http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/colu...&id=3762053

This is what I have been trying to say to all of you that feel Andre Smith is well, God. Many people on this site think that Smith is the best LT ever, or at least act like it. Smith is not a LT, and will never be one in the NFL. Smith is too short, and too wide, and what I have been trying to tell you is that he will get dominated by speed rushers. If Smith did play against Utah, he would have allowed at least 2 sacks, if not more. Paul Kruger would have dominated Smith into next year, and then everybody really could see how overrated Smith truly is. Smith had not faced a speed rusher until Florida, where he allowed at least one sack. With his lack of dedication to his team, and inability to block speed rushers, Smith is not worth the number one pick, nor any other top 5 pick in my eyes. If I were an NFL G.M., I would look at this guy as a guard or RT in the league, but never a LT. Watch this guy be a flop.

I wouldn't call him a flop yet. At least let him play a game in the NFL before he is cast away. He is a very good run blocker and would be a good RT. It wouldn't be a bad idea for a team like St. Louis to take him and have him start his career at RT or G and then eventually move him to the LT if they feel that he can handle it. He is still the #2 OT in the draft in my opinion and depending on the team and the GM he could be the #1 OT taken.

Smith didn't allow any sacks to Carlos Dunlap who had 1-2 sacks vs. Loadholt. Dunlap will be a top prospect next year because of his freakish size and athleticism and Smith held him to a couple of hurries. You are underrating Smith, I am very high on Andre. He's a big guy but he will NEED to drop 10-15 pounds before next season however he has amazing footwork for such a big guy which allows him to make up for a speed advantage. As for being too short, him, Oher, Jason Smith and Jamon Meredith are all around 6'4-6'5 so not sure how he is too short. Smith faced PLENTY of speed rushers in the SEC and did a great job so I think you are underrating him and STILL consider Andre the best LT in this draft.

Yes, but did you read the article? Smith was DOMINATED against Florida. His footwork is poor, and he is a bender. He has zero use of his hands, and he has short arms. The other LTs have longer legs and arms, allowing them to have more of an extension. And he will need to drop about 25lbs by next season, not just 10-15, he is 345lbs right now. If you're high on Andre, you must be high on something else!

You bring up valid points, but there are a lot of experts that are high on him. Kiper, McShay, and Mayock all have him in the top of their boards. Scouts Inc has him #1. He has some flaws, but I'm sure that these guys know their stuff. Now that doesn't mean that he will be all world, but if there are a lot of these guys saying he is a top prospect then he is probably a top prospect.

The article talked more about his decision-making than a lack of athletic ability. And it might not have even been his decision-making, but poor blocking schemes on the part of the coaches.

I think that Andre Smith is the best run-blocking offensive tackle in this draft. Admittedly he has some issues with pass-blocking, specifically speed rushers off the edge. Remember the same things were being said about Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah, and Sam Baker this time last year.

It's very possible that Smith may need to start on the right side to begin his career, but I have no doubt that some NFL coaching and an NFL weight program will push him over to the money side before long.

I could be wrong but isn't he a mountain compared to Clady amd Long?

Eith way I don't think he will be a flop. But I do think he would be a mauling RT. Personally wouldn't take him top 5.

Watch Smith from Baylor move up as much as OJ mayo did last year.

I don't doubt you on Jason Smith being a climber. I just think that people are trying to nitpick on Andre Smith unnecessarily right now. While fault-finding is an important part of player evaluation, I think people tend to focus more on the negatives than the positives in some cases. Show me a college player that doesn't have faults... there are none.

You can't call him a flop if he hasn't even played an NFL down in his career.

Actually Smith's footwork is quite good. And he wasn't dominated by Florida in any way in fact, Dunlap who had 9 sacks this season I think, got 0 vs. Smith and Dunlap is as athletic of a guy as you will see. Smith got beat by Spikes because of blocking assignments/decision making but he wasn't dominated at all. This coming from a Florida fan who watched every down of that game. Smith will lose that weight when he comes to the NFL and he'll be just fine as a LT, people really underrated his athleticism, footwork and surprising quickness.