Lions Sign DL Shaun Smith

by Sean Yuille on Aug 10, 2009 6:18 PM EDT in Detroit Lions Roster

Shaun Smith is the newest member of the Lions, signing a one-year deal with the team today.

The Lions wasted little time in filling the void created by Jared DeVries' injury by signing defensive lineman Shaun Smith, who was just released by the Browns this past weekend. Smith was in Allen Park for a visit earlier today, showing that the Lions were interested in him even before DeVries suffered his season-ending injury. Once that happened, it was pretty clear that Smith's chances of becoming a Lion were pretty good, and as we now know, Martin Mayhew and company didn't wait long to add him to the roster.

According to Smith's agent, Neal Schwartz, his deal is worth $1 million for one year.

Smith was released by the Browns mainly due to his attitude. He got into it with the team's defensive line coach on Friday and in general didn't seem to get along with the new coaching staff. One day later, he was off the team. This all came after he supposedly punched Brady Quinn in the face in the weight room last December.

It's tough to figure out if Smith is a defensive end or defensive tackle, so for right now I'll say he can play either position. His size (6-2, 325 lbs.) suggests he is a defensive tackle, but from what I read he plays defensive end as well. With DeVries out, I imagine he will get work at DE primarily, but who knows. Either way he will bring versatility to the D-line and depth at whatever position the Lions want him to play, as he said via his agent.

"But after meeting the coaches, he just said, 'You know what? I want to stay here. I want to play here,'" his agent said. "He told them, 'I just want to play football. You want me to play defensive end, I'll play defensive end. You want me to play defensive tackle, I'll do it.' He just wants to play football."

If Smith can get his attitude in line, he could be a good player for the Lions.

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Hey

That’s kinda funny, I saw him on the cut list the other day & noted his size, wondered if they might go after him. Idk much about him, looked like he had a decent year next to Big Baby.

by LTownDown on Aug 10, 2009 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

Perhaps he can carry that attitude onto the field and keep it away from his coaches and teammates.

Here is his wikipedia history: Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Smith_(defensive_lineman)

Funny, no info on him on NFL.com.

Yeah, I like his size too. I was very sorry to hear about Jared DeVries. He is a classy player who I think has been a real asset to the Lions, filling in as needed. I have been away most of the weekend and only heard he was carted off. I did not realize it was a season ender.

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 10, 2009 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

411

Recent Career Tackles Sacks Interceptions Misc
Year Team G Solo Ast Total Sack YdsL Int Yds IntTD DefTD FFum PD Sfty
2006 Cincinnati 13 6 4 10 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2007 Cleveland 15 48 14 62 2.0 20 0 0 0 0 1 3 0
2008 Cleveland 11 26 10 36 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Career Totals (Full) 60 107 38 145 2.0 20 0 0 0 0 2 4 0

I wasn’t sayin funny about JD goin down, that sux, he’s 1 of the most vet exp on the DL, just that Smith kinda fits what JS is looking 4 on the DL, needs to improve on sacks, but has good size & some exp, tackles, less after Big Baby got there.

by LTownDown on Aug 10, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Good signing

Has the ability to cover to positions laking depth, a very crucial point I think. I’m just hoping he keeps his attitude in check, we don’t really need locker room issues.

2009 = The start of the Lions Golden Age (We hope).

by Hyperion Ecta on Aug 10, 2009 7:58 PM EDT reply actions

just one more step

to a bigger stronger team

Kevin Smith let em kno, Ernie Sims Break em, Calvin Johnson you already Kno
2009 Detroit Lions 6-10 to 8-8

by DetroitLions 4 life on Aug 10, 2009 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

what about...

Jordan Reffett, 6’4" 292 lbs.

Most recently a DE with the Steelers. He was a UDFA a year ago other than that I don’t know much about him, might be worth a look though. Thoughts?

by rbender07 on Aug 10, 2009 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

I'm very glad to hear that we signed at least a warm body

But I really think the Lions should reconsider signing John Thornton now. Did Kevin Carter sign with the Patriots yet?

by KDawg on Aug 10, 2009 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

I googled Thornton to see if there was anything new. Nada.

I agree with you KDawg, Thornton is a proven NFL calibre D lineman who could step in now. I did not see anything in his history that showed he has been an End, but he appeared to be a good pass rusher as a Tackle.

Looks like a DE will be high on the list of wants for the 2010 draft. Probably was before Jared’s injury anyway.

by NorthLeft12 on Aug 11, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions

His attitude scares me

There’s no leaders on the team or locker room so it worries me, he is a big body and adds depth though so it’s a double bladed knife to me.

by msivits on Aug 10, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

I’d punch Brady Quinn in the face too….lol. We have some leaders in the locker room. Jon Jansen, Raiola (even though I don’t care much for him, he is a veteran presence), Daunte Culpepper and Matt Stafford (both can be a leader), Calvin Johnson could step up and be a team leader, Kevin Smith seems outspoken enough to be a leader, Buchanon and Henry are veterans, DeWayne White too….we have guys that can be leaders. This Sean Smith seems like he wanted to be here. I think that speaks volumes to what is happening within our team and the organization. This guy could help us and the added depth is valuable.

by KDawg on Aug 10, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions

leader

we got foote for d

by det32 on Aug 11, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Very, very interesting signing.

I think he might be a solid addition to the DT position… possibly even be a starter. But it still leaves a gap at DE if Avril is not ready for fulltime duty. It sounds like Alama-Francis is moving back to DE, but in my mind, that is not an upgrade. Still think they need to go hot-and-heavy after Carter. We really need him now.

by DrewsLions on Aug 10, 2009 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

I heard the Pats made him an offer

But I haven’t heard if he signed with them yet…..

by KDawg on Aug 10, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, that's all I've heard too

He’s obviously in no hurry to go to a training camp.

by DrewsLions on Aug 10, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Avril Ready

I think Avril is ready (look at his final 6 games last year) but White and Avril are both better for the RE spot. I say rotate White to the LE on passing downs and move Alama-Francis to LE on run downs. Alama-Francis should be able to stop the run on that side and sure, we might not get a pass rush out of him but with injuries you can only do so much. What about moving Fluellen (6’2 296 lbs) to that side?

I would of liked our D-line much more with Smith and DeVries. DeVries, Smith, Jackson, and White/Avril isn’t awful. Its not great but it would allow our young D-Line players (Alama-Francis, Cohen, Fluellen, Harris, Hill and Avril) more time to develop.

by Kman23 on Aug 10, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Attitude !

Glad to see it. Mean, nasty, scary and what we need. Channel that constructively and look out ! Leave that teaching to veteran coachs Gunny and Karmelowicz. Throw in some locker room leadership for added measure and maybe we won’t be pushed around any more. Stuff the middle and attack from the outside. I like that thinking…

by Keevatron on Aug 10, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions