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Vocal Smith happy to be a Brown
Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
03.29.2007

When Shaun Smith came to visit the Browns as a free agent in March, it was his first experience with free agency but he said he instantly felt a connection and desire to come play with the Browns.

Unfortunately, as a restricted free agent, it wasn't his choice. Whatever the Browns offered Smith, the Bengals had the right to match.

"On my visit I kept texting my agent saying I wanted to get something done that Cincinnati couldn't match," Smith said during his first availability with the Cleveland media Thursday. "I felt a vibe and I think this program is one the rise."

Fortunately for Smith, things worked out and he officially joined the Browns on March 16, signing a four-year contract with the club.

The four-year veteran has played 34 NFL games with the Bengals and Saints with 7 starts, marking 74 tackles.

Prior to free agency, Smith had his eye on the Browns just as much as the Browns did on Smith. Slated to become a restricted free agent, Smith said he met with his agent at the Super Bowl and made a list of teams he liked who were in need of defensive tackles.

He said the Browns were No. 1 on his list.

Now, he'll tutor under 17-year veteran Ted Washington as the heir apparent to the team's nose tackle position. He'll likely share the duties in the middle with Washington while possibly playing some defensive end as well to help spell veterans Orpheus Roye and Robaire Smith.

He hasn't met Washington yet, but said he's anxious to do so.

"Someone who has played in the league for 17 years -- evidently he knows what it takes to stay in the league," he said.

Smith likely didn't need an introduction to most of the Browns' offensive unit. The vocal lineman has talked his share of trash to Browns players during the past three seasons as a Bengal.

Smith said he's always talking during games and will trash talk to just about anyone. He said he even frequently went after his childhood hero Jerome Bettis when he played against the Steelers.

"He has a nickname for me but I can't say it," Smith said.

Smith grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. but moved to Wichita, Kan. before his junior year of high school to help avoid distractions and concentrate on academics and football.

Smith, now 6-feet-2 and 325 pounds, was a 270-pound running back at Wichita Heights High School (hence his love for Bettis). There, he played against city rival Northwest High School who, at the time, featured a pair of brothers named Wimbley -- one being Browns 2006 first-round pick Kamerion Wimbley.

There, Wimbley was the team's quarterback. Now the former offensive prep stars will play together on defense in the NFL as surely two of the league's better players to come out of Wichita since Barry Sanders.

While he has played mostly in a 4-3 in the pros, Smith played in a three-man front during two seasons at South Carolina and played over the center during short-yardage situations in Cincinnati.

There, he became familiar with Browns running back Jamal Lewis, who then was with the Ravens. Smith said not to believe those who are saying the running back's best playing days are behind him.

"He's not at the end of his career -- trust me," Smith said. "He has at least four more years of football. He's one of the hardest guys I've had to tackle since I started playing."

While he won't have to stop Lewis anymore, he will still be enlisted on a regular basis to aid the team's efforts against the run against backs like the Bengals' Rudi Johnson, the Steelers' Willie Parker and new Ravens running back Willis McGahee.

To do so, he'll have to use more than just intimidating words. But he said he's up for the challenge.

"I love doing the dirty work," he said. "I don't need the fame and glory. I'm here to compete. I'm here to help the Browns win and make the playoffs."

That last sentence shows me enough. If Big Ted can rub off on him a bit and get that weight up a bit, it sounds like this guy might be our NT for a few years. Hope he brings the stop to the run were needing.

AT 6'2" 325 I don't think he needs to get the weight up. He's a shorter, squatty bowling ball as is. Most reports have him plugged as a nost tackle. Good signing by Phil.

i'm glad we signed him he really wasn't that expensive and will get to learn behind big ted for a year.

True, i guess he doesn't need to put on weight. Im just used to seeing a 400 lb mammoth walking up to the line. What can i say, i just want a fat guy down there who will help plug holes to stop the run.

Quote:

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There, Wimbley was the team's quarterback.

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QB PROBLEMS SOLVED!

then we can draft jamarcus russel to be our edge rusher

I can't recall the final figures on the contract, but IMO it was not "cheap" esp. for a "backup". But, hope springs eternal and with any luck this guy can earn his spot on the roster and silence those Bungle fans that say we got snookered. We still need to draft a NT this year desperately.

The guy says the right things......I hope he plays well......we need some of these guys to come in and play well.

And stay healthy

Yes, doesn't it seem that we are snake bitten sometimes.... Anyway,, yea,, I hear ya

seems like a good guy...

it would be awesome if he pans out, and becomes the starting middleman for our front... one less thing to worry about...

and wimbley a qb? man, he must have been tough to tackle

i didnt realize that Smith was like 26/27... he could hold it down for us for some years... I like that... I like the fact that he talks smack... Intimidation plays a big part i think... Hope he can get some nice push and colapse the pocket..

now we only need either/ or both :

Ryan McBean
Jay Alford

Both can play DE in our 3-4.... Just go ahead and stock up on the defensive front 3 like we stacked up last year w/ LB's...

lol.. yall gonna get enough of the Georgia jokes..

Moses is not a QB ... but he would be a hell of a linebacker in the 3-4...

Just Imagine:

Quote:

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Defensive Front 7

NT - Shaun Smith
DE - Jay Alford
DE - Ryan McBean

OLB- Kamerion Wimbley
OLB - Quentin Moses
MLB - D'Qwell Jackson
MLB - Andra Davis

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Now that is what you call a masterpiece...

So you think 2 rookies could start over Robaire Smith and Roye? That seems like an awful lot to ask of them in their rookie year. Especially non 1st round picks.

that way rac plays rookies... it will be 2 years lol

Aah that makes more sense. The way I read your post I interpeted it to be opening day starters. I have no problem getting young guys and grooming them to start and hopefully we get a couple in this draft.

i am pretty sure smith received 4 years 8 mil. which is about 7.5 in overpayment.

8 mill is a bit much, MOURG, but cmon...that's just a sour apples exaggeration...

It could be highly back-loaded and easy to get out of for the Browns. Does anyone know the actual wording? I haven't seen anything about it.

What it is ..Phil had the money..the kid fits a huge hole and has experience, and wants to play...