According to DraftInsider.net, Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith is getting a Randy Moss or Plaxico Burress-style treatment with several teams around the league as they yank him off their draft board due to character concerns.
Smith had several small off-field issues at Colorado, and teams were letting it be known that the interview process at the combine was going to be very important for him.
By all accounts, he bombed that portion despite a very strong showing on the field that included a 4.46 40-yard dash.
According to several different sources, Smith did not accept responsibility for anything that happened at Colorado. In fact, some said he tried to deflect blame to others or just avoid the questions entirely. Needless to say, that’s simply not going to fly for a first-round pick.
The talent is obviously there for Smith, who has drawn comparisons to Nnamdi Asomugha on the field, but seems to remind teams more of Pacman Jones off it.
But, like Pacman in 2005, it only takes one team to decide the talent is worth the risk of a questionable character. Pacman likely wasn’t the prospect Smith is, and he still managed to get selected sixth overall by the Tennessee Titans.
So while the talk of Smith falling could very well turn out to be true, I don’t foresee him falling out of the first round as some have opined.