Thread: Alphonso Smith could be one and done in Denver

Alphonso Smith could be one and done in Denver
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on August 31, 2010 12:31 PM ET
Josh McDaniels made a few questionable decisions during his desultory first draft as Broncos head coach, but none looks worse than the decision to trade a first-round pick for cornerback Alphonso Smith.

The draft class has time to turn it around, but Smith may not. One year later, Dave Krieger of the Denver Post writes that Smith may not even make the team.

At this point, Smith appears to be battling rookie seventh-round pick Syd'Quan Thompson for the ninth and possibly final defensive back roster spot. Thompson is coming off a preseason performance that showed more promise than anything Smith has done as a pro.

Look, we understand bad picks happen. But McDaniels traded a 2010 first-round pick to Seattle to take Smith No. 37 overall. (The traded pick turned into the No. 14 selection; Seattle took Earl Thomas.) If you are going to gamble that big on an undersized cornerback, you better be right.

Smith's possible release points out just how hard it is to judge college talent. The Broncos took cornerbacks Perrish Cox and Thompson in the fifth and seventh-round respectively in 2010. They both look like long-term keepers.

Smith, essentially taken with a first-round pick, may be one and done.

speculation. He is not one and done. I guarantee he makes the team.

Originally Posted by underrated29

speculation. He is not one and done. I guarantee he makes the team.

How many CB's do you think the Broncs keep?

I expect an injury to occur......IR
Mobile Post via Mobile.BroncosForums.com/forums

Unfortunately, that looks like the situation, Turf. I was not happy with the
selection back then, and, if anything, I have soured even more on it. Just think
what the Broncos could have done this year with three first-rounders . . .

-----

Originally Posted by underrated29

speculation. He is not one and done. I guarantee he makes the team.

I agree and I don't think Turf would disagree that's it's speculative. However, I don't think it would be shocking if Smith was sent packing. Imho Cox and Thompson have done more to make a case for them to make the team than Smith has.

Whatever. I just dont want him to make the team at the expense of someone more deserving.

Thompson should be a lock though. He's an awesome returner.

Originally Posted by turftoad

How many CB's do you think the Broncs keep?

champ,goody,cox,alphonzo,nate,syd......dawk,hill,b ruton,mcbath


last year we kept, champ,goody,alhphonzo,tylaw,carter.......dawk,hill ,bruton,mcbath, barrett


so this year since carter and barret is gone, we keep 6cb and 4dbs instead of 5 dbs and 5 s.

Remember Nate jones can play S in a pinch and is also a ST guy like barrett was.

Originally Posted by Sconnie Bronco

Whatever. I just dont want him to make the team at the expense of someone more deserving.

Thompson should be a lock though. He's an awesome returner.

Or Cox for that matter.

Originally Posted by underrated29

speculation. He is not one and done. I guarantee he makes the team.

Too bad. I hope he doesn't make the team as he's shown squat to date.

I'd rather McD and company admit their rookie mistake now, get Smith off the payroll and move on.

I don't see Smith helping us win and would rather see the spot occupied by someone who can.

Originally Posted by TXBRONC

Or Cox for that matter.

I agree but the article said it was between Thompson and Smith. Sorry, but thats a no-brainer.

Thompson is absolutely electric on punts. Im very excited about Thompson and would be furious if they cut him and keep Smith.

I think Josh would acquit himself better if he keeps a 7th rounder who is better and admit he made a mistake by cutting Smith...if it comes down to that. If they keep Smith, he will be compounding his original mistake with another one and will be criticized for both. I say this assuming Thompson will be good on returns. Ive never been more impressed with anyone we've had returning other than maybe Gordon. I feel that way about Cox too. Not even Hixon was this impressive and he went on to do good things with the Giants.

Originally Posted by red98

Too bad. I hope he doesn't make the team as he's shown squat to date.

I'd rather McD and company admit their rookie mistake now, get Smith off the payroll and move on.

I don't see Smith helping us win and would rather see the spot occupied by someone who can.

I feel for the Phonz. I really do. I wanted to be wrong about him in the worst
way. But, alas, it appears at this point you may be right . . .

-----

Originally Posted by TXBRONC

I agree and I don't think Turf would disagree that's it's speculative. However, I don't think it would be shocking if Smith was sent packing. Imho Cox and Thompson have done more to make a case for them make the team than Smith has.

This is true.

I don't see Smith willing to "fake" and injury and go on IR when he can be cut and try to earn a spot on another team. Would be the dumbest thing for him to do.

I don't see the sense in keeping him at his point. No matter what, the chances of him every justifying using that first round pick on him, at this point, is pretty damned hard to do. For him, it would be better to move on where he is looked upon by fans as a signed FA instead of a busted 1st round pick. Lot less pressure.

As for the coaching staff here... would be better to cut him loose now. I don't think they will ever be able to 'defend' teh pick any more, and it may be better just to move on and forward and accept the big mistake.

Originally Posted by Ravage!!!

As for the coaching staff here... would be better to cut him loose now. I don't think they will ever be able to 'defend' teh pick any more, and it may be better just to move on and forward and accept the big mistake.

I agree. They might even earn some respect for in essence admitting that this guy is a stiff and being done with it. If they cling to him at the expense of a more valuable and deserving player it will only look self serving and defensive at this point