Justin Smith: Tale of the Tape

EDITOR'S NOTE 1:40PM - Interesting analysis of Justin Smith by jfainsf49 worth checking out.

Alright, so NFL Network re-aired several games from week 2 on Sunday.  One of the games was the Bengals vs. the Browns.  I recorded this game with the hopes of going back and getting a play by play analysis of Justin Smith. I will get back to Smith in a minute.

Another game was the Cardinals vs. Seahawks. I thought this game would give me a chance to look at Bryant Johnson.  Johnson was in on most of the 4 wide sets.  Leinhart called his number twice on 3rd down. On the first drive of the game, Johnson made a catch while on his knees with a defender on his back on 3rd and 8.  Later in the game he made another tough catch on 3rd and 2. That was pretty much it for Johnson in the game.  I know this is an extremely small sample size. However,  I am going to go ahead and say it; I likes me some Bryant Johnson.

The third game that I thought would be worth watching was the Lions vs. Vikings. This game would provide the oppurtunity to see Martz in action. Also, I thought Dontarious Thomas might sneak into the game.  An interesting note about this game: J.T. O'Sullivan provided spot relief for Kitna, when Kitna left the game for about a quarter with a head injury.  I am thinking of doing a seperate dairy for that later in the week.

Here is the tale of the tape on Justin Smith from the Bengals week 2 loss to the Browns.  Keep in mind that some of the plays were not shown in the replay of the game.

First half:

-first defensive series not shown

-run at Smith, blocked by LT
-run to left, Smith blocked by TE  
-pass, Smith double teamed, knocked down
-run, Smith was sucked inside overan play
-pass, Smith dropped into coverage

-pass, Smith 1-on-1 w/LT, little pressure
-run, Smith blocked by TE
-pass, Smith fooled by play action, blocked by TE
-pass, Smith double teamed LG/C, good pressure
-run, Smith went unblocked made tackle w/DT
-pass, Smith spin move on LG/LT, good pressure
-pass, Smith 1-on-1 w/LT, quick throw, no pressure

-run misdirection, Smith blocked by LT
-plays not shown
-pass, Smith blocked by LT, decent pressure
-play not shown
-run right, Smith overan play, blocked by TE
-pass, Smith 1-on-1 w/LT, quick pass, no pressure

-run left, Smith taken out of play by LT
-pass, Smith rushed LG, quick throw, good pressure
-pass, Smith lined up as DT on stunt, no pressure
-pass, Smith blocked LT, quick pass, no pressure
-run at Smith, Smith blocked by LT
-pass, Smith in coverage, TE fell down still made catch in Smith's zone
-pass, Smith 1-on-1 w/LT, outside push, overan QB
-pass, Smith inside push blocked by LG

Second half:

-pass, Smith threw LT to the ground, no pressure
-run middle, Smith avoided cut block by TE, made the tackle
-pass, Smith inside stunt no pressure
-run lead draw, Smith blocked by LG, made tackle
-pass, Smith blocked by LT, no pressure
-pass, Smith blocked by LT, no pressure

-run at Smith, Smith blocked inside by LT

-run, Smith shoved TE in time to make tackle
-pass, Smith blocked by LT/LG, no pressure
-run, d blitz, Smith overan play
-pass play action, Smith taken out of play LT
-pass, Smith blocked by LT, no pressure
-pass, Smith(OLB?) standing until right before snap dropped into 3 point stance, good pressure

-run, Smith blocked by LT
-play not shown
-pass, Smith blocked by LT
-plays not shown
-run, Smith blocked by LG, in on tackle

Final analysis: Smith spent most of the day matched up against Pro Bowler Joe Thomas...For the most part Smith held his own...As stated in the play by play, Smith once threw Thomas to the turf...Smith plays violent and is a solid tackler...Except for a couple of situations, Smith played from a 4 point stance...Often times Smith, while in 4 point stance, switched his lead leg just before the snap...Smith looked suseptible to play action...At one point the Browns were ripping off huge chunks of yardage when they ran at Smith. Smith lined up at RE for most of the day, he did line up a DT once, and at one point he may have been in as an outside linebacker( that's the play where he was standing then dropped into a three point stance right before the snap).