Armond Smith, the fastest guy on the Cleveland Browns’ offense, continued his impressive preseason. He followed a 10 carry, 41 yard performance last week against the Packers with 6 carries for 90 yards this week, including a scintillating 81-yard touchdown run that truly showcased his speed.
On the 81-yard touchdown, Smith, a 5’9” 194 pound UFA out of Union College in Kentucky, found a hole in the line and turned up field so fast that no one on the Lions defense even had a shot at him.
Smith is said to have “blazing speed,” and be “electric in space.” Smith led the Mid-South Conference in rushing in 2010, averaging 125.1 yards per game, and was named MSC West Offensive Player of the Year.
Smith’s extreme speed as a running back turned heads at training camp in Berea, Ohio. The lockout may have worked in the favor of this UFA, as new coach Pat Shurmer is meeting the entire team at this late date. Late comer Smith will have the chance to impress Shurmur with a stand out performance in the preseason game if he wants to move up the depth chart.
He started preseason fifth on the depth chart behind Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty, Brandon Jackson, and Quinn Porter. If he continues to perform like he did this week, that position is going to change.
Brown’s fans need something to cheer about, and so far this season, the impressive play of second year quarterback Colt McCoy (who went 10 of 18 for 96 yards and 3 TDs this week) and the flashes of brilliance that Smith has shown are filling the bill nicely.
