What on earth got Troy Smith picked 173 in the draft?!?

Question

He ran away with the Heisman award and only had 1 bad game (which was the national championship game) but he was still a great quarterback.

Answer 1

I know!

Mostly two things. His height......it might seem silly, but few Qbs under abput 6'2" can really see the field well over the hulking brutes that form their lines......and that will limit how well he can pass, pick up blitszes and stuff.

And the NC game. That was the first time all season he faced a pro-caliber defense, and it took him apart. Once his protection broke down, he either made bad decisions, or worse, froze.

I was dissapointed, because he is an exciting player, but he really did not have the mechanicals or skill set, nor played in the right offense to be considered solid pro-material, which is why Baltimore took a flyer on him late. He is a project, one that will cost them little, and if it works out, in a few years they have a good QB groomed. If not, not a big loss toi the organiztion.

(but there were a few like that. How the crap did Darius Walker go undrafted? 9 tds and 1200 yards behind NDs swiss cheese O-line? )

England Boy........Smith was at Columbine? How shocking! oh you mean the Combine......my bad.

Mark, are you feeling ok? Quinn was drafted by Cleveland with the 22nd pick, and had not been the Heisman front runner with anyone since the end of september. Especillt the media that went out of its way to do human interest pieces on Troy. I should know. I live in Columbus OH, and am a life long ND fan.......................your version of reality is interesting.....but not too accurate.

Answer 2

Troy Smith is an overachiever. Politically, he was not the favorite to win the Heisman, unless he had two back to back seasons with a perfect record, the Heisman was his to loose (22-3). Craig Krenzel won the National Title for Ohio State in 2002 and he was (23-2), but didn't win the Heisman Trophy. The media favorite and the voting favorite was Notre Dame's quarterback, that was drafted 9th overall to Cleveland Browns as a franchise player. For all those to say Troy Smith's height is an issue, he was drafted, so height couldn't have been the issue or like many, he would not be on the field competing for a position.

Troy has to contend with the resistance of people believing in his abilities for reasons other than his abilities. It is rumored that he was finally drafted because his college coach had to make a phone call for Troy to get a chance to play ball. Brady Quinn could not hold a candle to Troy Smith in the collegiate ranks. He never won the big game, he never had better than an 8 win season. And he was an erratic performer compared to Smith. Don't take my word for it, look at the Junior and Senior year win loss record, pass completion and running stats. Then look at the strength of schedule for the past two seasons.

Let me put it this way. Charlie Weiss is considered by many to be far and away the best college coach because of his stint in the pros. Most would agree that it is a different game in college than in pros. Weiss does not have a single accomplishment as a college coach compared to Urban Mier, Florida Gators or Jim Tressell with The Ohio State Buckeyes; to make a bonafide claim that his coaching ability is best in the nation. He is given the benefit of the doubt. He is well liked. Among the quarterback comparisons to go pro; Brady Quinn carries with him the same beneift of the doubt that Weiss has been given. Troy Smith was over looked and his accomplishments taken for granted, like Tressell and Mier's collection of nearly 7-8 national championships between the two, alongside Weiss' one winning season at Notre Dame. This is the best answer as to why Troy Smith was 173rd in the draft.

Arguably, and convincingly Quarterback Jamarcus Russell from LSU should have been in the Heisman hunt. He received very little press until he went to the combines. He winds up being the first and most coveted draft choice. Who knew?!

Stan, don't hate read the stats. I don't claim to know much about football. Apparently, all of College Football's Heisman voters don't know about football and you do. Tell us Stan, besides your opinion what do you base your comments on? Is it how you feel?

Answer 3

The big reason is the height. Teams want to have guys at least 6'3". It also didn't help that he stunk it up at the combines, and made it seem like he didn't care, which is really odd considering his preparation for gamedays the past few years.

Smith reminds me a lot of Drew Brees (yeah it's weird to compare a black QB with a white QB but bear with me). Both have similar heights, weights, leadership qualities, toughness, arm strength, and mobility... although Smith's even more mobile. Obviously Brees has the advantage of experience but he was barely mediocre his first three years in the league. He also put more consideration into the combines, and that would be a major concern if I was going to spend a high pick on Smith.

Bear in mind that being a low pick isn't necessarily one's doom. There's been a bunch of QBs with recent success like Matt Hasselbeck (6th round), Jon Kitna (undrafted), Tony Romo (undrafted), Marc Bulger (6th), and of course there's the patron saint of low picks, Tom Brady (5th).

Answer 4

It's partly about height, but mostly about an abundance of unproven potential QBs in the NFL at the moment. Every year a kid that could be the number one pick slides down to bottom of the first round because teams already have 2 or 3 QBs they are happy with. Smith is an over acheiver that was recruited at OSU to be an athlete, and returned kicks his freshman year. As long as he keeps working hard, he should be fine in the pros.

Answer 5

I think he's only about 5'11. His athleticism was an issue to. Getting picked at all is a big accomplishment.

Do you remember everyone's consensus #1 pick a few years ago? His name was Jason White - QB Oklahoma. He stayed in school one year after their championship....and....he didn't even get drafted. If he had gone into the draft in 2002? He would have been first round. As is...no one remembers his name.

Answer 6

At this factor, Oakland or Detroit could have the #a million standard %. ... and Troy Smith would be taken on the appropriate. the two group ought to apply a reliable rookie QB to rebuild their group around, and Troy Smith could fit in the two scheme particularly properly.

Answer 7

can any one say 41-14 loss in the biggest game of his life... Reminds me of heisman runner up Brad Banks in 2003 who was not even drafted after his pitiful performance against usc in the orange bowl

Answer 8

he may have been a great quaterback in college but this is the NFL. He isnt really a big guy, not tall and quaterbacks need to be tall to be able to survive in the NFL. He also hasn't taken to many hit, his line was too good, so scouts may be wondering if he can take a beating.

Answer 9

If you think Troy Smith was a great QB, you obviously don't know much about football.

Answer 10

Mr. James I love the Buckeyes and it a shame that game hurt him so much