Rodney Smith Needs to keep his Jersey

[Carolina Cajun]

I know, as you read this, your probably as confused as most about WTF I'm talking about, but Rodney smith actually played a decent game on sunday, and his work needs to not go overlooked.  He had one good outlet route from the backfield and a few good blocks, but none as impressive IMO as the 4th quarter, 4th and 8 play with the game still in doubt (even as a long shot).  Here's Presnap.

As you can see, Cowboys overloaded our weakside, we have Taylor there, so we have someone whos not awful, but the other 2...cmon, they struggle to block single men, let alone extra rushers.  What happens, well, Rodney Smith bails em out.

Rodney smith, 5-10 210 pound helping protect darnold with 2 rushers comin at him, TBF this is the kind of pass pro that we only get when CMC is on the field right now.  Result of the bought time by Rodney is allowing his receivers to release and a HUGE play to Zylstra on this 4th and 8.  Rodney smith isnt an elite player, but he seems like a guy who works hard and helps a lot more in the pass pro game than either Chuba or Royce.  An unglamorous job, but someone has to do it, and he stepped up.  Keep this man dressed on Sundays goin forward, I think he's deserved that opportunity.

[X-Clown on 1]

Garun-damn-tee the coaches noticed too. He's earned keeping his roster spot and will be seeing the field a lot more.

[Basbear]

His blocking is great and that part of a RB is vastly under-rated. He put out some great tape form that dallas with biltz pickup, ST play, hands, and ran well too. He for sure is on other teams radar now, I wouldnt be shocked for a team to sign him shortly. 

I like freeman, but if they are not going to use him, do him a favor and keep Smith. 

[glenwo2]

Very impressive. 

[KillerKat]

I'd take him over Ricci.

[Ricky Spanish]

He stood out to me A LOT in the thread I made about the O-Line yesterday. Even gave him kudos in the summary. 

Dude is a legit blocker in the backfield. 

[BrianS]

Something went wrong with the line, that's why he was stuck blocking two.  Our RG blocked down creating a double team with Paradis while two DB's shot the gap between RG / RT.  RG should have played it straight up.  Meanwhile the LG blocked no one.

It was a nice blitz pickup, yes.

[Chad_Cota]

Also his play out of the backfield. 5 targets, 5 receptions 48 yards. 

[electro's horse]

2 hours ago, BrianS said:

Something went wrong with the line, that's why he was stuck blocking two.  Our RG blocked down creating a double team with Paradis while two DB's shot the gap between RG / RT.  RG should have played it straight up.  Meanwhile the LG blocked no one.

It was a nice blitz pickup, yes.

LG didn't have anyone to block because the NT was lined up over the R shoulder of the center, and one player showing blitz dropped off. 

Yeah I don't know what the RG is doing there but LG was fine. 

[PootieNunu]

That is what I have been looking for in our backup RBs. Now maybe we have found the guy that can spell CMC in all facets of the game.

[raleigh-panther]

He is better than Chubba.  Yeah, I said it