Steelers release former Heisman Trophy winner Smith

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have released veteran quarterback Troy Smith, a former Ohio State star who won the 2006 Heisman Trophy.

Smith signed with the Steelers earlier this year. He has also spent time with the Omaha Nighthawks (2011) of the United Football League, the San Francisco 49ers (2010) and the Baltimore Ravens (2007-2009). The Ravens drafted him in the fifth round (174th overall) of the 2007 draft.

Smith played in 20 NFL games with eight career starts.

He led Ohio State to a 12-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in 2006 before the Buckeyes were beaten 41-14 by Florida in the Bowl Championship Series title game in Glendale, Ariz. Smith threw 54 TD passes in his career, third best at Ohio State.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/06/25/steelers-release-troy-smith.ap/index.html#ixzz1yqYTPhsS



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The OSU homer in me just died a little.

bayz101 wrote:

The OSU homer in me just died a little.

I really thought he was gonna be our third qb

fer69 wrote:

bayz101 wrote:

The OSU homer in me just died a little.

I really thought he was gonna be our third qb

me too didnt even make it to camp

Eh, after Leftwich re-signed he had little chance. I am a bit surprised he didn't make it to camp, but I'm sure part of the decision was practice squad eligibility. And keep in mind the main reason he was likely signed to begin with was because Batch and Leftwich were not under contract at the time. What happens when Batch finally retires though? And Leftwich is getting up there as well.

Dodens Grav wrote:

Eh, after Leftwich re-signed he had little chance. I am a bit surprised he didn't make it to camp, but I'm sure part of the decision was practice squad eligibility. And keep in mind the main reason he was likely signed to begin with was because Batch and Leftwich were not under contract at the time. What happens when Batch finally retires though? And Leftwich is getting up there as well.

I've always been a strong supporter of Batch. But it's time for him to call it a career. I have confidence in Batch and Lefty for a game, maybe two. But if Ben goes down and we need them to carry us over the course of 4, 5, or 6 games ... yoi. We need a reliable backup.

Troy Smith was not the answer. I bet we draft Ben's replacement in the next 2 years or so. I woulda been surprised if Tory woulda been in the top 3 on the depth chart.

Troy Smith.....hahahahahahahahahahahaha

JonM229 wrote:

Troy Smith.....hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Yeah, no doubt! If he couldn't beat out Flacco you know he was worthless!



I honestly am not surprised about this at all. Once they re-signed Batch and Leftwich, the writing was on the wall.

Buddha Bus wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

Troy Smith.....hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Yeah, no doubt! If he couldn't beat out Flacco you know he was worthless!



I honestly am not surprised about this at all. Once they re-signed Batch and Leftwich, the writing was on the wall.

But batch is like 150 years old, Do we really want him as our back up qb?
I like him a lot but I think it's time for him to call it a career IMO

fer69 wrote:

Buddha Bus wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

Troy Smith.....hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Yeah, no doubt! If he couldn't beat out Flacco you know he was worthless!



I honestly am not surprised about this at all. Once they re-signed Batch and Leftwich, the writing was on the wall.

But batch is like 150 years old, Do we really want him as our back up qb?
I like him a lot but I think it's time for him to call it a career IMO

I agree, Batch needs to hang it up and we need to get some youth at backup QB, but what does that say about how Smith looked that he couldn't beat out a fragile dinosaur?

Buddha Bus wrote:

fer69 wrote:

Buddha Bus wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

Troy Smith.....hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Yeah, no doubt! If he couldn't beat out Flacco you know he was worthless!



I honestly am not surprised about this at all. Once they re-signed Batch and Leftwich, the writing was on the wall.

But batch is like 150 years old, Do we really want him as our back up qb?
I like him a lot but I think it's time for him to call it a career IMO

I agree, Batch needs to hang it up and we need to get some youth at backup QB, but what does that say about how Smith looked that he couldn't beat out a fragile dinosaur?

The Steelers would've kept Batch even if he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn this year. Troy's chances of getting in we're slim. He's just a camp body.

bayz101 wrote:

Buddha Bus wrote:

fer69 wrote:

Buddha Bus wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

Troy Smith.....hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Yeah, no doubt! If he couldn't beat out Flacco you know he was worthless!



I honestly am not surprised about this at all. Once they re-signed Batch and Leftwich, the writing was on the wall.

But batch is like 150 years old, Do we really want him as our back up qb?
I like him a lot but I think it's time for him to call it a career IMO

I agree, Batch needs to hang it up and we need to get some youth at backup QB, but what does that say about how Smith looked that he couldn't beat out a fragile dinosaur?

The Steelers would've kept Batch even if he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn this year. Troy's chances of getting in we're slim. He's just a camp body.

I just worry that the organization's apparent loyalty to Batch could end up hurting us in the long run. If Ben gets hurt again and misses time, we are playing injury Russian roulette with Batch and Leftwich. It would be nice to have one youthful and durable QB waiting in the wings we could depend on. Every time Batch or Lefty drop back to throw I hold my breath waiting for this sound.

Didn't we draft a qb from Texas A&M?
Is he still around? anybody know

fer69 wrote:

Didn't we draft a qb from Texas A&M?
Is he still around? anybody know

Yes, we still have Jerrod Johnson currently on the roster. I figure he'll be the practice squad QB.

My next question Is he any good?

fer69 wrote:

My next question Is he any good?

I have no idea honestly. I know some people seem to like him, but I don't watch college ball so I don't know.

He must be looking better than Troy Smith at least.

Maybe, but not necessarily. His main advantage was likely his practice squad eligibility.

For what it's worth, I believe Mark Kaboly tweeted yesterday that Smith didn't look good at all pretty much.

Neither Johnson nor Smith were likely to beat out Batch or Leftwich. Johnson is eligible for the practice squad, as Dodens stated. Smith is not. I'm sure that weighed into the decision.

fer69 wrote:

Buddha Bus wrote:

JonM229 wrote:

Troy Smith.....hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Yeah, no doubt! If he couldn't beat out Flacco you know he was worthless!



I honestly am not surprised about this at all. Once they re-signed Batch and Leftwich, the writing was on the wall.

But batch is like 150 years old, Do we really want him as our back up qb?
I like him a lot but I think it's time for him to call it a career IMO

Yeah but he doesn't look a day over 120.

I agree with whoever it was on a prior post.

I think the Steelers have plans to draft a hot QB in the next year or two.

Gingerchip wrote:

I agree with whoever it was on a prior post.

I think the Steelers have plans to draft a hot QB in the next year or two.

When you say 'hot' are you referring to his playing style or his looks?