. Just another routine over-the-shoulder 45-yard reception. I feel bad for the Michigan State safeties there. That is a touchdown presnap as long as the ball is on target.

You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Wisconsin fans might want to skip this next section.

Touchdown #1 is all about the adjustment to the ball. He locates it in the air when he turns his head, then he gets his body where it needs to be in order to make the catch. He also plays it like a basketball player boxing out his opponent to snare a rebound.
Touchdown #2 is similar to his touchdown in the Michigan State game. This time he gets one-on-one coverage from the slot against a safety. Lamb to the slaughter.
Touchdown #3 is a leaping two-handed grab. Smith’s location, location, location abilities are otherworldly. He didn’t drop a single deep bomb in any of the games I watched.

Alright, so he can catch deep bombs. Can we move on? If this is what you are asking, get the hell out of here. Two more. First, this play against Illinois. This guy Devin Smith sure can make deep over-the-shoulder touchdown catches. To prove he is, in fact, human, watch this play. He… almost didn’t catch it! Throwing the ball in the general direction of Smith and letting him do the rest is a foolproof plan I’m tellin’ ya.

He can do a bit other than run deep routes. Not a lot, mind you, but I have some evidence that he can. For instance, there’s this play where he finds the right spot to sit against zone coverage and runs in for a touchdown. Here he makes a catch over the middle on what appears to be a post route. On this play he just comes to a screeching halt. Even though the quarterback is looking the other way, you still need to try to get open if the play breaks down. And, at least to me, both this and this are poorly run routes.

In order to stay on the field (or become elite), Smith must get better at running short to intermediate routes. He will come in on multiple receiver packages and force the defense to respect his deep game, which opens up space for teammates. His deep game is special even among NFL players. He knows how to locate, and, more importantly, to adjust his body in order to make difficult catches with the ball flying 40+ yards. Over and over again.

If you’re going to be a one-trick pony as a rookie wide receiver, this is the best trick to have up your sleeve. Smith has excellent hands. In the four games I watched, he dropped one pass, and the degree of difficulty on his catches were very high indeed. At the end of the first round, I wouldn’t hesitate to send in his name if I needed some help outside. Are you telling me you don’t want to see Devin Smith catch bombs from Andrew Luck, or Russell Wilson, over the next five or more years? Please.

DJ's left nut · 03-31-2015, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Depends how much of a difference maker or just how good you think a guy can be.

Reaching foe a guy isn't reaching if he fits your system how you want.

You never have any idea how a guy truly fits your system coming out of college. From a pure physical skills standpoint, Tyson Jackson was an absolutely ideal 5-tech in our system; still a shitty pick.

And you're also ignoring Dorsey's MO. If a guy truly is an ideal fit and perfect player for our team, he's going to be the top guy on Dorsey's board anyway and he'll take him.

It's not like Dorsey is working from Kiper's draft board here. If Dorsey or Reid truly believe that Devin Smith is just an amazing talent and scheme fit, he's going to be BPA on Dorsey's board and he'll take him, just like he did with Ford last year ahead of where many people thought he would go.

Personally, I don't think Dorsey's going to fall in love with a WR. Jalen Collins, OTOH, may be exactly that kind of guy. He's not a guy that's looking like an 18th overall pick by consensus, but I could easily see Dorsey deciding that he'll be perfect for this team and taking him anyway.

Essentially you're equating the mythical 'consensus big board' with Dorsey's board and saying that if he really like someone that's a 2nd round pick on said consensus board, why not just take him in the first? Well odds are that he would be a 1st round pick on Dorsey's board and that's who he'll take.

O.city · 03-31-2015, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

You never have any idea how a guy truly fits your system coming out of college. From a pure physical skills standpoint, Tyson Jackson was an absolutely ideal 5-tech in our system; still a shitty pick.

And you're also ignoring Dorsey's MO. If a guy truly is an ideal fit and perfect player for our team, he's going to be the top guy on Dorsey's board anyway and he'll take him.

It's not like Dorsey is working from Kiper's draft board here. If Dorsey or Reid truly believe that Devin Smith is just an amazing talent and scheme fit, he's going to be BPA on Dorsey's board and he'll take him, just like he did with Ford last year ahead of where many people thought he would go.

Personally, I don't think Dorsey's going to fall in love with a WR. Jalen Collins, OTOH, may be exactly that kind of guy. He's not a guy that's looking like an 18th overall pick by consensus, but I could easily see Dorsey deciding that he'll be perfect for this team and taking him anyway.

Essentially you're equating the mythical 'consensus big board' with Dorsey's board and saying that if he really like someone that's a 2nd round pick on said consensus board, why not just take him in the first? Well odds are that he would be a 1st round pick on Dorsey's board and that's who he'll take.

I'm referencing the fact that there isn't necessarily a reach in that each teams board is gonna be set different.

The Jackson pick was just a bad pick from a value standpoint all around.

O.city · 03-31-2015, 01:28 PM

I also tend to think they'll go cb in the first as we seem to be sitting right in the sweet spot for them.

I don't know which one I prefer yet though. Probably the kid from wake forrest

O.city · 03-31-2015, 01:33 PM

And what dj just described is why you can't reach for position or needs as well.

DJ's left nut · 03-31-2015, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

And what dj just described is why you can't reach for position or needs as well.

{cough} Cameron Erving {/cough}

O.city · 03-31-2015, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

{cough} Cameron Erving {/cough}

Versatility. Reach for it.

**The Franchise** · 03-31-2015, 02:03 PM

I'm leaning towards CB or OLB/DE more in the 1st now unless one of the top 3 WRs falls. And I wouldn't be against trading up in the 2nd to grab Smith/Algohor.

**Dave Lane** · 03-31-2015, 02:39 PM

I like it a guy who only goes deep teamed with another Smith that never goes deep. Plus Devin rarely gets wide open. 2015 Stat sheet Games 16 , 7 targets 3 Ints 3 catches 1 TD .

Our new record breaking WR.

03-29-2015, 04:03 AM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4423447	Devin Smith: the Human Torch http://zonereads.com/?p=2702 The Human Torch: Devin Smith by vixticator Posted on March 22, 2015 If you haven’t watched any tape of Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith, then you’re in for a treat. He’s preternaturally gifted when it comes to making catches deep down field. In fact, that’s essentially all he does. He only caught 33 passes as a senior, 12 of which were touchdowns, for an average of 28.2 yards per reception. These numbers are meaningless without context. That’s what the game tape is for, and thanks to Draft Breakdown I’ve been able to watch four of them (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Cincinnati). In the game against Michigan State, Smith makes two beautiful over-the-shoulder catches. On the first play, he starts off standing on the 35-yard line, runs more or less straight down the field, and makes a rather ridiculous reception around at the 20-yard line. I’ll leave the math to you. That’s a big chunk of yards. The most impressive aspect of this play isn’t the speed, but the way he locates the ball midair and plucks it with both hands over his shoulder at an awkward angle. Later in the game he makes this catch for a touchdown. Just another routine over-the-shoulder 45-yard reception. I feel bad for the Michigan State safeties there. That is a touchdown presnap as long as the ball is on target. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Wisconsin fans might want to skip this next section. Touchdown #1 is all about the adjustment to the ball. He locates it in the air when he turns his head, then he gets his body where it needs to be in order to make the catch. He also plays it like a basketball player boxing out his opponent to snare a rebound. Touchdown #2 is similar to his touchdown in the Michigan State game. This time he gets one-on-one coverage from the slot against a safety. Lamb to the slaughter. Touchdown #3 is a leaping two-handed grab. Smith’s location, location, location abilities are otherworldly. He didn’t drop a single deep bomb in any of the games I watched. Alright, so he can catch deep bombs. Can we move on? If this is what you are asking, get the hell out of here. Two more. First, this play against Illinois. This guy Devin Smith sure can make deep over-the-shoulder touchdown catches. To prove he is, in fact, human, watch this play. He… almost didn’t catch it! Throwing the ball in the general direction of Smith and letting him do the rest is a foolproof plan I’m tellin’ ya. He can do a bit other than run deep routes. Not a lot, mind you, but I have some evidence that he can. For instance, there’s this play where he finds the right spot to sit against zone coverage and runs in for a touchdown. Here he makes a catch over the middle on what appears to be a post route. On this play he just comes to a screeching halt. Even though the quarterback is looking the other way, you still need to try to get open if the play breaks down. And, at least to me, both this and this are poorly run routes. In order to stay on the field (or become elite), Smith must get better at running short to intermediate routes. He will come in on multiple receiver packages and force the defense to respect his deep game, which opens up space for teammates. His deep game is special even among NFL players. He knows how to locate, and, more importantly, to adjust his body in order to make difficult catches with the ball flying 40+ yards. Over and over again. If you’re going to be a one-trick pony as a rookie wide receiver, this is the best trick to have up your sleeve. Smith has excellent hands. In the four games I watched, he dropped one pass, and the degree of difficulty on his catches were very high indeed. At the end of the first round, I wouldn’t hesitate to send in his name if I needed some help outside. Are you telling me you don’t want to see Devin Smith catch bombs from Andrew Luck, or Russell Wilson, over the next five or more years? Please.
Posts: 59,254

03-31-2015, 01:28 PM	#18
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2794064	I also tend to think they'll go cb in the first as we seem to be sitting right in the sweet spot for them. I don't know which one I prefer yet though. Probably the kid from wake forrest
Posts: 81,197

03-31-2015, 01:33 PM	#19
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2794064	And what dj just described is why you can't reach for position or needs as well.
Posts: 81,197

03-31-2015, 02:03 PM	#22
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3155047	I'm leaning towards CB or OLB/DE more in the 1st now unless one of the top 3 WRs falls. And I wouldn't be against trading up in the 2nd to grab Smith/Algohor.
Posts: 91,967

03-31-2015, 02:39 PM	#23
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	I like it a guy who only goes deep teamed with another Smith that never goes deep. Plus Devin rarely gets wide open. 2015 Stat sheet Games 16 , 7 targets 3 Ints 3 catches 1 TD . Our new record breaking WR. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584