Pete Carroll says expectations might have been too high in Philadelphia for DE Marcus Smith
The selection of defensive end Derek Barnett in April’s draft pretty much spelled the end in Philadelphia for Marcus Smith. Smith didn’t do himself any favors by not reporting for voluntary OTAs.
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Philadelphia released the defensive end in July, and he signed with the Seahawks. Pete Carroll saw an opportunity to tap into the potential talent that made Smith a first-round draft pick (No. 27 overall) in 2014.
“We thought he had plenty of ball left,” Carroll said. “Sometimes guys go places and the expectations are so high, it’s hard to meet up with it. You get a high draft pick like that and the expectations are so high, it just doesn’t fit.”
The high expectations clearly got to Smith. He wasn’t the only one to fall victim to the great expectations that come with being a first-round pick, especially in Philadelphia.
Wideout Nelson Agholor had similar issues during his first two seasons after being selected in the first round in 2015. He is finally having a breakout season, but not before his career hit rock bottom.
Smith trained with former NFL defensive lineman and pass rush specialist Chuck Smith during the offseason. Chuck Smith felt that his pupil was not put in a good position to succeed with the Eagles.
“The way he was treated in Philadelphia was atrocious,” Chuck Smith said during an interview before training camp. You talk about breaking a guy down — from the organization on down, there were people at the end of the day that didn’t have his best interest at heart.”
“How about going into a locker room where guys are resentful for you? You go into a building where some people want you and some people don’t. Then you become a 3-4 linebacker, then you become an inside backer — that would shake most people up. Is it Marcus or is it that his development has been stunted?” Chuck Smith added.
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The selection of defensive end Derek Barnett in April’s draft pretty much spelled the end in Philadelphia for Marcus Smith. Smith didn’t do himself any favors by not reporting for voluntary OTAs.
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Seahawks Pete Carroll feels Eagles QB Carson Wentz has all elements to be great
Philadelphia released the defensive end in July, and he signed with the Seahawks. Pete Carroll saw an opportunity to tap into the potential talent that made Smith a first-round draft pick (No. 27 overall) in 2014.
“We thought he had plenty of ball left,” Carroll said. “Sometimes guys go places and the expectations are so high, it’s hard to meet up with it. You get a high draft pick like that and the expectations are so high, it just doesn’t fit.”
The high expectations clearly got to Smith. He wasn’t the only one to fall victim to the great expectations that come with being a first-round pick, especially in Philadelphia.
Wideout Nelson Agholor had similar issues during his first two seasons after being selected in the first round in 2015. He is finally having a breakout season, but not before his career hit rock bottom.
Smith trained with former NFL defensive lineman and pass rush specialist Chuck Smith during the offseason. Chuck Smith felt that his pupil was not put in a good position to succeed with the Eagles.
“The way he was treated in Philadelphia was atrocious,” Chuck Smith said during an interview before training camp. You talk about breaking a guy down — from the organization on down, there were people at the end of the day that didn’t have his best interest at heart.”
“How about going into a locker room where guys are resentful for you? You go into a building where some people want you and some people don’t. Then you become a 3-4 linebacker, then you become an inside backer — that would shake most people up. Is it Marcus or is it that his development has been stunted?” Chuck Smith added.
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