Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IRISH IN THE PROS Brian Smith Gets Second Chance With Cleveland BY WES MORGAN F ormer Notre Dame linebacker Brian Smith was the last cut made by the Cleveland Browns in fall camp. While the shock wore off, re- ality began to set in after 10 weeks passed without much good news from his agent. Shacking up with current Fighting Irish players Gary Gray and Jonas Gray, Smith woke up on the morning of Nov. 28 thinking it was officially time to move on … at least until it came time to begin training for a second crack at the NFL next year. "That afternoon I was sitting on the couch with Gary and I told him I was going to start exclusively job search- ing," said Smith, who had an oppor- tunity with a recruiting service in Chicago. "As soon as I told Gary that, my phone rings and it's my agent." The Browns reached out and wanted Smith to workout for a spot on the practice squad the next day. His flight was to leave in less than three hours. "I had to pack a duffel bag," he said. "I actually had to go to Wal- Mart because my clothes were dirty and I didn't have time to wash clothes. I had to go buy underwear and socks and all this other stuff. I went and got that stuff and got on the plane." The next day he realized, unlike all the other positions, he was the only linebacker trying out. Midway through the workout, an assistant coach told Smith not to kill himself, because he'd likely be practicing with the team Nov. 30. That turned out to be true, with Smith signing a contract to finish the year on the practice squad. "I went from chilling on the couch, thinking I'd just watch Mon- day Night Football, to practicing on Wednesday helping the team get ready for Baltimore. I'm truly blessed." NFL PLAYER UPDATES Through Dec. 12 • Victor Abiamiri (Played at Notre Dame from 2003-06), DT, Philadelphia Eagles: Out for the year after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during training camp. • Armando Allen (2007-10), RB, Chicago 58 JANUARY 2012 Just when former Irish linebacker Brian Smith prepared to turn the page on his dream of land- ing on an NFL team to finish out the 2011 sea- son, he received the call he was hoping for. PHOTO BY AARON SUOZZI Bears: Began the season on the Bears' practice squad … Was released Oct. 11 and resigned to the practice team Nov. 2. • Arnaz Battle (1998-2001), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Has yet to record a reception this year … Is the captain of Pittsburgh's special teams and has four tackles in nine games … Strained his hamstring in a loss to Baltimore Nov. 6 and has been inactive since. • Sergio Brown (2006-09), S, New England Patriots: Has compiled 27 total tackles and one interception in 12 games (two starts). • David Bruton (2005-08), S, Denver Bron- cos: Has 11 tackles coming off the bench in 13 games … Suffered a right Achilles/ankle injury in the Broncos' 13-10 overtime win over Chicago Dec. 11. • John Carlson (2003-07), TE, Seattle Se- ahawks: Will miss the entire campaign after having surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered during the preseason. • Jimmy Clausen (2007-09), QB, Carolina Pan- thers: Started 10 games last season, but has yet to get a snap this year. • Jeff Faine (1999-2002), C, Tampa Bay Buc- caneers: Has started all 12 games he has played in, missing one contest with a strained biceps. • Anthony Fasano (2002-05), TE, Miami Dol- phins: Has 26 catches for 412 yards (15.8 yards per reception) and four scores in 13 starts. • Ryan Grant (2001-04), RB, Green Bay Pack- ers: Registered 102 carries for 401 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in 11 starts for the undefeated Packers … Had his best outing of the season in a 46-16 victory over Oakland Dec. 11, rushing 10 times for 85 yards and two scores while catching one pass for 13 yards. • J.J. Jansen (2004-07), LS, Carolina Panthers: Has served as the long snapper in each of the Panthers' first 13 games. • Terrail Lambert (2004-08), DB, Oakland Raiders: Spent the first nine weeks of the sea- son on the New Orleans Saints' practice squad before being cut Nov. 8 … Was signed to the Raiders' practice squad Nov. 16. • Derek Landri (2002-06), DT, Philadelphia Eagles: Notched 16 tackles in nine games after being signed by the Eagles Oct. 4. • Trevor Laws (2003-07), DT, Philadelphia Eagles: Has recorded 19 total tackles with a sack and one quarterback hurry in 13 games. • Mark LeVoir (2001-05), OT, St. Louis Rams: Has played in five games, with two starts, for the Rams since being signed Oct. 27 … Returned to action in a 30-13 loss at Seattle Dec. 12 after missing two games with a pectoral injury, but left that game in the fourth quarter with a groin injury … Played in three games and made one start for the Baltimore Ravens before being cut Oct. 18. • Kyle McCarthy (2005-09), S, Denver Bron- cos: Spent the first 11 weeks of the campaign on the Broncos' practice squad before being promoted to the active roster Nov. 28 … Has one stop in two games. • Eric Olsen (2006-09), OL, Washington Red- skins: Spent the first 14 weeks of the season on the Redskins' practice squad. • Brady Quinn (2003-06), QB, Denver Broncos: Has not seen any game action for the Broncos. • Kyle Rudolph (2008-10), TE, Minnesota Vi- kings: Has 19 catches for 196 yards (10.3 yards per reception) and two touchdowns while seeing action in 12 games, including six starts. • Brian Smith (2007-10), LB, Cleveland Browns: Joined the Browns' practice squad in late No- vember. • Maurice Stovall (2002-05), WR, Detroit Li- ons: Has one reception for eight yards while seeing action in 12 contests, primarily on special teams … Has made five special teams tackles. • John Sullivan (2003-07), C, Minnesota Vi- kings: Started at center in 12 of the Vikings' first 13 contests, missing one with a concussion. • Golden Tate (2007-09), WR, Seattle Se- ahawks: Recorded 23 receptions for 259 yards (11.3 yards per catch) and three touchdowns in 13 games (two starts) ... Caught three passes for BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED