Rod Smith Interviewed on Sirius

Hey, guys. Heard this interview yesterday but didn't get a chance to post the highlights. I've slept, but here's what I remember.


Rod said first of all the reason he was brought in was because he worked so well with Eddie Royal last year. He said he DID NOT want to coach and by the end of the interview, I was thinking "Next Titans WR Coach Rod Smith?" - but seriously, he said he loved to teach, but coaches don't make enough money.

However, he DID say he will be at Titans OTAs this year to continue to teach Britt.

Smith was asked by Britt's agent to teach Britt. He liked what he saw, saw some of himself in Britt. Eddie Royal recommended Smith to teach Britt and Smith said the only reason he did it was because Royal did everything Smith told him or asked him to do throughout the season.

No, Smith wasn't coaching on the Broncos, but he said he was on the sideline nearly every game. He said Royal would come off the field, go straight to Smith, ask what he did wrong, what he saw, and Smith would tell him, plus what he needed to adjust, do differently, etc.. Rod Smith said Royal would then go back into the game, and do exactly what he said (and it would work) time and time again.

Smith said he was told Britt was rated as a late 2nd, third-round pick by some before he started working with him and he said, "Oh no, no, we can change that."

Rod Smith also said before knowing anything about himself (Rod Smith) people should know there would be no Rod Smith pro bowler, no Denver Broncos 2-time Super Bowl Champs, without Mike Heimerdinger. He said Mike came up to him his first camp when he was a UDFA and told him: "Here's why you won't make this team." Smith said. He said he listened to and did every little thing Heimerdinger said, and shadowed him as much as possible. Shortly thereafter, Heimerdinger was coming to him saying, "Now here's WHY you WILL make this team."

Smith said Britt was just like him when he first go to workout with him. He said most big WRs, like himself, play better on turf than grass. He said they could afford to be much more imprecise with regard to running routes. Like himself, Rod said, when he first got Britt out on to a grass field (and he said he always makes sure he does this early in the morning when there is still plenty of DEW), every four routes or so, Britt would slip and fall, getting in and out of breaks, or making cuts. Smith said it was the exact same way with him until 'Dinger showed him better. Said that was the kind of stuff he worked with Britt on (said now he doesn't have a problem) and that he would come to Nashville to ensure he continued, plus more (at least in camp).

Also, Smith said the most important thing about Britt to Smith now that he was vested in him, was what kind of person Britt turns out to be. He said he knew he would be a good player, but that he didn't care, because if he helps him to be a good person, he will be a great player and teammate and want to help out those around him, and teach other receivers what he's learned. Smith said that was all he cared about, and helping his team win.

Smith noted later in the interview when discussions came up about him getting into the HOF someday (and he noted how Shannon Sharpe was passed over this first time) that it would be nice someday to be recognized, that what mattered to him was the number of wins he helped his team get. Smith has more wins during his career with the Broncos than any other receiver in Canton currently. Not one of those stats that would immediately jump out, but no less impressive when you think about it.

 

Thanks, wtenn. It had a lot of good nuggets to share, and I had to keep track of it for you guys, so, no prob. If it had been a crap interview, I would have lost interest and forgot in my sleep.

Anyway, I like the special attention Britt is getting. He sounds like he is getting "important investment" treatment.

I hear you, JCBRAVE, but right now, having Rod Smith as a teacher is more than 95% of the receivers in this league get, unless they seek it themselves, but even then there's only so many of the greats who are also available to instruct you on the field as well as off.

I like it.