Kevin Smith News: Pro Sports Daily

Lions RB Kevin Smith wants to quiet the critics

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November 6

Detroit Free Press

"Lions running back Kevin Smith returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with a shoulder injury. He was listed as limited, and coach Jim Schwartz left some doubt about his status for Sunday's game at Seattle. "He's got a long way to go till Sunday, but I'm encouraged," Schwartz said. "Kevin's a tough guy. Kevin's a hardworking guy. I know if he can go on Sunday, he'll go." But Smith not only sounded as if he would go, he sounded like his ambitious, chip-on-the-shoulder self. "We're all looking to kind of quiet the critics that Detroit doesn't have a running game," Smith said. "Because I get the ball first, I want to be that tempo-setter and that lead dog. I think enough's ..."

Lions' coach 'optimistic' Johnson, Smith will play

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November 6

Detroit News

"Lions coach Jim Schwartz said Friday he's "optimistic" that both receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith will play Sunday at Seattle. "As long as everything keeps going the way it is the next few days, I'll be all right," Johnson said after practicing again Friday. Johnson has missed the last two games with a right knee injury, while Smith suffered a shoulder injury last week against St. Louis. Smith said Thursday he expected to be ready to play against the Seahawks, as will quarterback Matthew Stafford, who returned from a three-week absence to play against the Rams last week."

Lions RB Kevin Smith, WR Calvin Johnson practice today

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November 6

Detroit Free Press

"Wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith continued to practice today. Both seem likely to play Sunday at Seattle, though Lions coach Jim Schwartz likely will not tip his hand. Johnson has missed two games with a injured right knee. Smith left the Lions' last game with a shoulder problem."

Smith returns; Calvin Johnson looks good

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November 6

Detroit Free Press

"Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith returned to practice today, while wide receiver Calvin Johnson continued to show progress. Smith left Sunday's 17-10 loss to St. Louis with a shoulder injury and didn't practice Wednesday. He seems likely to play Sunday at Seattle, though coach Jim Schwartz isn't saying so. "He's got a long way to go till Sunday, but I'm encouraged," Schwartz said today. "Kevin's a tough guy. Kevin's a hardworking guy. I know if he can go on Sunday, he'll go." Johnson has missed two games with a right knee injury and was listed as limited Wednesday. He continued to look good in the portion of practice open to reporters, but Schwartz continued to say he would be a ..."

Kevin Smith wants to quiet the critics

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November 6

Detroit Free Press

"Lions running back Kevin Smith returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday with a shoulder injury. He was listed as limited, and coach Jim Schwartz left some doubt about his status for Sunday's game at Seattle. "He's got a long way to go till Sunday, but I'm encouraged," Schwartz said. "Kevin's a tough guy. Kevin's a hardworking guy. I know if he can go on Sunday, he'll go." But Smith not only sounded as if he would go, he sounded like his ambitious, chip-on-the-shoulder self. "We're all looking to kind of quiet the critics that Detroit doesn't have a running game," Smith said. "Because I get the ball first, I want to be that tempo-setter and that lead dog. I think enough's ..."

Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson look ready

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November 6

Detroit News

"Lions running back Kevin Smith was back at practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's workout because of a shoulder injury he suffered in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to St. Louis. Both Smith and Maurice Morris took reps with the first-team offense in the portion of practice open to the media. Calvin Johnson continued to show no ill effects from the right knee injury that has sidelined him for the last two games. He worked with the first-team offense and certainly looked like he'll be ready for Sunday's game in Seattle. "We are just going to keep on taking it like we are," Johnson said. "We are going to be careful, do what I can do, and as long as I don't have any setbacks, things ..."

Lions running back Kevin Smith returns to practice

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November 5

Detroit News

"Lions running back Kevin Smith was back at practice Thursday after missing Wednesday's workout because of a shoulder injury he suffered in the third quarter of last week's loss to St. Louis. Both Smith and Maurice Morris took reps with the first-team offense in the portion of practice open to the media. Calvin Johnson continued to show no ill effects from that right knee injury that has sidelined him for the last two games. Johnson continued to work with the first-team offense and certainly looks like he'll be ready for Sunday's game in Seattle."

Lions' Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith both practice

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November 5

Michigan Live

"Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson (knee) practiced for the second straight day and running back Kevin Smith, who missed Wednesday's workout with a left shoulder injury, also took part in practice today. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz will likely declare both players as game-time decisions but it appears both will be in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks."

Lions RB Smith likely a game-time decision

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October 3

Detroit Free Press

"The status of Lions running back Kevin Smith remains uncertain for Sunday's game at Chicago. Smith, a key cog in the Lions' commitment to the running game, had rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries when he left last Sunday's game against Washington in the third quarter with a shoulder injury. He was limited in practice this week and was listed as questionable against the Bears. Coach Jim Schwartz reveals little about players' health and was guarded about Smith's chances to play against the Bears after Friday's practice. "Um, it remains to be seen," Schwartz said. "There's a big difference in non-padded practices on Thursday and Friday and an NFL football game. Still got a long way to go. ..."

Kevin Smith is burning with hope for new season

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June 5

Detroit Free Press

"Lions running back Kevin Smith wrote on his Web site last month: "We will definitely make the playoffs this season." The statement -- especially bold on the heels of an 0-16 season -- invited plenty of attention, as well as an offer from ESPN's Jim Rome to host his television show if the Lions make it to the postseason. Smith finally has addressed his comments and explained that his motivation came from the excitement of a new season, a new coaching staff, new players, good team work ethic and his own competitive drive. "I'm just not that scared to put it on my Web site," Smith said. "It's not that big of a deal. We want to make the playoffs. I feel like we're going to make the playoffs." ..."

Lions rookie running back Smith now says one victory would be super

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December 25

Detroit News

"Rookie Kevin Smith began the season dreaming of the playoffs. The Super Bowl, even. On Sunday, in the regular-season finale against the Packers at Lambeau Field, he'll grudgingly settle for a lot less. With his team sitting at 0-15, Smith, one of the bright spots in an otherwise dreary season, doesn't have any choice. "We win," Smith said, "it'll feel like the Super Bowl." There was no satisfaction in that statement Wednesday. But Smith and his teammates have no choice but to face reality now, especially in the wake of last week's 42-7 loss to the Saints at Ford Field. Afterward, Smith was matter-of-fact in his postgame assessment of the Lions' play. "It wasn't a message: I was just ..."

Lions RB Kevin Smith sees pal Chris Johnson thrive with Titans

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November 26

Detroit Free Press

"Both are rookie running backs. Both are from Florida and played for colleges in Conference USA. But one, Chris Johnson, plays for 10-1 Tennessee. The other, Kevin Smith, plays for the 0-11 Lions. "I always catch myself thinking, 'Well, you know, why couldn't I be Chris Johnson?' " Smith said. "I always use that because that's my buddy. Why couldn't I be Chris Johnson? Why do I deserve this?" It's not that Smith really wants to be Johnson. It's that he wonders how two guys with such similar backgrounds could be in such different situations entering Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game between their teams at Ford Field. For Smith, at this point, it's about learning -- learning from Johnson what ..."

Smith is blooming -- and fuming

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November 24

Detroit News

"You can count the Lions' bright spots on one hand. Actually, on a few fingers. But for a few weeks now, one has been growing, getting better -- and more frustrated. Running back Kevin Smith rushed for 86 yards in the Lions' 38-20 loss to Tampa Bay Sunday, nearly topping 100 yards for the second straight week. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry and again showed some feisty spirit. The only question is, will Smith wear down in frustration before the Lions get a victory? "Believe me, I'm feeling the pain more than you," he said. "It's tough, but I'm going to continue to be me. I'm going to continue to work. That's all I know. No matter the weather, no matter the condition, I'm going to keep ..."

Smith fumes over demotion

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September 30

Detroit News

"Rookie Kevin Smith said Monday he has been supplanted as the Lions' starting running back by Rudi Johnson. And he's clearly upset about the demotion three games into the season. Smith said he was told Monday by running backs coach Sam Gash that Johnson will start Sunday's game against Chicago. Smith started the first three games for the Lions, but had just four carries for 16 yards against San Francisco a week ago. Johnson, signed as a free agent after being cut by Cincinnati at the end of training camp, got the bulk of the work against the 49ers and played well, finishing with 14 carries for 83 yards "Yeah, I've been told: 'We're going with a change of pace,'" said Smith, who still leads ..."