Lions Make Excellent Pick with RB Kevin Smith in Third Round.

Allen Park, Michigan Lions Headquarters Lions Are Thrilled with Third Round Pick and the Fans Should be Also  The Lions coming into this draft came in with

Allen Park, Michigan

Lions Headquarters

Lions Are Thrilled with Third Round Pick and the Fans Should be Also

 

The Lions coming into this draft came in with glaring needs at OT, MLB, RB and DL. With their first three picks they have addressed need like a fine surgeon. They were shocked last night that Smith was on the board and moved up to make sure he dropped no farther.

 

Kevin Smith for lack of a better term is a workhorse that fits the Lions zone running scheme to a T. He carried the rock and amazing 905 times in his career at UCF. In fact when pressed today on the phone to analyze his passing catching skills he was honest when he said that they never really passed the ball.

 

Last season he carried that ball an astonishing 450 times and entering the Bowl Game he was only 181 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders Single Season rushing record. He would fall 62 yards short of it, but the nation knew this stud back was the real deal.

 

I had tabbed him as my favorite back behind McFadden and Stewart and the Lions got a steal. The Lions RB situation, to be kind, is at best anemic and at worst pitiful. Tatum Bell is a decent back, but struggles being healthy and holding onto the ball. Brian Calhoun is a bust. Aveion Cason is a good three back, but will not amount to being more. That opens the door for Smith to come in and start immediately. Something I think you certainly have to anticipate.Â

 

I asked him that with the Lions RB situation being so anemic, if he anticipated coming in and earning the starting job. The not modest Smith showed, however, some wise restraint and said, “I’m coming in to contribute.”

 

His OC and RB coach at UCF, Tim Salem, said about Smith this morning, “He made some of his best runs in the fourth quarter, carry number 37,38,39…He is a tough [SOB]!” When asked about Smith’s ability to block and protect the quarterback Coach Salem got very excited talking about Smith’s knowledge of pass protect and redirect. Salem is a student of the game who spends long hours studying game film. Obviously Marinelli’s type of player.

 

Here are some of his comments from the just concluded phone call:

 

On the Lions: “It feels great, I knew it was a place I wanted to be.”

 

On Barry Sanders: “I’m not going to be chasing him.”

 

What he liked about the Lions: “I feel so confident on my visits.”

 

What he liked about the Lions: “Winning and doing things the right way.”

 

On his nearly record setting 2007 season: “A great accomplishment and achievement.”