Betrayed: Steve Smith Signs With Eagles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one is tough to swallow.  It was bad when Kevin Boss got sucked into the Black Hole, but Steve Smith signing with Philadelphia feels like treason. 

The Giants were worried about Smith’s knee and there’s a good chance he has to start the season on the PUP list.  Big Blue is a smart franchise-- they don’t take many unnecessary risks.  The deepest position on the team is receiver and Jerry Reese and Co. were more than willing to just give Smith a one year deal and wait until he was healthy.

The problem is that Smith was not willing to wait.  He clearly got caught up in the “Dream Team” hype and hopped on the bandwagon to Lehigh for Eagles’ training camp.

It’s a great signing for Philadelphia, as much as it pains me to say that.  They’re getting one of the top five slot receivers in the NFL and a guy that remarkably saves his best work for third down.  If Smith can get healthy he will undoubtedly be an asset for the Eagles this year.  The thought of him in the slot with DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin on the outside is scarier than Michelle Bachmann on the cover of Newsweek.

I can understand why Steve did it.  He didn’t feel wanted by the NYG ownership, the Eagles are a sexy Super Bowl pick, etc.  Typically isn’t any loyalty in today’s NFL, but the Giants are usually the exception.  The NYG usually takes care of their own guys-- you rarely see good young talent walk away from this club.  That’s why I can’t shake this feeling of betrayal.  Smith is never walking into New Giants Stadium ever again without a chorus of “boos”.   I can’t be the only Giants fan that feels this way.  This guy made some huge catches for the NYG, including in Super Bowl 42.  But you NEVER sign with the Eagles.

So how do the Giants replace a Pro Bowl caliber player like Smith?  It starts with last year’s camp darling Victor Cruz.  Cruz is the frontrunner to man the slot this year and another strong preseason would cement the job for him.  Hopefully third round rookie Jerrel Jernigan, an explosive slot prospect that was drafted for this exact scenario, will also be in the mix.  Jernigan will mostly be used on returns as a rookie, but he is the future at the position.  Smith’s move is also good news for Domenik Hixon and Ramses Barden who are both almost guaranteed roster spots at this point.

Smith is gone but the Giants will move on without him.  The fan base is reasonably upset and will surely let Smith hear it.  Ultimately this was a business decision, but sometimes business can feel all too personal.