After 13 seasons, NFL's seventh-leading receiver Smith retires
May 11, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jimmy Smith, one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, has decided to retire.
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Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection who overcame several health problems and a drug addiction during his 13 seasons, scheduled a news conference Thursday with the Jacksonville Jaguars to announce the decision.
The 37-year-old receiver led the Jags with 70 catches for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns last season. He ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th in receiving yards. He has more receptions than every receiver in the Hall of Fame, and only Marvin Harrison has more catches and yards receiving than Smith since 1996.
Smith contemplated retirement during the offseason, but Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio asked him to take his time and be sure he was making the right choice. His announcement came a day before the team opened a three-day minicamp.
Smith's longevity was surprising -- even to him -- especially considering what he overcame.
Smith has more receptions than any current HOF member. (Getty Images)
Smith has more receptions than any current HOF member. (Getty Images)
In 2001, he had three operations to remove scar tissue from his abdomen. Some questioned whether he would play again, but he caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards -- despite being arrested in November that year for suspicion of drunken driving. Tests later revealed he had cocaine in his system. He vehemently denied using the drug.
He was suspended for the first four games of the 2003 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He then publicly acknowledged an addiction and spent several weeks in rehab.
He had other issues early in his career, too.
The third receiver selected in the 1992 draft behind Desmond Howard and Carl Pickens, Smith broke his leg and missed most of his rookie season. In 1993, he needed an emergency appendectomy and suffered through infection and stomach problems. He missed the entire year. He didn't play in 1994, either, after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.
In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother sent coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him earn a tryout.
He made the most of his chance and set receiving records that could be hard to break.
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Always a nice fantasy guy..... how bout the fact that he has more career receptions than any current HOFer
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Last edited by Where's The Old Board? on Thu May 11, 2006 5:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 5:52 am Posts: 2401 Location: Cape Cod
my buddy who's a big Jags fan called me today
"Rich he knew it was time when his wife threw him a loaf of bread over the weekend and he dropped it, and there weren't even any Patriots near him this time."
Got a good laugh out of that. Jimmy was a good receiver, he's been a regular on my fantasy team over the years.
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Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:53 pm Posts: 20537 Location: The City Of Trees
parchy wrote:
Bammer wrote:
Nice. Now this guy is finally gonna get the chance he deserves.
2008 Pro Bowl.
I'm going to go ahead and say no
Man, has he been a huge disappointment so far, or what. On the depth chart he even fell behind Ernest Wilford, who was drafted the same year but in the fourth round.
Both those guys, Matt Jones, and Marcedes Lewis really need to step it up or the Jags are going to be in a world of hurt next season.
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 10:53 pm Posts: 20537 Location: The City Of Trees
parchy wrote:
Athletic Supporter wrote:
parchy wrote:
Where's The Old Board? wrote:
He doesn't seem like it, but some of those numbers is he gonna be a HOFer??
There are a few guys that will need to get in before they ever consider him.
Michael Irvin, hello.
Art Monk as well
I thought about Jimmy's HOF prospects earlier when considering that Rod Smith should be a contender for the Hall as well. They've had pretty similar careers. Lousy WR queue building up...
Also, I thought it was funny that parchy didn't mention Irvin but he did mention Monk.
He doesn't seem like it, but some of those numbers is he gonna be a HOFer??
There are a few guys that will need to get in before they ever consider him.
Michael Irvin, hello.
Art Monk as well
I thought about Jimmy's HOF prospects earlier when considering that Rod Smith should be a contender for the Hall as well. They've had pretty similar careers. Lousy WR queue building up...
Also, I thought it was funny that parchy didn't mention Irvin but he did mention Monk.
Yeah, I figured my opinion on Irvin would be pretty obvious. Despite the terrible "team" he played for though, Monk deserves to go into the Hall... right behind Michael.
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 11:31 am Posts: 2622 Location: South of Boston, North of Stoughton
This guy was on my fantasy almost every year since 1998 (only 1 year some assbag grabbed him from me). Now I have to go out and find my next target. Great career Jimmy (we'll forget about that one issue)....
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Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 5:48 pm Posts: 2783 Location: Boston, MA
parchy wrote:
Green Habit wrote:
parchy wrote:
Athletic Supporter wrote:
parchy wrote:
Where's The Old Board? wrote:
He doesn't seem like it, but some of those numbers is he gonna be a HOFer??
There are a few guys that will need to get in before they ever consider him.
Michael Irvin, hello.
Art Monk as well
I thought about Jimmy's HOF prospects earlier when considering that Rod Smith should be a contender for the Hall as well. They've had pretty similar careers. Lousy WR queue building up...
Also, I thought it was funny that parchy didn't mention Irvin but he did mention Monk.
Yeah, I figured my opinion on Irvin would be pretty obvious. Despite the terrible "team" he played for though, Monk deserves to go into the Hall... right behind Michael.
He has to go in the Hall he was the best receiver over the last 10 years not named Marvin Harrisson.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 12:05 am Posts: 8045 Location: Arlington Heights, IL Gender: Male
after the season he had last year i am surprised that he is retiring, but considering he is 37, i dont blame him. i guess he doesnt want what happened to jerry rice to happen to him.
after the season he had last year i am surprised that he is retiring, but considering he is 37, i dont blame him. i guess he doesnt want what happened to jerry rice to happen to him.
some have speculated he had "other" reaons for retiring.....like he didn't want to face another suspension or something related to that.
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