 |
| Alex Smith |
Cardinal Commitment:
Alex Smith's chat was the first component in a season-long series of in-depth, detailed and exclusive information about the 2004 Stanford Football team.
Alex Smith's Chat Wrap
Senior tight end Alex Smith, a 2004 honors candidate, made a
special visit to the gostanford.com moderated chat room on Thursday,
August 19 at 11:30 am.
Smith, the son of former Denver Bronco player Edwin Smith (1973-76), started all 11 games for the Cardinal in 2003 and was the team's third-leading receiver (24 receptions, 185 yards), adding three touchdown receptions to earn honorable mention All-Pac-10 and honorable mention Academic All-Pac-10 recognition.
In 2002, Smith made his debut as a starter for the Cardinal in the second game of the season and never relinquished the job, starting all 21 games since heading into the 2004 campaign. Smith made the team's final 10 starts of the 2002 season, catching 30 passes for 380 yards with two touchdown receptions to earn honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors. He had the best game of his career in Stanford's 16-6 win over Arizona when he caught eight balls for 120 yards and a touchdown.
The Economics major and native of Denver, Colorado, took a break from his busy practice schedule to enter the chat room on Thursday at 11:30 am, PT.
|
 |
| Moderator: Alex Smith has arrived and is ready to begin his chat. |
|
| Mom (Denver): I are so proud of you and your accomplishments, academically and athletically! Because I am aware of all that you and your teammates have had to do for the past four years, do you have any words of wisdom to share with potential student/athletes? |
 |
 |
Alex: My best advice for potential student athletes is to keep working hard no matter what obstacles may stand in your way, because sooner or later that hard work will allow you to overcome anything. |
|
|
| Hank Wilson, Carson, CA: Alex:
Based on your experience & knowledge of the team, how do you thank we will do in the PAC 10? |
|
|
Alex: I am really looking forward to competing in the Pac 10 this year. Many people have their favorites, but I feel like we have just as good a chance as anybody to go straight to the top. |
|
|
| Derek (San Francisco): Alex, you've really emerged as a top player on this team. Nice!
1) What's been your favorite catch so far?
2) Who would you most like to stiff-arm into the ground this season (Pac-10)?
Good luck and GO CARDINAL! |
|
|
Alex: I have a couple favorite catches, one is when I had a deep catch over the middle and got my helmet knocked off against Arizona, and another favorite was against Washington when I went up to catch a touchdown with a cast on my thumb. Honestly I plan on stiff arming everyone that gets in my way this year. |
|
|
| Big Ed (Denver): Alex you have been on the farm for the past four years, how do you think your growth and development, as a football player, will contribute to the Cardinal sucess this season. |
|
|
Alex: I feel like my growth has allowed me to assume a leadership role this year. I want my experience and play on the field to be an inspiration to the rest of my teammates, so that they too will give everything they have when we step onto the field. |
|
|
| san diego: Alex from what i understand u went to school with texas tight end Bo Scaife how did playing with him help your game. |
|
|
Alex: Bo helped me immensely. I was able to learn and watch him play while I was still learning the position. I have tried to incorporate a lot of the things I learned back then into my game now. |
|
|
| Scott (Thousand Oaks): Alex-
What personal goals have you set for yourself heading into this season? |
|
|
Alex: My personal goals blend in with our team goals. First and foremost I want to be in the Rose Bowl at the end of the season. I feel like if I play like the best tight end in the nation then that will only help us towards that goal. |
|
|
| Susan (Danville): Alex:
As a fan, what can I look for from the Cardinal offense this year?? |
|
|
Alex: You can expect the Cardinal offense to be much more consistent and efficient this year. We have a lot more experience, and are ready to show people what we can do. |
|
|
| Tom (Burbank): Hey Alex:
I think you're one of the best tight ends in the Pac-10. What do you think?? |
|
|
Alex: I would definitely like to think so. Almost every team in the Pac 10 has a solid tight end, but in order to be the best you have to believe that you are the best first. |
|
|
| Frank (Menlo Park): Hi Alex:
Stanford has been picked to finish at the bottom of the Pac-10. I'm sure that gives you and your teammates something to rally around. Do you think your team is underrated? Why? |
|
|
Alex: Honestly I would not want it any other way. People are basing their predictions off of what happened last year, and what they think we will do. But little do they know we are a completely different team from last year. Being at the bottom of the Pac 10 just means that teams will not see us coming. |
|
|
| Thornel and Darla Ruff: Hello Alex:
How are things going? Thornel (Big Duan) wants to know, What will be the strength of the offense the running game or the passing game? |
|
|
Alex: Whats going on? I really feel like we will be strong in both areas. We really want to be able to run the ball, because that will make our passing attack that much more dangerous. |
|
|
| Steve (San Marcos): Where do you see this team going this year? 7-5? |
|
|
Alex: I really don't feel like there is anyone on our schedule that we cannot beat. So I would say 12-0, but things happen sometimes so anything less than 9-3 would be a shock to me. |
|
|
| Duan (Denver): Hey, just let me know if you are ready to be the best tight end in the pac-10.
We already know that you are so tell me how you feel going into the year? |
|
|
Alex: Definitely. I am ready to be the best in the nation. I am really looking forward to this year. I feel like the team and myself have the opportunity to do something special this year, so this is an exciting time for me right now. |
|
|
| Thornel and Darla Ruff (Denver): Hey Alex:
How has your involvement in sports helped you develop personally, spiritual and otherwise? |
|
|
Alex: I have had to grow up fast honestly. You are really tested mentally, and physically and weak minded people really will not be able to make it far. I have had to dig deep at times and having God on my side has allowed me to pull through. |
|
|
| Ma Ma: How is practice going so far this year? |
|
|
Alex: Practice is practice. We are really working hard and trying to get ourselves ready, but I think most of us are ready to start playing. |
|
|
| Curtis Harris: Alex how many cathes will u have this season? |
|
|
Alex: If all goes as planned I am hoping to have around 60 catches this year. My coach keeps telling me the last All Pac-10 tight end from Stanford had 70, so that is the goal. |
|
|
| Evie: First game predictions? |
|
|
Alex: Stanford 49 San Jose St. 14 |
|
|
|
Alex: Time for me to head out to meetings and practice. Thanks for all the questions and support. See you in '04. |
|
|
|
