Congrats Alex Smith

[Uscg-green]

I don't usually talk positive about the... Well whatever we call them these days but congrats to Alex Smith. Almost lost his life, almost lost his leg. I've had a bad injury. The amount of pain and work that man went through to get Physically well enough to play in the NFL? He must have a iron will. One positive story in a crappy year. 

[Guest]

It sure was good to see what he overcame to get back on the field.

[Mike030270]

They looked really good in that last season they played. Though a lot has changed since then

[EricAllenPick6]

He wasn't amazing, but simply playing football again is a miracle.  Great story.  Now go and retire before something bad happens, Alex!

 

[greenskeeper]

comeback player of the year...and it's not even close

[paco]

Snaps his leg in half, goes through two gruesome years of rehab, comes back as the 3rd QB on the team, regains his job, goes 6-5 as the starter to win Washington their first division title in 5 years and rightfully wins comeback player of the year.

 

End result?

Quote

NFL Rumors: Alex Smith, WFT 'Expected to Part Ways' Ahead of 2021 Free Agency

The Washington Football Team is reportedly preparing to move on from quarterback Alex Smith.

Ian Rapoport and Kim Jones of NFL Network reported the move will happen in "the coming days." It's unclear if Smith will be released or traded, though the former is far more likely.

Smith is due an $18.8 million base salary in 2021. Washington would save $14.7 million off its 2021 cap by moving on from his contract.

Smith returned in 2020 from a life-threatening leg injury, throwing for 1,582 yards and six touchdowns against eight interceptions in eight games on his way to winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year. While he was noticeably a lesser player than his prime, Smith helped lead Washington to an NFC East championship and went 5-1 as a starter.

Smith recently spoke to Clay Skipper of GQ and said it was clear to him that the team did not want him back heading into last season.

"When I decided to come back, I definitely threw a wrench in the team's plan," Smith said. "They didn't see it, didn't want me there, didn't want me to be a part of it, didn't want me to be on the team, the roster, didn't want to give me a chance. Mind you, it was a whole new regime, they came in, I'm like the leftovers and I'm hurt and I'm this liability. Heck no, they didn't want me there."

Washington has explored options to improve the quarterback spot but has yet to make any moves. The team re-signed Taylor Heinicke, who impressed in place of Smith in Washington's Wild Card Game loss to Tampa Bay, but there is no obvious starter on the roster.

 

Smith has been open about his desire to return for the 2021 season, but his market will likely be limited. Some teams will undoubtedly have hesitation about the long-term health of his leg, and his passer rating last season (78.5) ranked 31st among qualifying quarterbacks. 

If Smith is willing to take on a backup role, then perhaps he'll find a home. If he thinks he'll get to compete for a starting job, that feels unlikely at this juncture. 

 

[Bwestbrook36]

3 hours ago, paco said:

Snaps his leg in half, goes through two gruesome years of rehab, comes back as the 3rd QB on the team, regains his job, goes 6-5 as the starter to win Washington their first division title in 5 years and rightfully wins comeback player of the year.

 

End result?

 

Definitely someone who deserves it. I hate when they give it to someone who just sucked ass the year before. 

[Dawkins 20]

5 hours ago, Bwestbrook36 said:

Definitely someone who deserves it. I hate when they give it to someone who just sucked ass the year before. 

Alex Smith could've played one snap, kneeled down, waved to the crowd and be finished forever, and he'd STILL be the most deserving person ever of the Comeback Player of the Year award. 

[Bwestbrook36]

11 minutes ago, Dawkins 20 said:

Alex Smith could've played one snap, kneeled down, waved to the crowd and be finished forever, and he'd STILL be the most deserving person ever of the Comeback Player of the Year award. 

Agreed!

[EricAllenPick6]

It's unbelievable that this wasn't unanimous.  I read that one voter broke for Ben Roethlesberger.  C'mon, man!  

[Vee]

4 hours ago, EricAllenPick6 said:

It's unbelievable that this wasn't unanimous.  I read that one voter broke for Ben Roethlesberger.  C'mon, man!  

Unfortunately a Steelers fan who couldn't vote against the party line....

[Captain F]

Ertz and a 5th for Alex Smith.  

[paco]

18 hours ago, What The F said:

Ertz and a 5th for Alex Smith.  

On 3/2/2021 at 1:20 PM, paco said:

Snaps his leg in half, goes through two gruesome years of rehab, comes back as the 3rd QB on the team, regains his job, goes 6-5 as the starter to win Washington their first division title in 5 years and rightfully wins comeback player of the year.

 

End result?

Quote

NFL Rumors: Alex Smith, WFT 'Expected to Part Ways' Ahead of 2021 Free Agency

The Washington Football Team is reportedly preparing to move on from quarterback Alex Smith.

Ian Rapoport and Kim Jones of NFL Network reported the move will happen in "the coming days." It's unclear if Smith will be released or traded, though the former is far more likely.

Smith is due an $18.8 million base salary in 2021. Washington would save $14.7 million off its 2021 cap by moving on from his contract.

Smith returned in 2020 from a life-threatening leg injury, throwing for 1,582 yards and six touchdowns against eight interceptions in eight games on his way to winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year. While he was noticeably a lesser player than his prime, Smith helped lead Washington to an NFC East championship and went 5-1 as a starter.

Smith recently spoke to Clay Skipper of GQ and said it was clear to him that the team did not want him back heading into last season.

"When I decided to come back, I definitely threw a wrench in the team's plan," Smith said. "They didn't see it, didn't want me there, didn't want me to be a part of it, didn't want me to be on the team, the roster, didn't want to give me a chance. Mind you, it was a whole new regime, they came in, I'm like the leftovers and I'm hurt and I'm this liability. Heck no, they didn't want me there."

Washington has explored options to improve the quarterback spot but has yet to make any moves. The team re-signed Taylor Heinicke, who impressed in place of Smith in Washington's Wild Card Game loss to Tampa Bay, but there is no obvious starter on the roster.

 

Smith has been open about his desire to return for the 2021 season, but his market will likely be limited. Some teams will undoubtedly have hesitation about the long-term health of his leg, and his passer rating last season (78.5) ranked 31st among qualifying quarterbacks. 

If Smith is willing to take on a backup role, then perhaps he'll find a home. If he thinks he'll get to compete for a starting job, that feels unlikely at this juncture. 

 

 

[Captain F]

7 minutes ago, paco said:

 

Ertz and a 4th?

[paco]

Officially released

[Bwestbrook36]

2 minutes ago, paco said:

Officially released

I know it's a business and all but, damn... Not like they have other options

[Mr_Philly]

I’m just amazed that he was able to come back and play decently after that injury, I’ll always have a high opinion of him because of it. Congrats Alex, now go enjoy retirement and the rest of your life.

[paco]

He's probably just trying to win the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year

Quote

Alex Smith, reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year, announces retirement from football

Longtime quarterback Alex Smith announced his retirement Monday, capping a 16-year journey that started as the first overall draft pick and ended after his improbable return from a gruesome injury.

Smith, who turns 37 next month, announced his decision in a 2 minute, 12-second video posted to Instagram, saying he wants to spend more time with his family. He was released by the Washington Football Team last month but was the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2020 for getting back on the field after an injury two years earlier that nearly cost him his right leg.

"Even though I've got plenty of snaps left in me, after 16 years of giving this game everything I've got, I can't wait to see what else is possible," Smith said in the video. "But first, I'll take a little time to enjoy a few of those walks with my wife, and my kids have no idea what's coming for them in the back yard."

After suffering a compound leg fracture in November 2018, many assumed Smith's career was over. He required 17 surgeries to stem an infection in his right leg, which was nearly amputated. He needed to wear an external fixator on his leg for eight months and developed drop foot.

His battle to return to action was the subject of an ESPN documentary, Project 11, that aired last spring, and Smith kept fighting, passing numerous tests and milestones along the way to being cleared by doctors.

"Two years ago, I was stuck in a wheelchair staring down at my mangled leg wondering if I'd ever be able to go on a walk with my wife again or play games with my kids in the yard," said Smith, who has three children. "Putting my helmet back on was the farthest thing from my mind. I kept asking myself, 'All this for a stupid game?'"

But, Smith said, having a football in his hands again while working out at the Center for the Intrepid allowed him to feel "stronger, more driven and what once seemed impossible began to come into focus." He had a team of doctors helping him along the way and benefited from his time at the Center for the Intrepid, which typically works with wounded military personnel.

Later Monday, Smith was asked during an interview with SportsCenter about reuniting with Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer -- his college coach at Utah -- and mentoring likely No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence. Smith said he visited Jacksonville and liked what they are building.

"I wanted to do my due diligence even though I was leaning toward retirement, and I wanted to marinate in it a little bit," Smith said. "I wanted to see what was out there, and I'm happy I did. But no -- I was ready. I am ready [to retire]. And I'm just so excited for what else is out there."

At this time a year ago, there was severe doubt in the Washington organization about Smith's ability to even be able to participate in training camp -- let alone make a roster. Numerous people in the franchise would say, "If anyone can do it, Alex can." But they also didn't make concrete plans involving him.

But Smith fought his way back onto the 53-man roster and, after being inactive for the first four games, he finally played again in Week 5 when starter Kyle Allen was injured.

It did not go well that day for Smith, who passed for 37 yards but was sacked six times, including on his first series by Rams star Aaron Donald. It showed Smith, and others, what his leg could handle.

Smith later started six games -- Washington went 5-1 in those contests -- and helped the organization win the NFC East title with a 7-9 record. But a bone bruise forced him to miss three of the last four games, including a playoff loss to the Buccaneers. Still, the fact that he played impressed others and he earned 49 of a possible 50 votes to win the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award.

Washington released Smith last month and signed veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Smith initially expressed his intent to keep playing but went unsigned more than a month into free agency.

Smith was drafted No. 1 overall by the 49ers in 2005 and spent eight seasons in San Francisco before joining the Chiefs in 2013. He started 167 games in his career, and his teams went 99-67-1 in those contests.

After Colin Kaepernick's rise in San Francisco, the Niners traded Smith to the Chiefs, where he spent five seasons and helped Kansas City reach the playoffs four times.

Kansas City traded up in the 2017 draft to select Patrick Mahomes and, after that season, traded Smith to Washington for cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick. Smith started 16 games in Washington, which went 11-5 in those games; the team's record with anyone else starting in the past three years was 6-27.

Mahomes said Monday that Smith "always seemed to come out on top" despite the adversity he dealt with throughout his career, while Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Smith would make a great coach some day.

"If he gets into coaching, I get first dibs on him," Reid said. "I doubt he will, but if he decides to go that route, he's a guy you would love to have on your staff."

For his career, Smith passed for 35,650 yards, 199 touchdowns and 109 interceptions. His 46 interceptions since 2013 were the second-fewest by a quarterback with at least 70 starts, trailing only Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers.

"I was a skinny no-name recruit who wasn't supposed to play in college let alone go to New York as a Heisman finalist or be the first one to have his name called on draft night," Smith said in the video. "And then on a routine play, I almost lost everything -- but football wouldn't let me give up because, no, this isn't just a game. It's not just what happens between those white lines on a Sunday afternoon. It's about the challenges and commitment they require, it's how hard and how far you can push yourself and it's about the bond between those 53 guys in the locker room. It's about fully committing yourself to something bigger and most of all it's about you."

Smith then thanked the fans of the teams he represented: "Niner Nation, the Chiefs Kingdom or the Burgundy and Gold."

"To all the men I had the privilege of standing with and playing alongside, thank you," he said. "Thank you for believing in me and thank you for helping me believe in myself and in the impossible."