NFL Combine: Torrey Smith Denounces DHB Comparisons
Unbeknowst to me, a surplus of people have been comparing Maryland WR, Torrey Smith to former Terrapin, Darrius Heyward-Bey. Both attended Maryland, and both are speedsters. Smith took the podium at the NFL Scouting Combine, and was asked about the comparisons.
"I feel like it’s ignorant for people to compare two completely different people.Just because we went to the same school doesn’t mean anything."
Despite disagreeing with Smith’s word choice of ignorant, I completely agree with the basis of his statement. The two athletes are polar opposites. Heyward-Bey is a 4.3 track guy, playing football. So far, during his NFL career he has struggled with his ball skills, route running, and separation.
Torrey Smith is a 4.4 athlete, with a well built frame. He stands at 6’0″ 205 pounds. He also is a more dynamic player. He can stretch the field, make plays across the middle, work the redzone, and is quite effective in the return game. Just for a quick comparison in production, lets take a look at their numbers college:
Darrius Heyward-Bey
| Stats Overview | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | |||||||||
| YEAR | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| 2006 | 45 | 694 | 15.4 | 96 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | 51 | 786 | 15.4 | 63 | 3 | 5 | 107 | 21.4 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 42 | 609 | 14.5 | 80 | 5 | 15 | 202 | 13.5 | 76 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Torrey Smith
| Stats Overview | Receiving | Rushing | Fumbles | |||||||||
| YEAR | REC | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | ATT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD | FUM | LST |
| 2008 | 24 | 336 | 14.0 | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 61 | 827 | 13.6 | 64 | 5 | 11 | 59 | 5.4 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 67 | 1055 | 15.7 | 80 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 0.8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Torrey Smith was far more productive at the college level. In spite of being the slower of the two, his yards per catch was higher. Smith is more comparable to guys like Atlanta Falcons WR, Roddy White and Indianapolis Colts WR, Pierre Garcon. I see his future production being on par with those two guys.