When you say "Just no" to ND players though, that means you discredit them from being a go to place to take players. You can take those WRs all along because of their "Big catch in the SB" and I'll take Tim Brown anyday of the week.
Most Notre Dame players are very overhyped of late due to the constant coverage they get in the media. Look at Jimmy Clausen.
Clausen hardly got attention on ESPN while in ND, in fairness because the Irish were underachievers under Weis. The reason he failed(So far...) is because management put him with garbage in 2010 and he had about 5-7 games to learn on the run before they took Newton. Quinn got the same treatment in CLE...Mangini has no clue how the hell to develop a QB and barely gave any room for Quinn to play, even using the useless Derek Anderson in games.
If he has Smith's speed, then I want no part of him regardless of how much discipline he plays with. Luckily though, I don't think is the case looking at him play; he seems much faster. Speed at safety and linebacker is what's keeping this defense from being an elite defense. I don't want to add anymore slow players to an already slow defense. Also, by all accounts E. Smith is considered the smartest player on the team on and off the field. I always thought that football IQ was the only thing keeping him employed as a football player it sure isn't athleticism.
For now I'm in the Martin camp too. I had him as my 2nd round pick in my mock. I reserve the right to jump on to a different band wagon if someone blows up the combine.
IMO Smith has to be the slowest safety in the league. I think Smith ends up looking like he takes poor angles because he is so freaking slow. Even with a perfect pursuit angle, Cruz still beat him down the sidelines in that 99 yards catch and run. Smith like any player has had his share of mental lapses but most of the times he gets beat it's just physical, he just can't keep up with the slowest of players out there. The guy is smart, physical and has all the intangibles. This is why Mangini and company reached on him in 06 and is why Rex loves him but God was not kind to him when it came to speed and athleticism. When your speed, or lack there of, is to the point the coaches can't even hide you, then you shouldn't be on the field.
