bigboy

** ESPN Radio reports Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith has decided to retire at
age 37. Smith ranks 7th all-time in receptions (862) and 11th in
receiving yards (12,287) and would have finished in the top-5 around Jerry
Rice, Tim Brown, Cris Carter & Marvin Harrison had he played a couple more
seasons. His retirement damages Byron Leftwich's fantasy value (already
shaky due to injuries) but it allows Matt Jones, Reggie Williams, or
Ernest Wilford a chance to win the Jaguars' flanker position. Our advice
to the Jaguars? Go get Ashley Lelie.


This is from an e-mail I get sent to me so I really don't have a link.

Professor

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5596554

Jaguars' WR Jimmy Smith to retire

Jimmy Smith, one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history, has decided to retire from professional football.

FOXSports.com has learned that Smith — a five-time Pro Bowl pick who overcame several health issues and a drug addiction — has informed Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio of his intention to call it quits after 12 seasons.

The team is expected to hold a press a press conference Thursday to announce the decision — unless Smith has an 11th-hour change of heart.

His announcement came a day before the team opened a three-day minicamp.

Smith has 862 career receptions, which ranks seventh on the NFL's all-time list. And he is 11th with 12,287 receiving yards.

He trails the Indianapolis Colts' Marvin Harrison in both categories.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pound former Jackson State star had considered walking away from football following the Jags' playoff loss to the Patriots last season, but Del Rio asked him to take more time so Smith could be sure he was making the right choice.

What's more, the Florida Times Union reported last month that the 37-year-old Smith was also talked out of his decision to retire by friends, including the likes of former great Tim Brown.

Last season, Smith was still very productive at an advanced age (for an NFL player) as he led the Jaguars by catching 70 passes for 1,023 yards and six touchdowns.

That said many thought that he would return to the team for the 2006 season as the Jaguars' top WR while younger receivers Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford continue to develop.

Last week, Smith surprised team officials by informing them of his intention to step away. The team, however, asked that he take a few days to ponder his decision.

But he recently went to the Jaguars' workout complex to say goodbye to several members of the team.

Smith's longevity was surprising — even to him — especially considering what he overcame.

In 2001, he had three operations to remove scar tissue from his abdomen. Some questioned whether he would play again, but he caught 112 passes for 1,373 yards — despite being arrested in November that year for suspicion of drunken driving. Tests later revealed he had cocaine in his system. He vehemently denied using the drug.

He was suspended for the first four games of the 2003 season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He then publicly acknowledged an addiction and spent several weeks in rehab.

He had other issues early in his career, too.

The third receiver selected in the 1992 draft behind Desmond Howard and Carl Pickens, Smith broke his leg and missed most of his rookie season. In 1993, he needed an emergency appendectomy and suffered through infection and stomach problems. He missed the entire year. He didn't play in 1994, either, after getting cut by Dallas and Philadelphia.

In 1995, he caught on with the expansion Jaguars after his mother sent coach Tom Coughlin a binder of press clippings to help him earn a tryout.

He made the most of his chance and set receiving records that could be hard to break.

vikingsfan2006

the jags are gonna miss this future hall of famer career 862 receptions and 67 touchdowns the jags all time leading reciever is retiring after his 14th season

bigboy

I didn't even know until it was brought up last night on ESPN but he has more catches then anyone in the HOF at this time....of course Cris Carter and Rice are pending though.

UCFNoleFan

BOOOOOO.... I have always loved watching Jimmy Smith. He has been one of my favorite receivers for a long time, I hate to see him retire. Jacksonville is probably pissed, their one receiver with great hands retires, but with all he has done for that organization, they will be remembering their best WR ever.

Professor

He could have done it before the draft so that the jags may have addressed it, but oh well, we were all focused on Brett and his pending retirement.

Professor

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbc...tioncat=SPORTS

Quotes about Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith, who retired Thursday after 13 seasons:

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"We have been through a lot together, on and off the field. I value my friendship with Jimmy and I back him 100 percent on his decision. I told him to make sure he invites me to his retirement party because it's rare to go out on top. He was able to go out on his own terms. Great players usually don't go out on top. Jimmy has had a wonderful career. He's a warrior. Father time catches up with us all." - Jaguars running back Fred Taylor.

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"The name Smooth fits Jimmy perfectly. He might be old in age in terms of football, but he is still one of the fastest and smoothest guys running routes. I don't think you can cover the guy one-on-one. You can't do it even at his age." - Jaguars safety Deon Grant.

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"My most vivid memory of Jimmy and I on the field was in the divisional playoff game against Denver in '96. I hit him with a touchdown pass to go on to win. That was the greatest play I've been a part of and he was the reason it happened. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work for a great franchise. We really grew up together as NFL players in Jacksonville and started when the team started. He really was instrumental in establishing that franchise." former teammates current Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell.

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"There were a couple of rare ingredients that this kid had. He had some medical issues; he had asthma. And yet he played with great endurance, which the great ones have. In the fourth quarter he had the power, he had the speed, he had the endurance and he could make things happen at that point in the game. He developed a unique relationship with Mark Brunell. And if you were going to single cover Jimmy Smith, the ball was going to him. He was a difference maker." - former Jags and current New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin.

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"Jimmy might not have the national recognition of Jerry Rice at the wide receiver position, but every defensive back that has played in the 1990s to current, and every defensive coach in the league knows exactly who he is. He will go down in history as one of the best." - Baltimore Ravens cornerback Deion Sanders.

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"A tremendous receiver, a competitor. He has the great speed and acceleration out of the cuts. He catches the deep ball well. He's physically a tough guy. He just has what you look for in a receiver. And now he's at the point where he still has the physical skills, but he has a great deal of experience and he knows what he's doing out there. He's just one of the best receivers that's played in this era." - Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy.

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"He's probably one of the most underrated receivers in the league. The only reason for that is because he plays in a small market. It's not because of his ability. People around the country don't know a lot about him because he's in Jacksonville. If he were in New York or somewhere like that, a big media market, he'd be huge." - former teammate and San Diego Charger receiver Keenan McCardell.

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"You look at Jimmy Smith and no other receiver does what he does. He has it all, size, strength, speed and hands. I have looked up to him since day one. He has encouraged me as receiver. I cherish my friendship with him and the times we have spent together at the Pro Bowl and other places. Once you get to know Jimmy Smith and talk with him, you realize he's a family man. It hurts me to see him leave even though I compete against him. He's the ultimate, point blank." - Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison.

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"It's just great to see somebody finish the way he finished. From me and him sitting in a hotel room in Seattle, trying to find a job, Jacksonville's first year of existence. He said, 'I think I'm going to Jacksonville.' I was kind of envious of him that he had an option. I didn't know if I had too many options. He went down there and made the best of it. He's definitely one guy that I tell my young guys to watch and say, 'Do you want to learn how to run some routes? Watch this guy's footwork.' Even when he's playing against us, I just didn't want him to do too much damage. His numbers speak for themselves. He's one of those guys - quiet, confident - who is a big star in this league without the fanfare. ... I just wish I could be there. Honestly, I would have flown down there if I knew. I wish someone had called me to say that he was going to have a press conference, I would have gone. That's how much he's meant to my career. ... It was just one half day that we shared in a room. I think we've earned a lot of respect from each other just from that moment - two guys who were hungry, trying to go out there and work. We got opportunities in two different areas. I just wish the best for him and his family. It was a tremendous run. I'm going to keep running for him, for now, until they run me out of the business." - Denver Broncos receiver Rod Smith.

lionsfan06

sad to see a great wr retire i will miss seein smith every sunday play but now their young guys have to step up

chris_36824

definitly... Matt Jones and Reggie Williams could be a great WR tandem to watch out for in the future.. I am really going to miss playing Madden and not seing Jimmy Smith being their #1 wideout..LOL.. its been like that for years now..

Professor

I have been waiting for J smith to retire for a few years, but he always comes back and produces. That guy was the meaning of the word consistent. It is sad to see such a player leave, hopefully someone on that team can step up, although truly there are no real favorites to do so.