honz
06-06-2010, 08:58 PM
http://www.gazette.com/sports/smith-99852-broncos-tough.html
ENGLEWOOD – A few rookies master the NFL right away, but it’s rare. Most first-year players can relate to Alphonso Smith.
The Denver Broncos drafted Smith, a cornerback out of Wake Forest, in the second round last year. There’s always pressure on second-round picks but it was magnified for Smith because the Broncos traded a 2010 first-round pick to take him. That pick ended up being 14th overall.
Smith was fantastic in college. He had the 10th most interceptions in college football history. None of that success translated right away to the NFL. He couldn’t win the nickel cornerback job in training camp. During the season, 35-year-old Ty Law and practice-squad member Tony Carter were signed and immediately promoted ahead of Smith. And when Smith had to play because of injuries, he didn’t play well.
“If I can be honest with you, I have no room for excuses - I just wasn't good enough,” Smith said. “That's the bottom line. I wasn't good enough mentally, physically, in a lot of phases.”
Smith’s reconstruction started this offseason. Although the Broncos signed veteran cornerback Nate Jones this offseason, the coaching staff showed it hasn’t given up on Smith. He was the third cornerback in the first offseason practices instead of Jones, although Jones was ahead of Smith in a recent practice. The two will battle for the spot in training camp.
Smith seems better prepared for the challenge than he was last year.
“You come in as high as I came in and you don't play as well, you kind of have a chip on your shoulder because everyone is now looking at you; everyone is questioning why you were picked so high,” Smith said. “For me, personally, I do have a chip on my shoulder. I just want to work, get better and hopefully I can be a better football player for this team.”
After getting a hard lesson as a NFL rookie, the most important thing for many second-year players is regaining confidence. And, that is an issue for Smith.
“As a rookie you have an up and down year, being hurt, not playing as well, not being a vital guy on special teams, not being able to help on defense - that can get frustrating as a player,” Smith said. “As competitive as I am, of course I got a little frustrated, and I kind of lost confidence.”
He’s lucky to have helpful veterans around him. All four of Denver’s starting defensive backs are past 30 years old, and all are lauded for their professionalism. Champ Bailey said he noticed Smith got down on himself when he made mistakes. Bailey said Smith has matured since last year, and he has helped Smith rebuild his confidence.
"When things go bad, don't get down on yourself, because you've got to keep playing," Bailey said.
Perhaps Smith can rebound. Players can make a big leap in their second year as they understand the game better, and a full year in the team’s offseason conditioning program usually helps. The Broncos will be watching Smith closely to see if he takes a positive step this year.
“You have a whole lot to learn in 16 games,” Smith said. “I'm just glad I'm not a rookie anymore.”
ENGLEWOOD – A few rookies master the NFL right away, but it’s rare. Most first-year players can relate to Alphonso Smith.
The Denver Broncos drafted Smith, a cornerback out of Wake Forest, in the second round last year. There’s always pressure on second-round picks but it was magnified for Smith because the Broncos traded a 2010 first-round pick to take him. That pick ended up being 14th overall.
Smith was fantastic in college. He had the 10th most interceptions in college football history. None of that success translated right away to the NFL. He couldn’t win the nickel cornerback job in training camp. During the season, 35-year-old Ty Law and practice-squad member Tony Carter were signed and immediately promoted ahead of Smith. And when Smith had to play because of injuries, he didn’t play well.
“If I can be honest with you, I have no room for excuses - I just wasn't good enough,” Smith said. “That's the bottom line. I wasn't good enough mentally, physically, in a lot of phases.”
Smith’s reconstruction started this offseason. Although the Broncos signed veteran cornerback Nate Jones this offseason, the coaching staff showed it hasn’t given up on Smith. He was the third cornerback in the first offseason practices instead of Jones, although Jones was ahead of Smith in a recent practice. The two will battle for the spot in training camp.
Smith seems better prepared for the challenge than he was last year.
“You come in as high as I came in and you don't play as well, you kind of have a chip on your shoulder because everyone is now looking at you; everyone is questioning why you were picked so high,” Smith said. “For me, personally, I do have a chip on my shoulder. I just want to work, get better and hopefully I can be a better football player for this team.”
After getting a hard lesson as a NFL rookie, the most important thing for many second-year players is regaining confidence. And, that is an issue for Smith.
“As a rookie you have an up and down year, being hurt, not playing as well, not being a vital guy on special teams, not being able to help on defense - that can get frustrating as a player,” Smith said. “As competitive as I am, of course I got a little frustrated, and I kind of lost confidence.”
He’s lucky to have helpful veterans around him. All four of Denver’s starting defensive backs are past 30 years old, and all are lauded for their professionalism. Champ Bailey said he noticed Smith got down on himself when he made mistakes. Bailey said Smith has matured since last year, and he has helped Smith rebuild his confidence.
"When things go bad, don't get down on yourself, because you've got to keep playing," Bailey said.
Perhaps Smith can rebound. Players can make a big leap in their second year as they understand the game better, and a full year in the team’s offseason conditioning program usually helps. The Broncos will be watching Smith closely to see if he takes a positive step this year.
“You have a whole lot to learn in 16 games,” Smith said. “I'm just glad I'm not a rookie anymore.”