Daryl Smith to be MLB for JAGS

[keggerz]

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stor...g_5557043.shtml

 

Shuffle puts Smith in the middle

 

Jaguars linebacker is moved from outside after Peterson suffers season-ending injury.

 

By VITO STELLINO, The Times-Union

 

Fire and ice.

 

That might be the best way to describe the contrasting styles of Mike Peterson and Daryl Smith.

 

 

Now the latter will replace the former at middle linebacker because Peterson is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

 

When the Jaguars held their first of two bye-week practices Wednesday, they lined up in their new linebacker set for the next game, which is Oct. 22 against the Houston Texans. Smith, who has played at outside linebacker the past two seasons, moved inside. Rookie Clint Ingram replaced Smith on the outside, and veteran Nick Greisen remained at the other outside slot.

 

The Jaguars hope that Smith, who played middle linebacker at Georgia Tech, can be the kind of tackling machine that Peterson was.

 

"Daryl will be prepared to play and take over that role," Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith said.

 

Peterson led the Jaguars in tackles in his first three seasons with the team and still has the most after five games this season with 47. Smith is second with 39, but he definitely will bring a different style to the position. While Peterson is a fiery emotional leader and one of the most quotable players on the team, Smith is a quiet, laid-back type who barely speaks above a whisper.

 

The Jaguars don't believe that will make a difference on the field.

 

"Mike is a very vocal guy, and Daryl's personality isn't as outgoing as Mike's," Mike Smith said, "but on the field, he's a very aggressive and passionate player."

 

Said Daryl Smith: "We're different. I know he's a more vocal guy than I am, but whatever I have to do, I'll do it."

 

Smith's teammates have confidence in his ability.

 

"Once the ball is snapped, there's fire in him," veteran safety Donovin Darius said. "Don't take kindness for weakness or his quietness for weakness. He does a great job when he's called upon."

 

Said safety Deon Grant: "We're not going to try to compare Daryl to Mike Pete. There's no replacement for Mike. Daryl is Daryl, and Mike is Mike. Daryl's quiet to you all, but he's not quiet out there on the football field. Daryl can step in and play the position."

 

Ingram, a third-round draft pick from Oklahoma, will make an even bigger transition than Smith. After being slowed by a leg contusion in training camp, Ingram was inactive the first two games and didn't receive extensive playing time until last Sunday's game against the New York Jets. However, he will be thrust into the starting lineup in just his fourth game as a professional.

 

"Clint's been progressing very well throughout the season," Mike Smith said. "He was injured early, but I think he'll do fine for us."

 

Ingram admitted that he's excited about the chance, but he's trying to stay calm. He plans to visit his parents in Texas during the bye week, but he said he won't even tell them he's now a starter unless they ask him about Peterson's absence.

 

"I don't outtalk myself," said Ingram, who was a starter during his last two seasons at Oklahoma. "That's one thing I learned a long time ago is never put yourself in a situation you regret because you had to open your mouth. I'm not going around bragging and doing high-fives.

 

"It's really unfortunate we lost like a player like Mike Pete. He's somebody I looked up to big time. I was looking forward to learning from him."

 

Ingram said he will know how to handle it when he makes a mistake.

 

"I know there will be times when you go out there and mess up, but you have to have a short memory," he said. "You can wipe it out and go to the next play and worry about it Monday when we look at the films, or we'll correct it on the sidelines with the coaches. [Otherwise] that'll ruin your whole game."

 

Ingram could be targeted by opposing teams because the Washington Redskins attacked the perimeter while rolling up 36 points to beat the Jaguars in overtime two weeks ago.

 

"I look at it as they're going away from our strength with the two big guys [defensive tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson] in the middle," Mike Smith said. "They did it efficiently, and we didn't play well in Washington. I think we matched up better against the perimeter runs [against the Jets]."

 

Grant said he looks forward to the challenge if teams try to exploit the Jaguars on the outside.

 

"I'm the type of guy [who says] attack it if you want to, and we'll shut them up," Grant said. "If they feel there's a weakness out there, come to it, and we'll see if it's really as weak as you think it is. I don't think they [the Redskins] found a weakness. We just didn't play our game."

Edited October 12, 2006 by keggerz

[alexgaddis]

Does he become an instant every week starter for an IDP league?

[rajncajn]

Does he become an instant every week starter for an IDP league?

 

I wouldn't say instant, but he'll definately be a solid producer.

[alexgaddis]

I wouldn't say instant, but he'll definately be a solid producer.

 

I drafted this guy based on the info I heard than long term they were going to move him to the middle...this looks good for my dynasty league

[Stingers]

I wouldn't say instant, but he'll definately be a solid producer.

As a Peterson owner who just picked him up in a co-owned dynasty league - he becomes a instant starter for us