Every year, there are a number of first-round players who just can't seem to make the transition from college football to the NFL as seamlessly as fans and coaches hope they would. If these players are committed and hard-working, they'll take that initial failure and use it as motivation to bring themselves to greater heights and increased achievement either as their rookie season wears on or even in the later years of their professional lives.
For Philadelphia Eagles neophyte linebacker Marcus Smith II, he's no doubt hoping that the latter portion of this season provides an entirely different outcome than the first 12 weeks did and, starting Thanksgiving day against the Dallas Cowboys, he's potentially in line to get an increase in snaps that should give him every chance to move his nascent career in a direction completely opposite of where it has gone thus far.
The Eagles, having been forced to endure a plethora of season-ending injuries to their linebacking corps this season - versatile youngster Travis Long suffered a torn ACL, high-quality back-up Najee Goode tore a pectoral muscle and veteran leader and defensive stalwart DeMeco Ryans ruptured his Achilles - have been left perilously thin, especially in the middle. Add to that the groin injury suffered by Emmanuel Acho, a capable back-up who had been splitting time with Casey Matthews in place of Ryans, in Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, and Smith is suddenly the best - or, only - replacement available.
"Marcus is the next man up," defensive coordinator Bill Davis confirmed to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, when asked what the plan would be going forward if Acho is unable to suit up.
The 22-year-old Smith, who played defensive end in college at Louisville after transitioning from the offensive side of the ball his freshman year, was originally drafted with the plan of being turned into a stud outside linebacker that would set the edge and rush the passer.
But after the laundry list of injuries, some poor early season play on the outside and thanks to Acho's tricky groin, Smith finds himself as the next guy in line to take serious snaps in the middle for Philly - a place he claims he's all-too-happy to be.
"Yep, that's fine with me," Smith said. "If he's out for this next game, shoot, I'm ready to take on the responsibilities that I need to. How do I know? Just because I've been playing the inside 'backer position since Week 3 and it's just been getting better and better every week. I'm starting to get better mentally, as a football player. Once the bullets start flyin', I'll be ready."
Smith, who saw some snaps in late-game passing situations against Tennessee after Acho went down and the game was all but settled, said he thought he played well in the limited time.
"I feel like I did all right . . . I feel like I locked up the people I was going against. There still could be room for improvement, just from my mindset, but the more snaps that I get, I'll continue to get a lot better," Smith said.
When asked if Smith was ready to take on the increased role against Dallas, Davis' answer was clear and concise.
"He'll have to be."
