The Great Mr.Smith

There Has been discussion this week that Rod Smith's career may be over after being put IR. After a battle to recover from hip surgery this off season this Bronco standout had a bigger battle ahead.

"It's kind of tough for me right now, knowing last week that I wasn't going to get to finish the regular season as far as getting a chance to play," Smith said. "I have to be realistic; I took something that was a 12-month injury and tried to make it into eight-and-a-half, nine months. It was a grind, and I was basically tearing up my body trying to do it, and everybody -- the staff and everyone -- did everything they could to try to help me get back."

I have been watching Rod play since the first catch of his career against the Redskins. He has beaten the odds over and over. Coming from a small college, being undrafted it has been a struggle his entire career. I was thinking about an article I read earlier in the week basically indicating that Rod's career was over. Reading that article I was very discouraged, almost hurt that the player that encompasses what the Bronco's are all about may not be there ever again. Wait a minute , there has to be a comparison someone that was "past his prime" coming off an injury. People saying that at his age and being injured there is no way he will play at the level he used to. This player also came from a small school, was not fast enough, or strong enough to play in the NFL, Like Smith he wore #80. Jerry Rice suffered a major leg injury in his latter day's at San Fransisco, His career was over, Terrell Owens was now the man for the 49ers, Rice may as well lick his wounds and go out like a man. That is not what happened, Jerry landed in Oakland and was revived. Born Oct 13th, 1962 He made his oakland debut in 2001 at age 39. Rice had an unbelievable season 83 catches 1139 yards 7 touchdowns, pretty good numbers for a has been. He went on in 2002 and 2003 to have very effective seasons.

Rod Smith is 37 years old, while his best years are probably behind him there is still gas in the tank. There has never been a player (in my opinion) that has overcome so many obstacles to become a hall of fame player. The impact of Rod Smith will be huge for the future of the Broncos in particular Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. Mike Shanahan learn from the mistakes of the 49ers, DON'T let Rod get away He still has something to prove, and I think he Will.