View topic - Tomiln "Anthony Smith is not a Thug"

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Hey Coach, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck - Well, maybe it's a duck.
OR maybe he's just stupid and can't cover? You decide.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_582463.html?source=rss&feed=9

Tomlin: Anthony Smith not a thug
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Mike Tomlin took exception to a recent newspaper story that referred to free safety Anthony Smith as a thug, and the Steelers coach made it clear that he is still simmering over what he said is a mischaracterization of Smith.
"He's not a thug," Tomlin said at a news conference today. "He's a young professional football player who is trying to be at his best who happens to play the game very physically. I was offended by that reference to him."

Smith is one of the Steelers' fiercest hitters, and he has occasionally belted one of his own teammates in practice even though the team almost never tackles during drills.

Smith collided with Hines Ward last week in practice, knocking the veteran wide receiver to the ground after he had made a catch during a 7-on-7 drill. Ward did not comment after practice on the hit but he clearly wasn't happy about it.

Smith said the two have talked and everything is fine between them.
"He didn't take it personal," Smith said. "He knew it wasn't personal so what is there to be mad at?"

Tomlin said today Smith shouldn't have hit Ward. However, he said a line was crossed when Smith was labeled a thug.

"We understand that perception all of the time is not reality," Tomlin said. "But something things are written or said that are hurtful."

In other news, cornerback Deshea Townsend (groin) won't play Thursday night when the Steelers take on the Bills in Toronto. Others that won't play in the 7:30 p.m. game include free safety and Woodland Hills graduate Ryan Mundy (ankle), linebacker Mike Humpal (stinger), defensive tackle Kyle Clement (knee) and strong safety Troy Polamalu (hamstring).

Byron Leftwich, who signed with the Steelers Sunday, will play against the Bills, Tomlin said.

The Steelers signed Leftwich to back up starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after Charlie Batch broke his right collarbone.

Tomlin said Roethlisberger and the first-team offense will play more than they did in the team's preseason opener last Friday.

Justin Hartwig will work with the starters while Sean Mahan will play with the second-team offensive line. The two are battling for the starting job at center

[Nel Profile]

The article link below from the PTR adds more information about this, such as that Hines Ward was "smiling" on the ground after that hit by Smith in practice and also brings in a comparative Romanowski reference, calling the thug comment a double standard. Good reading.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... rss&feed=3

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Interesting is right. Like Ryan Clark throwing the race card into the discussion.
Did it really need to go there?

Post-Gazette's got a story on the "thug" thing as well.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08226/903878-66.stm?cmpid=steelers.xml

[steelerette Profile]

Hines always comes up smiling. He once said in an interview that no matter how bad he is hurting after a hit, he will never let them see him sweat. According to the article posted by Nel, Smith didn't hit Hines very hard. Although Smith may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, I think it's a little harsh to label him as a thug.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

More today on the Smith Public Relations Campaign.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_583673.html?source=rss&feed=9

[WoodsonOfSteel Profile]

Anthony Smith is misunderstood.

"Thug" is NOT synonymous with "idiot".

Don't get me wrong... I like his talent... I like his ability to deliver the big-hit... But when I think Anthony Smith, I always think of the high-stepping interception return against the Panthers. Entertaining, it was... But that was the warning flag of things to come from the then rookie.

I think it's time he starts focusing on covering receivers before he becomes the Black-n-gold version of the Dallas Cowboys' Roy Williams. I was embarrassed as a Steelers fan because of his worse than lackluster performance against the Patriots last year.

Let's hope that he doesn't ever have a game like that again...

Oh yeah... He's an idiot. Not a thug.

/rant

[Nel Profile]

Smith's collar is just not blue enough yet, and still sometimes thinks "team" is spelled "me."

I don't want to see any more of his trophy dances, although he can certainly play.

[Nel Profile]

I think this stupid hit on Ward in pre-season helped to kill Smith's chances with the team for 2009.

[ILLSTILL Profile]

Interesting point. It couldn't have helped. Plus, Clark's return doesn't help that.

So, did you sift through the forums for this thread or use the DREADED STILLERS.COM SEARCH ENGINE!!! ?

jk

[lloydrules Profile]

This is power old news, other than Smith wasn't brought back.

[Nel Profile]

Interesting point. It couldn't have helped. Plus, Clark's return doesn't help that.

So, did you sift through the forums for this thread or use the DREADED STILLERS.COM SEARCH ENGINE!!! ?

jk

The engine, of course!

Key words were "Ward Smith"

[Nel Profile]

This is power old news, other than Smith wasn't brought back.

It may be old news, but I recall thinking at the time that when Smith did that to Ward, the fork was in and Smith was done.

[Field General Ben Profile]

Anthony Smith is not a Thug

He's not a Steeler neither.

[lloydrules Profile]

This is power old news, other than Smith wasn't brought back.

It may be old news, but I recall thinking at the time that when Smith did that to Ward, the fork was in and Smith was done.

It's a shame. Watching him lay ppl out I thought he was a real gem and steal in the draft. Plus, he led the NCAA in take a ways his Sr. year. He looks, acts and is stupid. That's the bottom line. On the plus side, who here knew that Clark would end up being an assassin out there? This was the first time in his career that he laid the smack down so frequently. He didn't have these shots when he first arrived in Pgh. But he was smokin' fools this season. And big time in the post season. Loved that.

[Snockered Pedestrian Profile]

Gatemouth Smith is, thankfully, a Packer and no longer tormenting Stiller Nation Worldwide.
$1M talent, $0.10 head.

[PGHeaven Profile]

I agree with lloydrules. Anthony is a hitter and if he ever grows up look out. I had a dreadful premonition that Anthony as a Packer lays out one of our guys next time we meet

I think Coach Tomlin made an example out of Anthony, and in itself that strategy played out well. However, we are loosing a good raw talent

[Steel Holiday Profile]

Have to agree with Tomlin on this one, Smith isn't a thug...he's a punk. For those of you who don't travel through the other side of town, or haven't been bumping the latest 3sixMafia rap album, let the Dr. of Ghettonomics bring you up to speed.

Punk: Someone who is self absorbed. They don't realize what they do and say effects other people in their immediate environment. Popping vets in practice and saying you will beat an undefeated team on their home turf are punk like behaviors. Ex. Anthony Smith.

Thug: Someone who acts tough and gives off an image of being hard, but doesn't realize what waters they tread in with those actions. When the heat is on this person is far more likely to accidentally shoot themselves then hit one of the bad guys. Ex. Plaxico Burress

Gangster: Slingin' dope. Unlimited table dancing hookers. Armoured up Hummers. Gangsters are bad dudes. Ex. Pacman Jones

Hustler: This guy is so good at what he does it throws off even the most balanced adversaries. He will tell you about beating you also. Ex. Face Me Ike Taylor

Pimp: A pimp is someone who is very talented. A pimp is so good he can get into doing 10 thing at once. Because of his greatness 8 or 9 will go his way. It is that 1-2 other things that can get him in over his head. Ex. Santonio Holmes

Player: Players are great when they are playing at the top of their game. Bad thing about a player is that they are also doomed to eventually get played. Ex. Deangelo Hall

G: A G is good at everything in the Ghetto. Shoot, G's made the ghetto. Gotta take the good with the bad on this one. Ex. Terrell Owens

Baller: A baller doesn't care what it is, just give him his chance. Can be any game, any time, any odds, he thinks he will win. Love this guy. Ex. Big Ben Roethlisberger

Come back next time for the advanced class and the Dr. of Ghettonomics will dissect why it is we don't try to flee from the cops on a mo-ped.

[lloydrules Profile]

I think this stupid hit on Ward in pre-season helped to kill Smith's chances with the team for 2009.

That's moronic. That had NOTHING to do with it. If Smith showed any advancement and ability to offer quality play, he'd be on the roster without a doubt. He is just a stupid guy who could never grasp the system - to the point that he didn't even dress for the Super Bowl. THAT had 100% to do with his cut; the hit on HW had NOTHING to do with it, other than just another example of how stupid this guy is.

[Nel Profile]

I think this stupid hit on Ward in pre-season helped to kill Smith's chances with the team for 2009.

If Smith showed any advancement and ability to offer quality play, he'd be on the roster without a doubt.

Right, and being stupid help to kill him with the Stillers. Thanks for proving my point.

[steelcitymetal Profile]

and now he gets a chance to lay that hit on ward during the regular season...