Looked a little different then the last time Lions fans saw him clutching his knee with a torn ACL against the Cincinnati Bengals back during that magical 2009 2-14 season. It’s the kind of story that will be heard about and dissected from every angle for the next 4 days before the Thanksgiving game against the Packers.
After a spectacular college career that included being the first player from UCF to be a consensus All-American after his junior season Kevin Smith broke Marcus Allen’s single season rushing attempts record by 45 carries. Also, Smith ended his junior season at UCF 62 yards short of Barry Sanders’ single season rushing record (yeah that kind of company).
Kevin Smith was a 3rd round draft pick for the Lions in the 2008 NFL Draft. Seen as the future of the Lions’ running game at that point he had his moments in his rookie season and ended up with 976 rushing yards (good for 4th among rookie running backs) and 8 TDs which was the 3rd highest tally by a rookie in Lions history.
Then came that December day against the Bengals.
While making a cut, Smith shattered his tore his ACL and from there its been a long tough road, one most of us “normies” would never understand unless we went through it.
Earlier this year the Lions decided to not bring back Kevin Smith choosing not to re-sign him. Although not fully healed from the knee injury he tried out and failed to catch on with any of the six teams he tried out for during training camp.
Since then, Lions RB Jahvid Best suffered his second or third concussions since his senior season at Cal and the Lions have failed to develop a strong running game with Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams in the backfield. From there Lions GM Martin Mayhew, made the call to Smith for a workout where he was rewarded with a one-year contract and a chance to ressurect his career. Then in his first NFL game in about 2 calendar years, Smith goes out and has a career day against the Carolina Panthers to the tune of 16 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns, plus four receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown.
Not a bad return.
This is not to say Lions fans should expect this kind of outburst every week. After all, he’s (Smith) still working his way back from what in most cases can be a career ending or altering injury. But with a new number and a reconstructed knee he can give the Lions the running back threat needed to at least keep the pressure off Matthew Stafford and the receiving corps.
So let this be the first of what will be hundreds of stories and comments about Kevin Smith in the next week until the Thanksgiving game against the 10-0 Packers.
Ref: PrideofDetroit.com (image)