Injury update from the afternoon practice coming later … for now, here’s what Rod Smith had to say in the locker room today regarding the end of his 2007 season. He declined to talk last Thursday after Head Coach Mike Shanahan announced that the veteran wideout wouldn’t play this year, but made a statement today in front of his locker:
“It’s kind of tough for me right now, knowing last week that I wasn’t going to get to finish the regular season as far as getting a chance to play. I have to be realistic; I took something that was a 12-month injury and tried to make it into eight and a half, nine months. It was a grind, and I was basically tearing up my body trying to do it, and everybody — the staff and everyone — did everything they could to try to help me get back.
“From talking to Mike (Shanahan) yesterday, I still am a part of this football team, no matter what. I’m going to be here every day. He told me I don’t have to go to all the meetings, but as far as knowing the offense and those types of things — which I do — I’m going to be out there at practice. I’m at every practice. I’m going to every football game and trying to facilitate any way I can interpret defenses and stuff like that for our players and let them know about winning football. Somehow we’ve lost sight of how to go out there and collectively win as a group and individually I think every man has looked himself in the eye in the last week and knows what he has to do.
“Like I said, my role is limited, but my heart and my desire to try and win football games is not limited by any means, and I’m going to go out there every day and try to make us better. As far as what happens after this, I’m not worried about it. So as far as next year, I’m not worried about it. I just want to get through this football season and actually get comfortable with my body, because right now I still have discomfort in my hip, so I really want to get comfortable with my body, and, if nothing else, be able to live a normal life, whether I play football again or not.
“But it’s really not about me. That’s what took me so long to talk to you guys. It’s not about me. It’s about us. It’s about our team. It’s about being 3-5 and how we can go and take these next eight weeks and dominate the rest of this football season and find a way to get in the playoffs and do what we started out to do. So that’s my goal. That’s my focus and that’s what I’m dedicated to. So it’s really nothing to do with individual things that are going on in my life. There’s a lot. There’s always been a lot. But I can’t focus on those. I have to focus on trying to help prepare our guys and for us to go out there and be the best we can be.”
Tags: Rod Smith
How can you not love Rod and his dedication! I applaud him!!
Rod Smith would be a good coach to have on the sideline!
We can only hope that if he doesn’t return to the field that he returns as a coach
I hope he can relay to the team how important the group mentality is, this team needs to get on the same page with one another, and that even goes so far as the coaches need to get on the same page. This team can win the West, they just need to beat KC and then move to the following week, I know its cliche’ but one game at a time, hey it works for the hoodie!!
[...] Original post here [...]
He is the definition of a “Team Player”
I hope to see Rod out playing again next season, but if he decides otherwise I definitely would love to see him coaching for us. He is the heart of this team.
Rod is the best I wish he could come back and help us next season but if he cant he has still done enough in his career to get himself in the hall of fame. And plus if he does retire he can stick around and be a receivers coach or something and help some of our young talent. Regardless we love u rod.
Rod you are my hero! You are the heart and soul of our team and I’m glad that you are staying active with the Broncos.
Jim Kennedy
Rod it is time to hang it up. Rod has been past his prime for the last three years. Also if rod is such a great person why is he not answering questions even K- mart did interviews doing his injury
Rod you are the one of the greatest players ever. You are definately still part of the Broncos. You are a true leader and the young players can really learn from you.
I hope you will be able to play next season. You have always been one of my favorite players and I want to see you play at least one more season.
Rod, we miss you dearly! However, the fans want you to be 100% healthy. For this season, you make a great coach on the sidelines.
I hope Rod can make a huge comeback next year… his years of playing football are not and cannot be over. He’s still got so much in him to stop now or before next year, he’s become the life of this team from the sidelines. The Broncos in a time of struggle need someone like him now more than ever. Love you man, come back soon!! We miss you.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
I think “physically” Rod’s best years are behind him, but if everyone on this team shared his same dedication to the team concept and winning, injuries or not, the Broncos would be a much better team right now!
Qgrif: Rod said earlier this year that he was not doing interviews because he wanted the attention to go to the young guys who were on the field. Just the kind of move you would expect from Captain Rod, the epitome of a team guy!
Jay and denver fans are gonna miss this guy if he does not return. Hopefully he will come back for another season or at least a coach, rod is a good team member and is the leader of the team at this point.
We should have Rod as a wide receiver coach. He’d inspire the young guys and give em a confidence boost
[...] Smith wrote an interesting post today on Smith: â
[...] Andrew added an interesting post today on Smith: â
To me Rod is the Denver Bronco’s club captain. That means he is an integral part of the Bronco’s set-up and can help in all sorts of ways, including providing advice and motivation. His experience alone is invaluable, and with his great attitude and exemplary character his presence can only help the Bronco’s cause.
Who do you sit next year, Walker, Marshall, Stokley? Smith will have an impossible task at his age replacing the likes of Glen Martinez. You ‘ve been a GREAT Bronco…deserving of the Ring of Fame!
Glenn Martinez?? He’s ok, but I’ll take Rod, with a bum hip and age over Martinez…
Who is this Qgrif guy and what is with that blasphemy he is spewing?!? Everybody lynch him!!
Well, there goes the last of our John Elway Era offensive personnel guys (with exception to some Tom Nalen). I will always remember when they picked him off the undrafted rookie free agent and I said the following: “WTF were you guys doing?!?! Well, after 13 years he’s proved me and everyone wrong. Hopefully the Jay Cutler era will be as good. We have an emerging Rod Smith already in Marshall, now all we need is an Eddie Mac on the other side (hopefully Walker can come back and do that).
Tunga, I think he’s either Quentin Griffin, which seems very unlikely, or just another kid..
We miss you Rod, as long as the camera’s catch a glimpse of you now and then, we know you are still with us. God bless you bud!
Hey Mas have you heard anything about Javon needing microfracture surgery this offseason? This is something I read when looking at his status for next mondays game for my fantasy league:
Nov 9 There has been speculation that Walker, who hopes to return Nov. 19 against Tennessee, may need microfracture surgery this coming offseason, the Denver Post reports.
Recommendation: More on Walker’s status in the coming days, but obviously his knee issues are not going away any time soon.
Is there any truth to it or have you heard anything?
hey your my favorite i hope you can play next year but i cant believe that he put you out of the game well thats all i got to say
Pod Smith……. it jusy doesn’t get any better than that. Class act all the way. Having him around can only help this team.
Rod Smith, sorry, I shouldn’t be watching football and try to type at the same time.
Correct! How can anyone not love Rod…the impact he can on people in general is indescribable if you just listen to him, I’ve caught myself saying damn that’s a hell of an analogy on life & sports just from listening to him discuss certain things in the media so I can only imagine the side we do not have the pleasure of seeing and I can understand why the Broncos organization does not want to let him go because even if he is on the PUP list…. there is so much more to him than just being an excellent player that some can not see or I should say they do not take the time to see. Thus equals why those individuals are just “Spectators” and their comments and/or views have no validity in decision-making for this team.
Not a night goes by that I don’t pray for him to understand that whenever he chooses to retire, whether it be tomorrow or a season from now there are people that love him aside from being a Bronco and may even anticipate his retirement because he will have time to focus on other areas of life that he couldn’t be concerned about during his athletic career. I know retiring has to be a touchy subject with him because football is his job and above anything else it’s apart of his life and has been for over a decade so who wouldn’t have difficult time with talking about an injury, sitting out this entire season and the possibility of retirement when that means leaving a portion of you behind because your body is forcing you too.
Be realistic people! He is still human and has real emotions just like everyone else. Love him for the GREAT player and leader he is and understand that the proper decision will be made in due time and when their ready. So, the only thing I personally think you all should hate on is him getting married during “life after football” since we’re on the subject…LOL…save your comment’s because I will just flat out say I’ve grown to love Roderick Smith and the only thing I can hate on is thought of him marrying a woman who is not me because if she is not strong enough mentally and emotionally to compliment and mirror his characteristics by providing a suitable structure that exceeds his expectations for his foundation (life)….DON’T SETTLE! Because those “OLD” broads can’t do it like me anyway…hahaha!!! So those of you who like to talk about BS chew on that because that’s exactly what some of these comments are…..straight BS J
The Fun of Fantasy Football
Fifteen to eighteen million people play fantasy football every year—and the numbers are growing rapidly.