Panthers Pick Up S Reggie Smith

Panthers announced they signed S Reggie Smith, formerly of the 49ers.

CHARLOTTE - Reggie Smith, a defensive back the past four seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, has signed with the Panthers as an unrestricted free agent.
A third-round draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2008, Smith played in both of the 49ers' playoff games last season, breaking up a pass in a pivotal spot during their NFC Divisional Playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints.
During the regular season he played in all 16 games in a reserve role, recording 16 tackles, an interception and three passes defensed. The interception sealed a 13-8 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
"Reggie has been on our radar since the beginning of free agency and is a player we think can come in and compete at safety," Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "We brought him in for a visit Tuesday, and it worked out. He is another player we've added to increase the competition."
Smith played safety for the 49ers the last three seasons after playing cornerback as a rookie. He has contributed on special teams throughout his NFL career, with 29 special teams tackles in 44 games.
He started the final seven games of the 2010 season at strong safety – the only time he's started in his NFL career – and recorded 37 tackles with an interception and four passes defensed.

Panthers announced they signed S Reggie Smith, formerly of the 49ers.

The 75th overall pick in the 2008 draft, Smith has starting-caliber tools and could be one of the better "second-tier" free agent targets. He goes 6-foot-1, 200 and played corner at Oklahoma.

2008 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:
Reggie Smith, CB, Oklahoma

Smith's stock is rapidly rising after a stellar junior season and he is being projected as a first-round pick. As a freshman, he received Freshman All-America and All-Big 12 accolades from The Sporting News after recording 47 tackles and two interceptions. The honors kept coming after an impressive sophomore season, during which he made 41 tackles and picked off three passes. He was named the preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year coming into his junior season and he hasn't disappointed, starring in a talented Sooners' defense. Heading into OU's Big 12 title game tilt with Missouri, Smith has 74 tackles (55 solo, 19 assists, 6.5 for loss, one sack), three interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and a fumble return for a touchdown. Smith's primary position in college has been strong safety, though he has also seen time at corner. Several services have him pegged as a corner on the next level, though he could very well remain at safety. With great size and speed, he can match up well with the league's taller, bigger receivers. He loves to be wherever the ball is, may it be making a tackle, defending a pass, or going for a loose ball. Wherever he plays in the secondary, he can be a big-time player. He could also be a kick and punt returner, where he has performed well in college (one return for a score last season). Oklahoma has produced a lot of pro talent on the defensive side of the ball and Smith stands to be another in that line. If he elects to bypass his senior season, the timing couldn't be better with the season he's having. There are a lot of players jockeying to be in the first few defensive backs off of the board and when draft day comes, there's a good chance Smith could be one of those guys. Update (12/28/07): Smith won't play in next week's Fiesta Bowl against West Virginia due to a broken big toe on his right foot. The toe was broken during OU's 38-17 victory over Missouri in the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 1. Because of the injury, Smith's streak of 39 consecutive games played (every game since he's been at Oklahoma) will end and it could be a premature end to his collegiate career, as the 2007 All-Big 12 first-teamer is still widely projected as a first-round pick in next April's draft. Smith ends his junior season with 78 tackles (seven tackles for loss), one sack, three INTs, 11 pass breakups, and a fumble return for a touchdown. Update (4/12/08): After not working out at the combine and Oklahoma's Pro Day, Smith, along with receiver Malcolm Kelly, worked out for scouts on Wednesday. It was a mostly good day for Smith, who showed great jumping ability with a 39 1/2 inch vertical and a broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches and he also did well in the 20-yard shuttle (4.03 seconds) and 3-cone drill (6.7 seconds). However, he couldn't crack 4.6 in the 40, running a best of 4.61. That lack of timed speed could hurt Smith's draft status, but he should be drafted in the first two rounds and could still go in the first, because of his versatility and his play over the last three seasons.

http://www.fftoolbox...rospect_id=1239

The numbers Stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 197 pounds … Had 36 starts in 39 games at Oklahoma … Had eight career interceptions, three fumble recoveries and 22 deflected passes … Had 166 career tackles to rank 16th in school history … Had 1,448 all-purpose career yards, averaging 21.9 yards on 33 kickoff returns and 7.3 yards on 67 punt returns.

The skinny: An instinctive defender who plays with physicality and loves to hit, Smith is an assignment-true cornerback who has the versatility to play safety, a position that might be his home in the pros because of his lack of deep speed to run with the quicker wideouts. Smith produced on a regular basis in college and has a nose for the football but will need to work on his one-on-one coverage skills at the NFL level. His skill set may be best suited to safety in the pros, but his success at cornerback in college will earn him a look at that position with the 49ers. Coming out after his junior season, Smith may take some time to develop, but his experience in college says he’s ready for the pros.

SFI’s take: The 49ers are always looking for physical players to upgrade their secondary, and Smith certainly fits that description. The 49ers want to try him at cornerback first because of his ability to match up with the physical receivers in the NFC West, but it's an added bonus he has the skills that could easily transition to safety. His rangy skills may quickly land him a role in secondary coverage packages.

Expert analysis: “Showed smooth athletic movement, good feet and supple hips, but I didn't see a sudden explosive movement or close to the ball. A prototype cover two corner or safety. Tough enough, but far from a head-hunter. Injured toe late and didn't run at the Indy combine. Good zone awareness. Not as quick or fast as I had originally expected, but I liked his size, playing instincts, and ball skills. Return ability and special teams play are a added plus. Draft consideration round 2-3.” – former NFL scout Tom Marino, a 35-year veteran talent evaluator

Smith says: “I think I’m going to start as a corner and see if that works, and if not, I’ll move to safety. I’m happy either way. Either one is fine with me. I can play corner, safety and nickel if I need to. I did kick and punt return (in college) too. As long as I can help out.”

http://sfo.scout.com/2/750335.html