Steve Smith MIA for Eagles
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Steve Smith MIA for Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Michael Vick and the Eagles' offense relied on the intermediate passing game Sunday night, and the results were spectacular.
Vick completed 21 of 28 passes for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even though he didn't take many shots downfield, Vick averaged a season-high 9.96 yards per attempt, hitting receivers in space and allowing them to make plays after the catch.
Brent Celek led the way with seven catches for 94 yards, and Jason Avant added five receptions for 74 yards.
But one player who was missing in action was Steve Smith. And when I say missing in action, I mean completely. He was active, but was not on the field for a single offensive snap. Part of that had to do with the Eagles' personnel groupings. By my count, they only went with four wide receivers once. But Riley Cooper played eight snaps ahead of Smith.
Here are Smith's week-by-week snap counts:
| Week 1 | 5 |
| Week 2 | 18 |
| Week 3 | 12 |
| Week 4 | 10 |
| Week 5 | 3 |
| Week 6 | 7 |
| Week 7 | 0 |
When the Eagles signed Smith, Jeremy Maclin's status was uncertain. It also seemed unlikely that Smith was going to be ready for the opener. But he was active right away, and has been for every game this season. In Week 2, against Atlanta, he played a season-high 18 snaps.
So it seems strange that now, when health should be less of a concern, Smith's role is even smaller. And you would think that if health was a major factor, the Eagles would just make him inactive for a week or two.
Adam Schefter reported on ESPN's Football Today podcast (10/27 episode) that the Eagles had made Smith available at the trade deadline. He's only signed to a one-year deal.
On the season, Smith's got five catches for 63 yards on nine targets. In the last four games, though, he has totaled just one catch for 7 yards.
The way I see it, Smith is unlikely to have much of a role the rest of the way, unless one of the receivers ahead of him gets injured. When the Eagles go with four wide receivers, they have to take either LeSean McCoy or Brent Celek off the field. Neither option seems that appealing, given how each guy is playing. And while it seemed possible when the Eagles signed Smith that he'd take snaps away from Jason Avant, that is no longer the case, considering how well Avant is playing.
If ever there were a game when it would have made sense for Smith to be more involved, it would have been Sunday night. The Eagles worked the middle of the field and had six trips to the red zone. But like I said, no Smith at all.
While there's still a lot of football to be played, it seems unlikely at this point that Smith will be much of a factor going forward.
VEGAS BUYING INTO BIRDS
The Eagles are now 9-point favorites for Monday night's matchup against the Bears, according to BetOnline.com. I believe that number was just 7 earlier Tuesday morning.
And the Super Bowl odds are even more surprising. The Eagles are now +900 to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, down from +2000 before the win over the Cowboys. Only the Packers (+220), the Patriots (+440) and the Steelers (+750) have better odds. The Saints are also +900.
In case you missed it from earlier Tuesday, I posted Man Up on the offense, focusing on the outstanding line play Sunday night.
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yeah well sorry to rain on everyone's parade but I'd take any wager that the Eagles will not hoist the Lombardi Trophy --not this year nor any year that Reid is coach --regardless of how good the Eagles can look in any single game (I remember when the Eaglse looked great against the Redskins in 2010 as well)..-ain't gonna happen and certainly not with this team whose flaws have not changed (poor linebackers, safeties, Offensive line, play-calling, in-game management, etc etc)..the Rams looked great in beating a better team than the Eagles beat last Sunday too— warbiscuit- o yes we all remember the beating we gave to the redskins but hey the redskins are the redskins cowgurls well thats the cowgurls but hey everyone is entitled to their opinion if u wana b a hater b a hater if u wana jump off the bandwagon do it but please leave the negatively at home any team any beat any team no matter how talented they are remember any given sunday — VickaDelphia24
- After Smith helped the Giants win, he has been in the doghouse. The same way Brown was after his bonehead play against San Francisco. The only thing that helps Brown is the trade fiasco. The team didn't want to make it seem like he was traded because of that play so now they are putting him back in the game as cover.— Penfold18
- We only signed him to keep him away from the giants.— Zeru
- Good Article,
This staff seems to hate to do new things. Avant is keeping his spot and Smith would have to beat him out, and I dont see it. Vic and Avant have good chemistry, why mess with it?— RAM1162 - Smith was an insurance signing if Maclin's prognosis was not good...Smith is best in the slot, and he won;t be beating out Avant, true...But another reason is the Eagles are often using two tight end sets...over the four reciever formations..His opportunities are just limited right now to get on the field..stayed tuned. — bearsfriend
- warbiscuit is an idiot— Zeedog
- Biscuit is knowledgeable, but a real sour dude...He's not a half empty kind of guy...he doesn't see anything in the glass..He was not really too harsh on Big Red..His true hatred is for The Big Piece and Cholly, but now has to bring his merry personality to the Birds. — bearsfriend
- Steve Smith is "a non-mutha^*@%*@% factor" in the Eagles offensive scheme. Cut him after the season is done. We don't need him. The Eagles should move Riley up into more offensive schemes now anyway!— Panthro2011
Comment removed.- Put him in and see what he can do. If he can cause match-up problems and make a play use him. Doesn't make sense to pay him and not use him.— NC Eagle Fan
- steve smith is probably out somewhere looking for the first down marker.
he seems to keep losing track of it.— bloodymess - 2 million was a small price to pay at the beginning of the season when injuries were a big problem across the league due to lack of OTA's and a short camp. The same will be true in December when injuries start to nag allteams. Sitting on the sideline Smith can do us no harm.— unbelieveable!
- Warbiscuit, is a genius predicting things that have already happened. If you're so sure, stop watching. No one argues that the Eagles dug a hole, but there's been no better Eagles coach nor a better period of Eagles football. I'll give them another chance and see how it pans out. You see more comfortable with spineless cowboy fans or the moronic giant fans. Go join them.— gorillafeet
- Good point. Yes, they did dig a hole with boneheaded turnovers,bad tackling, and poor planning....but the tide is turning and the Birds are finding themselves..It's sort of fun being the "dangerous" team for clubs scheduled to play them...adversity in sports, like all phases of life, tests one's mettle...Let this team build its momentum, stay healthy, and we'll see what happens come end of the year...Leave the silly conduration to the local pundits and the brainwashed. — bearsfriend
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