Lj Smith

[Runnin Raven]

Hey I see LJ caught 1 pass for 26 yards yesterday. I was at the game and didn't even realize it was him. Just thought I'd celebrate by creating this thread . Hope he didn't get injured during the postgame interview .

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' date='28 September 2009 - 01:34 PM' timestamp='1254166451' post='243702']
Hope he didn't get injured during the postgame interview .
[/quote]
LOL - normally I reserve this kind of joke for opposing teams players.... but when you're right you're right.

Twas very nice to see him on the field though. Didn't look half bad on his 1 reception

[Runnin Raven]

Hey and of course its in good fun. I like LJ and I am really hoping we've got something there. Dude has skills.

[FlaccoFlicker]

with one catch so far he is alive but on life support

[Integrity]

Immediately following the play, LJ Smith trotted over to the bench, tripped over it, and broke his leg. He'll be on IR for the remainder of the season.

Just kidding guys. He looks like he can put up some serious yards after the catch. Hopefully he can stay healthy and get on the field more against the Pats.

[RavensClaw52]

The play of his catch, was it a 2 TE formation or was he just subbing in for Heap? I didnt get to watch the game

[Runnin Raven]

It was a damn nice run after the catch too.

[hammer]

You can laugh all you want about LJ's injury history and the evidence supports your chuckles. However, from what I have seen of this guy in the two times he has touched the ball, I am now clear on why the Ravens have not given up on him. This guy is absolutely "ELECTRIC" when he has the ball in his hands! He always seems to catch the ball in stride and then absolutely bewilders the defense. If this guy can stay healthy (thats a BIG IF) then he is just what the doctor ordered. He is truly a breakaway threat. No disrespect to Heap, but this guy has far more speed and natural talent at this time of their careers.

[RavensClaw52]

[quote name='hammer' date='28 September 2009 - 04:26 PM' timestamp='1254169573' post='243746']
No disrespect to Heap, but [b]this guy has far more speed and natural talent at this time of their careers[/b].
[/quote]

I beg to differ. A big part of the TE's job is blocking and Heap has him beat. Until I see Smith catch a ball with pressure when it counts (Heaps grab that led to a Stover field goal in the Division game)he still has some proving to do. Not taking anything away from Smith but one catch doesnt cut it, ask Yamon Figurs, he only had 1 grab each of the last 2 seasons. LJ has skills this team needs and thats why we picked him up but not better than Heap, yet.

[hammer]

I think you are comparing apples to oranges. I didn't say he was better that Heap. I said that he was an electric breakaway threat each time he has the ball. Heap is not, never was. So my comment was saying that LJ has more natural talent, not that he is better. Heap is a better blocker. But Heap is also a better blocker than Tony Gonzales, Dallas Clark, Chris Cooley or even Antonio Gates. That doesn't mean that Heap has more talent than them. I know it is early in the process, but from what I have seen, when LJ touches the ball, he is sprinting down the field for another 20 to 25 yards. When Heap gets the ball, he is getting blown up in his shoes. Its early, but I can clearly see a differnce.

[BloodRaven]

The difference is a few months from now L.J will be sitting next to DWill in their wheelchairs watching us win the Superbowl

[YYZ66]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='29 September 2009 - 01:02 AM' timestamp='1254196970' post='244116']
The difference is a few months from now L.J will be sitting next to DWill in their wheelchairs watching us win the Superbowl
[/quote]


We fans are a tough bunch.

[MagicianCamille]

He looks so good when he's out there too. It's pretty unfortunate he's had injury issues.

[smokey31]

Just wait til you see Tony Curtis block. He's one off the best. He's got mad speed now and should be a huge factor at TE soon.

[Gtown Purple]

I like LJ personally, he made some nice plays in Philly. Todd Heap is playing so well right now that LJ isn't going to get many looks. He's here as insurance for Heap. He's no stranger to injury either.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='RavensClaw52' date='28 September 2009 - 04:16 PM' timestamp='1254168987' post='243735']
The play of his catch, was it a 2 TE formation or was he just subbing in for Heap? I didnt get to watch the game
[/quote]

Yes it was 2TE set. LJ Smith ran a seam route down the middle. The Safety on that side shifted his coverage to Mason on the outside for double coverage.

The playside LB ran with Heap, and the backside LB bite on the playaction.

Lj Smith was wide open, caught the ball and got as many yards as he could.

If LJ can stay healthy he will be an important part of the offense because he will be another weapon for Joe.

[H8R]

LJ looked good on that play, making two tacklers wiff. I think we need this guys healthy and a 2 TE set could be just the thing to rock New England! Especially if Ray rice catches a screen pass!

[beetus]

The problem is that the Ravens are moving away from the 2 TE set in favor of 3 WRs. Yes LJ has some great moves, but Todd is the better route runner, has better speed, the better blocker, and has better hands. I can really see Heap returning to the Pro Bowl this season if the first 3 games have been any indicator (and since Tony G is in the NFC now =P).

[FerrariFan87]

Smith looked really good on that catch and run... I hope it's the start of something even more.

[RavensClaw52]

[quote name='hammer' date='28 September 2009 - 05:02 PM' timestamp='1254171766' post='243799']
I think you are comparing apples to oranges. I didn't say he was better that Heap. I said that he was an electric breakaway threat each time he has the ball. [b]Heap is not, never was[/b].
[/quote]

Did you watch the Ravens in the third and fourth years of this decade? Heap was deffinatly a downfield threat. He led the team in catches/yards.

[hammer]

RC Claw, you're right. In the early days Todd could get down field. I still like his toughness, but he has slowed down a lot these days and is taking some punishing hits.

[wbirkhead]

[quote name='beetus' date='29 September 2009 - 10:56 AM' timestamp='1254236212' post='244221']
The problem is that the Ravens are moving away from the 2 TE set in favor of 3 WRs.
[/quote]

I think this move was only because for the first 2 games our 2nd TE was Edgar Jones, a converted DE. Now that we have 2 very good TEs in our lineup we will see Cam go back to using 2 TEs more.

[hammer]

Yup! And it is especially good to see that one of those tight ends has an incredible ability to run after the catch. We are going to need this type of dynamic player to add to Flaccos menu of options.

[McBoller]

[quote name='hammer' date='30 September 2009 - 09:53 PM' timestamp='1254361992' post='245137']
Yup! And it is especially good to see that one of those tight ends has an incredible ability to run after the catch. We are going to need this type of dynamic player to add to Flaccos menu of options.
[/quote]
yes, I have to admit, he looked MUCH better than Heap running after the catch. Heap lumbers so much I cant tell if he's a TE or OL.

[itscbm5042]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' date='28 September 2009 - 03:51 PM' timestamp='1254167468' post='243712']
Hey and of course its in good fun. I like LJ and I am really hoping we've got something there. Dude has skills.
[/quote]

When I saw him streaking across the field I thought it was Washington or D Will because he was so fast. He has amazing speed for a TE and I hope he sees the field more often and I'd like some two TE sets. Everyone is right on when they say his big play ability is his yards after the catch and deceptive speed. If he is matched up on an LB I like that match up almost every time for a big play.

[hammer]

I love Todd in short yardage situations. He is one touch stud. bBut I REALLY want to see more of LJ on first and second downs and third downs and long. Come on Cam! Lets get some exitement on the field!

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='29 September 2009 - 04:02 PM' timestamp='1254196970' post='244116']
The difference is a few months from now L.J will be sitting next to DWill in their wheelchairs watching us win the Superbowl
[/quote]
Lol, good call.