Keep or Cut: Chiefs RB Kolby Smith

by Chris Thorman on Feb 11, 2010 7:45 AM CST in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

Yes, I know. This isn't exactly the most exciting post to get you going. But we're in that dark period before the combine, free agency and the draft. Stick with us and we'll get through it together.

We're back this morning with another edition of Keep or Cut. Today, we're talking about Kansas City Chiefs running back Kolby Smith.

As you know, Smith was a 5th round draft pick by Herm Edwards' Chiefs in 2007. He started six games in '07 and played in all sixteen. In 2008, he played in seven games before going on injured reserve on November 4th with a knee injury.

Smith's 2009 season didn't fare much better. After being placed in the PUP list to begin the season, he officially sat out the first six weeks of the season and came back in Week 8.

Here's how his stats turned out:

Week 9 @ Jacksonville: 4 carries, 17 yards
Week 10 @ Oakland: 9 carries, 12 yards
Week 12 Pittsburgh: 1 carry, 3 yards
Week 12 San Diego: 1 carry, 1 yard

Smith went down late in the first half with an ankle injury against San Diego. He was officially put on injured reserve, ending his season, on December 5th.

Here's what some of you had to say about Smith during the season:

ravenhawk: " The type of running back that we need is one like Kolby Smith...unfortunately ever since he has been injured at Louisville he has had reoccurring knee injuries."

Sea of RED: "Kolby Smith had nice flashes, but either he wants to be let go, or he was a product of our O-line at the time."

R2J_24: "I think Smith could very well be the Derrick Ward (when he was with the Giants), so we just need a Brandon Jacobs to complete our trio and those guys don't come easy."

Personally, I think it's time to get rid of Kolby Smith. His NFL career may be done actually. Two seasons ended on IR - his second and third seasons no less - don't bode well for career longevity. I wish I could be saying we should keep because he seems like a very capable back up. But if you can't stay on the field, even when you're only getting a dozen carries in a season, what else is there to say?

Let us know in the poll what you think Kolby Smith's fate should be.

Poll

Kolby Smith should be....

Kept as a potential starter

13 votes

Cut

352 votes

Kept as a backup

254 votes

619 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Sometimes,

it just wasn’t mean to be. Like Mr. Smith and an NFL career. Nice guy, good flashes, but like you said Chris his inability to stay healthy doomed him. I wish him the best in his future.

Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!

by nateforchiefs on Feb 11, 2010 7:50 AM CST reply actions

he will be gone

I really hoped he would pan out given his shot again this year, just didnt happen!

Warriors come out and play

by jrcnc on Feb 11, 2010 7:50 AM CST reply actions

Sorry Kolby but your injuries may have ended your career

by tomahawk44 on Feb 11, 2010 8:10 AM CST reply actions

It's an unforgiving, results driven business

And Mr. Smith has just not delivered because he can’t stay healthy. Very unfortunate, I have rooted for this guy from day 1.

by fairmont on Feb 11, 2010 8:18 AM CST reply actions

I say give him a shot...

at fullback.
I remember hearing that that’s what he played until Michael Bush’s injury pushed him into the line-up his senior year.

by NW on Feb 11, 2010 8:38 AM CST reply actions

I like him...but can't stay on the field

by FrankPitts on Feb 11, 2010 8:41 AM CST reply actions

Availability

You can’t help the team if you’re not available…and that’s been Kolby’s problem.

I really don’t have much of an opinion on it really. Keep or cut? Hell, he’s barely been a part of the team anyway…so who cares?

by Scott B. on Feb 11, 2010 8:42 AM CST reply actions

My mind says cut him...

but my heart says keep him. Then my mind tells me he will probably be put on IR for a more serious injury. So we probably just need to cut our losses.

Also I believe that he had an ankle injury this year… knee problems seem to have been his thing before this season.

Go Chiefs!!!!

by ravenhawk on Feb 11, 2010 9:28 AM CST reply actions

no way

I think we totally keep him. He’s already under contract for cheap, right? We have plenty of needs in other areas. He’s someone that we know who has been productive in the past (not this season), but we’ve enough examples of guys we let go who thrive in other areas. He knows Haley and perhaps Weis can do something with him. I just think he’s definitely more promising than Javarris Williams and free agent signings are usually sexier than the results. Keep him until we know for sure – injuries are a part of the game and I’m not sure you cut a guy just because he’s had a couple hard seasons of staying on the field – at least not with the other holes we have in the line-up.

by Matt Conner on Feb 11, 2010 10:12 AM CST reply actions