Aldon Smith DE/OLB Univ. of Missouri

[Lomax to Green 84]

I know a guy who is a bigtime University of Missouri football fan and he told me recently that of all the explosive athletes who have come out of Missouri in recent years (Jeremy Maclin, Sean Weatherspoon, Brad Smith, etc..) the best, in his opinoin, was redshirt sophomore DE/OLB Aldon Smith. After talking to him I did some research on Smith and found some very intriguing qualities about the guy. First, he is draft eligible sophomore and is seriously considering coming out and entering the 2011 draft. I found that he had a monster freshman year with 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. He was named a freshmen 1st team all-American and was the newcomer of the year in the Big 12 in 2009.

The game that probably most excites NFL scouts is the game Smith had against Colorado (LT Nate Solder) in 2009 where he just owned Solder with multiple sacks and numerous tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Smith's numbers are down a bit this year because he missed 3 full games in October with a broken fibula and wasn't close to 100% the rest of the season.

I had a chance to watch Missouri vs. Illinois back in September (prior to the broken leg) and Smith was an absolute monster. He had 2 sacks and numerous quarterback pressures in the game. The announcers kept saying that Smith was widely considered by scouts to be a bigtime player and a future NFL star.

Smith is listed at 6'5" and 260 pounds and is considered a terrific athlete. He probably can make the move to outside linebacker. He could be another guy we keep an eye on as the draft process really starts heating up.

 

[SuperSpck]

I've always love the idea of getting good value for a player in the draft.

Can't say I noticed him though.

 

[juza76]

i think he will be available for 2012 draft

 

[conraddobler]

He's still thinking about it, but he can come out if he wants.

He's a very good player, I'd love to have him on my team, ferocious guy, monster talent and still pretty young.

 

[stewdog1]

i think he will be available for 2012 draft

If he is an idiot, yes he will be available in 2012.

 

[juza76]

If he is an idiot, yes he will be available in 2012.

not sure.he had an injurie problem this year and he couldnt repeat the 2009 season..if he will be full healthy the nxt season he will be a top 5 pick..more money

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Thought I'd bump this because I read where he has declared for the draft. Very interesting prospect.

 

[Hypothesis]

I like this kid. He's athletic, got good size and a non stop motor.

My only real concern with him is that he looks real stiff in the open field and when he has to turn his hips, leading me to believe he'll struggle when asked to drop into pass coverage. I'm going to be real interested in his combine performance.

 

[Cardiac]

Thought I'd bump this because I read where he has declared for the draft. Very interesting prospect.

Walter's latest mock has him going at #12 to the Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
Smith is reminiscent of Jason Pierre-Paul in terms of his talent level. He's a freak with the size, speed, and athleticism you want in a 4-3 end. Jared Allen had a down year and Ray Edwards is likely gone in free agency. It would be smart to take a highly talented defensive lineman here with no quarterback really worth this pick - unless you want to set the franchise back five years by drafting Ryan Mallett.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2011matt.php

Conrad,

How do we get both Aldon and Gabbert?

 

[Cards Czar]

Aldon Smith had declared for the draft. He would be a really good pick in the middle 1st rounds.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/article_d9aadc9a-8e6e-5d8c-95b1-7285c4384d08.html

 

[Rats]

If you could trade up from the second and grab him in the lower 20's of the 1st I would do it. He did have an injury but he recovered and played well. He is going to be a very good pro but he is young and needs seasoning. I would not want him early in round 1.

 

[conraddobler]

Walter's latest mock has him going at #12 to the Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
Smith is reminiscent of Jason Pierre-Paul in terms of his talent level. He's a freak with the size, speed, and athleticism you want in a 4-3 end. Jared Allen had a down year and Ray Edwards is likely gone in free agency. It would be smart to take a highly talented defensive lineman here with no quarterback really worth this pick - unless you want to set the franchise back five years by drafting Ryan Mallett.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2011matt.php

Conrad,

How do we get both Aldon and Gabbert?

I would trade down in this draft to about 10 and pickup another pick if possible and take him right at 10.

I don't want Gabbert on this team, he needs a really good QB guru where he goes, and he needs a year to sit minimum.

Wish we could get both because they're both great players but it's impossible given where we are to get it done IMO.

 

[Hypothesis]

I would trade down in this draft to about 10 and pickup another pick if possible and take him right at 10.

I don't want Gabbert on this team, he needs a really good QB guru where he goes, and he needs a year to sit minimum.

Wish we could get both because they're both great players but it's impossible given where we are to get it done IMO.

Huh?

 

[football karma]

I don't want Gabbert on this team, he needs a really good QB guru where he goes, and he needs a year to sit minimum.

so this implies the Cards should never take a rookie QB in the draft -- yes?

there seems to be this frequently put forth idea that the Cardinal coaches can't handle a young Qb.

I am not sure where this exactly comes from. The sample size is so small, I don't know how you conclude its coaching relative to inherent talent.

 

[conraddobler]

so this implies the Cards should never take a rookie QB in the draft -- yes?

there seems to be this frequently put forth idea that the Cardinal coaches can't handle a young Qb.

I am not sure where this exactly comes from. The sample size is so small, I don't know how you conclude its coaching relative to inherent talent.

When has it ever worked out?

 

[conraddobler]

Huh?

Sorry the way I posted it dosen't make any sense.

I meant both are good players but for one reason or another we either shouldn't have or can't have both.