Browns DE Smith might be forced to IR with back injury

[BernietheKid]

Browns DE Smith might be forced to IR with back injury

• Associated Press
• Published: Oct. 18, 2010 at 11:20 p.m.
• Updated: Oct. 18, 2010 at 11:29 p.m.

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns defensive end Robaire Smith might be out for the season because of a back injury.

Smith didn't practice last week and sat out the Browns' game Sunday in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. On Monday, Browns coach Eric Mangini confirmed that Smith's injury could be long-term and said it was "possible" the 32-year-old could be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

The Browns might make that move Tuesday before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.

There was no helmet in Smith's locker while the locker room was open to the media.
Smith has spent three seasons with the Browns, who signed him as a restricted free agent in 2007. He played in all 16 games that season but was limited to two the following year after rupturing his Achilles' tendon.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

NFL.com news: Browns DE Smith might be forced to IR with back injury

[Jax Dawg]

This is a loss to an already thin DL and bumps up DL help even higher on the offseason help checklist.

[mario]

Smith is a good DE, but injuries and age are coming fast. About time to find his replacement. Coleman is next, I believe he is around 32? (no time to research it).

QBs, LBs, OL can play into mid 30s, but its rare for any other players in various positions to stay productive that late into the career.

[Enigmatic Evil]

THIS is why I was screaming for us to draft a D-lineman EARLY last year, and I was pissed when we didn't go to the position until what the 6th round? Our D-Line is too old and we NEED some young prospective starters who WILL earn a starting spot. Not players like Schafering (I know you defended him Flug but I'm still not convinced) who can hold their own for a play or two here and there. We need STARTERS.

If we don't take a D-Lineman early in the upcoming draft I am going to be banging my head against a desk. Maybe we'll get to find out what we have with Jayme Mitchell.

[Crow]

hmmm



shit

[BernietheKid]

Schaefering will get his chance

By Matt Florjancic, ClevelandBrowns.com Staff Writer
Posted 1 hour ago

With Robaire Smith being placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Brian Schaefering will get an opportunity to make plays for the Browns.

With every obstacle comes an opportunity.

When the Browns placed defensive lineman Robaire Smith on Injured Reserve Wednesday, along with offensive lineman Tony Pashos, it left a spot open in the front seven. That spot now belongs to second-year defensive lineman Brian Schaefering.

“I’m sorry about what happened to Robaire. I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” Schaefering said. “He’s a great player, a great leader for this team, both on and off the field. I’m just going to try to step up and do as much as I can.”

In addition to losing one of their starting defensive linemen, the Browns will have to do without Smith’s knowledge. Along with linebacker Scott Fujita, Smith was elected a defensive captain prior to the start of the 2010 season.

“That’s where a lot of this veteran leadership on this team and on the d-line is going to come into play,” Schaefering said. “I’ve got (Smith’s) cell phone number. He’s going to help me out as much as he possibly can and it’s the same thing with Shaun (Rogers).

He’s been around the game a long time. He knows what he’s doing; same thing with Kenyon (Coleman). I’m just going to feed off of those guys and try to play to the best of my abilities.”

When the Browns reported for the team’s 2010 training camp, Smith was entering his 11th season in the National Football League. In that time, Smith played in 135 games with 99 starts. He made 603 total tackles and collected 22.5 sacks for 127 lost yards.

“He’s a real physical guy. He’s really smart. He knows the game and he’s really tough,” Schaefering said of Smith. “You put all those things together and he’s athletic for his size. I’ve seen him play basketball before. He’s big, tough, an athlete, strong, knows how to play and that’s a combination that you can’t go wrong with in the NFL.”
Smith missed last Sunday’s game against the Steelers due to injury. He was listed as

“Doubtful” on Friday’s injury report leading into the rivalry game at Heinz Field and was later downgraded to “Out” following the team’s bus trip to Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon.

In Smith’s absence Schaefering registered seven total tackles, including five solo stops, despite playing against a Steelers team that tried to affect his approach. With more physical teams remaining on the schedule, including Sunday's opponent, the New Orleans Saints, Schaefering will be a busy player. However, that is a challenge he is used to overcoming.

After being promoted from the practice squad to the Browns’ active roster near the end of the 2009 season, Schaefering registered 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Those 1.5 sacks came against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the Browns’ 13-6 home win on Thursday Night Football last December.

“Everybody tries to intimidate everybody else, but I’m a man just like they are,” he concluded. “I don’t try to intimidate them. I play and I’m going to do everything I can do. If I said I’m trying to intimidate somebody, I’d be lying. I’m just going to play, try to make plays, try to get off the field and get the offense the ball back. I laugh a lot. The talking really doesn’t mean anything.”

Schaefering will get his chance

[Riffer X]

Schaefering is a good ballplayer, I'm glad he is getting his shot. Hopefully, he can keep his legs under him this week, he has tired in the past after so many snaps. That tends to happen with high intensity guys.