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Jimmy Smith says good bye

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Ohio Steeler

Ohio Steeler

Lets go Bucks and Steelers
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jimmy Smith, one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, has decided to retire.

Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who overcame several health problems and a drug addiction during his 13 seasons, scheduled a news conference Thursday with the Jacksonville Jaguars to announce the decision.

The 37-year-old receiver led the Jags with 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns last season. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th in receiving yards. He has more receptions than every receiver in the Hall of Fame, and only Marvin Harrison has more catches and yards receiving than Smith since 1996.

Smith contemplated retirement during the offseason, but Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio asked him to take his time and be sure he was making the right choice. His announcement came a day before the team opened a three-day minicamp.

Smith's longevity was surprising -- even to him -- especially considering what he overcame.

In 2001, he had three operations to remove scar tissue from his abdomen. Some questioned whether he would play again, but he caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards despite being arrested in November that year for suspicion of drunken driving. Tests later revealed he had cocaine in his system. He vehemently denied using the drug.

He was suspended for the first four games of the 2003 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He then publicly acknowledged an addiction and spent several weeks in rehab.

He had other issues early in his career, too.

The third receiver selected in the 1992 draft behind Desmond Howard and Carl Pickens, Smith broke his leg and missed most of his rookie season. In 1993, he needed an emergency appendectomy and suffered through infection and stomach problems. He missed the entire year. He didn't play in 1994, either, after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.

In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother sent coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him earn a tryout.

He made the most of his chance and set receiving records that could be hard to break.
 
To me Jimmy Smith is the poster child for the "modern" ultra-pass-oriented era. He was no doubt a good player, and I want to take nothing away from him, and I hope he enjoys retirement. But he put up some gaudy numbers in an era where everyone has basically put up some gaudy numbers. Does anyone think "top 10 receivers of all-time" when thinking about Smith? Is he even in that conversation? What about top 20?

I think that football, like baseball, basically is about eras, and there is no doubt that Smith was one of the better receivers of this era. However, I don't think his inflated numbers put him in the class of guys like Don Hutson, John Stallworth, and Raymond Berry by any stretch. To me he's a good player...nothing more.
 
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Good riddance!

jimmy2.jpg


"Didn't you have him?"
"No, I thought he was yours!"
"Beats me"
Smith: "Heh heh heh heh"
 
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ScarletBlood31 said:
Hall of Fame, or not?
Click to expand...

Not even close.
In about 10 years, getting 500-600 catches won't mean a damn thing. Heck, look at Andre Rison's career stats.
It's amazing how many people whine about the case of Art Monk just b/c of his aggregate stats. Monk rarely was in the top 5 in any major statistic in any year and was almost never considered the top player at his position during his career.
 
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ScarletBlood31 said:
Hall of Fame, or not?
Click to expand...

Problem is, if Jimmy Smith goes in, then serious consideration has to be given to Keenan McCardell, Rod Smith, Herman Moore, Mark Clayton, Eddie Kennison, Jake Reed, John Taylor, Isaac Bruce...

Might as well have a "Play WR, take a bust" sign (like it appears they already have for overpaid modern era inflated-stat crybaby QBs)

If there are questions about whether Andre Reed and Michael Irvin will get in, then there should be absolutely no discussion at all of the first list.
 
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Jimmy Smith was a very good, consistent WR during his career. The guy put up over 1,000 yards every season in two seasons (his rookie year, and 800 yards in 12 games, one other year). The guy also put up over 12,000 yards during his career. He SHOULD be a HOF, but I just don't see that happening because he doesn't have big-name status, and Art Monk hasn't made it, yet. I do believe he will make it, eventually. However, only time will tell when that happens.
 
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Bucklion said:
Problem is, if Jimmy Smith goes in, then serious consideration has to be given to Keenan McCardell, Rod Smith, Herman Moore, Mark Clayton, Eddie Kennison, Jake Reed, John Taylor, Isaac Bruce...
Click to expand...

I'd give you Issac Bruce and John Taylor on that list as anyone who might be equivalent to Jimmy Smith. But the rest of the guys there aren't or weren't nearly as consistent as Jimmy Smith.

Maybe if Jimmy Smith talked as much trash as a Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson, he'd be getting the respect he deserves.
 
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tibor75 said:
Not even close.
In about 10 years, getting 500-600 catches won't mean a damn thing. Heck, look at Andre Rison's career stats.
It's amazing how many people whine about the case of Art Monk just b/c of his aggregate stats. Monk rarely was in the top 5 in any major statistic in any year and was almost never considered the top player at his position during his career.
Click to expand...

What he said.
 
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