Die Saalfelds » The son of former NFL tight end Irv Smith had plenty

EAGAN http://www.falconscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-kaleb-mcgary-jersey , Minn. (AP) — Irv Smith Jr. began playing football in eighth grade. Becoming a tight end was only a matter of time.helmets and trophies in the house to steer him toward the sport. Some simple advice from his father, who played five of his seven seasons in the league with New Orleans after being drafted in the first round in 1993, helped him settle at the same position.“He said, ‘You can either be a slow receiver or a fast tight end,'” Smith said. “I went with being a fast tight end, and it worked out.”The Minnesota Vikings selected the Alabama standout with the 50th overall pick in the second round on Friday night, adding another potential field-stretching pass-catcher for quarterback Kirk Cousins.The Vikings then fueled up for the final four rounds on Saturday by making four separate trades with their third-rounder, finally picking Boise State running back Alexander Mattison with the 102nd overall selection. The deals with Detroit, Seattle Kendall Sheffield Jersey , the New York Jets and Baltimore netted them an additional four selections for the weekend and gave them nine picks for the third day.The Vikings selected North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury in the first round on Thursday, shoring up their greatest need: the interior of the offensive line. They targeted Mattison as a big-bodied replacement for Latavius Murray and complement to Dalvin Cook, adding a player who had 40 carries for 200 yards in the Mountain West conference championship game against Fresno State.After finishing 20th in yards and 19th in points last season, the Vikings needed some help for the offense, a fact even their defensive-minded coach Mike Zimmer could readily acknowledge, even if he was irritated by general manager Rick Spielman’s insistence on trading down four times.“He was ready to unplug the phones again like he is every year,” Spielman said.Smith became the fourth Alabama tight end drafted in the last eight years, with O.J. Howard the most recent by Tampa Bay in the first round in 2017. With the Crimson Tide, Smith played sparingly as a freshman in 2016 while Howard was still a primary cog in the offense.For the 2017 national champions, Smith became more involved with 14 catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns. Then last year as a junior http://www.falconscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-john-cominsky-jersey , he flourished with 44 receptions for 710 yards and seven scores. Smith ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds at the NFL scouting combine, the fourth-fastest among tight ends, and he was the third player off the board at his position after Iowa teammates T.J. Hockenson (eighth overall to Detroit) and Noah Fant (20th overall to Denver) went in the first round.“We can line him up wide. We can line him up in tight. We can use him in the backfield. He has a lot of versatility,” Vikings director of college scouting Jamaal Stephenson said. “We want to be more explosive on offense.”And as a run blocker?“He’s OK. He’s a work in progress, more from that standpoint, but he’s certainly tough enough and willing, which are the two things you look for to project improvement,” Stephenson said.The Vikings have Kyle Rudolph and David Morgan for that, for now. The ninth-year veteran Rudolph has not missed a game in five seasons, is a bulwark in the community Qadree Ollison Jersey , has two Pro Bowl selections on his resume and is coming off a strong 2018, but he’s in the final year of his contract with a $7.625 million salary cap hit. Smith’s presence could make Rudolph expendable, should the Vikings seek more space under the cap.“All the best tight ends in the NFL and all the greats, they’re able to do both, run block and make plays in the passing game, so it opens a lot for you and it helps a team in all phases of the game,” Smith said.Make no mistake, though. He’s here to create a mismatch by lining up in the slot and giving defenses concerned about wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs pause about who to cover him with.“I believe no linebacker or safety one-on-one can stay with me, and I’m going to keep proving to people that’s how I feel,” Smith said. CLEVELAND (AP) — Gregg Williams showed the Browns what he could do as their coach for a half-season.On Tuesday Rashan Gary Jersey , he shared his plans for a full one — and maybe more.Williams, who led Cleveland to a 5-3 record as an interim coach, became the first candidate to interview with general manager John Dorsey, who is looking for a “man of character” to lead one of the NFL’s rising teams.Williams had an impressive run after he replaced a fired Hue Jackson on Oct. 29. The Browns remained focused and played as well as they have in several years under the 60-year-old Williams, who has served for the past two seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator.Dorsey said Monday he was interested in hearing Williams’ long-term vision with the Browns. Williams didn’t publicly campaign for the job during the closing weeks of the season, but several players said they would be fine if he returned.“He had a clear message,” left guard Joel Bitonio said as the Browns cleared out their lockers following the biggest turnaround season in club history. “He was concise, clear message, but we were all on the same page. We knew what he wanted, we knew what we were going to get from him and that’s all you can really ask for in a coach.”Williams took over from Jackson Hakeem Butler Jersey , finally dismissed after winning just three of 40 games in two-plus seasons.Even if he doesn’t get hired by the Browns, Williams could draw interest by one of the other teams seeking a coach. Williams coached in Buffalo from 2001-03, going 17-31 in three seasons. He won a Super Bowl as a defensive coordinator in New Orleans.Dorsey is casting a wide net as the Browns look for their ninth coach since 1999.He intends to interview offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens for the head-coaching position. Kitchens helped develop quarterback Baker Mayfield, who set a league rookie record with 27 touchdown passes — 19 in the final nine games.Dorsey has also asked for permission to interview New Orleans assistant head coach/tight ends coach Dan Campbell, Minnesota offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, New England linebackers coach Brian Flores, Indianapolis offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni and Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus.It’s also probable that Dorsey will meet with former Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy. The pair spent seven years together with the Packers.Dorsey said he is committed to a “thorough” and “deliberate” search.One coach to cross off Dorsey’s list is Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley. He has agreed to a contract extension with the school, ending speculation he might rejoin Mayfield in the pros.