L. J. Smith
No. 82 | |||||
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Position: | Tight end | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S. | May 13, 1980||||
Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||
Weight: | 258 lb (117 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Highland Park | ||||
College: | Rutgers | ||||
NFL draft: | 2003 / Round: 2 / Pick: 61 | ||||
Career history | |||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
John Smith III (born May 13, 1980), commonly known as L. J., which stands for "Little John", is an American former professional
Early years
In elementary school, he went to Bartle in Highland Park. At Highland Park High School in Highland Park, New Jersey, Smith played both basketball and football. As a senior football linebacker, he posted 11 sacks, 143 tackles, and five interceptions.[1]
College years
A four-year starter, he finished second in Rutgers history among tight ends with 122 receptions for 1,458 yards and ten touchdowns, surpassed only by Marco Battaglia.
Smith earned All-Big East honors as both a junior and senior, and served as team captain as a senior, leading the Scarlet Knights with a career-high 32 receptions for 384 yards and three touchdowns.
Professional career
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle |
Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
258 lb (117 kg) |
32+7⁄8 in (0.84 m) |
10+3⁄8 in (0.26 m) |
4.65 s | 1.65 s | 2.74 s | 4.25 s | 6.74 s | 37 in (0.94 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) |
26 reps | |
All values from NFL Combine.[2] |
Philadelphia Eagles
Smith was drafted by the
With the retirement of Chad Lewis and suspension of Terrell Owens, Smith became one of Donovan McNabb's top targets; between 2005 and 2006, Smith led the Eagles in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Entering the final year of his contract in 2007, Smith suffered a hernia injury that could have possibly kept him out for the season.[4] Smith however did recover in time for the season opener, though the injury would limit him for much of the year.[5] Unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal, the Eagles placed the franchise tag on Smith for the 2008 season.
Baltimore Ravens
Smith signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens on March 20, 2009. In his lone season in Baltimore (plagued by injuries) Smith had only two catches for 31 yards, and had no starts backing up Todd Heap.[6][7]
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
---|---|
Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
2003 | PHI | 15 | 5 | 46 | 27 | 321 | 11.9 | 36 | 1 |
2004 | PHI | 16 | 8 | 54 | 34 | 377 | 11.1 | 31 | 5 |
2005 | PHI | 16 | 16 | 107 | 61 | 682 | 11.2 | 48 | 3 |
2006 | PHI | 16 | 15 | 75 | 50 | 611 | 12.2 | 65 | 5 |
2007 | PHI | 10 | 9 | 43 | 22 | 236 | 10.7 | 26 | 1 |
2008 | PHI | 13 | 12 | 64 | 37 | 298 | 8.1 | 25 | 3 |
2009 | BAL | 12 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 31 | 15.5 | 26 | 0 |
98 | 65 | 392 | 233 | 2,556 | 11.0 | 65 | 18 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | Games | Receiving | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
2003 | PHI | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 43 | 14.3 | 23 | 0 |
2004 | PHI | 3 | 2 | 17 | 9 | 100 | 11.1 | 21 | 1 |
2006 | PHI | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 31 | 10.3 | 15 | 0 |
2008 | PHI | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 5.7 | 6 | 0 |
2009 | BAL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
11 | 4 | 31 | 18 | 191 | 10.6 | 23 | 1 |
Personal life
Smith was included in the 2005
References
- ^ a b L.J. Smith profile Archived January 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Philadelphia Eagles. Accessed June 9, 2007.
- ^ "L.J. Smith, Rutgers, TE, 2003 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com.
- ^ "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20070823_Eagles_Notes____Westbrook_wants_to_carry_much_more_of_the_load.html [dead link]
- ^ "Kickoff-return duty going to Buckhalter".
- ^ "Duffy, Mike. "Ravens Add Smith at Tight End," BaltimoreRavens.com, Friday, March 20, 2009". Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
- ^ Hensley, Jamison. "Ravens sign L.J. Smith," The Baltimore Sun, Saturday, March 21, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Duggan, Dan (May 15, 2016). "Inspired by late mother, L.J. Smith returns for Rutgers degree". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved May 15, 2016.