Another L, Another J

I wrote about LJ Smith’s reemergence this morning, and Len Pasquerelli writes about him this afternoon (check the time stamps of the postings)

 

Writes Pasquarelli, “Healthy again and coming off his best performance of the year, Philadelphia Eagles starting tight end L.J. Smith is looking forward to a strong second half of the season. ‘Right now, I'm looking at being on another team,’ Smith told local reporters Wednesday, referring to the fact his contract expires after this season and that there have not been any substantive discussions in recent months about an extension.

If the fifth-year veteran does make it into the market, he will likely generate solid interest, given his proven value in a West Coast-style offense and the emergence of the tight end position around the league. Smith has never had fewer than 25 receptions in a season and in the past two years averaged 55.5 catches and 646.5 yards.

Some personnel officials in the league feel that Smith could have 65- to 75-catch potential in the right situation.…

If he is fully recovered, as he has insisted, Smith figures to re-establish himself over the second half of the season as one of the NFL's best receiving tight ends. In 69 games, with 50 starts, Smith has 183 catches for 2,108 yards and 15 touchdowns. Smith, 27, is in the final season of his rookie contract, with a base salary of $920,000. There were some extension discussions with his agent, Brian Mackler, in the offseason, but that was months ago and there haven't been any talks since then. Barring the extension, Smith will become a free agent, although there is always the chance the Eagles could designate him as a franchise player.”