After a topsy-turvy college career at Michigan State, and three uneventful stops in the NFL, quarterback Jeff Smoker may have found his niche.
Smoker was named Arena Football League Rookie of the Month for April 2007 after he completed 95-of-158 passes for 1,277 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions during his first full month as a starting quarterback in the AFL. Smoker led all rookies in passing yards, ranked second in touchdowns, and ranked third in passer rating (100.6) during the month that saw his Nashville Kats post a 2-3 record. His best performance of the month came in an April 14 win as he completed 18-of-28 passes for 235 yards and six touchdowns in a 62-36 victory over the Arizona Rattlers.
Despite the 2-3 record, this measure of success has to be bittersweet for the Manheim, PA native.
The accomplishment signals that Smoker may have vanquished the demons he encountered during his college days. Smoker had a well-publicized bout with substance abuse during his junior year in East Lansing. He was suspended for the last five games of the team’s 4-8 campaign, and it was unknown if he would ever step foot in Spartan Stadium, or any other arena, ever again.
Then-MSU head coach John L. Smith decided to reinstate Smoker after holding him out of spring practice in 2003. That turned out to be a good choice.
As a senior, Smoker became the first quarterback in school history to reach the 3,000-yard passing milestone in a season, finishing 2003 with a 62 percent completion rate, 3,395 yards and 21 touchdowns (both school records). During the Spartans’ 7-5 season, Smoker also ran for three scores on 63 carries, was a second-team All-Big 10 selection and was named team MVP. He also led the Big Ten conference in passing (261.2 yards per game) and in total offense (252.2 ypg). That year, Smoker broke his own single-season record for total offense of 2,512 yards when he registered 3,279 yards in his final season at State.
Smoker ended his college career as the most decorated quarterback in Spartan history, setting Spartans records with a 60 percent completion rate — 685-1,150 — for 8,932 yards, 61 touchdowns and 39 interceptions. He also set the MSU all-time record with 8,714 yards in total offense.
Yes, his suspension came from a self-inflicted problem, but an intervention, help from family and friends, a vote of confidence from Smith and some hard work aided Smoker on his road back.
Smoker’s NFL career was an uneventful one, as he was originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round (201st overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft, spending two season with the club. He also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.
Although it can’t possibly be on par with being named NFL Rookie of the Month, Smoker’s recent accolade has to show him he has somewhat of a budding football career. Different people take different paths to get to where they eventually aspire to be.
Sure, Smoker could have been an NFL first-round pick, but who’s to say all the money he would have received with that deal would not have caused his problems to resurface.
If he is lucky enough to make it to the Big Show, his highs and lows will make him appreciate the experience that much more.
Maybe Smoker’s story will inspire one of his old teammates -- you know, the one who caught a number of Smoker’s TD strikes -- to let old habits go, too.
I was eating lunch when I heard a rumor out of East Lansing that Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo is a realistic candidate for the position left vacant by John L. Smith.
I was listening to Izzo’s weekly press conference when it dawned on me: he isn’t bullsh%tt*ng.
Only in East Lansing.
Only in the place where I spent the best times of my life could one sorry program affect a thriving one.
Only in the place that’s home to the school I’ll be paying until I die could a college basketball deity commit career suicide by taking over what I have deemed a cursed program.
Think about it. I’m not saying it will, but what if all this comes to pass? What happens to our sick ’07 recruiting class? Where do Durrell, Kalin and Chris go if the guy who ate their mom’s sweet potato pie decides he’d rather roam a sideline than a baseline?
I text messaged my best friend from State right after I heard the “news.” He called me maybe five minutes later. That was the quietest phone conversation we’ve had in the seven years we’ve known each other. Utter disbelief.
I’ve been through the Izzo to the Hawks and Izzo to the Pistons rumors. I always knew there was nothing to those because coach eats, sleeps and breathes MSU. Hell, he named his son after guys on his national championship team.
But that’s what makes this so scary. It’s his love for State that could bring him to believe he can do for Lou Anna what he (indirectly) did for M. Peter.
Who knows. This could work. Izzo could lead the football team to a string of 8 and 9-win seasons and New Year’s Day bowl appearances. Tom Crean, Marquette University head basketball coach and Izzo disciple, could come in and pick up where his Yoda left off.
But where would I draw that optimism after what has transpired the last five seasons?
We’ve had more arrests, suspensions and slaps than wins.
Fans and alumni have had more heartbreaks than New York from “Flavor of Love.”
Seriously, I have no idea why Izzo would not just tell reporters, “I’m the head coach of the MSU basketball team and nothing else.” Why give writers, talking head and radio hosts more subject matter?
I’ve heard in the past that he wants to coach (high school) football when he’s done with hoops, but how can someone with as much experience as me take on a Big Ten football program. A STRUGGLING one at that.
You can’t deny Izzo’s track record, though. Four Final Fours. Three National Coach of the Year Awards and a national title.
But that’s in a completely different arena.
Please, coach, be as much a part of the search as it warrants. Hop on planes, trains or anything else to make sure we get the best guy for the job. Because that guy isn’t you.
Sure, you could light a fire under anybody and make them play until they couldn’t walk anymore. But what about the X’s and O’s part?
Hopefully, when it all comes down to it, Izzo picks the triangle and 2 over the cover 2.
Disclaimer:I graduated from Michigan State. You know, the first power conference school to fire its head coach this season. So I could give 28 @&*!# about Michigan or Ohio State. However, I do realize the ginormousness of their impending battle on Nov. 18, so I took the liberty of sending an e-mail to both head coaches before their games this week against Northwestern (OSU) and Indiana (UM).
I know you’re busy with getting ready for those EXTREMELY tough games this weekend, but I feel the need to make you two fine gentlemen aware of something.
I hate both of you. I hate your schools, your cities, those stupid winged helmets and that overgrown, cheap peanut butter cup you call a mascot. I’ll admit, my vitriol may seem unwarranted, but my alma mater is 0-8 against you two %^#(* the last four years. I guess that’s not all bad, since you helped get that caricature of a football coach fired, right? Right?
Anyway, even though I’d probably siphon gasoline out of someone’s car and pour it on both of you if you were on fire, I love football. I realize that next week’s game is exceedingly important to you two and a host of other people. Myself included. Whoever wins the “big game” will most likely be a heavy favorite no matter what team opposes it in the BCS title game Jan. 8.
I’m sure both of you know what winning this game means. Especially you, Sweatervest, since you’ve beaten Jimmy Stewart 4 of 5 times. But it also means a lot to our conference.
It’s been said that the Big Ten has been “down” for a few years now — basically since O$U bought, I mean won the ’03 national title. A classic contest next week, coupled with a national title win, would bring some respect back to the Big Ten.
But first things first, fellas. You both have to hold up your end of the bargain by beating Northwestern and Indiana Saturday.
And I can say, from watching my beloved Spartans battle both the Wildcats and Hoosiers earlier this season, those are some tough teams. You better not overlook them the way you did Ball State (Lloyd) and Illinois (Jim).
A loss by either of your teams — or even worse yet, both— and your game next week goes from being one of the most highly anticipated games ever regardless of sport to just another Saturday afternoon game between rivals. Sure, it’ll mean a lot to the NASCAR psychos in Ann Arbor and some humpbacked people in Columbus, but nobody else’ll care.
Tressel, if you lose to Northwestern, which happened the last time your group played in Evanston, then follow that up with an L to the Wolverines, you go from Penthouse to Champs Sports Bowl.
If you lose to Indiana, Mr. Carr, and follow that up with your fifth loss in six games versus Tressel — UM lost 37-21 in its last trip to The Shoe — Go Blue goes from possibly holding that shiny ball to playing in El Paso, TX on a Wednesday night. For the second year in a row.
Losses by both of you, coupled with a Michigan loss to the Bucks, would put Wisconsin the Rose Bowl and send you both to purgatory. It would also ruin a perfectly good fall Saturday for millions and MILLIONS of college football fans.
So, please, don’t mess up. I already put the deposit down on my keg and a 12-foot party sub.
Thank you both for your time
P.S. If either of you ever want a change of scenery, you’ll be welcomed with open arms in East Lansing ;-)
My name is Jason Carmel Davis, and I am a graduate of the Michigan State University School of Journalism. Yes, we do go to class in East Lansing, not just to bars and the liquor store.
I'm almost positive I had an SI with me in the womb, checking out Ralph Wiley. He's the main reason I ever decided to pursue a career in sportswriting .
I even remember the first highlight I ever saw on SportsCenter. I don't remember who was reading it, but it was Michael Jordan's 63-point game against the Celtics in the Garden in the 86 Playoffs. I've been hooked ever since.
