Have to say I have been impressed with him in that role. Pleasantly surprised. If he can break a couple long ones this week it sure would be helpful. Not TD's necessarily, but returns to the 40 are fantastic.
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I am also impressed with Rod Smith as a kick returner as well as a back-up for Carlos Hyde!
Yeah he's been a great kick returner and solid backup. I hope this kid fixes his fumble problem and gets more carries. He looks like he could be a solid back
I think he is a great return man, too. He's averaging 30.0 yards per return on 8 returns, with only a long of 36, which shows he is pretty steady and which is good for about 37th nationally. And hopefully it gives him confidence for between the tackles looks that he'll start to get with more frequency. He builds up a head of steam and is tough to take down. I still worry about him putting the ball on the turf, but he has shown good ball security thus far. I don't know if he has the speed to break open a TD return, but I expect him to break off a 60 or 7o yd return sometime soon. Doing that against PSU would be clutch.
Yep I enjoy watching him return kicks -- he's much more decisive and explosive, not to mention harder to bring down, resulting in more yards per return.
I've been conflicted about him being in that position -- one because I'm scared of him fumbling (and a kickoff return is probably one of the worst times for that to happen) and two, because he takes a while to build speed and make the first person miss. That was until he started just running over the first person. And then the second, and now I'm starting to see why Meyer sees him as a good fit in that role. He is not a traditionally slippery return man, but he is deceptively fast and an absolute brute. Above all, ee is one of the few who visibly plays "like his hair is on fire."
His ability to get out past the 30 almost everytime is pretty uncanny for a kid his size and cannot be under estimated esp this weekend and beyond. If he can keep it up esp this weekend it will do wonders for our offense and even defense with field position.
I am a Rod Smith fan. I accept the fumbling problems, and stand by my assertion he will fix them and become very awesome. I am putting this out there now so that I can bask in the glory of success or admit failure in predicting the future. But there is something about the way he plays football that makes me think he has a special future now that his head is in the game/practice/system.
I hope he continues to get the chance to carry the rock. Has so much talent.
How Firm Thy Friendship....
He reminds me somewhat of Josh Cribbs returning kicks. He doesn't go down at first contact ever and has a nice burst. I am referring to style of running rather than production.
I like Rod returning kicks as well. He does a great job getting up field and getting solid yardage on every return. My only concern is that while his basement is not very low (gets solid yardage pretty much every return without fail) his ceiling is not all too high. Doesn't seem to have that homerun ability to break a long one. I hope he proves me wrong though!
@Zach, I thought the exact same thing about his ability to bust a long one. Against Nebraska I literally said (yelled) don't give Smith the ball because I was afraid he would fumble or go nowhere...and then he bulldozed his way for an amazing touchdown 8 seconds later.
I just don't think we have seen him carry the ball enough times.
I really like Rod Smith. A couple of years ago I remember an OSU lineman saying he will be the next Beanie Wells. While that never came to fruition, I still believe he is a great talent and next year I think that he can really compete for starting runningback (even if Hall comes back)
I love it!
The guy is a load and has been quite efficient at giving tOSU good field position.
I also have a feeling he is going to return one before the end of the season.
Did anyone see Rod standing next to Dunn against Purdue? Rod looks like a NFL ready running back. I really want to see him get more carries. I think he has the highest ceiling and that is saying a lot because I think Hyde has NFL talent.
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men
Reminds me of the Running of the Bulls. Rod has got to be a little intimidating coming off that goal line. Can you imagine being a 185 lb DB on the kickoff team? Mom and Dad, sitting in the stands cheering for you. You sprint down the field and Rod trucks you at the 18!
An angry fan...rooting for an angry team...led by angry coaches
Eh, he's not as good as Jordan Hall, Jamal Berry, Ray Small, Ted Ginn...
Run_Fido's favorite word is strawman.
Well, to be fair, almost nobody is as good at it as Ted Ginn.
It would be scary as hell to see Big Rod Smith with a full head of steam coming at you!
You've got to take Ted off the list, because none of the guys on it compare to him either.
An angry fan...rooting for an angry team...led by angry coaches
CPLUNK you obviously type twice as fast as I do!!
An angry fan...rooting for an angry team...led by angry coaches
CAJUNBUCKEYE- I basically got three things in life- good straight line speed, a wicked right uppercut to the body, and fast typing skills. Two of those don't come in that handy in daily life so I'm glad I could show off my typing.
Plunk, you just have to find the right career to harness your talents. Good luck with that.
vacuuming sucks
Does anyone think Roby would be a good returner?
I love me some Rod Smith. This kid has so much potential.
The 2012 National Champions.
I like him back there just as long as he doesn't fumble one of those KOs. I have a feeling he'll break bust one to the house soon though, seems like he's getting close. My guess... vs. Illini he takes one back.
Plunk, office linebacker seems like the best career choice!! Instead of Monsters of the Midway it would be Monster of the Hallway!!
An angry fan...rooting for an angry team...led by angry coaches
CAJUNBUCKEYE- My favorite ads ever! I wish Terry Tate would make a comeback