http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/28/report-jimmy-smith-failed-three-drug-tests-admitted-abusing-codeine/ Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith is on the short list of the most talented players in this year’s NFL draft. But he’ll likely have to wait at least a few hours to hear his name called tonight. The reason is that NFL teams have major questions about Smith’s character, and those questions include the abuse of drugs, specifically codeine. Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Smith flunked three drug tests at Colorado, and he told at least one club that one of the three was for misusing codeine. Codeine may be a particular red flag for NFL teams right now. The Raiders want to trade up into the first round and were once thought to be interested in moving up for Smith, but the latest reports out of the Bay Area indicate that the Raiders aren’t going to take a chance on a guy with a codeine issue so soon after the JaMarcus Russell debacle. Smith’s character problems (which also reportedly include issues with alcohol, getting women pregnant and an arrest for assault) are so voluminous that a survey of 24 personnel executives found 11 of them wouldn’t even take him in the second round, let alone the first. Still, it only takes one team to like Smith enough to take him in the first round. And no one doubts his talent.
Kiper and McShay both have been adament for weeks on the First Draft podcast that he has had great meetings with teams, been honest, and there is minimal concern about him now. He's been a hot topic on the show, and they both think there's a very good chance he gets picked tonight. Whomever gets him is getting a steal in my opinion (unless he's drafted top 15 or something).
The Knicks already straightened out one major puple-drank-red-flag-lost-cause-as-a-person-performance-will-probably-not-meet-his-talent type guys in Shawne Williams. I'd love another success story here so local fans would argue over who would officially get the nicknames "Purp" and "Drank"
Pur-Po-Drank! I'll draft that guy if I'm Green Bay. I'm not drafting him to a major city where he'll be in the spotlight and able to get into trouble. -X-
WW85, MR. E, etc: Being as objective as you can, where do you think Smith goes if there were ZERO off the field concerns? Tom Brady pushed his hair out of his eyes, waived his magic wand, and suddenly it was as if Jimmy Smith had no past and nobody had any recollection of anything negative that he'd done. Within a 2-3 pick range, where do you think he would slot in this draft?
With Zero issues..early teens. IMO, Smith will be drafted anywhere from 23-32. If Smith goes to the right team with good coaching and teammates that will set him straight, there should be no problems. Smith is just very immature, he should be fine in the right system.
Philly or Baltimore seem like good landing spots for him. They have a structure in place that can absorb a punk ass with talent, and maybe turn him into a football player.
So if Ayers is off the board, the Jets select Smith over Heyward/Taylor, and Rex comes out and says something like "we had Jimmy as the top corner in the draft, top 10 overall, and I believe he is going to be a star," I shouldn't be overly upset? Or does the need for a solid but unspectacular player like Heyward/Taylor trump the chance to get another potentially elite DB? Revis/Wilson/Smith would be pretty serious, and we all know that Rex has the ability to find serviceable or better players for the front seven later and in UDFA (whenever it eventually happens). I'm just asking because I always love the value picks in the 1st round, as it's like getting those out-of-reach, top-end stainless steel appliances for your kitchen at 75% off because there's a minor scratch or dent in it. I love when teams pursue that route when picking in the back end of the 1st round, and from everything I've read/seen/heard about Smith he could potentially be that kind of guy.
I would've used anything from tools to tvs to clothes instead of appliances for my kitchen, but I get your point.
Realistically.....any chance we take another CB this year with our first round pick if Jimmy falls to us?
yeah I think there is a chance... If our board has been destroyed and we can't trade down, there is a chance we could take him... But it would without a doubt mean the end of Cromartie's tenure in NY and it also likely means they don't feel Wilson has a chance to be a starter. Since I firmly believe the Jets have faith in Wilson, I don't think we go CB that early under any circumstances...
