Steve Smith: Good or Great?

by ChuckyofNorris on Jan 13, 2010 8:00 PM EST Comment 27 comments

Many questions were being asked of our wide receiver group in the offseason. Most people (but not Ed!) were sceptical about their ability to make plays for the offence. In fact this year it was about all that worked. But one player stood out as our No 1 reciever; Steve Smith. What I'm wondering though is whether or not Steve Smith is a good reciever like so many in the NFL, or a great one, an Andre Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald. Im not talking about historically great, I havent been watching the NFL for long enough to make a comparison to Hall of Famers.

Steve Smith was our most effective receiver this year; he had 107 catches and it seemed like every time we needed a first down he was there. But he made almost no yards after the catch and was much lower in receiving yards than his 107 catches would suggest. Of 338 completed passes thrown by Eli Manning and David Carr, Smith caught nearly 32 % of these passes. Wes Welker, who had the most rceptions in the league with 123, was much like Smith; many receptions but not for huge yardage. He too caught nearly 32% of passes completed by the Patriots QBs. I would regard Welker as a great receiver in the NFL today. Andre Johnson, who caught 101 passes from 399 completions, caught just over 25% of completions. He however got m ore yardage than Wes Welker or Steve Smith.

In my opinion though, receptions and first downs are more important than massive yardage or long touchdown plays. If you get the first down again and again but are using three downs, that doesnt matter because the team is still making it up the field effectively. I believe that Steve Smith is a great reciever in the NFL or is very close.

Poll

Is Steve Smith a great receiver in the NFL today?

Yes

60 votes

No

19 votes

He will be in a few years

43 votes

122 votes | Poll has closed

FanPosts are written by community members. This is simply a way for community members to express opinions too long to be contained in a comment.

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Comments

Give it time.

Basically, its his second year. And really, his first year he was the 3rd option among WR.

Think of Keenan McCardell. Was he a great WR? 883 catches and 11373yds say yes.

His first full year starting and he has 100 catches? 1200 yards? 7TD’s? That’s a great season.

The way he played from 2007 through this season, I know its not a fluke. This is the same guy who’s been there all along, they’re just throwing to him more.

Welker was a bit under the radar even after his 2007 with the Patriots. Its probably not until this season that he’s considered one of the best in the game, 3 full years with the Patriots.

Overall..the perception of him doesn’t matter. The only thing a Pro Bowl does is give Steve a nice fat bonus.

He’s started off his starting WR career with the giants with the best season for a WR in their history.

He’s just gonna get better as the others around him get better. I think #12 is different from Welker cuz hes’ more of a vertical threat, so maybe he’ll catch few more of those deep bombs.

How come China can't vote David Lee for All-Star?

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 13, 2010 8:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm a big Steve Smith fan

but I never though Smith would ever become a deep threat.

And yet he has. Somehow, he seems always open when they throw it to him deep, just that he’s a little overthrown.

Never assume skill at bouncing a ball makes you smarter than the guy who built the court.

When there's a WILL there's a WAY

by Willgfass on Jan 13, 2010 8:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Him and Eli have the short and intermediate stuff down...

I’d like to see him get the deep stuff down.

Its always…the ball’s overthrown, the WR runs a bad route (this is probably only once or twice for Smith on a deep route..) or ..my favorite, he drops the damn ball….

How come China can't vote David Lee for All-Star?

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 13, 2010 8:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Keenan McCardell was not great.

by wilddre22 on Jan 13, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

11,000 yards is not great?

Its not top 10, but he was in the top 20 when he retired….

How come China can't vote David Lee for All-Star?

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 13, 2010 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No offense to Keenan, but he's good, not great

Never saw him as a “great” wideout. he was more of a compliment to Jimmy Smith, kind of how John Taylor was to Jerry Rice, or Alvin Harper was to Irvin.

one stat you failed to mention: 2 pro bowls. when you think great, you think of 5+ pro bowl selections, you think of hall of fame talk. i see neither with keenan. i see a solid receiver(that i would’ve loved in his heyday in the blue uni) with 2 great seasons in his 16 year career. and 2 seasons does not great make. to me at least.

by wilddre22 on Jan 13, 2010 8:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he's a borderline HOFer...

I doubt he gets in..but his overall body of work makes him a candidate if anything else.

Him and Smith worked with each other. McCardell was the chain mover, Smith the deep threat..tho both did both.

Sounds kinda like Smith and HAM/Nicks.

And I wouldn’t go by Pro Bowls. Steve Smith isn’t in the Pro Bowl this year..he definitely deserved it…

How come China can't vote David Lee for All-Star?

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 13, 2010 9:22 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Oh i know Pro Bowls aren't an exact science...

matter of fact, alot of times it is a popularity contest. but it is an unscientific way of gauging a players overall impact on the league. By osmosis you’re bound to get in more times than not if your putting up consistent numbers.

hey this is why there are debates on HOF’s. me and free both make excellent points and see the same guy through different eyes. guess that’s why guys like robbie alomar are left off the dance card.

by wilddre22 on Jan 13, 2010 10:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Steve Smith is good

not great…yet. he’s young, only 2 seasons in. he keeps this up, he’ll be the greatest receiver we’ve ever seen in a blue uniform.

by wilddre22 on Jan 13, 2010 8:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Smith is great for what he does for the Giants

But up against the leagues top tier WR’s, he’s good, but not great. I think it’s kind of unfair to judge Smith against A. Johnson, C. Johnson, Fitzgerald, Moss or Wayne, because he is used differently. Though he did achieve statistical success that compares to the others, but in a different way, so perhaps that may have weight of greatness? Actually then, this could be an open-ended question with no clear cut solution?

Overall, whether he’s good or great, i’m happy that he’s on the Giants!

by Hootman on Jan 14, 2010 8:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Hoot

I think that Smith is an overall good WR but a great “slot” receiver. He is not a great outside threat, but he is hell from the slot running the short, quick routes. If we need a 50 yard bomb, Ham or Nicks is the guy, if we need a 3rd and 7, it’s gonna be Smith all day, everyday. If he stays healthy, he will probably be the GOAT for the Giants.

by njgiant on Jan 14, 2010 10:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I compared Smith to Welker

because I think (though I dont watch many Patriots games due to my complete hatred of them) they are used similarly. I regard Welker as a great reciever today, better than Moss in my opinion, so I think that Smith is a great reciever. But that is because of my view on the way to play the game and the way I like to see it played; multiple short yardage plays that slowly bring the team downfield. I think that this is without a doubt an open-ended question with no clear solution, but I wanted to see what people who knew more than me about football thought.

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi ! Oi ! Oi ! Aiming for ONE medal in the winter Olympics.

by ChuckyofNorris on Jan 14, 2010 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Smith actually runs routes

Welker they just drop it off to him quickly and he uses his speed + athleticism to make first downs

by mclaren_is_the_best on Jan 14, 2010 10:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats whats incredible with Smith

If it’s a passing third down, the whole country knows where the ball is going and the D does too. But, Smith always finds a way to get opened, and sometimes, he’s really opened!

by Hootman on Jan 15, 2010 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ooops, i'm bad

I originally thought you were comparing him to the other WR’s. But Welker would be the better comparison, as would others that would be either X, Y or Z receivers. They need to be pooled seperately IMO. The job title may be the same, but the description is different.

by Hootman on Jan 15, 2010 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Smith is good

but not quite great. However he does have great fundamentals. He does what he’s asked to do, and he’s very good at it but not great yet. He can’t be compared with the Andre Johnson’s and Larry Fitgerald’s because he doesn’t have the physical tools and he hasn’t been consistent enough in making those spectacular game-changing catches that those recievers can make. Like others have said, he and Eli have mastered the short and intermediate pass game. But once Steve can haul in those deep balls on a consistent basis and prove himself as a deep threat, as well as maintain similar stats as this year, he’ll be heading towards greatness. Once he starts making opposing defenses game-plan against him specifically, then we’ll know he’s reached that level.

Awaiting the draft :/

by I_Formation27 on Jan 14, 2010 9:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

imo

he is great but he will always be “the other” steve smith. carolinas steve smith kinda fell outta the spotlight but mostly because of their qb play. but the last couple games he returned to form so to speak. ny steve smith good but carolinas is better

Yes I have vegeta from dragon ball z in my picture....combined with eagles logo my picture is badass enough to cure cancer

by Udalango on Jan 14, 2010 11:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

kinda like Eli and Peyton a bit isn't it?

If #12 didn’t have the same name as #89…people wouldn’t just go out and say “the real Steve Smith is betteer”.

Kinda like Eli, when you don’t compare him to the guy who has the same name…you realize, that a 3rd year WR just put up 107 1220 and 7TD’s.

However he did that…that’s a GREAT season.

It was his first as a full-time guy too.

Actually….the “real” Steve Smith, has never had that many catches, and has only had more yards twice.

Also..in the “real” Steve Smith’s 3rd year, he had 88 1110 and 7TD’s. So…..who had the better 3rd year?

Give #12 time. It seems even Giants fans are underrating how great this guy may turn out to be.

How come China can't vote David Lee for All-Star?

by FreeBradshaw on Jan 15, 2010 8:26 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

i know this

but people are retards panther smith is a big name and has done it with honestly a ratard at qb i live here in carolina and i have met jake and he is nice and whatever but he is just a lil slow so people will always think he is better. i mean if you put panther smith in there with eli im positive he could put up ridiculously monstrous numbers could nyg smith do the same anywhere else idk i think the only time we can actually make an infrmed decision about his skill will be around 2 seasons from now..
but yes very eli and peytonesce

Yes I have vegeta from dragon ball z in my picture....combined with eagles logo my picture is badass enough to cure cancer

by Udalango on Jan 15, 2010 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

o and we need to give them new names for posts like this

i had to read that like 12 times before i understood exactly which steve smith you were talking about at any given time lol

Yes I have vegeta from dragon ball z in my picture....combined with eagles logo my picture is badass enough to cure cancer

by Udalango on Jan 15, 2010 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I just thought that most people on this blog would understand

seeing as its a Giants blog. You probably didnt because you’re an eagles man and dont hear as much talk about our steve smith.

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi ! Oi ! Oi ! Aiming for ONE medal in the winter Olympics.

by ChuckyofNorris on Jan 15, 2010 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

thats prolly

true haha its ok i got it in the end

is at peace with the fact that i am a DICK.... i am good at it.... it is what i do.... it defines who i am.... will i be hated?? most definitely... do i care?? hell no...

by Udalango on Jan 16, 2010 10:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pleased with our...

recieving core, at first when we didn’t go for Braylon i was a little disappointed but after seeing his drops with the gangreemen last saturday i realised we made the right decision. We got the more reliable reciever now and for the future.
However i still think for giant pass success next season we’ll need to get an out and out no. 1 wide out. For instance we could maybe trade for marshall, he’d get in check with us.

by Fat Matt on Jan 15, 2010 5:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

nah im happy with what we got

Our recievers can all do everything we dont need a complete beast wide reciever now. Their all going to be amazing in a year or two. Smith i think, has almost maxed out his potential unless somehow he becomes amazing after the catch. Nicks and Ham however are still nowhere near their potential.

by matth313 on Jan 17, 2010 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs