The Daily Orange

FB | 'I just want a look': Taj Smith, 24, decided it was time to leave school for a chance at the NFL

Abstract:
Beth Israel Medical Center will always be there, but right now Taj Smith isn't focused on any backup plans.

He's hunched over, catching his breath inside a dimly lit Manley Field House on a weekday afternoon, before the other Syracuse teams spill in and congest the former SU wide receiver's workout space....

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Marc LeVine

posted 4/08/08 @ 10:47 AM EST

At 24, after four years in school and with his graduation coming in May, why should Smith feel guilty about wanting to leave college to enter the NFL draft?

He's taking a risk? Just about everyone that's not projected as an early round draft pick is taking the same risk. This is the Pro's. There are no guarantees and many a free agent will be signed later, if not immediately drafted. And any signing is still only an invite to compete for a spot on someone's talented roster.

The kid has talent. He has played well on some very bad teams. The prospect of returning for what may potentially be another losing season isn't that exciting. He's been injured before. Should he risk injury again as a fifth year player on a team that can hope for a mediocre season, at best? Not a wise decision, in my estimation.

Like so many other good players, who arrived on campus at the wrong time, Taj Smith will have to hope his true potential is realized at the next level. He'll have to experience the joys of winning on an NFL team, because he was cheated out of that thrill during his college career. It will be much tougher for him, but much more rewarding. It is a daunting task for a pretty good player, who missed out on the winning at SU.

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g33k

posted 4/08/08 @ 4:30 PM EST

No Marc he wasnt cheated out of a winning season, he was part of the losing season. He is as much to blame for the compiling losses as anybody else. He dropped alot of passes on many different occasions. Hes a average player not pretty good. This dude wouldnt even be in the topic in any big name schooled. Hes a third stringer at best in Miami UNIVERSITY and their season sucked too.

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Marc LeVine

posted 4/09/08 @ 11:38 AM EST

Originally posted by
g33k
No Marc he wasnt cheated out of a winning season, he was part of the losing season. He is as much to blame for the compiling losses as anybody else. He dropped alot of passes on many different occasions. Hes a average player not pretty good. This dude wouldnt even be in the topic in any big name schooled. Hes a third stringer at best in Miami UNIVERSITY and their season sucked too.

Here's what the Pro Scouts have to say about Smith:

Taj Smith, WR Syracuse
Projected: 3rd to 4th round
Good or bad move? He had a relatively good year in the Syracuse offense ... that's saying a lot. He could become a strong home-run hitter with excellent speed, but he's not nearly consistent and at 24 he probably made the right decision to make his move now.

We're both right... Word is that he hasn't done well at the NFL Combine, so his stock probably has dropped further to free agent prospect. Still a pretty good talent. Who expected any one player to carry Robinson's awful team, anyway?

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Shahid M. Allah

posted 4/09/08 @ 11:23 AM EST

Peace Bro. Tajiddin!

Go ahead, Que! Persevere!!! Make it happen, bruh! Surely THE LORD has good things in store for you, man.
The BROS are behind you 1,000%!

Peace,
Sha-
3-K-84

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