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TOPIC: Russ |
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| Joey J.
October 17, 2012
7:11:26 PM
Entry #: 3995058
| Hard to imagine a CFL without Russ Smith. There are some obvious things that he deserves praise for- gaudy stats, every single QB record in league history (unofficially since we don't keep stats) that no one will ever ever get close to, and playing at a high level into his 50's. But there are so many other things about him that make him what he is... and make no mistake he's the best ever.
Only a few remember Russ in his younger days. The only way I could describe it in today's terms would be this- a white, backwards hat wearing combination of Tarik, Nate, and myself. He was consistent, super athletic (hard to imagine now but he was almost as much of a weapon running as passing), and had an uncanny ability to exploit any weakness in the defense. Basically if Russ was your QB, you knew you had a chance to win it all.
At one point in the early 90's, Chaldean QB's were so sparse that every team was allowed to bring in non- Chaldeans to play QB. People brought what they thought were ringers- one guy even played major college football somewhere. They had all the physical tools of course, but none commanded the respect that Russell did, and none of them panned out (with the exception of Jeff "Bike Shorts" Bogden who somehow survived for several years as the Najor's QB).
Russ has been successful in several different eras of the game. When he started playing, teams ran the ball 40% of the time, and running back was actually a position that people drafted. He brought a new "run and shoot" style to the league with Boom's Blue teams that basically made that RB a full time slot receiver. Those Blue teams were the first truly dominant teams for a prolonged period of time. If they lost, it was an upset. They were so good that the other coaches changed the rules so that you couldn't protect your whole team anymore. He was the QB on the original Team Camel squad. Prior to that team, Chaldeans didn't really play against any outside competition. There were several strong personalities on that squad, and Russ probably got dragged into more fist fights than he would have preferred, but he always stuck with it no matter what. He could have played on any team in those indoor leagues but always chose Team Camel. He was the QB for the original money game against 7 Mile, and he was so confident that we were going to win that i'm pretty sure he cleared out a few savings accounts to bet on us (and we won, 19-0). Then there was the second money game... another win. And a few years on Green Machine where he probably threw 50 TD's in a season, no exaggeration. Even last Sunday, he made two or three throws that were flat out unbelievable.
From a personal standpoint, I learned a lot from Russ- the 18 yard snap, the huddle presence, all of his plays. But my favorite part of his game is that he always gives his guys the opportunity to make a play. Whether it was Karl on Blue or Tony on Green, he would throw their way no matter what. Him and Karl were so dominant and connected for so many TD's and big plays it was just stupid. You could make the argument that the league was less athletic then, that Karl was just way better than everyone else. That might have been true to an extent, but Karl made some spectacular catches in double coverage that never would have happened if Russ didn't have confidence enough to sling it. Same thing with Tony in 2007. It was like everyone knew what was coming but couldn't stop it. He operated with so much confidence that you almost felt defeated before you even took the field. Karl and Tony were already great players, but Russ made them the best. And he has the most championships of any player in league history to back it up.
Russ, congrats on an epic career. It was great playing with you and against you. I plan to have 26 beers in your honor on Saturday night.
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| Derek D
October 18, 2012
10:51:02 AM
Entry #: 3995338
| Those two years we went back to back with Russ were some of my greatest memories in the CFL. Ray was our all everything superstar, Chris Zeer was sick on both sides of the ball and because of those two, usually the dickest defender on the opposing team checked me. Russ and I connected for 20 TD's (most of them backside posts) in 2003 and in one game he threw 4 tds my way. Talk about a luxury.
I was never a top anything in this league. Not drafted high, never protected, but playing with Russ made me feel like I was a better talent than people gave me credit for. He made everyone around him better and that's what makes him a legend in my book.
It was an honor to play with and for him in those huddles which more often than not, smelled like 100 Miller Lite's and Bobby's champagne and vodka extravaganzas from the glory days.
Russ was an ultra competitive player and when he had the fire in his eyes and smelled victory on the brink, the other team might as well go to sleep. Russ was the king of comebacks in the 4th quarter and in any late game scenario. If we were down late, we pressed on and kept our heads up and why not - we had Russ.
One thing I will always remember about Russ is the way he treated his team. It was always a family like huddle, we could share what the defense was doing and then he'd call his play.
He never, in 15 years of knowing him, yelled or besmirched any player on his team for dropping a ball (which I did more than a few times), missing a flag or being in the wrong spot. He pulled you to the side and said something like, "Double D, you're better than that, now shake it off and make a play on the next one."
Russ, you were the greatest addition to our league and we will never forget the player you were and the man you are.
Thank you for everything.
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