Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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irish in the pros I'm the hardest hitter or whatever other people think in the league," Smith said. "I just know that I go out and play on Sundays and play 100 percent, as hard as I can play every play. I think that just results in being around the ball a lot, and when you're playing fast, you run into people fast. "I think if you love the game, you want to play every play like it's your last. That's just how I think the game should be played, so that's how I try to play it." Late in September, the Vikings played the Steelers in the NFL's annual game in London. Smith said it was an "enlightening" experience to see the knowledge of the league abroad and was impressed by the hosts' kindness. "It was pretty wild," Smith said. "We got to stay a little bit outside of London the first part of the trip for four or five days, kind of in the country. It was a nice place and they had everything for us. Then we got to stay in London two or three days in the city. "It was mostly business, but there was time to check out the atmosphere and see some of the landmarks in London." Smith is one of five Notre Dame graduates on the Vikings roster, which is easily the most for any one NFL team. He said they still talk Irish football often, and even had a friendly bet with their USC teammates over the outcome of the Oct. 19 Notre Dame win. "Pretty much every week we're talking about [Notre Dame's last game]," Smith said. "There's always a little banter in the locker room. "[Teammates] joke with us about it. Even our team said they don't know if they can draft any more ND guys. We're kind of at our quota. There's kind of a knowledge that we have five Notre Dame guys, so we talk about it." Recently, though, it's been Smith's play that's done most of the talking. NFL Notes Through Oct. 24 • Former Irish quarterback Brady Quinn was re‑ leased by the New York Jets Oct. 21 and signed by the St. Louis Rams Oct. 23. • The Houston Texans cut former Irish running back Cierre Wood Oct. 22. The team released two other players along with Wood for a violation of team rules. ESPN.com reported the trio smoked marijuana together in the team hotel while in Kan‑ sas City. • Cincinnati Bengals rookie tight end Tyler Eifert notched his first career touchdown reception in a 27‑24 win over Detroit Oct. 20. He caught three passes for 45 yards in the game. MLS Notes Through Oct. 24 • Former Notre Dame men's soccer player Dillon Powers was named the Most Valuable Player of the Colorado Rapids for his performance as a rookie in 2013. The 11th overall pick has played in 30 games, starting 29, and has recorded five goals and six as‑ sists. He is an MLS Rookie of the Year candidate. NHL Notes Through Oct. 24 • After scoring 10 goals and recording 11 assists in 42 games during the 2012-13 season, former Irish standout Kyle Palmieri began the 2013‑14 season on the Anaheim Ducks' first line with Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Through eight regular-season games this year, Palmieri recorded one goal and one as‑ sist. ✦