Steelers' Anthony Smith Shouldn't Be Allowed to Talk During Patriots Week

It was almost a year ago that Anthony Smith, the then-second-year Steelers safety, uttered these words as the team prepared to face the Patriots: "Yeah, I can guarantee a win." Of course, he qualified by adding, "As long as we come out and do what we got to do," but not many people were interested in the entire quote since it was barely newsworthy.

At the time, I didn't put much stock in pregame guarantees, and I still don't. But there's no denying that the Patriots targeted Smith all afternoon, and he was directly responsible for two New England touchdown passes.

It wasn't just the Patriots who took advantage of Smith's over-aggressiveness, though; opponents regularly went after the free safety, and head coach Mike Tomlin had to bench him late in the year. As long as we're dredging up painful memories, it was Smith's replacement, Tyrone Carter, who David Garrard outran for a first down on a critical late-game fourth-down play during the AFC Wild Card matchup.

But what's done is done, so on and what not. The Steelers will travel to Foxboro this Sunday, and Smith is still talking. Sort of. Via the Indiana (Pa.) Gazette's Matthew Burglund:

"If they ask me again, I'll say the same thing,'' [Smith] said Thursday night after the Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 27-10 at Heinz Field.

Pretty innocuous, frankly, and Smith's words won't have any effect on the outcome (the Pats targeted him last year because he was the defense's weakest link; the usually laconic Bill Belichick even had some post-game thoughts: "We've played against a lot better safeties than him, I'll tell you ... The safety play at that position was pretty inviting.'' Ouch.), but why even mention it?

We can blame the media for beating this story into the ground -- and that's perfectly acceptable -- but that's their job: to find news, even where none exist.

This preseason, Smith did promise to tone things down, and, to be fair, we haven't heard much from him in three months (sitting on the bench will do that). And while his (non)comments are hardly inflammatory, he'd probably be better off just saying nothing.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-26-2008 @ 1:05AM

Stabberz said...

Anthony Smith's only "sin" is that he's an aggressive minded player on a team prided on such behavior since the 70's to present day...i really wish Steeler nation and the entire media would go an look for bigger fish to fry. The 2 GADJET PLAYS he fell for last year were designed to trick the defense, much the same way we used one in the '05 Superbowl but i doubt Seattle's media is roasting the player responsible over there. I personally love his manner of playing even if im forced to admit he needs to get the mental side of the free safety position down a little better. As good as our defence has been, we're lacking that "show of force" image since the days when Porter used to guard the 50yrd line prior to games...so i'll be the first to say i respect Anthony Smith for not being afraid to say what every man on our team should be. And why are we supposed to be afraid of speaking out against the Patriots anyway??

11-26-2008 @ 7:14AM

Number1Brady said...

When brady ran down the field and got in Smiths face why wasnt he called for taunting? Smith should of tore his helmet off and savagely beat the patriot* QB.

11-26-2008 @ 7:41AM

Buddy Toledo said...

Brady taunted Smith after a touchdown where Smith wasn't involved in the play, and before he underestimated Moss' speed and talent as much as every front office who didn't spend a fourth round pick for him. So I think Smith was definitely targeted by Brady and Belicheck, who both seem to have the attitude of a 12-year old tennis prodigy.

I also don't think that a safety is completely responsible for two long touchdowns when a quarterback like Tom Brady can drop back to pass 46 times without being sacked once or substantially pressured. The whole team played terrible last year.

What really makes me upset is Tomlin's response - it's not his decision if that game affects Anthony Smith's career. Actually, it was Tomlin's decision to bench Anthony Smith after the next game. What makes it so egregious is that Tomlin is so reluctant to ever sit anybody - Ben had to be sacked three times in that Jacksonville game before Tomlin realized that Marvel shouldn't be playing. Look at how many injuries have resulted in upgrades, meaning Tomlin is letting his best talent sit on the bench. But because Anthony Smith looked as bad as the rest of the team against the historically best passing offense, he gets benched. But that's not Tomlin's decision.

11-26-2008 @ 8:29AM

lk said...

I'm a pats fan and personally, who cares if the guy wants to say his team will win? I mean, good for him, he should go into every game thinking they will win. That is called having a winning attitude. People acted like his comments stirred the beast, but the Steelers did not lose that game because of what he said, just another example of the media going overboard for entertainment purposes.

11-26-2008 @ 10:09AM

REGINALD MCRAE said...

I FEEL THAT YOU CANT BLAME ANTHONY SMITH THE WHOLE TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE SMITH HAS A GOOD WINNING ATTITUDE ABOUT WINNING THE WHOLE TEAM SHOULD HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE ABOUT A A GUARANTEED WIN

11-26-2008 @ 11:23PM

Sooo said...

OF course he is going to say his team is going to win.
Dont be dopes people.
He was benched because he is undiscplined but very talented. People will know who he is soon enough and not for this bullcrap.

11-26-2008 @ 10:58AM

marc said...

I understand what you are all saying, but disagree.

Be a professional, Anthony. Act like you've been there before.

Every guy in the NFL believes that if their team plays to its abilities they will win. There's no reason to shoot it out to the media. Let your actions speak for themselves.

Also, it is Smith's fault he got beat on those two plays. He is the one that bit on the fakes. Free safety rule #1, no one gets behind you. If Smith can't adjust his mental approach to the position, he should move over to strong safety.

Also, you really don't think Seattle's media didn't scrutinize the guy that got beat on Randle El's pass?

Finally, I don't have a problem with Tomlin's decision on Smith. Remember, Tomlin came up originally as a DB coach and he is probably more strict on those guys. He probably defers some decisions on OL since he doesn't know those guys as well. It's like the old saying in baseball, "Is your starting pitcher at 75% better than the guy in the bullpen at 100%?"

11-26-2008 @ 3:02PM

steelers4evr said...

the only thing the steelers should be focused on is a year end run for the super bowl ,they do have all the ingredients to win ,but they cant complascent on just giving it half ass ,what they need to do is keep turnovers at a minimum,and take advantage of turnovers themselfs,if they do that then just like the giants game they will be champions ,but they seem to shoot themselfs in the foot most of the time ,so here is to the super bowl champion STEELERS,take name and numbers and leave no prisoners

11-27-2008 @ 12:26AM

"..it is Smith's fault he got beat on those two plays. He is the one that bit on the fakes. Free safety rule #1, no one gets behind you. If Smith can't adjust his mental approach to the position, he should move over to strong safety.."

If you've spent any significant time watching the Steelers play defence you should know they play "11 men to the ball" to eliminate extra yardage...so while its easy to say "HE" got caught on the fake, truth is the entire team was over aggressive in their approach, he's jus the one that comes out looking the worst due to his position. As for the second part of your post i'm assuming you think A.Smith has executive decision making power to change his own position...lol

"..you really don't think Seattle's media didn't scrutinize the guy that got beat on Randle El's pass?.."

Its not that i dont think they didn't "AT THE TIME".. but i doubt they still eat dinner over the topic like some of you seem to be on this one...removing the 2 errors/touchdowns, we still lose 20-13 so i laugh at those who claim we lost because of him.

And dont forget...one of the best free safeties in the game right now, Ed Reed is forever gambling on plays and "getting caught" yet we have a more physical, hard hitting young talent in A.Smith and we want to run the guy outta town. Some of you guys upset me...lol