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Myniya "The Wall" Smith

Great find SES. Wow this guy is big. He's number 75.

thumb_big6.jpg


Hmm wonder how we'd be able to spot him on the practice field? :rolleyes:
 
LCROD said:
ESPN is now reporting that we signed him and a few others:

ESPN


Smith is a 6-foot-6, 343-pound defensive lineman from Southern University in Louisiana. He started 10 games in his senior season and was voted first-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Web site says OT not defensive Tackle. Could be an interesting find. Small schools do provide some gems hope David loves him.
 
Quote from his web site.

"The 6-6, 340-pound offensive tackle Smith, referred to by his quarterback as “The Wall,” has logged 37 consecutive starts at left tackle for Southern, one of the best offenses in recent years in I-AA. Smith possesses amazingly quick feet for someone his size and has the ability to block straight ahead and to pull. Smith has raw power and also plays strong. Smith allowed only 2 sacks total in 2003 and 2004. Smith is a mature, well-spoken leader. Was a Captain in 2004. Played in the inaugural 2004 HBCU All-Star Classic in New Orleans on January 20, 2005."

I certainly hope this is the good news I've been looking for.........

Camp might get real interesting. We have drafted a smart young center and it looks like we have picked up another LT who might be a find. What do you guys see happening with a guy like this? Does this suddenly open up the possibility of some depth? He's raw, but you never know. Just going around him might give the QB enough time..................
 
I think he defines the term "Wide Body". Bio/Stats sound good with only 2 sacks in two years and he is certainly big enough. If he does make it it would probably be as backup material at best for one year, but most likely a practice squad guy until next year. Because he is a 1-AA guy, he will need alot of coaching/practice to get up to NFL level, if ever. Has the look of a possible though.
 
Ourlads draft guide has Smith rated in the "not a prospect at this time" category. The next level above that in their rating system is "emergency player for camp," i.e., camp fodder.
 
I thought you might like to read this additional information from his Web site. The last few lines are kind of interesting.


The Measure of a Man - Faith and Passion Drive Southern’s All-American Offensive Tackle Myniya Smith

Standing 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 340 pounds, Myniya Smith is an imposing figure. When Smith was born July 21, 1981, he was the largest baby recorded at the hospital weighing 11 pounds 2 ounces. It was at that point that his family knew he was going to be special and standout from his peers. Not many know just how impressively Smith has measured up ever since.

Smith, an All-American and All-Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) offensive tackle, recently finished a dominating football career at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA and is currently preparing for the 2005 NFL Draft this coming April. At Southern, Smith stood out for his accomplishments on the football field and for his leadership skills as captain, where he started since his sophomore season in 2002. His long list of awards include: 2003 and 2004 All-American; 2003 and 2004 first team All-SWAC; 2004 first team All-Louisiana; 2003 SWAC and Black college football champions.

Before the 2004 Bayou Classic, Coach Pete Richardson of Southern University spoke regarding the leadership qualities of Smith stating, “We’ve got tradition (at Southern),” “Our offensive line is the strength of the team. Myniya Smith, is our leader.” Smith has embodied those same qualities Coach Pete Richardson spoke of both on and off the football field.

It is typically hard to miss a man Smith’s size (6-6, 340 pounds), but that is what sometimes happens when he leaves the many children that look up to Smith at Oakdale Park where he graciously spends time with children in the New Orleans community. The children love being around him and he is such a great example of what hard work and faith can create. “It’s inspiring to just be around a man not only of his size, but of his character. His faith has allowed him to grow into the man he is today and he shares that with our children,” said Coach Randolph Scott of Oakdale said.

Faith in god and passion for the game he loves have been the driving force behind the amazing story of Smith’s success. Growing up in the St. Thomas housing projects in New Orleans, Louisiana, Smith was always the largest kid and one of the most mature kids around. “Even as a child, Myniya has always been not only one of the biggest kids around, but also one of the most mature. Early on in high school, everyone thought he was already in his twenties,” said Smith’s mother, Idella Casimier.

Smith began playing football in the seventh grade and went on to be a huge contributor to his football team at West Jefferson high school in New Orleans, LA. Football has been one of the channels Smith used to receive a college scholarship and achieve a college degree.

His passion, faith and leadership qualities were certainly displayed during his last collegiate football game at the 2004 SWAC Championship game in Birmingham, AL. Southern lead for a majority of the game against Alabama State and could not hold on, but even in a game where Smith had a dominating performance (even knocking over assignments that were not even his man on plays), Smith was fighting to tackle a defender who had just intercepted his quarterback. Emotional as he left the field and completed his collegiate career, Smith again showed why he has always measured up.

Coach Jimmy Warren, one of Smith’s former high school coach and a former defensive back during the great Oakland Raider mystical years proclaimed, “Myniya Smith has the talent and character to be a first round NFL draft choice. He is going to be something special in the National Football League.”

Did Casserly and company find a gem? Certainly positive from his Web site, but its being said by others. Time will tell, but we could certainly use a dominating LT. Is he our future LT?
 
aj. said:
Ourlads draft guide has Smith rated in the "not a prospect at this time" category. The next level above that in their rating system is "emergency player for camp," i.e., camp fodder.

Looks like Cass and company thought they needed a better look. He will at least get a shot at camp at this point. It certainly would be wonderful if we found a gem that nobody saw. It would be like having had another draft pick. Apparently he's of good character and works hard. That would catch the eyes of Casserly and Capers. Its just kind of nice to have some optomism with respect to the O-line. I just don't believe the status quo is going to do anything for us, but being realistic its hard to believe that a talent as described would go unnoticed, but stranger things have happened. If recall a guy by the name of Havlicheck (spelling) being drafted last by Boston. Some wierd thing like that and of course he was probably one of the best ever. You just never know.
 
Smith sounds like a good guy and I hope he helps us out this year...I found this entry in his online diary particularly interesting:

Diary Entry One:

I have been working out every morning at 5:30 AM with my trainer, Keith Ballard in Baton Rouge, LA for my second Pro Day at Southern University on March 31, 2005. Our first Pro Day was on March 20, 2005 where a number of NFL teams scouts came to see our Southern athletes showcase their talents.

I feel I did particularly well as a lot of the scouts told me that they were impressed to see a 6-6, 350-pounder move as well as I did. Some of my drills were faster than some of the receivers at the Combine!

My plan is to do even better on the second Pro Day. Meanwhile, I am interning on Tuesdays with disabled kids with various disabilities. I spend about 40-55 hours a week horseback riding with them and hanging out with them. I really enjoy spending time with them and hope my time with them is making a difference in their lives. I will also by graduating May 13, 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern University.
 
D-ReK said:
Smith sounds like a good guy and I hope he helps us out this year
His only chance of sticking with the Texans is to be on the practice squad this year. There is no way this guy sees the field in 2005.
 
BornOrange said:
His only chance of sticking with the Texans is to be on the practice squad this year. There is no way this guy sees the field in 2005.

Yeah, I know...A LOT of wishful thinking went into my comment...
 
from his smith's online diary:

I spend about 40-55 hours a week horseback riding with them

hope he rides clydesdales, because if not i feel bad for those horses :heh: :D
 
Ibar_Harry said:
Web site says OT not defensive Tackle. Could be an interesting find. Small schools do provide some gems hope David loves him.

I just copied what the ESPN article said and gave them credit for it. Probably is wrong though. I'm sure he knows what position he plays.
 
Does anyone know or have they seen the new OT we signed from Southern, Myniya Smith. This is the info I got off the site:

Smith (6-6, 343) participated as a rookie free agent tryout. He signs with the Texans out of Southern University where he started 10 games for the Jaguars and was voted first-team All-SWAC.

He sound like he might be a force. What does everyone think?
 
aj. said:
Ourlads draft guide has Smith rated in the "not a prospect at this time" category. The next level above that in their rating system is "emergency player for camp," i.e., camp fodder.

On my best days, I was never even camp fodder.
:embarrass
 
F-minus67 said:
Does anyone have his pro day numbers? If the coachs put some time in on this guy he could be a monster.

Anybody here who says that they know what he is going to do and wether or not he is on the practice squad is full of it. C and C have been doing a great job we are on a 5 year plan and we are RIGHT ON SCHEDULE.


From http://www.neworleansprofootball.com/031405nextlevel.html

SOUTHERN U., LA (March 10th) senior offensive tackle MYNIYA SMITH ran between 5.32 and 5.38 in the 40... 4.50/4.52 short shuttle... 7.60 three-cone... 7'11" broad jump... 21.5" vertical... 24 reps of 225 pounds... weighed in at 6052, 350 pounds... also did positional drills afterwards... most scouts have been reviewing him at both tackle and guard... at least six teams were present... he will have another Pro Day the first week of April.
 
edo783 said:
I think he defines the term "Wide Body". Bio/Stats sound good with only 2 sacks in two years and he is certainly big enough. If he does make it it would probably be as backup material at best for one year, but most likely a practice squad guy until next year. Because he is a 1-AA guy, he will need alot of coaching/practice to get up to NFL level, if ever. Has the look of a possible though.

Just because he played I-AA ball doesn't mean he can't be a star. Here are some names of a few stars that played I-AA ball; Michael Strahan (Texas Southern University), Steve Mcnair (Alcorn State), Daunte Culpepper (Central Florida), Darrell Green (Texas A&I).
 
D-ReK said:
Yeah, I know...A LOT of wishful thinking went into my comment...

Yea because the pro bowl starters we have and backups who could start on most teams are entrenched on the O-line?????????? :goodnight

I think any lineman that is in camp has a chance to at least be a backup. Until Carr is watching the field more then the roof at Reliant Stadium. The O-line should be open try outs.
 
done88 said:
I think any lineman that is in camp has a chance to at least be a backup. Until Carr is watching the field more then the roof at Reliant Stadium. The O-line should be open try outs.
I knew there was a reason for me to move back to Houston!! :headbang:
 
Hulk75 said:
not to be a kill joy BUT, there has to be a reason he was undrafted?
Hope he will be great !

He is undrafted for lack of physical skills. Heart and determination are not measured at the combine very well. That might be the area he excels. Remeber what Rudy said "Never underestimate the heart of a champion." I have seen talented big money teams (Yankees abd Boston) lose to teams like the Marlins and Twins. It all comes down to the "heart" of the team. Certain players add more heart and some don't have any.
 
If that's the case, then Demarcus Ware who was the 11th pick overall from Troy State University - (smaller than Southern U) shouldn't have been drafted either.

The Texans took a player from Hampton in the 4th round, a guy from ULaLa in the 6th, and a player from Grambling in the the 7th.

The Packers took a player from Bethune Cookman in the 2nd round

The Patriots drafted a guy from Toledo and one from William Penn.

There were guys drafted from Akron, Albany, Bowling Green, Grand Valley State, Louisiana Monroe, Murray State, Marshall, Saginaw Valley State, and Tuskegee.

------------

The point is there are a lot of players from small schools who get drafted every year. Some in very high rounds.

Playing in a small school - small conference might handicap a player a bit from a visibility and competition standpoint, but I'd venture a guess that's not the only reason this guy wasn't drafted. There are a lot of undrafted free agents that make it in the NFL but if you're good enough to be drafted, typically the scouts will find you in most cases. Obviously the Texans knew about this guy but didn't think he was draft-worthy. Some guys just need time to develop more than others and that might be the case with this guy. He looks more like a guard than a tackle to me. I wish him and all the other undrafted FAs all the best. For most, it will be their last opportunity to play competitive football.
 
:howdy: I don't know if it was CC who got Joe Jacoby as a free agent out of Louisville but he was a starter for the Hogs .
Is there a reason he could'nt play guard ?
 
ginessey said:
Just because he played I-AA ball doesn't mean he can't be a star. Here are some names of a few stars that played I-AA ball; Michael Strahan (Texas Southern University), Steve Mcnair (Alcorn State), Daunte Culpepper (Central Florida), Darrell Green (Texas A&I).

Texas A&I (currently known as Texas A&M Kingsville) is actually lower that NCAA div. I-AA it's actually NCAA Div. II, other standouts that went their are John Randle, who was an undrafted free agent, and also a man named Earl Dotson who started at offensive Tackle for Green Bay. Also a former high draft pick played for them but never really broke out for Chicago, Johnny Bailey, when I quit playing college football he still had the single season rushing record for the entire NCAA, don't remember exactly how many yards it was but it was nearly 3,000. Also a personal friend of mine from that school made it onto the roster with Miami as a defensive end, but was diagnosed with diabeties after the 3'rd game of his rookie year. Anyone who knows anything about small school football will know all about Texas A&M Kingsville or Texas A&I
 
Hey people let's remember one of the best players to not be drafted in recent memory. Rod Smith has two superbowl rings and likely will be heading to the hall of fame when it is all over. He is one of the prime examples that if given the chance an undrafted player can become the man.
 
Chiefs RB Priest Holmes, FB Tony Richardson, C Casey Wiegmann, G Brian Waters and S Sammy Knight; Cardinals QB Kurt Warner; Panthers QB Jake Delhomme; Titans WR Drew Bennett; Broncos WR Rod Smith; Chargers TE Antonio Gates; Lions TE Marcus Pollard; Colts C Jeff Saturday; Browns G Joe Andruzzi; Bears DE Adewale Ogunleye; Vikings DT Pat Williams; Bills LB London Fletcher; Giants LB Antonio Pierce.
---
All of these guys were undrafted, so lets not knock smith yet
 
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