Inside The Numbers: Fred Smoot

by CptChaosSidekick on May 26, 2008 9:32 AM EDT

[Note by Skin Patrol, 05/26/08 12:16 PM EDT ] Promoted, thanks to CptChaosSidekick for this excellent Fan Shot and reader(s) should expect more front page material out of him in the near future. Edited slightly, enjoy. Also: Happy Memorial Day.

I found a good article by ESPN Insider writer, KC Joyner, who statistically breaks down the leagues best vertical cornerbacks. What does that mean, and how did he come to these analysis?

As was the case with the receivers, this metric review measures medium (11-19 yards), deep (20-29 yards) and bomb (30-plus yards) pass attempts on a yards-per-attempt basis. Because cornerbacks tend to see fewer passes than wide receivers, I lowered the qualifying-attempt mark to 24. The yardage totals once again include "pass in the air" penalty attempts and yards (i.e., pass interference, defensive holding, illegal contact, etc.).

On his top-10 list of best CB's per his mathematical equation, Fred Smoot ranks #5 on his list.

Smoot's Stats: Vert Att: 32 Vert Yds:197 Vert YPA:6.2

KC Joyner then goes on to point out that Smoot (and this is obvious to some Redskins Fans):

Smoot was seen by many as a stopgap backup cornerback when the Redskins picked him up before last season, but he actually outplayed every other cornerback in the Washington secondary.

Personally I've always thought that Smoot was better then Carlos Rogers. Not only does Smoot have the cover skills, he tackles with incredible force, especially for a CB. Smoot is also known to talk "the smack" and confidence is a must at the CB position, something I don't think Rogers possesses to the same extent.

This is a huge year for Rogers. With this likely being Springs' last season (either he'll move to S next year or be gone all together), Smoot's ability to be a starting CB in the NFL , and the possible emergence of rookie CB Justin Tryon (who according to the insider makes Fred Smoot look Tongue Tied) might make the front office think twice about re-signing Rogers and could look elsewhere to replace the embattled CB who has yet, in my humble opinion, to live up to his 1st round billing.

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Carlos Rodgers status?

Do you know anything about Rodgers status? Will we have him to start the season (injuries) and how long is his contract? I would be stoked to see Tryon starting opposite Smoot at CB, but think that would be a couple years down the road (for Tryon). Having him in nickel now would be sweet.

by matthiasstephan on May 26, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

Doubtful

that he’ll be there at the start of the season but should be healthy enough at some point in the year to contribute. I think we’ll miss him for 5-6 weeks, but that’s a guess.

Go register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on May 26, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Carlos Rogers Contract

According to thewarpath.net’s Redskins salary cap report, Carlos Rogers contract is as follows.

7 years/$14.647M/$1.608M RB in 2005/$7.948M SB in 2006/$1.156M SB in 2007/$288K LTBE in 2007/$7K LTBE in 2007

However the last 2 years voidable. LTBE stands for Likely To Be Earned. RB stands for roster bonus.

Hope that helps.

by CptChaosSidekick on May 26, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice find

but bad year for Rogers to get injured. I wonder what impact this will have on his next contract?

Go register. Or else.

by Skin Patrol on May 26, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Addtional Notes on Rogers Contract

This is Rogers rookie contract. If he stays for the full length, that would be 2012, which is unlikely sice most teams try to resign or renegotiate contracts before they expire due to larger cap hits as a players contract progresses through the years. Complecated math conducted on my fingers tells me if his last 2 years are voided, then his contract will expire in 2010.

His contract is longer then I thought, so barring the Redskins taking on more Dead Cap by cutting him early he might get some more chances to prove himself. Dead Cap wtf is that?

Dead money is the name given to salary cap space that is being used up by players no longer on a team’s roster. When a player is released or traded before every year of his proration has been used up, the remaining prorations accelerated into the year in which he was released/traded. So if a player received a 5 million dollar signing bonus that was prorated over 5 years (1 mil per year), and he was cut after 2 years, the remaining 3 million would count against the team’s cap in year 3.

by CptChaosSidekick on May 26, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Fred Smoot

Is the man. I nominated him as the player of the game against the G men the second time around when he basically shut Plaxico down (despite the lack of authoritas that my nomination may have held, he still deserved it, and he should be proud of it too). As Springs’ wheels wear down Smoot will come into his own once again as the Skins’ top corner. It was a good day for Washington fans when Smoot came back, for sure.

by Ach on May 26, 2008 11:50 PM EDT reply actions