L. J. Smith

Last updated

L. J. Smith
L.J. Smith.jpg
Smith with the Ravens in 2009
No. 82
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1980-05-13) May 13, 1980 (age 44)
Highland Park, New Jersey, U.S.
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
Receptions:233
Receiving yards:2,556
Receiving touchdowns:18
Player stats at PFR

John Smith III (born May 13, 1980), commonly known as L. J., which stands for "Little John", is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the late second round of the 2003 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

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

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-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 s1.65 s2.74 s4.25 s6.74 s37 in
(0.94 m)		10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		26 reps
All values from NFL Combine. [2]
Smith in a 2006 game against the Washington Redskins. LJ Smith.jpg
Smith in a 2006 game against the Washington Redskins.

Philadelphia Eagles

Smith was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2003 NFL draft. [3] As a rookie, he backed up Chad Lewis, and had 27 receptions for 321 yards and a touchdown. Coach Andy Reid worked Smith and Lewis both into the offense with two tight-end sets, and Smith had 34 receptions, 377 yards and five touchdowns in 2004. That season, the Eagles reached Super Bowl XXXIX and Smith made an impressive diving reception in the back of the end zone for the Eagles' first touchdown of the game, though they would go on to lose to the New England Patriots 24–21.

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
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgLngTD
2003 PHI 155462732111.9361
2004 PHI 168543437711.1315
2005 PHI 16161076168211.2483
2006 PHI 1615755061112.2655
2007 PHI 109432223610.7261
2008 PHI 131264372988.1253
2009 BAL 120323115.5260
98653922332,55611.06518

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgLngTD
2003 PHI 20534314.3230
2004 PHI 3217910011.1211
2006 PHI 22533110.3150
2008 PHI 2043175.760
2009 BAL 200000.000
114311819110.6231

Personal life

Smith was included in the 2005 Chunky Soup commercials featuring Donovan McNabb. He enjoys playing basketball and was a tremendous basketball prospect who drew interest from a number of Division I programs including Florida State and various schools from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. He currently resides in Longport, New Jersey. He currently owns and operates a Plato's Closet store in Edison, New Jersey. [1] Inspired by his mother, Smith returned to Rutgers and in 2016 completed his undergraduate degree. [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 L.J. Smith profile Archived January 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , Philadelphia Eagles. Accessed June 9, 2007.
  2. ↑ "L.J. Smith, Rutgers, TE, 2003 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com.
  3. ↑ "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ "Kickoff-return duty going to Buckhalter".
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ Hensley, Jamison. "Ravens sign L.J. Smith," The Baltimore Sun, Saturday, March 21, 2009. [ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ 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.
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