FB/LB Clifton Smith

I've decided that I'm just going to keep the free agent signing's posts alive up until the final roster is set. Today is a player that you all should be at least somewhat familiar with as he played for the Soul during their ArenaBowl championship season.

Clifton Smith has been around the football ranks for awhile now. Smith attended Syracuse University (1999-2002) where he began his football career starting for the Orange as a true freshman. He earned First Team All-Freshman after starting 8 of the 11 games for the Orange in 1999 and accumulated 66 tackles (37 solo), 1 sack, 3 tackles-for-loss, and 2 forced fumbles. In 2000 Smith was an All-Big East Conference and All-Eastern College Athletic Conference first team choice. He started every game at MLB and led the team with 108 tackles while also recording 7 tackles-for-loss and 3 forced fumbles. Smith again started every game at MLB in 2001 and was an All-Big East Conference first team choice. Second on the team with 94 tackles, Smith accumulated 3 sacks and 11 tackles-for-loss. Smith was an All-Big East Conference first team choice for the third consecutive year in 2002 while also starting every game again which extended his streak to 37 consecutive games started. Led the team with a career high 137 tackles along with nabbing 2 sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss.

Smith was then snubbed in the 2003 NFL draft mainly due to concerns over his slow 4.88 forty time. He then signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent where he appeared in 1 game and posted 1 tackle that season. He spent 2004 and 2005 on the Redskins practice squad before signing with the Cleveland Browns in 2006. After appearing in only 1 game that season also, the Browns allocated Smith to NFL Europe where he played for the Cologne Centurions in 2007.

In 2008 Smith signed with the Philadelphia Soul and was a useful addition during their championship run that season. Playing in 18 games Smith had 50 rushes for 131 yards and 10 touchdowns as the team's starting FB. On defense Smith recorded 45 tackles, 1 interception, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Smith also blocked a punt which was reminiscent of his college days where he blocked a FG attempt and an extra point attempt. He was later named to the league's All-Iron Man Team for his efforts.

Smith reemerged with the newly formed AFL in 2010 while playing for the Chicago Rush. He had 7 rushes for 22 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Rush on offense while recording 18 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. Smith also boosted his special teams play by blocking 3 punts and 1 field goal attempt for the Rush that season as well.

Smith has played sparingly since his last season with the Soul in 2008, but that doesn't mean he won't be an effective addition. A familiar face within the organization is always a good thing especially between former teammates. Smith rejoins WR Larry Brackins as being the only players left from the Soul's 2008 championship team. Both will be used in marketing I'm sure within the Philadelphia area in an attempt to bring back the fans of 3 years past. The Soul are already pretty much guaranteed an exciting 2012 season and sharing new success with past role players will only make things that much sweeter. Hopefully everything goes according to hype for the team's sake.