Ditka Says Smoot is the Weakest Link(merged)

[posse87]

On Mike and Mike this AM, Ditka said he loved everything about the skins except one thing, Smoot. He said Smoot "Couldn't cover me." Thoughts?

[EnFoRcEr_uPu]

Smoot has been playing much better as of late. He's made some mistakes, but has good makeup speed to make up for them for the most part. Take away Champ Bailey's make-up abilities, and he isn't anything special either.

Moot point as far as I'm concerned.

[laxpck]

The people in minnesota thought that too. First pass of the game. Pickle.

[HeathShuler]

Watching the game yesterday, I can see how it appeared that way. The slick turf may have had something to do with that... But overall Smooty has been lights out for us recently. I feel good with he and Shawn out there for us.

[redskins59]

He's absolutely correct. He's good as a #3 corner, but he sure got burned a few times yesterday in coverage. Bites on pump fakes as well. We sure are missing Carlos Rogers.

[Badgerrocks]

Smoot has been great this year, especially in the second half of the season. That interception against the Vikes was sweet. Would have been nice if he had gotten into the end zone, but hey. I like Smooooooot!

[bricucci]

Based on yesterday, yes! He was terrible yesterday, but was stellar in the Giants and Bears game in this run.

[MattGeorge85]

Ditka is lucky he's not coaching anymore. The game has passed him by.

[CGSKINS]

send this to smoot.

[BuryYourDuke]

He isn't probowl quality, but I can tell you that he is waaaaaayyyy better than having say, Kenny Wright or Mike Rumph starting.

[Mr. S]

heh, sure, first half the season I would have believed that. Now however, he's stepped up his game big time, more than any other player. I'm happy we re-signed Smoot and am glad he was here when Carlos went down. We couldn't find a truer Redskin from any free agent CB other than Smoot.

[crossfadecold]

I noticed on one play he got burned but the pass was underthrown and he was able to get a hand on it...

[KingGibbs]

You know what they say? You're only as good as your weakest link. I think we are in damn good shape. :)

[abu69]

Smoot is the man, he plays with fire and passion, and he gives his body to make tackles, frequently in the backfield. he is a Redskin head to toe, and I wouldn't give him up for a first rounder. Case closed.

[ArmchairRedskin]

Smoot also made some plays not just yesterday but in the last few weeks. If Smoot is our weakest link, then we're in good shape.

[TheLongshot]

Smoot did struggle yesterday. He will have to up his game.

Jason

[ZkinsFan]

hope he can hold up thru the playoffs

[DariusCyrus]

I was listening to Mike and Mike on ESPN radio... and they had Mike Ditka on to talk about some of the teams in the playoffs...

Ditka said that he really liked the Redskins, but one guy that he doesn't is Smoot... he said that "Fred Smoot can't cover me (Ditka)..."

Here it is: Ditka on Mike and Mike.."Smoot can't cover me..." (http://mason.gmu.edu/%7Eahessam2/smoooot/smoot_cant_cover_me.mp3)

Ditka needs to watch the game again, because not only can Smoot cover... Smoot brings that swagger to the D!

[bricucci]

Bump - thread just started

[HigSkin]

Smoot is playing well within our D "system". That's all that matters. These media guys all look at individual players and forget this is a team sport.


:2cents:

[posse87]

I have really like the way Torrence is playing right now. He is rarely out of position and usually makes the play. He isn't as good as Smoot but he is showing as our #3 corner. I really wish we had Randy Thomas or Carlos back for the playoffs.

[Clinton Portis # 26]

I really miss Carlos too...and to think I thought dude was a bum while he was playing :doh:

[DoBe]

I noticed on one play he got burned but the pass was underthrown and he was able to get a hand on it...

Wrong go back and watch the play again if you DVR'd the game, he baited the throw, he breaks on the ball about 1 step before it was thrown, had Johnson thrown the ball on target it was a pick.

[RDSCNZ20]

watching the game yesterday...Smooth did not have a good game covering.
anyone that played DB or knows that position saw that he was always
flat footed. What worries me more is that he was getting turned around be
the the 3rd/4th WRs.. Smooth has played well, but he really need to have
a good game against settle..

[NoCalMike]

Well lets not forget, we signed Smoot to play the nickel behind Springs & Rogers.......so if it was not for Rogers being lost for the season, Smoot would be used in a different role.

[SUSkinsFan]

On Mike and Mike this AM, Ditka said he loved everything about the skins except one thing, Smoot. He said Smoot "Couldn't cover me." Thoughts?

Ditka is a senile old man who is one fall away from two broken hips

[posse87]

Branch, Engram, Hackett, and Burelson are pretty fromidable.

[jnhay]

He's absolutely correct. He's good as a #3 corner, but he sure got burned a few times yesterday in coverage. Bites on pump fakes as well. We sure are missing Carlos Rogers.
He had one mediocre game after 3 outstanding ones. Overall he's been playing great. We would be so much better with Rogers in, but that's only because we'd have the corner position stacked with 3 good corners.

[posse87]

Ditka is a senile old man who is one fall away from two broken hips

Gibbs and Ditka are roughly the same age.

[Cooley4President]

I was hard on Smoot at the beginning of the year, but I've come around on him since the Buffalo game. I think he's been doing alot better in coverage overall. We ask him and Springs to play alot of man coverage, which is pretty difficult, and they have done a pretty good job.

I don't really listen to much of what Ditka says anymore, honestly.

[ST is my boy]

He has been playing well.....but yesterday smooty did play poorly. He was beat multiple times by backup wide recievers.

I hope he shows against the Seahawks....because they are STACKED at wideout. He will be matched up with Burleson, or Deion Branch.....possibly even Hackett at times....he MUST bring his A game.

You will probley see Greg Williams switch up the defense though......and not have Smoot by himself like he has been the last few weeks...

[Ty Garcia]

He isn't probowl quality, but I can tell you that he is waaaaaayyyy better than having say, Kenny Wright or Mike Rumph starting.

You are right that but i am not a big smmot fan. But the way he has been playing he can not make all the plays but he is making plays!!!

[SUSkinsFan]

Gibbs and Ditka are roughly the same age.

let me have my fun

[Jimbo]

Just make sure Freddy has some bulletin board material for this week. ;) I see a rebound coming and I doubt he'll drop an INT from Eddie Haskellback.

[DGreenistheBest]

If Smoot is our weakest link, then we're in good shape.

QFT

[Skinsfor4]

He is vulnerable to the double moves and always has been.He did play bad yesterday and probably is our weakest link.I hope he steps up against the Seahawks because you know they will try and exploit him.

[laurent]

Smoot has played exceptional over the past few weeks, but yesterday clearly wasn't one of is better days. He got beaten like a mule and only poorly thrown passes and drops kept him from getting burned repeatedly.

Here's to Smoot stepping it up again and proving the doubters wrong.

[4thandGoal]

Not sure about this, I just dont see it. The Skins D has been playing so well of late as a whole, that i just dont see any one player as a glaring trouble spot. Is he the best defender on the team, no, but its unfair to pick on him IMO. He hasnt been that bad.

[McMetal]

Smooty hasn't been a glaring weakness at all. Every cornerback has off days. He is a key contributor and will be vital against Seattle's passing attack.

I only sweat when Torrence comes in the game.

[glikster04]

i dont feel vulnerable at all with smoot starting. i may even go as far as to say i prefer it. and i also don't think he had such a bad game yesterday. what corner doesn't bite sometimes? It's his ability to get back up that matters. and yesterday, i distinctly remember him deflecting a pretty good pass by making up the ground he had surrendered.

i'm completely happy with smoot and his level of play. he brings character to this secondary, he works hard, he plays hard. what is there to complain about?

[flexxskins]

Ditka is a senile old man who is one fall away from two broken hips :doh: Oh brother. All of that simply because his opinion differs from yours?

I happen to think that Smoot is doing a hell of a great job and could give Rogers a run for his money next season. But, he did seem to struggle on a wet surface yesterday, yet made some great plays also.

[MartinC]

Smoot has been great this year, especially in the second half of the season. That interception against the Vikes was sweet. Would have been nice if he had gotten into the end zone, but hey. I like Smooooooot!

Smoot is a decent starter and a very good #3 but Ditka is right that he is the weak link in our back 4 - which is quite a compliment for Landry and Doughty by the way.

The pick against the Vikes was more about Jacksons inability to hit the side of a barn when under pressure than anything Fred did.

[Smoot Point Really]

This has to be a joke. I'd like to tee-off on this one, but can't type too much on my iPhone. I'll only say that it took Romo more than a half to get 7 completions last night. Ditka is the blind and those who listen are the naked.

[DMBAdict04]

I saw this as well and I was kind of lost...I suppose Smoot didn't have a great game yesterday but he has had great games lately. I think this can be taken lightly.

[flexxskins]

Smoot is a decent starter and a very good #3 but Ditka is right that he is the weak link in our back 4 - which is quite a compliment for Landry and Doughty by the way.

The pick against the Vikes was more about Jacksons inability to hit the side of a barn when under pressure than anything Fred did.Umm, Ditka said a little more than Smoot being a weak link. IMO he exacgerated biiiiiigtime.

[skinfan31]

I don't care what anyone on this board says. I'd rather have Smoot as the 2nd corner than Rogers.

[Griff]

Smoot isn't a shut down #1 corner, but I will take him any day, he plays with heart and soul, he loves being a Redskin, he loves us the fans, he plays hurt, and for the most part he does a good job, all you have to do is think about some of the piss poor DB's we have had in the past, Smoot is getting the job done the Wins show that, the team is playing great as a whole, the team has great chemisty and that includes Smoot, and I am glad he is here.

[laxpck]

Both Smoot and Springs have been bringing the wood on their tackles.

[scruffylookin]

Smoot isn't a shut down #1 corner, but I will take him any day, he plays with heart and soul, he loves being a Redskin, he loves us the fans, he plays hurt, and for the most part he does a good job, all you have to do is think about some of the piss poor DB's we have had in the past, Smoot is getting the job done the Wins show that, the team is playing great as a whole, the team has great chemisty and that includes Smoot, and I am glad he is here.

Agreed.

What Smoot brings to the table is alot more than just covering guys. He's no "shutdown" corner (never was) but the man is all heart and I just feel better when he's out there than when he's not.

I'm no fan of Carlos Rogers, but I still hope that he can justify his top 10 draft status in year 4.

Springs, Smoot and Rogers can be a pretty nice threesome if Rogers blossoms into the corner we drafted him to be.

[playboy1972]

This is coming from a guy that traded his whole draft for Ricky Williams. Not exactly Bill Polian.

[Shadowplay]

None of these guys know anything. Seriously, half this board does more analysis on the NFL than the quips at ESPN. They are there to get paid and make some creative soundbytes. That is it.

[jkalnasy]

This has to be a joke. I'd like to tee-off on this one, but can't type too much on my iPhone. I'll only say that it took Romo more than a half to get 7 completions last night. Ditka is the blind and those who listen are the naked.

Well stated my friend.

[Manasseh]

I've been looking for a Smoot jersey for weeks now. His play of late has me ready to take the next step...ha, ha.

[torch7]

You know what they say? You're only as good as your weakest link. I think we are in damn good shape. :)

:applause:


If Smoot is our weakest link, we're in great shape.
Everyone makes mistakes.
Smoot is a true Redskin, and I'm happy to have him.
If we have Springs, Carlos and Smoot next year, I will be extremely pleased. :D

[cphil006]

This is coming from a guy who traded every draft pick to get Ricky WIlliams...

A guy who actually signed Heath SHuler... after his REdskins days.

[ozskin]

Smoot had been playing well until the Cowboys. His coverage at times was pretty ordinary.

[GOSKN5]

he was a little off yesterday... I yelled a few times for Smoot to stick his guy... but he has been awesome the last few games...

I feel good with Smoot as our weak link...if he even is

[mgargan1]

I've noticed that he's actually a very good open field tackler... I think he's a great compliment to SS...

[Fetus]

Smoot and Springs the whole way

[Aston]

You know what they say? You're only as good as your weakest link. I think we are in damn good shape. :)Indeed. I'm cool with Smoot being our weakest link. Who remembers our secondary's weakess link last year?

And on a side note, am I seeing things, or did I really just see a "Health Shuler: Football God" sig up there? :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[kuraitengai]

well, if smoot is our weakest link, then i say we are pretty well off. cuz smooter is playing pretty strong.

[philemon]

Ditka is nothing more than a media personality now and will say stuff just to get a rise.

I think in today's game - especially in the playoffs - people look at and expect teams to be perfect. The media compares every player to a probowl caliber player.

Given that, is Smoot that caliber? Probably not. But, what he brings to the team is something I'd rather have. We have a ton of guys who are not probowl caliber players, but we have CHEMISTRY... Something we haven't had in a long time.

Many of our starters right now were back-ups at the beginning of the season. In essense... the Bears, the Giants, the Vikings and the Cowboys were all beat by a second-string team.

So, I really don't want to hear about the Cowboys holding back and or starting their back-ups cuz we've been starting our back-ups for almost half the season now.

[Morneblade]

Smoot also made some plays not just yesterday but in the last few weeks. If Smoot is our weakest link, then we're in good shape.

I agree. Smoot might not be a top 5 corner, but he's playing pretty damn well. And he doesnt mind throwing his body around in run support either, unlike half of the CB's in this league.

[StillUnknown]

smoot makes me appreciate Carlos Rogers a little more

[demskins21]

My response to Ditka would be, GO GET ME A JUICE BOX, JUICE BOX GUY!!! Sorry Kicking and Screaming reference. Ditka can't stop the Skins. Everyone is a pro on this level, so it is possible that someone might catch the ball on Smoot. Do to Carlos Rogers being out for the season, Smoot has become the number 2 CB. That wasn't his role, but he is giving it his all. Ditka, I am thirsty get me a juice box!!!!

[Thiebear]

Smoot is a good 2nd cover. And the 1 arm tackle of his is scary to watch.

[redman]

Based on yesterday, yes! He was terrible yesterday, but was stellar in the Giants and Bears game in this run.

Exactly.

This may be a nice thing for Smoot to hear as it will motivate him for this game.

[bugski1210]

http://www.redskins.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/IBFOHOIMDMAN/AP071230015829pg.jpg

One of the best defensive plays I've seen all season... all he needed was to come down with the pick.

[redman]

http://www.redskins.com/uploads/photos/perm/main/IBFOHOIMDMAN/AP071230015829pg.jpg

One of the best defensive plays I've seen all season... all he needed was to come down with the pick.

This amazing (and I'm not being sarcastic) play was only necessary because Smoot got beat deep for the umpteenth time in this game. If the Cowboys receivers actually held onto some passes yesterday, that's a one score game and we're worrying more about Smoot in the playoffs.

He had a bad game yesterday, but I think it was because he wasn't being disciplined in his coverage. He had better get his act together for Seattle.

[STBonecrusher21]

If that's the case, I think we're in pretty good shape.

[NewCliche21]

Ditka's an ass.

He's the same guy who was all over Taylor before his death for, you know, his coverage skills and undisciplined play on the field.

I don't respect a word out of his washed-up mouth.

[Dingani]

I noticed on one play he got burned but the pass was underthrown and he was able to get a hand on it...

then you didn't watch the whole game. That play you are talking about was a good example but there was another play which he bit on an outside move and then the receiver turned inside and dropped the ball in a wide open field. THAT play was a TD if the receiver dropped the ball. Even the announcers said that. So with just a tiny bit of luck or better play Smoot would have been burned for 2 touchdowns.

Fortunately for him the Cowbows were playing a rusty Terry Glenn and a bunch of no name receivers. Smoot is a real Redskin but is most certainly a better nickle back. With that said, a better pass rush will help him out.

[Art McDonough]

Personally, I don't think Carlos Rogers is anything special either, at least not yet. He's good against the run and can strike a blow, but his coverage skills are average at best and he can't catch a cold. Shawn Springs is the only real cover corner we have. Ade Jimoh where are you now that we need you? JUST KIDDING!!!!!

[themurf]

Ditka traded his entire draft for Ricky Williams in a wedding dress. Why would anyone listen to his take on anything about today's NFL?

[NewCliche21]

Ditka traded his entire draft for Ricky Williams in a wedding dress. Why would anyone listen to his take on anything about today's NFL?

Ding ding ding!

And let's close the thread.

[waterwagen]

then you didn't watch the whole game. That play you are talking about was a good example but there was another play which he bit on an outside move and then the receiver turned inside and dropped the ball in a wide open field. THAT play was a TD if the receiver dropped the ball. Even the announcers said that. So with just a tiny bit of luck or better play Smoot would have been burned for 2 touchdowns.

Fortunately for him the Cowbows were playing a rusty Terry Glenn and a bunch of no name receivers. Smoot is a real Redskin but is most certainly a better nickle back. With that said, a better pass rush will help him out.Give me a break - it's amazing how many of those dropped passes turn into sure touchdowns after the fact. :laugh: I think the Cowboy apologists in the booth were seeing things.

[ross3909]

He's absolutely correct. He's good as a #3 corner, but he sure got burned a few times yesterday in coverage. Bites on pump fakes as well. We sure are missing Carlos Rogers.

Sorry but Smoot has been playing better than Carlos this year, if Carlos was healthy I would still take Smoot. If you remember Carlos plays off his man by 15 yards off the LOS. This means an automatic 8 yards whenever a team wants it.

[NewCliche21]

Sorry but Smoot has been playing better than Carlos this year, if Carlos was healthy I would still take Smoot. If you remember Carlos plays off his man by 15 yards off the LOS. This means an automatic 8 yards whenever a team wants it.

Here we go again.

:rolleyes:

[Bigmuss1]

Smoot keeps playin, that is his biggest attribute. Every DB in the league gets burned on a play here and there, the good ones have short term memory. Smooty plays hard all game, he is just fine

[Dirk Diggler]

As long as Springs is on the other side, Smoot is going to be targeted. Outside of the Dallas game, Springs has been the same old Springs - Pro Bowl caliber (even if the fans don't recognize him as such).

Smoot has played well. He allows some underneath stuff but how many TDs has he allowed this year? 2? 3 at the most. That's pretty good for a "weakest link."

[DaRock]

He's a good #3, but I'm fine with him as #2 and Springs #1 for now, I'll take that any day over what we have to choose from, c'mon...

Edit: Smoot has been great recently, I've been real impressed.

[TotalRecall]

Smoot grabs too many WRs. That "illegal touch downfield" penalty will get him on just about every pass play. It is hard for me to believe that GW considers Rogers & Smoot starters, but considers Shawn Springs a nickel corner. Springs is still the best corner we have!

[JWB]

I'll take him on my team. The guys all Heart. And that is what's driving this team right now!

[Clark84]

Smoot slipped a couple of times yesterday and may have bitten on a play fake or two but has this clown seen the way Smoot has played over the past several weeks? I doubt it. Smoot is NOT a weak link. I am glad we have him back.

[Joe Gibbs II]

smoot has been good, but he has been tooled on a bit this year at times although the offense hasnt always capitalized, like that hanging pass smoot tipped after he got beat.

he also has a tendency to touch a lot, but he doesnt get penalized too much for it. hopefully he can 'redeem' himself

[Redskinloyal_1]

I have the answer to smoots problem yesterday it is fixable.


Smoot is solid yesterday he was watching romo instead of watching his man. I guarantee they work him hard this week.

[SkinFan63]

You know what they say? You're only as good as your weakest link. I think we are in damn good shape. :)

I agree. I also think Ditka's hair is over rated.:point2sky

[Skinem]

Smoot is a hitter against the run which is what GW wants. A corner that even if he gives up the pass reception can bring down the WR and not give up YAC. Smoot is solid for what he is asked to do currently in the scheme. Ditka has 1 title as a coach I'll stick with Gibbs.

[SkinsFan48]

well you name all the teams who have a better CB tandem then us...I bet that is a very short list.

[kobra860]

Smoot is a CB who can make open field tackles and can cover well which is a rare combination. During our winning streak, he was doing an amazing job. With Smoot and Springs in the playoffs healthy, our passing defense will be excellent. Smoot is definitely not the weakest link.

[turbodiesel#44]

Based on yesterday, yes! He was terrible yesterday, but was stellar in the Giants and Bears game in this run.And against the Vikes too. But he is our weakest link, and I expect to see the seahags go at him often.

[UVASKINSFAN]

On Mike and Mike this AM, Ditka said he loved everything about the skins except one thing, Smoot. He said Smoot "Couldn't cover me." Thoughts?

Well Ditka is a dumbass ***** and I guess hes upset the way we use to knock his teams out of the playoffs in the 80s. Smoot has been playing great since the Bills game. **** Mike Ditka hes a tard.

[turbodiesel#44]

Sorry but Smoot has been playing better than Carlos this year, if Carlos was healthy I would still take Smoot. If you remember Carlos plays off his man by 15 yards off the LOS. This means an automatic 8 yards whenever a team wants it.Do you really think a CB decides how a defensive formation looks? Amazing. I guess GW just sees that the gatorade is mixed properly.

[SkinsGuy]

And against the Vikes too. But he is our weakest link, and I expect to see the seahags go at him often.


Smoot is not a "weak link".

He will get more passes thrown at him b/c most QBs won't throw at Springs.

What is all this talk about Smoot having a bad game? :doh:

Dallas could only muster a measley 149 yards passing on offense.

The Cowboys TOP QB Tony Romo played for almost THREE QUARTERS and could only muster 86 yards passing.

No TDs were given up.

No third downs were given up.

Dallas had just ONE YARD rushing.

I'd say NOBODY in the secondary (or on the whole defense for that matter) had a bad game yesterday.

Unless you expect absolute perfection out of every player every week. :rolleyes:

I'm happy and not worried with Smoot in there.

[Chick_in_B&G]

I like how some people want Rogers back when Smoot is playing, then they want Smoot starting when Rogers is playing. A corner is going to get beat sometime no matter who he is. Smoot has performed well for someone who is past their prime and who wasn't expected to play a bigger role than nickel this season. Ditka is an idiot--Smoot has more experience in this defense than both of our starting safeties combined.

[turbodiesel#44]

Smoot is not a "weak link".

He will get more passes thrown at him b/c most QBs won't throw at Springs.

What is all this talk about Smoot having a bad game? :doh:

Um, that makes him the weakest link. I never said Smoot had a bad game against Dallas, but he has had better games for us recently.

[Smoot Point Really]

Do you really think a CB decides how a defensive formation looks? Amazing. I guess GW just sees that the gatorade is mixed properly.

Yes, cornerback does decide how a defensive formation looks during the game... These players aren't remote controlled. They also aren't in High School. Based on what the defender reads (offenses do change formation after a play is called, you know?), he lines up accordingly. Regardless, Carlos Rogers seemed to be playing with more confidence this season and wasn't giving up a 15+ yard cushion as much.

It's funny that people are complaining about Smoot, when we only gave up 14 completions yesterday. They've been complaining about Fred Smoot and how the guy he covers drops the ball or the quarterback makes a bad play and Fred Smoot "gets lucky"... It's been like this since the Miami game when Fred Smoot had an incredible "Success/Yards Against", didn't give up any big plays and had a few breakups and passes dropped in front of him. It's been like this all season. Have you ever asked yourself that maybe Fred Smoot is getting into the receivers' heads? Why does it merely have to be luck? Also, why is Carlos Rogers such a great tackler when Smoot actually does make tackles?

BTW, on the missed pass where Smoot "bit on the out", he did have help from Landry on the inside and Landry looked bad on that play as well. However, Smoot and Landry do make plays in coverage and while we haven't seen many big interceptions, we have seen big pass breakups and very few touchdowns passing against this defense... Let's think about this:

Wide Receivers who have actually scored on this team are:

1) Terrell Owens: 4 - without Sean Taylor and against Reed Doughty and Shawn Springs.
2) Anquan Boldin: 2 - 8 catches for 2 TDs... 10 yards was his longest catch and he had only 29 yards on the day.
3) Randy Moss: 1 - against Torrence, unquestionably offensive pass interference that wasn't called... CR couldn't have stopped this without drawing a flag. Goal-line defense, 6 yards.
4) Bernard Berrian: 1 - against Springs, great defense on this play but an even better catch. play was reviewed and overturned to be a TD.
5) Wes Welker: 1 - 2 yard pass from Brady... Defense didn't give up any passing TDs in this game of more than 10 yards.
6) Reggie Brown: 1 - goal-line defense... less than 10 yards.
7) Plaxico Burress: 1 - CR's worst play of the season.

Basically, we played a schedule that included playing Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Plaxico Burress twice, J Galloway at wide reciever... we played the following quarterbacks: Tom Brady (50 TDs), Tony Romo (36 TDs) twice, Brett Favre (28 TDs), Kurt Warner (27 TDs), Eli Manning (23 TDs) twice, Donovan McNabb (19 TDs) twice and Jon Kitna (18 TDs)...

With that schedule our secondary only gave up 11 TDs to Wide Recievers? And we lost Carlos Rogers for almost 10 games and Sean Taylor was out the final 7 games? Of the 20 total passing TDs this team gave up on the entire season, 10 of those came the last 7 games when Sean Taylor didn't play.

We have no weak links, except the injury bug and poor circumstances... We've made the best of bad situations. What we really have is weak analysis from the so-called "experts".

[Larry]

Well, Ditka may be right.

Still, if Smoot is our weakest link, then I'm not worried.

[sens11]

We'll know for sure if Smoot is the weakest link this weekend.

You know Seattle is going to air it out...

[Smoot Point Really]

BTW, Springs gave up more TDs this season than Smoot... Remember the Terrell Owens game? He also got beat by Berrian (but that was great defense)... I don't believe Springs has had a great year, but he has really turned his season around and played awesome the last four games (as has the whole team).

[Thetimeisnow]

Smoooot is a beast on the run. Smoooooooooooooot.

[TuckahoeSkin]

I don't care what Ditka says. I like Smoot on this team. There may be better players at his position out there, but are they better for the team? I think he keeps it loose and fun -- but the right way. I'm glad he's here. :2cents:

[Taiwan32]

I thought Smoot has played well for us lately, especially yesterday with the pick, pass break up, and sweeps that he collapsed on...

No way is Smoot the weakest link

[SkinsGuy]

Um, that makes him the weakest link. I never said Smoot had a bad game against Dallas, but he has had better games for us recently.

No, he isn't the weakest link.

He wouldn't be #2 in the line-up playing man-on-man if he were "weak" at what he did.

"Weak link" implies he is the easiest point of attack.

I didn't see the Cowboys make a living off him yesterday.

There is a BIG difference between a true "weak link" (like Roy Williams of Dallas in pass coverage), or someone like Smoot who is simply the better of 2 evils for opposing QBs.

[turbodiesel#44]

Yes, cornerback does decide how a defensive formation looks during the game... These players aren't remote controlled. That's just plain silly. Those cushions we have all been seeing and complaining about are part of GW's plan. If you think a CB would give that much ground before the snap play after play, game after game without the coach correcting him, you must think Williams is a blithering idiot. Smoot is a decent #3 forced into the #2 slot. Sometimes he seems to have lapses, other times he plays like a #1. I hope he is up for the Seattle game, because he will be tested.

[turbodiesel#44]

No, he isn't the weakest link.

He wouldn't be #2 in the line-up playing man-on-man if he were "weak" at what he did.

"Weak link" implies he is the easiest point of attack.

I didn't see the Cowboys make a living off him yesterday.

There is a BIG difference between a true "weak link" (like Roy Williams of Dallas in pass coverage), or someone like Smoot who is simply the better of 2 evils for opposing QBs.You don't seem to understand the concept of weakest link. A healthy Springs is the better CB, flat out. Smoot is the Nickel, playing #2 due to injury to Rogers. A smart coach will plan on isolating and attacking Smoot more than Springs because he would expect more success there.