Scouting Report: Corey Smith

by Tom Kowalski
Thursday June 19, 2008, 12:05 AM
2008 Scouting Report

Like most of Detroit's defensive linemen, Smith played better in the first eight games than he did in the last eight. Smith had 21 tackles and a career-high 2 ½ sacks in the first half but those numbers tailed off to 11 and zero, respectively, in the second half.

It should've been just the opposite, though, because Smith got more opportunities in the second half after Dewayne White was limited by his arm injury. The entire unit, though, went into such a malaise that no single player could pull them out of it.


Smith is a pass-rushing specialist and good special teams player and it might appear that his job could be in jeopardy with the arrival of third-round pick Cliff Avril, who has many of the same talents. With the loss of Kalimba Edwards, though, there shouldn't be a numbers problem with the roster and it's hard to believe that head coach Rod Marinelli will allow a solid backup pass rusher to get away.

While Smith knows the one-gap defense very well and rarely makes mistakes, he can still be a liability against the run because he's only about 250 pounds. As much as the Lions want to hope that he'll be more of a factor there, it's not likely to happen.



MY THOUGHTS
I am hoping that Smith gets more playing time. He gets in the backfield alot when he is playing. You have to have guys to get in the backfield consistantly. He may not ever be a starter but I think he should get more plays.