Topic: Will Lee Smith see the ball as much as Slate has in the past?

[catfanatic1979]

Will Lee Smith see the ball as much as Slate has in the past?

I hope so. I think he should become the focal point of the passing game just as Slate was for so many years. He is very seasoned and has some of the best hands of any vet on the team.

He only has this year to impress NFL scouts and I think he can be a 2nd or 3rd rounder if he gets enough catches this year to show his stuff.

[BHFIOHIO]

I doubt it seriously but it is JMO....he is a diff type player than Cody....Lee is the consumate TE where Slate had 4.5 speed at 6'4 220 lbs and could get open 30 yds or more down field like a WR....but I do think he will be an important part of the offense...catching and blocking.

[guru shudu moonday]

i think cody was fed the ball sometimes. lee is a totally different type of T.E.  IMO lee is the best in the conference at his spot. to not use that type of weapon would be an error. i think he will/should  see the ball more than the average T.E. would in a non-snyder type "O" where the ball is spread out among players  with more plays designed for big gains.

[wvmafia]

I don't think so, but that's just my opinion.  I base it on Cody being more of a receiver than a tight end and I also think that the offense will be totally different.

[biggreenarms]

I don't think he'll be getting the ball as much as Slate did but I hope he gets his share of catches and TDs.
#16 is one player I love to watch grind an opposing player into the ground on some of his devastating blocks.
I think he takes pleasure in dishing out pain.  ;D

[The E-Man]

Under Snyder ball, I'd say Smith wouldn't get to touch the ball as much. Snyder ball was simply, B-S smash mouth football. We have a new "arial Herd attack back" look for OC  Petersen to use all of our weapons. We are going to be throwing the rock around a lot. This year Smith is going to remind people of Sean Doctor and Mike Bartrum. It's going to be a fun year....

[usedcars1]

A lot of times Cody was our only receiving threat.Lee will  still be a weapon but  the defense will have  to concentrate more  on the WR's. When they do that, it will  leave him either one on one or wide open. Cody never got single coverage.
I doubt if he will catch as many passes but I believe he will be very effective in all facets of the offense. Helping as a blocker for our running game and a great alternative for our qb's to throw to. I look for our o/c's to develop a few plays specifically for him.
It should be fun to watch!!!
Go Herd!!!

[jt]

I love it any time we throw the ball to Smith. Total confidence in his game. The QBs will equally love throwing to this guy.  When we need him, he will be there.
Big NFL future. Really happy he stuck around to help us out.

But, I think it'll be WRs first and Lee second in the offense when they throw.

[wvmafia]

I love it any time we throw the ball to Smith. Total confidence in his game. The QBs will equally love throwing to this guy.  When we need him, he will be there.
Big NFL future. Really happy he stuck around to help us out.

But, I think it'll be WRs first and Lee second in the offense when they throw.

I think that Lee is NFL ready right now.  He could play on Sunday's this year as a blocking TE.  I personally think that he is back this year to come out of Cody's shadow and show that he can catch the ball....he's a beast!

[ought-three]

Lee Smith is a very good ball player. He doesn't have quite the speed or hands as Slate, but he is that guy who is going to get the score down near the goal when he boxes out on a linebacker and pushes on in. He will get 5 1/2 yards on 3rd and 5. He isn't going to be the focal point, but he will make a difference in those big games when we need a play. We need WRs that can spread the field and help get him loose, though.

[Marshallguy04]

I think that Lee is NFL ready right now.  He could play on Sunday's this year as a blocking TE.  I personally think that he is back this year to come out of Cody's shadow and show that he can catch the ball....he's a beast!

Possible Heath Miller type? If so...THROW HIM THE BALL!
I hate Pittsburgh but Heath Miller is an amazing TE and built for blocking. Smith could easily become a Heath Miller type TE.

[Gaylen]

Cody Slate was 6-4, 220 with 4.5 speed. Folks, he may have played tight end but he was a big wide receiver. Lee Smith is a prototype tight end and I think he will get the ball a lot on a lot of crossing and safety valve plays.

[Johnnyherd]

No, the reason Cody was our leading receiver was because we had no real passing game.  Hopefully Lee will get 4-8 balls a game, but if a TE is getting 15 passes a game, you've got  scheme issues.

[lexkyherdfan]

Like others say...I don't think Lee Smith will catch as many balls simply because Slate was more like a WR.  Saying that...I do think Smith will get more balls than a lot of TEs would because he is a huge target and can catch and run for a big guy.  He can really be used as an advantage with his size and skills.  I love watching him play as he is a fun player watch play the game.  Plus if you ever meet him...wow...what a person he is.

[bbcard1]

I think Lee might be used in a similar way that Jason Rader was...he will be an important cog in our o and his catches will be huge, but he will not be a "lock on" target like Cody often was...personally I hope our QBs are skilled enough not to have a "lock on" target.

[Thundering In MD]

No, the reason Cody was our leading receiver was because we had no real passing game.  Hopefully Lee will get 4-8 balls a game, but if a TE is getting 15 passes a game, you've got  scheme issues.

Agreed.  I think we will once again see some Marshall football in 42 days, and that is good news for the WRs.

[QuickStrike]

Speaking of Cody Slate...........anybody know how his knee rehab and shot at the pros is going?

[svherd]

I think he'll be close. Snyder relied on Cody way too much and did force the ball his way on many occasions. While Lee is a different type of TE, I think he will have a very good year and be an important go to guy in the red zone. Lee will be drafted to the NFL thats for sure.

[exanimate]

One of the funnest things about watching Lee play is how frustrated and pissed he makes the defender. I would love to see the stats showing the penalties that are called on the players that face him.

[guru shudu moonday]

The dude can catch and then run people over. Lee Smith will play in the NFL

[jsbowen]

One of the funnest things about watching Lee play is how frustrated and pissed he makes the defender. I would love to see the stats showing the penalties that are called on the players that face him.

+1

I loved watching him on Special Teams.  Didn't matter if the ball was 100 yards away, he would hit anyone close to him.