Tales from the SunnySide: Le Kevin Smith

by Doc Bear on Aug 18, 2009 11:30 AM MDT in 2009 Denver Broncos Season Preview

The Denver Broncos are officially looking for leadership.

With the acquisition of former New England Patriot Le Kevin (pronounced leh KEE vin) Smith, the Broncos have once more gone for a player who was a leader during his collegiate career. Playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Smith teamed with Titus Adams over his last two seasons there to a top-level pair of defensive tackles on a 4-3 line. Smith himself contributed a stellar swim move and 6 sacks to a defensive line that accounted for a total of 50 sacks, the best in the USA, over Smith's senior year in college (2005). NFLDraftScout.com referred to him as the 'high energy leader' of that line. This importation continues a pattern that has carried over since the first of the Josh McDaniels/Brian Xanders free-agent signings was confirmed. Character matters. So does intellect. And, after the bend-and-break defenses of the past few seasons, physical and mental toughness are now flat-out requirements.

Le Kevin is a natural athlete. As a youth, Smith used to challenge other kids to a back-flip contest, often completing 3 and 4 in a row. Now 6'3" and 308 lbs, Smith can still do a back-flip. He should get along well with Marcus Thomas, who can toss a mean back-flip of his own. As a high school athlete, Smith earned letters all four years in track as well as football. He was a three-time state discus champion in Georgia, and a two-time State shot-put champion. Le Kevin is a very, very good athlete. He was also an All-State defensive tackle his senior year at Stratford Academy where he did his prep work. He was named the USA Today Georgia Player of the Year and was also an All-American according to both Super Prep and Rivals.com, playing at defensive tackle. Stratford Academy would win two Class 3A state football titles while he was there.

Smith's college career at Nebraska got off to a shaky start in 2001, though, as he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in August training camp. He also required surgery on his other knee that offseason, but Smith was undeterred. He red-shirted and used the time to his best advantage in the weight room, returning with more bulk and more strength as a freshman in 2002 and earned All-Big 12 honors that year.

His career really took off as a junior, however. He was an All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention as a nose guard. He racked up 43 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 pressures, and 11 tackles for loss, while starting all 11 games that year. As a senior, he was even better despite moving to under-tackle. He had the above mentioned 6 sacks and a whopping 12 tackles for loss, batting away one pass and intercepting another while adding 7 pressures. Smith only missed 1 game in his entire college career after returning from his knee injury. Over the course of his career, he totaled 36 tackles for loss, the 7th most in Cornhusker history. The quality of his play earned him an invitation to the Combine.

Combine was just another chance to him to shine. He was measured at 6'3" and 316 lbs. Despite his size, he ran a 4.97 40-yard dash, did 30 reps on the 225-lb. bench press and demonstrated a 30.5-inch vertical jump. He also scored a 9'1" broad jump and ran the 10-yard dash in 1.75 seconds. nfldraftscout.com had him as the 148th-ranked player in the country. The draft, however, didn't agree. He was finally picked in the 6th round, pick #206 by New England.

"He has a little position flexibility," Bill Belichick said after the Patriots selected Smith. "He has a little bit of height to him so he could possibly play some end. I think we’ll start him off a little more at nose tackle. Let’s see how it goes."

New England saw his potential and quickness. Eventually, they moved him to defensive end in the 3-4 rotation although he was used in different looks. He never started; but in fairness, the New England front three is one of the best in the league. Using his speed and tenacity, Smith began to stand out on special teams. He played on coverage units and blocked for returns. He won increased playing time each year, and last season he totaled a career-high 21 tackles. He even picked up Andre Hall's fumble last season in New England. He is capable of playing DT in the 4-3 or DE in the 3-4. His versatility can help him fight for a roster slot in Denver, although he will probably not start.

Some fans feel that this is a slap at our current players. I think that the coaches will tell you that you can't have too much quality at DL, and that competition brings out the best in people. Smith is well known for his voracious work ethic, and that's also something that the Broncos could use.

Beyond the field, Smith has the body of an athlete and the soul of an artist. He likes to paint, draw, and also enjoys photography and architecture. Some of his paintings hang in a Macon, GA hospital. He was even considering an architecture degree, but his practical side won out. He finished his degree in construction management in December, 2005. Smith was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll in 2003. And his name, which has raised some eyebrows, is a combination of his father's name, Louis, and his mother's name, Kim.

In interviews - here and here - Smith comes across as intelligent, gentle, thoughtful and sensitive - a strange combination in such a large man with such a violent occupation. He loves drawing and loves to cook, making any kind of Southern meal. But that's the kind of contradiction that you often find in men with unusually high intellects, multiple talents and physical skills. They like to be the best at everything that they do, and they try to learn their subjects well, as his history and honor roll achievement shows.

Smith wasn't going to crack a starting rotation that includes Richard Seymour, Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork, especially with backups like Jarvis Green and Mike Wright also finding minutes. He may or may not make the rotation with the Broncos, but he's willing to try. Said Head Coach Josh McDaniels,"We're just trying to improve the football team in every way we can," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "If there's a player at any position that could help us or we feel could improve our depth or talent, at any position, we would take a look at him. He certainly is a guy that we've evaluated and feel like he could fit what we're doing."

John Blake, Smith's position coach at Nebraska (now with the Dallas Cowboys) said, "He really knows the game of football."

Rodney Collins, Smith's coach from high school said,

"Some kids are blessed with [talent] and take it for granted. He was never like that. His conditioning was a sense of pride with him. He was a leader in the weight room as well as on the football field. Everyone looked up to him here, and he was nice to everyone. The kind of guy that everyone wants to be around. Just a big ol' teddy bear."

Obviously, a bear with big, long claws. It will be fun to see if he can claw his way onto the Broncos roster. With his size, skill set and experience, I wouldn't bet against him. Give the man a salmon!

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Comments

Wow, great work on short notice

This is awesome stuff, as always.

"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy

by Ted Bartlett on Aug 18, 2009 11:36 AM MDT reply actions

Nice piece. I am excited to see this guy play.

Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.

by Tim Lynch on Aug 18, 2009 11:38 AM MDT reply actions

Just a Big ol Teddy Bear....

Hopefully of the grizzly variety! Thanks Bear very good depth.

"as in football so in life"

by asinsoin on Aug 18, 2009 11:39 AM MDT reply actions

Thanks Bear, good info as always

I agree, Larsen shouldn’t get any bigger. I am getting tired of his bone crushing hits knocking the pixels off my TV, once they fall to the floor they are very hard to find.

by Arctic Bronco on Aug 18, 2009 11:45 AM MDT reply actions

hey guy

I think this guy is good depfth unless he start which is cool but I did not see three corny line men out there last week guy. first guys was do they job pretty cool. they were effectual. the ryan mcbean sandwich. that gon be the bew one at mcdonalds guy.the ronlad feilds the kenny peterson. They play good. the chris baker too. but after they an marco thonmas it start to peter out yes. This guy in you rotational keep you line man fresh guy. come on now corner back and safety pick ball off run other way you lineman do they job pessure sack final.

I is fan of the Denver

by Horvil Tiki on Aug 18, 2009 11:50 AM MDT reply actions

LOL

I love your site man. Your insights are always right on.

by Endzone on Aug 18, 2009 12:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Great timing Bear.

I was just thinking about Smith when I sat down and refreshed MHR. This was a pleasant surprise. : )

I am definitely a McD/Xanders fan, but even if I wasn’t I think I would like this pickup. Makes a ton of sense to me and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make our active roster every week and contribute on both D and ST.

Good luck Le Kevin. Nice work Broncos!

by NedBronco on Aug 18, 2009 11:59 AM MDT reply actions

New nickname; "The Teddy bear".

Great job as usual bear and smart is the norm with this guy McDaniels, awesome coaching strategy so far for all you naysayers. They be some smart moves you can’t contradict…hmmm.

by bfree2bronc on Aug 18, 2009 12:01 PM MDT reply actions

I love this pickup

But I’m also heavily biased as a student at Nebraska and a lifelong Husker fan.

by alacy9513 on Aug 18, 2009 12:03 PM MDT reply actions

Thanks Bear.

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."

by KaptainKirk on Aug 18, 2009 12:42 PM MDT reply actions

Smith at LDE, Baker at NT, Thomas at RDE . . .

Maybe it’s just the orange kool-aid. After all, we don’t know how any of these guys will turn out, but I am salivating just a little bit . . .

Never argue with a fool, lest you take on his appearance. - my daddy

by AZDynamics on Aug 18, 2009 12:45 PM MDT reply actions

+1

I’m likin what you’re seein… I think that Baker and Thomas might just be the future of our d-line…

"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" -- Wimpy J. Wellington

by Broncs Cheer on Aug 18, 2009 1:02 PM MDT up reply actions

The rotation will be decent

At some point, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Thomas, Baker, and Fields on the field together.

by JeffG on Aug 18, 2009 2:28 PM MDT up reply actions

I've skimmed a lot of sites, looking for information on the new acquisition...

…Le Kevin Smith. But broncobear’s bio blows the competition away. It isn’t the first time bear has done that either.

Thanks bear!

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Aug 18, 2009 1:06 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs

Great post..

good information and what looks to be a solid aquisition. Like I said before,w hen we get to the final 53, some good players are going to be cut. I’m beginnning to love the depth this team is building in every position.

But some tough choices down the road. The good kind of tough though.

by AlanC11 on Aug 18, 2009 1:06 PM MDT reply actions

Great info as always

Thanks Bear!

by AllBroncsallday on Aug 18, 2009 1:19 PM MDT reply actions

Thanks Bear

It’s great to have such quick & insightful analysis.

"The best defense is a good offense. Or is it the other way around." Wolverine
Pray for the best, prepare for the worst, and know you will come down somewhere between the two.
Livin' in La La Land and Lovin' It

by Brian Shrout on Aug 18, 2009 1:33 PM MDT reply actions

Broncobear to the rescue.

I was just trying to find out more about Le Kevin Smith when up pops this great bio. It totally scoops anything else I’ve found. A nice fresh Alaskan salmon for the doc.

Imagination is more important than knowledge. A. Einstein

by Ponderosa on Aug 18, 2009 1:44 PM MDT reply actions

Love me some SunnySide!

Here’s a nice sockeye for you, bear!

by BroncosBassist on Aug 18, 2009 2:04 PM MDT reply actions

Bear…where the heck do you find this info? Good stuff!

I hope he thrives here in Denver.

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Aug 18, 2009 3:55 PM MDT reply actions

Research geeks rule!

lol

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Doc Bear on Aug 18, 2009 4:37 PM MDT up reply actions

Then that makes me

an aspiring ruler. =)

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left." – Yogi Berra
"No, I'm from Iowa, I only work in outer space."

by KaptainKirk on Aug 18, 2009 6:17 PM MDT up reply actions

From T.S. Eliot:

One of the surest tests [of the superiority or inferiority of a poet] is the way in which a poet borrows. Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal; bad poets deface what they take, and good poets make it into something better, or at least something different. The good poet welds his theft into a whole of feeling which is unique, utterly different than that from which it is torn; the bad poet throws it into something which has no cohesion. A good poet will usually borrow from authors remote in time, or alien in language, or diverse in interest.

You and Bear make your research into something better. Unfortunately, I tend to deface what I take. ;-)

"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!

by PosterNutbag on Aug 18, 2009 11:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Nice post and a question

I’m curious why you see Le Kevin more of a backup, than a potential starter? (At least that’s my take of your writing.)

Sure, he wasn’t a starter in NE. He did play 18% of the downs in 2008, and it increased as the season progressed. In addition, he came into the 2009 camp more determined than in the past to improve his physical and mental game. Because of his time in NE, he actually has more experience as a DE in the 3-4 than most of the current Broncos, and it’s a hard position to play, so that experience gives him an advantage, doesn’t it?

I think McDaniels prefers to have more experienced guys on the field to cut back on mistakes, and even though Smith never started, at least he’s been playing the position on a top team for a while and has been improving.

He just might be better than our current players, no?

by MichaelCushman on Aug 18, 2009 4:11 PM MDT reply actions

You're quite right, MC

Why? Simply because he certainly can start, but he’s in a similar situation to a lot of Broncos players – they have been looking of the right slot a an NFL player, but haven’t found it yet. I’m thinking here of Reid, Moss, Fields, Baker, McBean, Smith and several others. I don’t at all mean that he couldn’t win a starting slot – I hope that he does, with his athleticism and experience. With all of these guys, I’m in a Missouri state of mind – show me!

If they do, I’ll be thrilled. I just don’t want to get over-excited and assume that he’ll be X or Y or overstate who he is. He’s got a heck of a chance to play, and can even earn a chance to start. Now it’s up to him. I’m open to whatever he can bring to the table.

Hillis/Moreno in '09

by Doc Bear on Aug 18, 2009 4:42 PM MDT up reply actions

Thanks

You are right, there’s still a lot of shaking out to do. Like many people, I am most concerned about the front 3 and the lack of depth. Having more depth is a plus all by itself. Most likely the coaches have some concerns with the current crew and felt a need to look around. One thing is for sure, there are going to be at least 3 guys starting in the front 3 who weren’t doing it last year.

by MichaelCushman on Aug 18, 2009 10:42 PM MDT up reply actions

Great write-up, Bear. Thanks.

It certainly looks as though he will contribute – if nothing else – push the competition to be even more fierce. If he sticks, and I think that he will, he may be a starter or at least in the rotation. I have heard meanderings of more individual rotations of personal. In the days of Joe Collier, he rotated the entire DL at one shot.

Always high praise to “Give the man a salmon”.
Thanks, Bear.

by Blackknigh on Aug 18, 2009 8:31 PM MDT reply actions

Le Teddy Bear

That is french for “teddy bear.”

It is quite obvious to me why you looked deeper into this player, Doc. Bears of a feather?

I concur with those above that you are quite the clutch performer. Unless you had a Le Kevin post percolating on the backburner, whic ont eh one hadn wouldn’t surprise me, but seems doubtful. :)

Le Salmon, furry one!

Precision in thought, concision in style, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 19, 2009 2:52 AM MDT reply actions