StarTribune.com | User comments

Hartman: Former Viking knew Smith would be star

Article by: SID HARTMAN , Star Tribune
Updated: December 27, 2012 - 12:16 AM

Tim Irwin spotted the rookie safety's talent while coaching him as an eighth-grader in Knoxville, Tenn.

20
Comments

Newest first
Oldest first

1 - 10 of 20
1
2
next

mpdad1638Dec. 27, 12 7:27 AM

Of course he did.......

justincase12Dec. 27, 12 7:46 AM

Twenty years will affect ones memory. Smith is decent but he is no Joey Browner.

sloughfoxDec. 27, 12 8:10 AM

smith might be better than joey browner right now, but then joey's probably 50-some years old by now.

einkleinDec. 27, 12 8:51 AM

Sid, can you please ask Kirk Lowdermilk for his opinion on any random no-name player on the practice squad? Top notch journalism here folks..

liberallymnDec. 27, 1210:13 AM

Smith has proven himself to be a very serious hitter, thus far. He runs to the guy and through the guy, unlike so many safeties in the NFL. And what's not to love about him getting so ticked off at the personal foul for a clean hit on the QB last weekend that he turns around and drills him the back the next series...forcing a fumble?

timandtiaDec. 27, 1210:17 AM

We need to give Smith a whole career before we can compare him to Browner. Yes, so far Smith has looked great at times, but he has also stumbled at times. Time will tell. As far Packers running the football, I would tell the Vikings defensive backs to be ready. I am sure Rogers is ready to throw for 500 yards!

quincy7981Dec. 27, 1211:10 AM

In other news... "Hartman: Guy at the Mall Thinks Ponder will be a Good QB." and don't forget that story from a few years ago, "Hartman: My Barber's Son's 5th Grade Teacher Believes Brad Childress is the Right Man for the Job."

t_stevensDec. 27, 1211:17 AM

When Smith was drafted, most analysts thought he would be seviceable, but not necessarily great. Some called him stiff at the hips and slow. Analysts also thought he was a round 1 reach. Way wrong. Smith is a stud and will be a star in this league if he stays healthy. One of a number of enviable draft picks this year. Great job, Vikes.

wordupDec. 27, 1211:30 AM

Harrison Smith should be the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. If this team makes it to the playoffs, how can you sell his contributions short. People seem hesitant to jump on his bandwagon. He's the real deal and plays football the way you want to see football played. He hits like browner but he has a bit more range. That was the thing I didn't see coming either. His range in pass coverage has been far beyond where I thought he would be. With Chris Cook back after injury, more snaps for 97, continued heady play from Robinson, Winfield (robbed, maybe his best season ever..should have been in pro bowl) the vikings Defense is a nasty unit. They are primed to make defense memorable again in Minnesota. I can't wait for Green Bay to come to town and face our defense healthy. Danger Mr. Rodgers...Danger

sloughfoxDec. 27, 1211:48 AM

no disrespect guys but i knew joey browner--joey browner was a friend of mine--and believe me--harrison smith is no joey browner!!

1 - 10 of 20
1
2
next

Comment on this story |

explore the Vikings/NFL

Full Scoreboard

Los Angeles - LP: H. Ryu	4	FINAL
NY Yankees - WP: H. Kuroda	6	FINAL

Baltimore - WP: C. Tillman	13	FINAL
Detroit - LP: R. Porcello	3	FINAL

Miami - LP: J. Fernandez	1	FINAL
Arizona - WP: D. Hernandez	3	FINAL

San Diego - LP: L. Gregerson	2	FINAL
San Francisco - WP: M. Bumgarner	4	FINAL

Los Angeles - WP: C. Capuano	6	FINAL
NY Yankees - LP: P. Hughes	0	FINAL

Washington - WP: D. Storen	6	FINAL
Philadelphia - LP: M. Stutes	2	FINAL

Kansas City - LP: L. Mendoza	3	FINAL
Cleveland - WP: J. Masterson	6	FINAL

Colorado - LP: J. Nicasio	2	FINAL
Toronto - WP: M. Buehrle	5	FINAL

NY Mets - LP: S. Marcum	3	FINAL
Atlanta - WP: K. Medlen	5	FINAL

Pittsburgh - LP: V. Mazzaro	1	FINAL
Cincinnati - WP: M. Parra	2	FINAL

Tampa Bay - WP: J. Hellickson	6	FINAL
Boston - LP: R. Dempster	2	FINAL

Oakland - LP: T. Milone	4	FINAL
Texas - WP: J. Grimm	9	FINAL

Chicago WSox - LP: C. Sale	4	FINAL
Minnesota - WP: K. Correia	7	FINAL

Milwaukee - WP: J. Axford	3	FINAL
Houston - LP: H. Ambriz	1	FINAL

Chicago Cubs - LP: E. Jackson	1	FINAL
St. Louis - WP: J. Westbrook	4	FINAL

Seattle - LP: J. Saunders	0	FINAL
LA Angels - WP: C. Wilson	1	FINAL

Full Scoreboard

Chicago	6	FINAL(OT)
Boston	5	FINAL(OT)

Houston	0	FINAL
Montreal	2	FINAL

Colorado	1	FINAL
Chicago	2	FINAL

Chivas USA	1	FINAL
Vancouver FC	3	FINAL

Portland	0	FINAL
Los Angeles	0	FINAL

Montreal	6:00 PM
Toronto

Winnipeg	6:00 PM
Hamilton

Calgary	9:00 PM
Saskatchewan

Edmonton	6/21/13 9:00 PM
Brt Columbia

Montreal	6/27/13 8:00 PM
Winnipeg

Hamilton	6/28/13 6:00 PM
Toronto

Brt Columbia	6/28/13 9:00 PM
Calgary

Saskatchewan	6/29/13 2:30 PM
Edmonton

Minnesota	80	FINAL
Phoenix	69	FINAL

Date/Opponent	Time	W	L	Score
2013 preseason
Aug 9 - vs. Houston	7 pm
Aug 16 - at Buffalo	6 pm
Aug 25 - at San Francisco	7 pm
Aug 29 - vs. Tennessee	7 pm
2013 regular season
Sep 8 - at Detroit	Noon
Sep 15 - at Chicago	Noon
Sep 22 - vs. Cleveland	Noon
Sep 29 - vs. Pittsburgh (in London)	Noon
Oct 6 - Bye
Oct 13 - vs. Carolina	Noon
Oct 21 - at. NY Giants	7:40 pm
Oct 27 - vs. Green Bay	7:30 pm
Nov 3 - at Dallas	Noon
Nov 7 - vs. Washington	7:25 pm
Nov 17 - at Seattle	3:25 pm
Nov. 24 - at Green Bay	Noon
Dec 1 - vs. Chicago	Noon
Dec 8 - at Baltimore	Noon
Dec 15 - vs. Philadelphia	Noon
Dec 22 - at Cincinnati	Noon
Dec 29 - vs. Detroit	Noon