Xavier Smith.. a faster Brandon Powell?

[Kupped]

Brandon Powell actually had a track record before the Rams got him, so it's not a perfect comp.

But Xavier Smith could be a faster version of him, when all is said and done. The kid makes plays and having that kind of thing on your roster is important, imo.
I completely get the Tyler Johnson support.. but I'd pick Smith IF it came down to those two. The Rams should work him in for a few snaps here and there.

Having a weapon like that on special teams and offense is a lot of fun.. but is also something that helps you win games. Like today.

Powell was (is?) a competitor.. and I think Smith is as well.. and he runs a sub 4.4. Get him the ball.

 

[Steve808]

Brandon Powell actually had a track record before the Rams got him, so it's not a perfect comp.

But Xavier Smith could be a faster version of him, when all is said and done. The kid makes plays and having that kind of thing on your roster is important, imo.
I completely get the Tyler Johnson support.. but I'd pick Smith IF it came down to those two. The Rams should work him in for a few snaps here and there.

Having a weapon like that on special teams and offense is a lot of fun.. but is also something that helps you win games. Like today.

Powell was (is?) a competitor.. and I think Smith is as well.. and he runs a sub 4.4. Get him the ball.

That was a vital and really good punt return. The kid showed he can play. I believe he was an undrafted FA?

 

[Memento]

Brandon Powell actually had a track record before the Rams got him, so it's not a perfect comp.

But Xavier Smith could be a faster version of him, when all is said and done. The kid makes plays and having that kind of thing on your roster is important, imo.
I completely get the Tyler Johnson support.. but I'd pick Smith IF it came down to those two. The Rams should work him in for a few snaps here and there.

Having a weapon like that on special teams and offense is a lot of fun.. but is also something that helps you win games. Like today.

Powell was (is?) a competitor.. and I think Smith is as well.. and he runs a sub 4.4. Get him the ball.

Not really? Powell was built a lot sturdier than Smith; Powell moonlighted as a running back, which is something that Smith could never do.

I do think Smith could be an exceptional returner, but comparing him to Powell in terms of playing style isn't the right thing. They're two separate players.

 

[Kupped]

Not really? Powell was built a lot sturdier than Smith; Powell moonlighted as a running back, which is something that Smith could never do.

I do think Smith could be an exceptional returner, but comparing him to Powell in terms of playing style isn't the right thing. They're two separate players.

There's like.. 5 lbs of difference between the two?

I see a decisive runner in Smith when he has the ball in his hands, and that's my Powell comp. Decisive and committed.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

When was the last time the Rams did anything on a punt return?

The x man has solidified himself on the team. The league is full of tyler Johnsons.

Easy decision.

.

 

[Ramrasta]

So glad we brought in an actual return man rather than using unspecialized skill players. It literally won us the game.

Excited about the improvement of our special teams unit.

 

[TexasRam]

Our special teams are looking really good right now.

Time will tell on Smith, could be a one time lucky return or could be his niche.

Need time to see if he has ball security ability as well.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

The best thing about his return was that it was instinctive and self-made. No lanes were open and bodies were flying at him. As soon as he caught the ball, he stepped up right away and then lured the coverage to the left before cutting back right. He wasn’t afraid and didn’t need time to process. He just reacted.

 

[JonRam99]

X has good hands, and vision... 1 touch, 38yd return... this kids needs to stay on ST. Make a roster spot for him already! work him into some jet sweeps or something.

 

[Allen2McVay]

When was the last time the Rams did anything on a punt return?

Alvin Hammond ... 1971!!!

 

[den-the-coach]

I do think Smith could be an exceptional returner, but comparing him to Powell in terms of playing style isn't the right thing. They're two separate players.

Smith is much faster than Powell, Smith's 40 time is 4.48, whereas Powell ran a 4.6 also size wise Smith is 5'9 176, Powell is 5'8 180lbs. So IMO, Smith might have more upside because of the speed, but with the background of being a RB, Powell is more elusive.

 

[den-the-coach]

Alvin Hammond ... 1971!!!

FWIW, it was Alvin Haymond the returner, however, it was Albert Hammond who sang: It Never Rains in Southern California.

 

[Ram65]

X made the first man miss! He had the vision to cut right.

I hope he can do it over and over.

 

[Londoner]

Message from across the Pond:

Dear Americans,

Please learn how to pronounce “Xavier” correctly.

Thank you,

Londoner

 

[Alaskan Ram]

Seems to me the great return specialist have the same quality....instant processing. Catch to going north is like a bullet coming out of a barrel. No dancing, no delays.

I love the attitude too with the head nodding... "I got this" look in his eyes as the announcers were talking about how nobody recruited him and he was a walk on.

I love that all of us here were losing our shit together as he made the edge and got to midfield. My house was rocking. The dog was scared. I could hear my RoD brothers out there too. Good stuff.

 

[AvengerRam]

It’s EX-JAVIER!!!!

 

[Memento]

There's like.. 5 lbs of difference between the two?

I see a decisive runner in Smith when he has the ball in his hands, and that's my Powell comp. Decisive and committed.

I'm talking about builds. Smith is a lot more slender than Powell was. Powell was built a lot like a running back and played running back at Florida. Smith has always been a wide receiver and, like @den-the-coach said, is a lot faster than Powell.

I do think that Smith could be a dominant returner, and I do see where you're coming from, but I believe they're different players based on build and speed.

 

[Allen2McVay]

FWIW, it was Alvin Haymond the returner, however, it was Albert Hammond who sang: It Never Rains in Southern California.

I can't believe I did that! I knew it was Haymond, with a "Y".

No excuses and unforgivable. Seriously! I am pissed-off at myself.

 

[GoodBadUgly]

Message from across the Pond:

Dear Americans,

Please learn how to pronounce “Xavier” correctly.

Thank you,

Londoner

OK, so I watched McVay's game ball speech and he gave a ball to "X-Avier". I thought, "Isn't it 'Zavier'?"

Please tell me once and for all what is the correct pronunciation, oh sage Londoner.

 

[AvengerRam]

View: https://x.com/adamgrosbard/status/1838035675477917935?s=46