Taj

Smith

A JUCO transfer, Smith caught 44 passes for 822 yards and five TDs in his only full year with the Orange. He’s reportedly been timed at 4.42 in the forty, but turns 25 soon and has struggled with drops. Smith is likely no more than a late second-day pick currently who could rise in the pre-draft period.

Smith never had much of a chance with the Colts. The team also waived RB Lance Ball, WR Sam Giguere, DL John Gill, DT Adrian Grady, RB Mike Hart, DE Marcus Howard, DB Dante Hughes, C Steve Justice, WR John Matthews, WR Brett McDermott, RB Walter Mendenhall, OL Tom Pestock, LB Michael Tauiliili, DT Terrance Taylor, OL Jaimie Thomas, DE Josh Thomas and OT Michael Toudouze.

This leaves Green Bay with only three defensive tackles, so they may be ready to make a trade.

Not a good landing spot for Smith; he’d need several injuries just to grab a spot on the practice squad. DeBauche has a real shot to beat out Jon Ryan.

Police say Smith was swerving and crossing the center line while driving downtown. Police also say he failed a field sobriety test and had a blood-alcohol content above the legal limit. This is probably Smith’s ticket off the practice squad.

These players will be offseason practice bodies for the most part, although Thomas does have potential to be an impact lineman. He would have been drafted in 2009 had he not been injured as a senior at Maryland. Lambert was never much of a cover corner at Notre Dame, but can play special teams.

Smith had a nice showing in preseason action before tearing his hamstring in early September. His re-signing isn’t exactly a boost of confidence for Austin Collie owners, hoping he’d be cleared to play this week.

Smith is expected to miss five weeks, confirming that he’ll be one of Saturday’s final cuts. He needs to find a home with a thinner receiver corps.

Smith isn’t going to make the final roster, but he can always tell his grandkids about the time he owned Bills corner Ellis Lankster. Smith hauled in a 38-yard Curtis Painer bomb with Lankster draped all over him late in the second quarter. On the very next play, Smith beat Lankster again for a 43-yard score.

James’ lone claim to fame is being Edge’s little brother. He never improved after his freshman season at Miami (FL), and isn’t talented enough for the pros. Skinner, an in-the-box safety, could be headed for the practice squad.