Report: Jaguars' Smith to retire
11 May 2006
from KFFL
Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports Jacksonville Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith has decided to retire from the NFL after 12 seasons. He has reportedly told head coach Jack Del Rio of his decision. The Jaguars are expected to hold a press conference Thursday, May 11, unless Smith has a last-minute change of heart.
Smith, who posted 70 receptions, 1,023 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2005, could leave the team very young at the receiver position should he choose to go through with his retirement. While the team has depth in the likes of WRs Matt Jones (36-432-5), Ernest Wilford (41-681-7) and Reggie Williams (35-445-0), they do not have anyone else on roster with the savvy, experience and dependability of Smith. Thus, his loss would force the team to possibly be on the look out for a veteran presence at the receiver position.
From a fantasy standpoint, be prepared to devalue the Jaguars' passing game. While Smith is no longer a dominating receiver, he remains rock solid in terms of what he brings to the team in the form of a steady set of hands. Plus, opposing defenses have still had to focus on where he's lined up and matchup accordingly. His departure could leave the team with Jones and Wilford in the starting lineup, as Williams has struggled during his early years. While both have shown flashes in their young careers, neither of which may be ready to be a prime-time fantasy option for quite some time. View them as no better than weaker No. 3 options at this early juncture of the year.
