Goober Pyle Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 https://theathletic.com/803358/2019/02/06/falcons-qa-ito-smith-ready-for-team-to-get-that-sour-taste-out-of-our-mouth/ Growing up as an aspiring football player in Mobile, Ala., Ito Smith never had the opportunity to attend a clinic led by professional football players. As a youth, it probably didn’t seem like a big deal as he worked his way into being a high school standout and a college star at Southern Miss. Following his rookie season with the Falcons, Smith was given the opportunity to teach some football skills to a group of elementary school children at a recent clinic at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta. Smith said it was a good way to spend some offseason downtime while giving back to his new community. “We’re tossing the football around and handing out autographs,” Smith said. “It’s motivating and inspiring them to be like us.” The event was hosted by Panini, a licensed trading card company that was in town for the Super Bowl. Smith, along with NFL players such as Denver running back Phillip Lindsay and Cincinnati receiver Tyler Boyd, was on hand to go through some drills and to sign some autographs for the kids. The players led the kids through some basic drills and taught some fundamentals. Smith said it was good for the school children to get a first-hand experience with the players they look up to on Sundays. “To give back and be there so they can actually see you in person — they see us on TV all the time,” Smith said. “To see us in person, they can say, ‘I saw him! I got his autograph!’ That’s very motivating. It’s a cool thing.” Smith figures to be in line for a bigger role from the start in 2019, especially if Tevin Coleman heads elsewhere in free agency. Selected in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft, Smith began last season as the third-string running back and expected to see most of his time on special teams. Injuries to Devonta Freeman relegated him to only two games, which propelled Smith into a greater role. Smith showcased his potential as a shifty and agile runner, with his best highlight coming against Carolina when he spun off of a tackle attempt from linebacker Luke Kuechly. Smith’s rookie season ended with 90 carries for 315 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes for 152 yards. Smith’s year concluded before the final two games, however, as he suffered a meniscus injury against Arizona. Prior to the Super Bowl, Smith caught up with The Athletic to discuss his rookie year, his health and what he learned to get through his first long NFL season. How is the knee doing? Are you feeling better, and are you ready to get back in the swing of things? Yeah, I can’t wait to get back. The knee is feeling really good. I’m almost back to 100 percent. I’ll be back for OTAs, and I’ll have a full offseason. I’m just ready to get back out there with my teammates to get that sour taste out of our mouth. Obviously, there were a lot of expectations going into the year. If you could pinpoint something that led to the 7-9 season, what do you think it was? It was just execution and too many mistakes. Turnovers, that killed us. Just execute, man. We have to play better football, sound football. If we make the plays we’re supposed to make, we’ll be fine. Did you all (as players) put that on yourself as a team, as a collective group? Were those things you think you can correct on the field, and not necessarily from anything coaching related? Coaches coach, and we go out there and play. You can watch the games, and we made a lot of mistakes. We have to play better football, like I said. What have you been doing since the offseason began? I assume you’ve been doing some rehab, but what’s been your timeline since that last game? Just rehabbing and relaxing, trying to get my body feeling really good. It’s a long NFL season. I had workouts at pro day, so last year was a really long year for me. I’m trying to get my body back right. I’ll relax while I got the time and enjoy it with my family. I’m going to get my mind right, so I can be 100 percent ready for next season. Are you already anxious to get back? I say that because obviously there is some uncertainty with Tevin being a free agent. If he does go somewhere else you’re that No. 2 back. Are you anxious at all to take on a big role? I’m a competitor so I’d embrace it. I want that bigger role. Tevin did a great job, but whatever happens, happens. Whether I’m the No. 2 or No. 3 guy, I’m going to go out there and do my job the best I can for my team so we can have a better season next year. What do you think you learned the most during your rookie year? Just staying focused. It’s a long season. The weeks, they get redundant. You’re doing the same stuff every week. It’s staying focused and sticking to it. It’s chugging on, I guess. It has to be tough — you get to Week 10, 11 and 12, the hits are harder than they were in college. It’s such a high level. And you still have six weeks to go, and if you’re still playing like right now, it’s up to 20 weeks. How do you keep your mind right with such a long year? On your off days, it’s having a real off day. Get you a little studying in but other than that, you have to get your rest. You can’t be staying up all night. It’s taking care of your body, doing all your rehab — therapy, hot tub, cold tub, needle room, massages. Do whatever you got to do so that when Sunday comes around you’re full-go. Have you had a chance to speak with Dirk Koetter yet since he became your new offensive coordinator? I have not spoken with him yet. Are you familiar with his offense or have you studied any of it yet? They say he’s a very balanced guy so we’ll see. He’s known for a lot of inside zone (runs). I feel like that fits you. Do you feel the same? I’m a good inside zone runner. I’m a good outside zone runner, too. I am a better inside zone runner than outside. I did do a good job with the inside zone runs. It’s continuing on and building off of that. Who or what was your biggest inspiration, whether it was to play football, whether it’s to succeed? I don’t want to say inspiration, but growing up I used to like Reggie Bush. I used to like his style and stay up late watching him when he was on the west coast in college at USC. He was a really good college player. Mainly him. 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FalconsIn2012 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 I can understand Koetter not doing interviews yet, but it’s a little surprising none of the players have spoken with him yet. It’s been a month. Oh well, guess it’s the offseason. I think the radio silence is because they are still ironing out the playbook. Koetter has to learn our terminology. Takes time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monolith2001 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 I'll start by saying I was glad we picked up Ito. I really think he could be as good or better than Free. As far as Koetter, man needs to move here, get settled, watch film and assess, scout new talent during this offseason. Coaches will address those who are going to be here during OTAs/TC. Note: I like that he seemed to emphasize execution as the culprit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geneaut Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 5 minutes ago, Monolith2001 said: Note: I like that he seemed to emphasize execution as the culprit. I do to. if a player says 'injury' then they are casting a bit of shade on the backups who are out there taking the place of the injured. If you say 'execution' its blanket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quotemokc Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 Ito had a better rookie season than Freeman did and in less games. (granted we were pretty inept in 2014) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 56 minutes ago, quotemokc said: Ito had a better rookie season than Freeman did and in less games. (granted we were pretty inept in 2014) They had basically the same rookie season: Ito - 467 yfs and 4 TDs on 117 touches Free - 473 yfs and 2 TDs on 95 toches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Falconsin2012 said: I can understand Koetter not doing interviews yet, but it’s a little surprising none of the players have spoken with him yet. It’s been a month. Oh well, guess it’s the offseason. I think the radio silence is because they are still ironing out the playbook. Koetter has to learn our terminology. Takes time CBA rules. I don't think players and coaches can have conversations about football until OTAs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomak Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 BLAA BLAA BLAA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 27 minutes ago, FentayeJones said: CBA rules. I don't think players and coaches can have conversations about football until OTAs. You are correct. Didn’t know that. When does offseason officially begin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-train Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 LOL at the interviewer asking him if he's excited to get back since he has a chance to be the #2 HB. He basically already WAS the #2 HB this year since Freeman missed nearly the entire season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osiruz Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 If Ito Smith Turns into anything like Reggie Bush that would be a win for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Falcon Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 5 hours ago, Monolith2001 said: I'll start by saying I was glad we picked up Ito. I really think he could be as good or better than Free. As far as Koetter, man needs to move here, get settled, watch film and assess, scout new talent during this offseason. Coaches will address those who are going to be here during OTAs/TC. Note: I like that he seemed to emphasize execution as the culprit. I hope he's watching women. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monolith2001 Posted February 7, 2019 Share Posted February 7, 2019 4 hours ago, Flying Falcon said: I hope he's watching women. Ha. Not sure if I should laugh at the joke or the idea that you may have noticed it due to the websites you had just visited prior to coming here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Falcon Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Monolith2001 said: Ha. Not sure if I should laugh at the joke or the idea that you may have noticed it due to the websites you had just visited prior to coming here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLSlobberKnockers Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 What's the needle room? They have an accupuncture expert on hand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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