Scouting The Draft: Alphonso Smith
by Matty I on Mar 18, 2009 12:15 AM EDT
in 2012 Miami Dolphins News
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Despite his lack of ideal height, Smith is a playmaker.
It's again time to continue on with our draft scouting reports. And that means it's time to take a closer look at one of the cornerbacks that could potentially entice Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland on draft day. That cornerback is Wake Forest's Alphonso Smith.
So I enlisted the help of 'WakeJake' from Blogger So Dear - SBN's great Wake Forest blog. Below are some of Smith's scouting combine measurables and then Jake's thoughts on the Wake Forest cornerback.
Alphonso Smith
Height: 5'9" / Weight: 193
40: 4.53 / Arm: 31 1/2" / Broad: 10'9"
Where can I even being with Alphonso Smith? He is such a fun player to watch on the field and has a great swagger off the field as well. I am a senior at Wake Forest, so I have watched almost every one of his games live as I travel with the Deacs. As you probably know, Phonz is undersized compared to the average NFL corner, standing at 5'9" and weighing in at 193 pounds. However, he is relentless in coverage and just has a nose for the ball. Whether he was matched up with the 6'6" Greg Carr of Florida State, Heyward-Bey of Maryland or Eron Riley, the great receiver from Duke, Phonz ultimately came down with the ball and the win. (The Duke INT was a game-winner). He is the all-time ACC leader in career interceptions. The only knock against Alphonso's play is that he sometimes gambles a little too much and always tries to make the big play. To our surprise, he didn't get burned as much as you would think considering his risky play. Smith can make up a lot of ground in little time and just always seems to be around the ball. He also blocked several punts for the Deacs over the last couple years.
Since he is the all-time ACC leader in INTs, he has had several great moments at Wake. However, there is one moment that stands out from the rest. In his junior season we were getting destroyed at home against Maryland. They had the ball inside the 5 yard-line in the 3rd quarter and a TD there would have ended the game. For some reason, the Terps decided to throw it to Phonz's side, where he picked it and returned it 99 yards for six. That sparked a crazy comeback and we ended up winning in overtime.
Here are some more highlights.
Alphonso is a great guy on and off the field and will succeed where ever he ends up. He also has quite the swagger off the field. One of my favorite Alphonso quotes was to Houston Nutt, the coach at Mississippi:
"I was telling Houston, 'Why are you bringing all that goofy offense into our stadium?'" Smith recalled. "He was saying, 'We're coming at you No. 2.' So this is what I said to him. I said, 'Well if that's your game plan, you won't be at Ole Miss too long.' He just laughed at me."
Here is a great article that will tell you more about his personality and story.
In the NFL, I feel that Alphonso will be ready to produce sooner rather than later. He may struggle in the first few months as he adjusts to the overall skill level of NFL receivers and a new defensive scheme. However, his relentless pursuit of the ball and desire to prove that he is elite despite his size will lead him to a successful NFL career. If I have learned one thing about him, it is never bet against Zo.
I would like to sincerely thank Jake from Blogger So Dear for taking some time to put this great report on Alphonso together for us.
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he is my first 2nd round hopeful
his playmaking ablity would fit in well with out secondary :)
25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC
This guy has two things I deeply want to see in the CB we draft
1- Star and leader in college
2-Playmaking ability, knack for the big play
Absolutley a playmaker
Is his size a big issue though!
by soonerdolphinfan on Mar 18, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions
I like the style of this corner...
Reminds me of a Ronde Barber but with panache! I think he will start out well, but you’ve got to worry a little if he’s gonna go against TO, Moss, and Cotchery for 6 games of a year. I’m sure an effort would be made to take advantage of his size. (Hypothetically if, we picked him up, and he beat out Allen out for a job)
25th pick - LB Clint Sintim
44th pick - CB Sean Smith
56th pick - QB Pat White
Creator of the "John Philips Bandwagon"
See this guy play a few times....
and he sticks out as a guy you wanna stay away from. He is a ball hawk….like Deion kinda. LOL i love that quote to Nutt…
id draft football players….not the tallest players….if i was a gm….this dude is a surefire football player.
1st pick 2nd rd?
The 2009 Garo Yepremian Funny Like a Clown Award Winner
The 2009 Ricky Williams Picture Perfect Award Winner
Butler is the only first day CB i would consider
unless the 40 times are wrong. CB is the most critical speed position, and 4.53 just doesn’t cut it. Travis Daniels was a playmaker and leader in college, he ran a 4.54 and was just too slow. Game speed is fine for other positions but a CB has to be fast no matter where he is what he’s doing fast, and i don’t see that in this crop:>)
Last man standing for the record breaking "CKC Luncheon aka This Place is Ridiculous 2 days ago by Little Nicky 21"---1073 latest 2 days ago by uncle finster
are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite" -Mr Blonde-
"Creator of the(pie in the sky) trade our 1st one of our 2nds and two of our 7th rounders and "draft B. J. Raji" bandwagon On board Matty I's Besswagon On board L Nicky 21s Brandwagon
Don't trust the combine 40's- because scouts aren't.
Look for his pro-day time and kind of average them because that is probably closer to the truth.
Winner of the 2009 Bill Parcells Award.
Less Lonely Leader of the Percy Harvin Bandwagon.
recovery speed
is what your looking for finster….not 40 time. This guy is a playmaker period. Can someone find out what he ran at his pro day. Travis daniels graded out as a 3rd prospect and thats where he went. There is no WAY Smith drops out of the 2nd rd.
however, if this guy´s recovery speed or speed point blank isnt top notch, then the trifecta
will take another huge playmaker in Macho Harris but with the 3rd pick and use our seconds for a top notch DT and a LB. Nobody talks about it because we have Ferguson right now, but if he goes down again like last year, which is probable because of his age and position, then our whole defense becomes crap.
cant agrue with that
DT is a HUGE need for us and your right if Ferguson goes down so does our defense. I think the secert is almost out on macho. Come draft time he’ll be a 2nd rd pick.
That bit about Ferguson
is completely unproven considering our backup NT was suspended the game that Ferguson was injured. It was just a freak accident. The Ravens were sick anyway, as we all know.
everyone well alot of ppl
including me expect the NT position to be targeted. Ferg has one more yr on his contract and hopefully it isn’t a neccessity to resign him
I see D as the basis of Parcell’s draft this yr. We got a QB, LT, Guard, 2 defensive Lmen, and a WR (Bess) last year.
1) OLB to eventually replace Porter and give pass rush
2) ILB another starter to go with Crowder
3) NT Ferg needs to be replaced
4) DE to join rotation
5) 2 corners W. Allens replacement and another
6) Backup Saftey and Bell’s eventual replacement
7) OT backup
8) RB to replace Williams carries AND a potential Brown replacement if he costs more then FO wants to pay for a RB
9) WR if FO decides one of the 4 young recievers we have ISN’T the answer
This draft sets up to get a number of your defensive holes filled. I expect 7 of 9 draft picks to be on the defensive side of ball plus a OT as a back up.
On day 1 I expect all 4 picks on D. LB, CB, NT and either a second CB or LB OR if a DE falls I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that spot gets drafted.
Lets say one of the 3 USC LBs and/or Maybin is there at 25 I am positive that would be our pick one of those 4. Now we all know CB is a spot we will attack somewhere in the draft and everyone expects IF no CB at 25 then 44 for sure BUT if say a Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU or Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose State is left standing at 44 I would be surprised if the Tuna didn’t take the DE
25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC
Thanks!
and good luck on draft day. If Phonz becomes a Dolphin I’ll definitely jump on the bandwagon.
not going to happen
cmon 5’9. it doesn’t matter how great of a player he is in college that doesn’t always translate to the NFL especially going in with the height disadvantage he has i may be wrong but this just sounds like too much of a risk get someone in there thats at least 5’11 and coach him up
by fins72marino420 on Mar 18, 2009 1:26 PM EDT reply actions
and it isn't even 4:20 yet! :)
25th pick - Clay Mathews LB USC
44th pick - Alphonso Smith cb Wake Forest
56th pick - Clint Sintim LB Virginia
86th pick - Fili Moala DT USC
5'9...so what!
so if he’s 5’10 that makes a huge difference.How tall is Bob Sanders…?5’10 with cleats on maybe.
5'11 at least
He will be exposed. He isn’t Bob Sanders buddy. Think about the recievers our corners will be lining up against this season do you want week 2 against arizona week in and week out next season. The one thing that stood out to me was the height disadvantage Fitzgeralds size is what makes him such a dominant player. You can’t overlook size
by fins72marino420 on Mar 18, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions
Take Sean Smith in the first round...
6-3 209 problem solved
Joining the "Draft Sean Smith in the First Round" Bandwagon even though he could lift 225 lbs only 10 times
That's much too big for a Cornerback.
Sacrificing too much dexterity in the name of height is not worth it.
thats what i originally thought
but when you put on the tape, you see just how good he can be. his size doesn’t limit him, much like it doesn’t limit either of the Cromartie’s.
Is Bob Sanders known for his pass deflections or int's.
No because he’s a safety and is better known as a big hitter and run stopper
by fins72marino420 on Mar 18, 2009 2:06 PM EDT reply actions
Antoine Winfield,
who started for the NFC this year in the pro bowl, is listed as 5’9" 180lbs. A couple other probowl cornerbacks this year are 5’10". I understand that height makes a difference and that if Alphonso were at least 5’11" he would be a first round lock. But it seems that probowl cornerbacks have been able to make up for their lack of height with their talent, and Alphonso certainly has a lot of talent.
Great cornerbacks come in all shapes and sizes...
but SOMEBODY in the secondary needs to be tall or it is going to be Bad Matchup City all game long, all year long
Joining the "Draft Sean Smith in the First Round" Bandwagon even though he could lift 225 lbs only 10 times
Winfield is a great corner but you have to consider the division he plays in doesn’t have and hasn’t had for along time that big reciever, the only only one that even comes close is Donald Driver he isn’t lining up against Moss or Owens twice.
by fins72marino420 on Mar 18, 2009 3:49 PM EDT reply actions
Anyone remember 07 when Brady was healthy just tossing touchdowns left and right to Moss making our secondary look laughable, we need somone with some size to compete in our division.
by fins72marino420 on Mar 18, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions
I can agree with that
and if the Triumverate agree I’m sure they’ll heavily consider drafting Sean Smith. And if a talented CB like Alphonso slips to our second 2nd round pick, I certainly wouldn’t mind drafting another CB!
Also, Tom Brady
had 0 TDs versus us in game 2.
The Patriots ran it down our throats just like every other team in the league.
In game 1, it was the spread offense that killed us, not a single receiver. Welker was the top receiver in that game with 2 TDs and 138 yards. Moss only had 4 receptions, albeit with 2 TDs.
It doesn't matter
Our secondary has struggled with big recievers for years and i would feel better getting a coachable guy that has the measurables at cb especially because of the recievers in our division
by fins72marino420 on Mar 18, 2009 8:20 PM EDT reply actions
I love his attitude.
"How can I blame you
When it's me I can't forgive?"
-From the Unforgiven III off of Death Magnetic
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