Chiefs Tereza Paylor: Giants receiver Smith makes people take notice

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-05-2009, 01:12 AM

Giants receiver Smith makes people take notice
By TEREZ A. PAYLOR
The Kansas City Star

Steve Smith doesn’t want to talk about the possibility. When asked, he says he’s just taking it one game at a time.

But after watching Smith, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound Giants receiver, carve up the Chiefs’ secondary Sunday, one has to wonder whether this is the year he establishes himself as a bona fide No. 1 receiver.

Smith, a former second-round pick from Southern California in his third year as a pro, dissected the Chiefs to the tune of 11 catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the Giants’ 27-16 victory.

“We knew they would try to stop the run,” Smith said. “We were excited about passing the ball.”

Maybe the Chiefs shouldn’t feel too bad. After all, Smith shredded New York’s previous three opponents — Washington, Dallas and Tampa Bay — too. Entering the game, his 23 receptions were the second-most in the league, only three behind New England’s Randy Moss.

And on Sunday, Smith didn’t waste much time going to work. His first catch was a 3-yard touchdown reception in the back of the end zone that gave the Giants an early 7-0 lead. Smith caught six more balls in the half, including a 25-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Eli Manning in the second quarter that put the Giants ahead 14-3.

“On the touchdown, they went to cover-two and we ran a double post,” Manning said. “We weren’t expecting to get that coverage, but we got it, made the adjustment and he ran a great route.”

Smith also showed some toughness in the process. The play before his second touchdown catch, Smith was leveled by Chiefs safety Jarrad Page while running a route over the middle.

“That got me hyped, that got me excited,” Smith said.

Smith continued to torture the Chiefs in the second half. He caught four more passes in the third quarter, including one for a first down

“Sometimes they tried to cover me,” said Smith, who added that the Chiefs paid more attention to him when he lined up in the slot. “But Eli does a great job of waiting until I’m open.”

Manning said the Giants were simply taking what the Chiefs gave them.

“Not all the plays are meant to go to him all the time,” Manning said.

“It just depends on the coverage and what (the other team is) doing. He did a great job running his routes vs. certain coverages.”

Smith emerged as a viable option for the Giants last season. After only eight catches for 63 yards as a rookie in 2007, he caught 57 passes for 574 yards and one touchdown in 2008. He appears to be well on his way toward eclipsing those numbers this season. Through four games, he has 34 catches for 411 yards and four touchdowns.

And for a Giants team desperate for No. 1 target thanks to the Plaxico Burress fiasco, Smith is making people take notice.

“He caught the ball well, and in difficult situations he has come up with the ball, too,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “He certainly had some really big plays today.”

10-05-2009, 01:12 AM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2997187	Tereza Paylor: Giants receiver Smith makes people take notice Giants receiver Smith makes people take notice By TEREZ A. PAYLOR The Kansas City Star Steve Smith doesn’t want to talk about the possibility. When asked, he says he’s just taking it one game at a time. But after watching Smith, a 5-foot-11, 195-pound Giants receiver, carve up the Chiefs’ secondary Sunday, one has to wonder whether this is the year he establishes himself as a bona fide No. 1 receiver. Smith, a former second-round pick from Southern California in his third year as a pro, dissected the Chiefs to the tune of 11 catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns in the Giants’ 27-16 victory. “We knew they would try to stop the run,” Smith said. “We were excited about passing the ball.” Maybe the Chiefs shouldn’t feel too bad. After all, Smith shredded New York’s previous three opponents — Washington, Dallas and Tampa Bay — too. Entering the game, his 23 receptions were the second-most in the league, only three behind New England’s Randy Moss. And on Sunday, Smith didn’t waste much time going to work. His first catch was a 3-yard touchdown reception in the back of the end zone that gave the Giants an early 7-0 lead. Smith caught six more balls in the half, including a 25-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Eli Manning in the second quarter that put the Giants ahead 14-3. “On the touchdown, they went to cover-two and we ran a double post,” Manning said. “We weren’t expecting to get that coverage, but we got it, made the adjustment and he ran a great route.” Smith also showed some toughness in the process. The play before his second touchdown catch, Smith was leveled by Chiefs safety Jarrad Page while running a route over the middle. “That got me hyped, that got me excited,” Smith said. Smith continued to torture the Chiefs in the second half. He caught four more passes in the third quarter, including one for a first down “Sometimes they tried to cover me,” said Smith, who added that the Chiefs paid more attention to him when he lined up in the slot. “But Eli does a great job of waiting until I’m open.” Manning said the Giants were simply taking what the Chiefs gave them. “Not all the plays are meant to go to him all the time,” Manning said. “It just depends on the coverage and what (the other team is) doing. He did a great job running his routes vs. certain coverages.” Smith emerged as a viable option for the Giants last season. After only eight catches for 63 yards as a rookie in 2007, he caught 57 passes for 574 yards and one touchdown in 2008. He appears to be well on his way toward eclipsing those numbers this season. Through four games, he has 34 catches for 411 yards and four touchdowns. And for a Giants team desperate for No. 1 target thanks to the Plaxico Burress fiasco, Smith is making people take notice. “He caught the ball well, and in difficult situations he has come up with the ball, too,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “He certainly had some really big plays today.”
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