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Marcus Smith confident in ability if Connor Barwin can't play
November 19, 2015, 8:00 am
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Marcus Smith has played just 41 snaps this season but will have to play a big role if Connor Barwin is unable to go for the Eagles on Sunday against the Bucs. (USA Today Images)
Chip Kelly thinks Connor Barwin, who didn’t practice on Tuesday or Wednesday with a quad injury, will be ready to go on Sunday.
If Barwin can’t go?
Last year’s first-round pick, Marcus Smith, would likely make his first-career start.
“I think Marcus has come along,” Kelly said. “Obviously, our two premier starting, outside linebackers are Connor and Brandon (Graham). Brandon has played well as of late; Connor has been at work for us. But we’re confident if Connor can’t go, I don’t think that’s going to be the case, but we are confident that if Connor can’t go, then Marcus can fill in there.”
Smith, 23, hasn’t played much on defense this season. He’s been inactive three times and has been active without a snap twice. For the season, he’s played just 41 snaps (six percent).
“I feel really good. I’ve been playing the last couple of games,” said Smith, who has had a total of eight snaps in the last three games. “They’ve been rotating me in. I’ve been getting reps and stuff like that. I’m already prepared and ready to play the position. I play both positions in the game, depending on the situation. I’m already ready just in case something happens and he can’t go.”
This season, Smith said the two things he’s been focusing on most have been his pass rushing and his attention to detail.
Heading into Year 2, Smith looked like he had a chance to be a solid role player for the Eagles. He did well in the offseason workouts and looked good in the preseason opener but then hurt his hamstring on Aug. 20.
Did he expect to play more in his second year?
“As a competitor, you want more playing time but in this situation, you just take what the coaches give you and do the best you can with what you get,” he said. “When my hamstring got injured, it was bad for me but I feel like I came back from that. I’m doing the things I [was] doing before. It’s only a matter of time before I go out and make plays.”
When asked, Smith said it’s not hard to get better with limited snaps but it is difficult to get into a good rhythm playing sporadically. His best game of the season came against the Saints, when he played a season-high 22 snaps. In that game, he hit Drew Brees, which forced an interception. Since that game, he’s played 19 total snaps.
Despite the lack of playing time, Smith claimed his confidence remains high.
“I’m in a great place right now. I’m in a high [confidence] place right now,” Smith said. “I just think I’m very appreciative of what I am getting and I’m very humbled. Once I get the opportunity to get more reps, you’ll see more plays.”
I sure hope Barwin can play this week. He has been the one constant in this defense the
past 2 seasons.
Marcus Smith confident in ability if Connor Barwin can't play
November 19, 2015, 8:00 am
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Marcus Smith has played just 41 snaps this season but will have to play a big role if Connor Barwin is unable to go for the Eagles on Sunday against the Bucs. (USA Today Images)
Chip Kelly thinks Connor Barwin, who didn’t practice on Tuesday or Wednesday with a quad injury, will be ready to go on Sunday.
If Barwin can’t go?
Last year’s first-round pick, Marcus Smith, would likely make his first-career start.
“I think Marcus has come along,” Kelly said. “Obviously, our two premier starting, outside linebackers are Connor and Brandon (Graham). Brandon has played well as of late; Connor has been at work for us. But we’re confident if Connor can’t go, I don’t think that’s going to be the case, but we are confident that if Connor can’t go, then Marcus can fill in there.”
Smith, 23, hasn’t played much on defense this season. He’s been inactive three times and has been active without a snap twice. For the season, he’s played just 41 snaps (six percent).
“I feel really good. I’ve been playing the last couple of games,” said Smith, who has had a total of eight snaps in the last three games. “They’ve been rotating me in. I’ve been getting reps and stuff like that. I’m already prepared and ready to play the position. I play both positions in the game, depending on the situation. I’m already ready just in case something happens and he can’t go.”
This season, Smith said the two things he’s been focusing on most have been his pass rushing and his attention to detail.
Heading into Year 2, Smith looked like he had a chance to be a solid role player for the Eagles. He did well in the offseason workouts and looked good in the preseason opener but then hurt his hamstring on Aug. 20.
Did he expect to play more in his second year?
“As a competitor, you want more playing time but in this situation, you just take what the coaches give you and do the best you can with what you get,” he said. “When my hamstring got injured, it was bad for me but I feel like I came back from that. I’m doing the things I [was] doing before. It’s only a matter of time before I go out and make plays.”
When asked, Smith said it’s not hard to get better with limited snaps but it is difficult to get into a good rhythm playing sporadically. His best game of the season came against the Saints, when he played a season-high 22 snaps. In that game, he hit Drew Brees, which forced an interception. Since that game, he’s played 19 total snaps.
Despite the lack of playing time, Smith claimed his confidence remains high.
“I’m in a great place right now. I’m in a high [confidence] place right now,” Smith said. “I just think I’m very appreciative of what I am getting and I’m very humbled. Once I get the opportunity to get more reps, you’ll see more plays.”
I sure hope Barwin can play this week. He has been the one constant in this defense the
past 2 seasons.
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