The New York Giants added depth to their ground game this week by signing running back Rod Smith, whose addition led to the surprising release of Robert Martin.
Smith played for the Dallas Cowboys for the bulk of his career, but was released when they drafted Mike Weber. Here are five things to know about the Giants’ latest acquisition.
Smith was initially signed as a fullback
At 6-foot-3, 231 pounds, Smith is a big running back. After going undrafted in 2015, he was signed as a free agent by the Seattle Seahawks, who intended to use him as a fullback. It’s no surprise, given his size, that they would want him in that role. Not only can he carry the ball, but he can block, too. However, he played in just one game for the Seahawks before they cut him, which is when the Cowboys picked him up. The Cowboys used him at his natural running back position.
Destroyed the Giants in 2017
As a former member of the Cowboys, Smith is no stranger to facing the Giants as the team’s square off twice a year. In 2017, the best season of Smith’s career, the Giants had no answer for the running back in one of their meetings. In the Cowboys’ victory over the Giants, Smith ran for 47 yards on six carries, caught five passes for 113 yards and scored two touchdowns to help the ‘Boys get the win.
It’s all in the family
Rod isn’t the only Smith with professional grade athletic ability. His younger brother, Jaylon, is a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. Jaylon was drafted by the Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft in the second round with the 34th overall pick.
The Smith’s are far from the only siblings to play in the NFL at the same time, but it’s not often that siblings spend some time on the same team or play each other twice a year.
Was prepared for the NFL in college
Smith attended college at Ohio State University and played running back under well-renowned head coach Urban Meyer.
Prior to coaching for seven seasons at Ohio State, Meyer spent six seasons at the University of Florida, where he coached Tim Tebow. Meyer is known for his ability to prepare college kids for the NFL, and it’s clear that Smith took his advice to heart.
He wasn’t drafted, but he didn’t give up and ended up getting signed as an undrafted free agent. Now, Smith is entering his fifth season in the NFL and has done nothing but improve over the last four years.
He was a multi-sport athlete in high school
Smith is from Fort Wayne, Indiana where he attended Paul Harding High School. As a football player, he received All-state and Player of the Year honors as a senior. He recorded 6,625 yards and 66 touchdowns over his football career at Paul Harding.
Besides being a football player, though, Smith was also an All-conference basketball player and was part of the state’s runner-up 4×100 meter relay team.
Smith is going to be a solid addition to the Giants’ offense, and his pure athletic talent is what will continue to keep him in the league, playing at a high level. He will have to compete for the backup spot to Saquon Barkley, but if he plays well, he has a great shot.
