The Pittsburgh Steelers' June release of Troy Smith was another cruel blow for the former Heisman Trophy winner, who once was seen as a guy who could compete to start in Baltimore.
Smith started a few games under Mike Singletary with the San Francisco 49ers and looked like a reasonable backup quarterback at worst. But Smith no longer is in the NFL, and it's fair to wonder if he'll ever get another look.
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Smith said he was contacted by a few teams after he was released by the Steelers, but he doesn't know where his next job will be.
"We'll just keep plugging and plugging," Smith recently told The Plain Dealer.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome was quoted in the article saying that Smith "can definitely play" in the NFL. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called Smith before he cut him, saying the team made the move early so he could land with another squad. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert called Smith a winner.
The guys saying the nicest things about Smith are the same ones who have fired him. It's another reminder that college success like the Heisman Trophy -- hello, Matt Leinart -- often doesn't translate to NFL success.
