L.J. Smith: I got labeled in Philly
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
L.J. Smith: I got labeled in Philly
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Former Eagles tight end L.J. Smith is confident that if he can stay healthy, he can be productive.
And he's looking forward to shedding the "injury-prone" label with a fresh start in Baltimore.
"Once you get labeled - and I got labeled the past couple of years as a guy who got hurt - that's something that's hard to fight," he said without a hint of bitterness, according to Edward Lee of The Baltimore Sun. "If it takes two years to get over an injury, it usually takes twice as long to get that label off of you. I don't have much time in the league. This is my seventh year. So I'm just trying to stay healthy, and I think by coming here where these guys are very competitive, it just brings the best out of you."
Smith technically missed just three games last season, but he was banged-up and ineffective for, let's see, 16? Ok, seven catches for 49 yards against the Redskins in Week 16 wasn't bad. We'll make that 15.
He missed six games in 2007.
Smith told The Sun teams were scared off by his injury history during free agency.
"I had a bull's-eye on my back out there," he said. "I think by coming here, a lot of people maybe don't know about me because I'm not out there with the big names. I think coming here and performing the way I know I can perform, I can get people to notice and say, 'Once he gets healthy, he can be a great player.'"
To be honest, I'm not sure what to make of this quote. What does he mean he had a bull's eye? And not being out there with the big names? Does he mean he's just going to a smaller market? Somebody, anybody, help me out here.
It wouldn't shock me if Smith had a decent season. The talent's always been there. It materialized for a couple seasons in 2005 and 2006, but never stuck. A change of scenery will certainly help, and he's with one of the best offensive coordinators in the league in Cam Cameron. I'm not saying Pro Bowl, but a contributor? Maybe.
It certainly sounds like Smith is expecting a new system to be beneficial to his career.
"Before, I was - as Cam said - playing through a straw," he told The Sun. "I was just worried about that guy in front of me. Now in this offense, you can't just worry about yourself. You've got to worry about him and him, what his route is, what your route is.
"In a West Coast offense, you can kind of isolate yourself a little bit. But in this offense, you have to be aware of where everybody is going, the coverages and how they're matching up. It makes you study and become a better football player."
What do we think? A rejuvenated career in Baltimore for L.J.? Yes or no?
And to keep with the tight end theme, in case you missed it, the Eagles have agreed to terms with their fifth-round pick, Cornelius Ingram.
I'll label you again LJ.............you're soft and you suck— oharabri- Unpretentious - I used to stick up for LJ, but got sick of seeing him coming up small when it counted. Donovan McNabb gets the Lion's share of blame for SB XXXIX, but let's face it: LJ's lost fumble, and the Eagles last offensive play of the game (a pass from McNabb that LJ let slip through his fingers and into the hands of the Patriots) definitely did NOT help the Eagles win. But for me, that was just a start of a trend. Many of us kept on waiting to see LJ "put it all together" and shine, but he kept on seeming like he was taking one step forward and two steps back. LJ may not "fumble" all of the time, but too often he just failed to catch the ball in the first place. And his lack of awareness or effort on key blocks was disgraceful. If you're going to get beat, at least make the effort.— knighn
Comment removed.- Better than the label of dropping balls in big situations, can't/won't block, gets lost in routes, fails to pick up blitz. Now that label will cost ya some $$$$.— PhillyInVa
- "once he gets healthy, he can be a great player." He's still rebounding from an injury. Year 4 is the real bounce bag year for injured psyche.— bdizzle
- rejuvinated career? what career? wouldnt that imply it was juvinated in the 1st place? what a loser and sweet bow and arrow celebration braaa— drumminge6
Follow
Sheil on Twitter. And become
a fan of Moving the Chains on Facebook.
Download our NEW iPhone/Android app for even more Birds
coverage, including app-exclusive videos and analysis. Download it here.
