We don't all the reasons for the fire sale of Smith. Maybe he was voicing displeasure at Hafley's defense? Since the production of the entire D Line compared to last season has declined remarkably, some push back could be starting to percolate? I'm not saying that's true but there are probably some reasons that the fans don't know that contributed towards the fire sale.
Yeah if his career is going to be salvaged it may be by adding some weight and moving inside. He is much better off going in one direction rather than trying to bull rush a tackle when he has no flexibility in hips. He hasn't even shown glimmers of what I think was expected when he was drafted.
I wouldn't hold your breath on a "new look". As I posted elsewhere, Smith has been rotating in and out all season, with the number of his snaps slowly declining. Against the Lions, he was only in for 21 defensive snaps or 37% of the plays. Opening game, 54 snaps, 71%.
By "a new look" I only meant we are going to see different players more often. But it will affect pass rush and holding down the run. Either for the good or it won't change much. imho
Thanks for posting the interesting article. Goes to show that Smith must have been well respected and had a good relationship with Gute. He asked to be traded and Gute obliged his wishes. I think the mutual respect in this story is the type of action that pays dividends to the Packers because it's seen as a player friendly organization. It would seem to work in the Packers favor in signing free agents if pay is competitive.Smith asked to be traded. Explains the low return.
Preston Smith Explains Why He Requested Trade From Packers
Smith on Tuesday was dealt to the Steelers in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick.www.si.com
LVN is 6'-5", 272 lbs. "Average" 4-3 DE's are 6'-4", 265-285. That would make LVN prototypical in size (Rashan Gary is 6'-5", 277 lbs). LVN was only 21 when drafted, had a RAS score of 9.39, and was nicknamed "Hercules" for his strength/power. What part of that sceams tweener for a DE? Sounds, to me, like an ideal mid-1st round pick. I haven't been disappointed & he's only going to get better as he's also described as a "student of the game" by Gary.
I'm thinking that's a click-bait story. I'm not finding any info on this. He hurt his MCL in week 1, so possibky a re-aggravation if true?
LVN has 1 sack this season in 9 games. That sack came when the qb was flushed into his arms. He's also had very few tackles or TFL's. He's had nearly zero impact this season. While technically a DE, he's rushing the passer mostly on the outside of the tackle similar to an OLB edge rusher in a 3-4. He's not well suited for that role. I think he may have more success rushing on the inside where he might have more success using his strength for a bull rush and not be as inclined to bend around the edge. At this point his RAS score seems irrelevant because he's nearly invisible out there.
