Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith has done little right after being suspended for the 2009 Sugar Bowl by his former head coach Nick Saban for violating team rules.
Along with Baylor’s Jason Smith and Virginia’s Eugene Monroe, Andre Smith was supposed to be one of the top tackles taken in April’s draft. But things went horrible wrong for Smith at the NFL Scouting Combine in late February as he measured 6’4” and 332 pounds (which is weight more suitable for a guard than a tackle), flat out admitted that he wasn’t in good shape and then mysteriously disappeared without working out.
Several media outlets claimed that Smith’s interviews with prospective teams went “horribly” prior to his disappearance from the combine (which turned out to be a communication problem between him and his agent according to Smith) and some claim that he didn’t perform well at his Pro Day on Wednesday.
Where Smith could fall on draft day is anyone’s guess. Given his talent alone, he could easily be a top 5 pick. But due to his roller coaster of an offseason, he could also drop into the bottom half of the first round.
49ers beat writer Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee believes that San Fran won’t pass on Smith at No. 10, because they sorely need a right tackle and he also believes that head coach Mike Singletary could have a good influence on the young offensive lineman.
But you can’t teach heart and desire and although Smith had an outstanding career at Alabama, he has done nothing to warrant being a top 10 pick in this year’s draft. In fact, if he is selected in the top 10, then maybe the scouting combine means even less than we all thought.
