"There is good reason for Lions running back Kevin Smith to be worried about competition from vaunted rookie Jahvid Best.

After all, Smith was a third-round pick by a previous coaching regime. He had a tough second season that ended with him going on injured reserve with a torn knee ligament that required surgery and is still healing.

Best was a prized first-round pick the Lions traded up for and whom coach Jim Schwartz admitted drooling over while watching highlight clips.

But, according to Best, Smith has been nothing but supportive.

"He's probably like my big brother right now," Best said Tuesday, when rookies and veterans had their first joint organized team activity. "He's just giving me pointers. He's just staying on me, making sure I know what I'm doing when I'm out there."

Best said he was not nervous when he met Smith.

"Nah," he said. "I wasn't nervous at all because he just walked straight up to me and we sat down and talked for a little bit. So he made it real comfortable for me.""