Smith anonymous in glory days
If David Vobora is seeking inspiration as he vies for a spot on the St. Louis Rams roster, he need only to look for a man nearby while at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel tonight.
Somewhere there among former Rams — Vobora will need to look deep within — he will find a different type of Mr. Irrelevant.
Call him Doug Smith.
Call him Mr. Anonymous.
Smith took a unique route to the NFL, rags to riches, pauper to prince, a survivor turned Pro Bowl center.
Vobora is known as Mr. Irrelevant XXXIII for being the 252nd and dead last pick in the NFL Draft. But Smith, Orange Coast College’s offensive line coach who began in the NFL as an undrafted free agent, was known as anonymous, not just for his journey, but also because of his style while playing in the league.
“My last year in the Pro Bowl,” said Smith, a six-time Pro Bowl player. “I remember reading at what was put about me in the program. I was put as the most anonymous guy to be there six times … It’s part of the understanding [of being an offensive lineman in the NFL]. But you leave not only being a better player, but a better man.”
Smith, a 14-year NFL veteran, will be among a handful of former Rams at the All-Star Lowsman Banquet for a casual reunion amid a celebration/roast of Mr. Irrelevant XXXIII.
Vobora, as part of Irrelevant Week tradition, will be presented with the Lowsman Trophy, the poorest man’s version of the Heisman. The statuette is a football player in the act of fumbling the ball.
When Smith came out of Bowling Green in 1978 there was no need to give him any type of trophy. He just wanted to get in the league and a specialty skill gave him an opportunity.
A long snapper, Smith drew interest from Philadelphia, Cleveland and the then-Los Angeles Rams. Smith signed with the Rams because they offered the most money and he had the best chance of being the team’s lone long snapper. Or so he thought.
Back then, first-year coach George Allen brought in a long snapper of his own, and Smith was put on what was called recallable waivers.
That meant when the Eagles claimed Smith off waivers, the Rams were able to recall him and they did.
After that … “I just hung around for 14 years,” Smith said.
Smith became a starter less than two years into his career and soon blocked for one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game.
Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards in 1984 still stands.
Smith and the rest of the offensive line, that was bolstered by Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, opened the holes for Dickerson and he ran through, many of the times finishing in the end zone. But one game, and basically one play, stand out for Smith during that record-breaking season.
Dickerson broke the record against the Houston Oilers and the play that helped him get it: the counter.
“We ran that play so much that Eric just had a sense for it,” Smith said. “And Eric was so great that he would get out in the open. When he got one on one with the safety, there weren’t too many who could stop him or catch him. Darrell Green, the fastest man in the NFL, was about the only one who could stop him.”
After the season, Smith said Dickerson bought each of his linemen a ring with the number 2,105 on it. Smith keeps it in a safe place.
Smith remains proud of being part of the record.
“We still got the NFL rushing record,” he said. “We just don’t pop open a champagne bottle every time the top running back misses on [2,105 yards].”
STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at steve.virgen@latimes.com.
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