Originally Posted by :
Henry Louis "Trey" Smith III has gone through much adversity since high school but continues to battle. His mother, Dorsetta, passed away from congestive heart failure when he was at the University School at Jackson in Tennessee. While there, he excelled on the gridiron, winning the Mr. Football Award twice and garnering a first-team All-American and top-10 overall recruit rating nationally. The Volunteers kept him in-state, and he received second-team All-SEC, Freshman All-American, and SEC All-Freshman recognition as a 12-game starter (eight at right guard, four at left tackle). After the season, however, he was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs. Smith fought through that malady to return for the 2018 campaign but had to stop after seven starts at left tackle as doctors believed the clots had returned. However, additional study of those test results showed that doctors might have actually seen scar tissue from the previous clots. Smith worked hard in the offseason, losing 40 pounds, and he garnered 2019 first-team All-SEC honors after moving inside to left guard, where he started 12 of 13 games played. He was a first-team all-conference selection again in 2020, starting all 11 games at left guard for the Volunteers. He received the Jason Witten Award for leadership on the field and community service off the field, as well as the Fritz Pollard Trophy for extraordinary courage and community values. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
When putting together a guard built for an NFL power-based scheme, the blueprint would probably look like Smith. He's big, wide, strong, long and will flash an aggressive streak when he gets geared up. The lack of body control and technique he put on tape suggests it may be difficult for him to overcome his limited athleticism. An offseason of fundamentals work should help Smith become more efficient into first contact, which will really unlock his power at the point of attack. He's been one of the more talked about guard prospects over the last few years but might be in for a bumpy beginning as he adjusts to the athletes and technicians he will face as a pro. Strengths
Elite size and length for the position.
Frame is broad and thick.
Very heavy-handed with plus upper-body strength.
Able to throw a sack of bricks at opponent when he punches.
Has physical potential to become dominant with better technique.
Drive power to turn base blocks out of the gap.
Can bang and cave his down-blocks.
Knock-back pop on both first and second levels.
Good job of finding targets on his short pulls.
Sets a very firm anchor against bull rushers.
Has faced off against a variety of current pro defenders during career.
Weaknesses
Lack of range shows up in run game and pass sets.
Long first step, causing him to overshoot his landmark and lose positioning.
Needs better footwork and hand clinch for improved sustain.
Will cheat secure block to save time getting up to linebacker on combos.
Plays with hitch and outside hands with pass punch.
Below-average body control and recovery potential.
Loses balance and positioning against rush counters.
Struggles to redirect weight after biting on fakes in pass pro.
Slide quickness to cut off the gaps is a concern.
Has dealt with blood clotting issues.
Sources Tell Us
"I guess you don't like big, aggressive guards, Lance? I know he has things to work on, but they can be coached up. The (history of blood clots) is a much bigger issue than anything on tape for me." -- Personnel executive for NFC team
I’m so happy for @TreySmith73 going to the @chiefs. Finally. Chiefs Kingdom got an awesome player and fantastic human!!
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
I think there's not doubt he's the highest upside OG.
I have doubts that Reid will roll with three rookies from OC-RT, and I think Humphrey and Niang's upside at key spots mean they'll get every opportunity to win those spots.
So I think from an experience stand-point, Smith would be odd man out. I would think Andy would want a vet in between those two first year guys, and LDT has experience in this offense.
Stop worrying about rookies or experience. These 3 may just be too talented to not play. [Reply]
Originally Posted by O.city:
Would you play LDT or Wylie at LG just because of experience?
If those 3 are the best and playing the best, play them. Experience be damned.
Thuney is the LG.
We're talking about RG.
And I think chances are good that Blythe or LDT start the season as the starting RG if Niang wins the RT job.
Honestly, I think we might be looking at Smith at RG and Remmers at RT. I hate to say it but if it's between Smith, Humphrey, and Niang, I think Niang is the one least likely to win a starting job out of those 3. [Reply]
And I think chances are good that Blythe or LDT start the season as the starting RG if Niang wins the RT job.
Honestly, I think we might be looking at Smith at RG and Remmers at RT. I hate to say it but if it's between Smith, Humphrey, and Niang, I think Niang is the one least likely to win a starting job out of those 3.
We'll see.
Humphrey was the consensus best C in the draft and highly rated, Smith is supposedly a top 50 draft pick with health concerns and a healthy Niang was supposedly a first rounder.
Humphrey was the consensus best C in the draft and highly rated, Smith is supposedly a top 50 draft pick with health concerns and a healthy Niang was supposedly a first rounder.
Atleast that's what we've heard.
If they're the best 3, they'll play.
You can be the most physically gifted but if you are missing assignments due to lack of experience that's a problem. Taking that risk times 3 isn't smart. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy:
You can be the most physically gifted but if you are missing assignments due to lack of experience that's a problem. Taking that risk times 3 isn't smart.
There's only so much you can learn on the bench. [Reply]
And I think chances are good that Blythe or LDT start the season as the starting RG if Niang wins the RT job.
Honestly, I think we might be looking at Smith at RG and Remmers at RT. I hate to say it but if it's between Smith, Humphrey, and Niang, I think Niang is the one least likely to win a starting job out of those 3.
No way Niang is least likely to beat out Remmers.
Remmers is a T.Rex armed career back-up.
Niang was a consensus first round talent before getting hurt. He's a prototype OT.
LDT or Blythe have at least been decent starting quality NFL offensive linemen. Either of them are more likely to win a starting spot than Remmers at RT. [Reply]
There's just no way Andy's rolling with 3 first year linemen from Center to Right Tackle.
No way.
Now, you put a vet in there that knows what he's doing and what he's looking at in regards to stunts and blitzes and what have you in between two rooks and I'll buy it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
There's just no way Andy's rolling with 3 first year linemen from Center to Right Tackle.
No way.
Now, you put a vet in there that knows what he's doing and what he's looking at in regards to stunts and blitzes and what have you in between two rooks and I'll buy it.
While I agree that is Reid's mindset - I think Humphries, Smith, and Niang are not your typical rookies.
Humphries is most likely to start day one.
I think heading into camp LDT and Remmers will be penciled in as the starters because of Reid's mindset. All that said, I believe Reid when he says the best five will play and that's where Blythe, Niang and Smith all have a shot to win the starting spots. The rookies will have to earn it, but I can see the Chiefs going with two rookies on the line to start the season.
Frankly, its in the best interest of the team over the long term to do so. So while Veach doesn't make that call, I think he going to want to see what he has.
Honestly, I think Andy and Co want to give Remmers a shot to prove that he's not crap like the last time we saw him. I hate that, but it is what it is I guess. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
There's just no way Andy's rolling with 3 first year linemen from Center to Right Tackle.
No way.
Now, you put a vet in there that knows what he's doing and what he's looking at in regards to stunts and blitzes and what have you in between two rooks and I'll buy it.
On paper, I would think that if you had to pick a vet over a rookie starter, you're looking at
Blythe vs Humphrey
LDT/Wylie/Allegretti vs Smith
Remmers vs. Niang
I think Niang will absolutely get the nod over Remmers. The talent disparity is huge there.
I think LDT will be the starter the coaches are 'rooting' for, but he's coming off a year's break. Smith will have to continue to show out hardcore to win that spot.
I think Blythe has the healthiest veteran experience out of these vets, in terms of recently being on the field, being in a passing offense, playing in the playoffs & Super Bowl, etc...Buuuuut Humphrey might be the most "sure thing" out of these 3 rookies, so he could win the spot on that alone. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
No way Niang is least likely to beat out Remmers.
Remmers is a T.Rex armed career back-up.
Niang was a consensus first round talent before getting hurt. He's a prototype OT.
LDT or Blythe have at least been decent starting quality NFL offensive linemen. Either of them are more likely to win a starting spot than Remmers at RT.
Andy loves Remmers, though. It's just one of his things. [Reply]