DeAngelo Smith signed

AAU Teammate · Post #1 » by **AAU Teammate** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:20 pm

Trumaine McBride has been released, per 670 the score

AAU Teammate · Post #2 » by **AAU Teammate** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:21 pm

5'11", great athlete. a 2009 rookie from the 5th round.

Looks like some raw material to try and work with.

ChronicKerr · Post #3 » by **ChronicKerr** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:36 pm

Per Biggs they are seeking an injury settlement with McBride as he was expected to miss 4-6 weeks

Cliff Levingston · Post #4 » by **Cliff Levingston** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:46 pm

Pure special teams move, but Cliff Levingston likes it. McBride pretty much proved he'd never be more than a special teamer, so at least we've got a glimmer of hope that Smith could turn into more.

Balance-a-Bull · Post #5 » by **Balance-a-Bull** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:47 pm

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profiles/ ... h?id=79645

Overview

Smith teamed with Mike Mickens to form one of the elite cornerback tandems in college football. The two combined for 26 interceptions during their careers together, more than any other active duo in the NCAA in 2008. Always known for his outstanding hands, the right cornerback added a new wrinkle to his game as a senior taking over full-time punt return duties to add to his resume that included handling the bulk of kickoff return chores as a junior.

While not the celebrated tackler that Mickens is, Smith is a top-notch pass defender, breaking up 21 passes as a two-year starter. He ranks tied for second in school history with 12 interceptions and set the Bearcats' single-season record with eight pass thefts in 2007, ranking second nationally in that category. He also collected 179 yards in returns, the fifth-best total in Cincinnati annals, as his two touchdown returns are good for a third place tie in school history.

Causing problems for opposing quarterbacks is commonplace for Smith, who registered 11 interceptions, returning five for touchdowns, en route to earning All-State first-team honors as a senior at Independence High School. He closed out his career with 20 pass thefts, returning seven for scores.

Smith also caught 14 touchdown passes and totaled seven punt or kickoff returns for scores as a senior. He earned first-team All-City and All-District honors. He was named to the Columbus Dispatch-Agonis All-Star team, as he helped the team to a regional finals appearance in the state playoffs.

Smith enrolled at Cincinnati in 2004, spending the season on the scout team. The Bearcat Academic Honor Roll selection appeared briefly in seven games, mostly on special teams in 2005, finishing with one solo tackle. He was the top reserve at both cornerback positions in 2006, recording 23 tackles (17 solos) with three pass deflections, a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He made the most of his opportunity in his only game as a starter, earning Big East Player of the Week honors after posting six tackles and returning an interception 84 yards (fourth-longest return in school history) vs. Rutgers. He also gained 65 yards on four kickoff returns that campaign.

Smith took over right cornerback duties as a junior, coming up with 49 tackles (39 solos) that included 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused and recovered two fumbles, as he also deflected eight passes. His eight interceptions set the school single-season record and led the Big East Conference while ranking second in the nation. He also amassed 296 yards on 12 kickoff returns (24.7 avg), earning second-team All-Big East recognition.

In 2008, Smith was chosen All-Big East third-team. He started all 14 games, picking up the leadership slack in the secondary when Mickens was sidelined late in the season. He broke up 10 passes, intercepted two others and caused a fumble. He also had 53 tackles (36 solos) with 3.5 stops for loss. His versatility proved invaluable, as he lined up at free safety for the first five games before returning to his more familiar right cornerback spot for the rest of the schedule. He also averaged 9.5 yards on 23 punt returns.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/dea ... b-overview

DeAngelo Smith, CB

*
Height:
5'11"
*
Weight:
194
*
College:
Cincinnati
*
Conference:
Big East
*
Hometown:
Columbus, OH
*
High School:
Independence

Overview:

Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly had one of the best cornerback duos in the country in Smith and Mike Mickens. Smith shared the national lead with eight interceptions in 2007, eventually forcing quarterback to re-consider throwing away from the more heralded Mickens. Followed it up with another solid season as a senior, racking up 68 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups. NFL defenses relying on zone schemes see him as a good fit.

Analysis:

Positives: Aggressive, adequately-sized corner with long arms and confidence. ... Stays low in his pedal and flips his hips open well. ... Good hands for the interception when closing forward on the ball. ... Attacks quick screens behind the line of scrimmage, will throw his body into the tackle. ... Has played some free safety when needed and also returned kicks. ... Works hard to improve his game.

Negatives: Fits best in a zone system where he can see the play in front of him and close on the ball. ... Plays near the line at times but does not get his hands on receivers. ... Gambles to get to the ball. ... Only adequate straight-line speed. ... Has trouble adjusting to the ball in the air and making the interceptions when moving backward. ... Has a tough time getting off wide receiver's blocks due to his lack of size and upper-body strength. ... Gets turned around easily. ... Lacks the suddenness to handle quick slot receivers. ... Not a physical tackler. ... Whiffs on attempts to cut tackle because he ducks his head. ... Questionable ball security, decision-making and speed as a punt returner.

AAU Teammate · Post #6 » by **AAU Teammate** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:49 pm

Cliff Levingston wrote:Pure special teams move, but Cliff Levingston likes it. McBride pretty much proved he'd never be more than a special teamer, so at least we've got a glimmer of hope that Smith could turn into more.

Cliff Levingston sounds more sure about our defensive secondary than AAU Teammate does.

If there's any position where anyone on the roster could eventually get a start, its that one

Cliff Levingston · Post #7 » by **Cliff Levingston** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:05 pm

AAU Teammate wrote:
Cliff Levingston wrote:Pure special teams move, but Cliff Levingston likes it. McBride pretty much proved he'd never be more than a special teamer, so at least we've got a glimmer of hope that Smith could turn into more.

Cliff Levingston sounds more sure about our defensive secondary than AAU Teammate does.

If there's any position where anyone on the roster could eventually get a start, its that one

Tillman, Bowman and Graham, if all healthy, is a nice rotation. Toss Manning in at nickel and that's pretty good, ICLO. Vasher is what drives the secondary down a lot.

Which brings up another point; Graham played well last year; where's he at this year?

Balance-a-Bull · Post #8 » by **Balance-a-Bull** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:09 pm

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/09 ... ide_c.html

UPDATED: Bears waive Trumaine McBride; claim CB DeAngelo Smith
By
Brad Biggs
on September 17, 2009 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Bears will not wait for Trumaine McBride to recover from a sprained right knee.

The veteran, who had the second-most special teams reps on the team last season, was waived/injured today, the club announced, to make room for cornerback DeAngelo Smith, who they claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Browns.

A league source said the Bears are seeking to make an injury settlement with McBride, who will be out four to six weeks.

Smith is the second ex-Browns corner the Bears will kick the tires on. They signed veteran Rod Hood at the end of preseason after Cleveland cut him.

The Bears put in a claim for defensive end Turk McBride on Wednesday after he was waived by Kansas City. However, they lost out as Detroit, which sits atop the waiver wire process by virtue of its 0-16 record last season, also put in a claim for him.

AAU Teammate · Post #9 » by **AAU Teammate** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:20 pm

The Bears put in a claim for defensive end Turk McBride on Wednesday after he was waived by Kansas City.

In related news, the Bears are investigating the possibility of signing Brian McBride to play striker

ChronicKerr · Post #10 » by **ChronicKerr** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:30 pm

AAU Teammate wrote:
The Bears put in a claim for defensive end Turk McBride on Wednesday after he was waived by Kansas City.

In related news, the Bears are investigating the possibility of signing Brian McBride to play striker

Per Biggs,

Bears put in a waiver claim for KC def end Turk McBride, but he was awarded 2 the Detroit Lions, and Jax Jags would have gotten him b4 bears

Post #11 » by **Icness** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:38 pm

I liked Smith coming out but he's a pure CB/S tweener and has not beefed up enough to move to safety full-time. Dallas cut him because he wasn't good enough on special teams, so don't get too excited there. Sorry Cliff!