Smith’s past gaffes the reason he won’t start Monday

By Neal Coolong  |   Thursday, October 30, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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If Anthony Smith doesn't understand why he isn't the Pittsburgh Steelers' default choice to replace injured free safety Ryan Clark, he shouldn't have to look very far for an explanation.

Clark went down last year when the altitude in Denver triggered a reaction from his blood that landed him in the hospital after the team's 31-28 loss. Smith was penciled in as the starter. Smith then made himself famous across the NFL by guaranteeing a victory against the unbeaten Patriots (to be fair, he said if the team plays the way it's capable of playing, it would win). He was beaten deep twice in that game, both times succumbing to a ball fake or a double move to let the receiver behind him.

He was beaten against Jacksonville last season in the same manner. These are all reasons why veteran Tyrone Carter, not Smith, will likely get the start in Washington on Monday night.

Commentary: With speedy receiver Santana Moss leading the Redskin wideouts and efficient quarterbacks Jason Campbell at the helm, rookie coach Jim Zorn has to be salivating when he thinks of seeing Smith's No. 27 jersey on the field -- especially considering 6-2 Washington is a run-first team.

Smith has good physical tools, but his head has been the question mark. He sells out hard to stop the run, and make the highlight-reel hit, and that has put him out of position more than once. These are mistakes the savvy Clark doesn't make. Clark also doesn't lay out team captain Hines Ward in a low-contact training camp drill, which Smith did this past August.

It won't hurt to have Smith in the game in running situations, considering running back Clinton Portis is the NFL's leading rusher. But with Campbell's accuracy, and the speed of Washington's WRs, it doesn't take much for a play-action pass or a gadget play for Smith to bite on. And Pittsburgh fans know very well what ex-Steeler receiver Antoine Randle-El, who's now a Redskin, is capable of doing on gadget plays.

Fan Pulse: Fans are discussing the Smith vs. Carter battle on Steelers Fever.

Fantasy Football Impact: The Steelers' defense is weaker overall without Clark in there, and it could mean a better day for Portis, Campbell, Moss and tight end Chris Cooley.

Injury Watch: Left tackle Marvel Smith did not practice Wednesday. Smith hasn't played the past two games because of back spasms. Nose tackle Casey Hampton didn't practice, either, nor did outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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