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Alphonso Smith | Defensive Back

Team: Unsigned Free Agent
Age / DOB:  (27) / 10/20/1985
Ht / Wt:  5'9' / 190
College: Wake Forest
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Lions waived CB Alphonso Smith.
Smith was signed in mid-October. He recorded just eight tackles in four games played with the team. Detroit claimed CB Pat Lee off waivers from the Raiders in a corresponding transaction. Mon, Nov 12, 2012 06:05:00 PM

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Player News

Date:

Lions signed CB Alphonso Smith.

The Lions are desperate for corner help with Bill Bentley (shoulder) and Jacob Lacey (concussion) in doubt for Monday's game against the Bears. Smith knows the scheme after spending all of training camp with the Lions.
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 10:30:00 AM

Lions waived CB Alphonso Smith.

Smith opened camp in the mix to start opposite Chris Houston, but the 2009 second-round pick's roster chances took a major hit when the Lions acquired Kevin Barnes from the Redskins. Barnes and Bill Bentley could rotate snaps at right corner with Jacob Lacey manning the slot. With 38 appearances under his belt the past three seasons, Smith should be able to find a new job.
Fri, Aug 31, 2012 03:40:00 PM

Alphonso Smith ran as the starting right cornerback in the Lions' first training camp session.

Coach Jim Schwartz cautioned not to read too deeply into who got the first reps where, but with the Lions preferring Jacob Lacey in the slot, Smith should get the first crack at replacing Aaron Berry. Third-rounder Dwight Bentley is also in the mix at right corner.
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 03:15:00 PM

Lions CB Alphonso Smith has impressed the team's coaches this offseason.

Smith has been in and out of the doghouse the past two years, but it's a make-or-break offseason after the team signed Jacoby Lacey and drafted three corners. As low as seventh on the depth chart, Smith remains on the roster bubble.
Sun, Jun 10, 2012 11:26:00 AM

Lions GM Martin Mayhew was largely noncommittal Tuesday when asked whether CB Alphonso Smith is on the trade block.

NFL Net's Jason La Canfora reported in February that the Lions were "willing to move" Smith via trade. "Alphonso is a young player that plays a position that is difficult to play, and he certainly made some plays for us last year, the last couple years," said Mayhew. "We’ll see how he turns out this year. ... He’s on our roster now, and I don’t have any plans to let him go."
Tue, Mar 27, 2012 04:14:00 PM

NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reports the Lions are "willing to move" CB Alphonso Smith, and have already shopped him to at least one team.

Smith missed the Lions' first three games last season after breaking his foot in July, and was also inactive in Weeks 10 and 12. He graded out negatively in coverage by Pro Football Focus, though he did manage to notch three interceptions. It doesn't speak well to Smith's future, however, that he's being shopped by a club in need of upgrading its secondary. Smith was acquired from the Broncos in 2010 after being a second-round pick in 2009.
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 01:55:00 PM

Lions activated CB Alphonso Smith (foot) from the active/NFI list.

"He’s not game-ready yet," coach Jim Schwartz admitted. "It’s still going to be a while for him, but it’s going to be sooner than six weeks, so we wanted to get him in the swing." Smith will be Detroit's nickel corner when he returns. The job will either go to Brandon McDonald or Aaron Berry to open the season.
Mon, Sep 5, 2011 02:34:00 PM

Lions CB Alphonso Smith showed up to training camp with a broken left foot.

Smith says he suffered the injury about three weeks ago while working out and it only increases the Lions' need for corner help. Even though Smith was projected as a nickel back and he says he'll be ready for Week 1, they are very thin behind their elite front four.
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 12:54:00 PM

The Detroit Free Press confirms that CB Alphonso Smith underwent late-season shoulder surgery.

Like free agent RCB Chris Houston, Smith needed the surgery after dislocating his shoulder late in the season. Both players should be healthy by training camp. The Lions want Houston back regardless of his free-agent status.
Wed, May 4, 2011 09:52:00 AM

MLive.com's Tom Kowalski believes Lions CB Alphonso Smith's play slipped down the stretch last year because his confidence was shot.

Kowalski says Smith's "confidence got too high" after emerging as a starter and picking off five passes, and fell off a cliff after he was torched by Tom Brady on Thanksgiving. Smith is likely to return with a big role in 2011, though he needs competition. Ideally, he'd be Detroit's nickel back.
Source: MLive.com
Fri, Apr 15, 2011 01:46:00 PM

Coach Jim Schwartz gave CB Alphonso Smith a vote of confidence after the first-year starter struggled in the second-half of the season.

"He has tremendous ability to play the ball," Schwartz said. "He had some up and downs, and needs to play more consistently. He's a good young player, and he has that ability to do things at corner that you really can't coach." Smith should enter the 2011 season as the starter at right corner.
Source: Denver Post
Fri, Feb 25, 2011 10:08:00 AM

Lions placed RCB Alphonso Smith on injured reserve with a dislocated right shoulder, ending his season.

He'll need surgery. Smith often gets burned in coverage, but the Lions are losing a playmaker and their leader in interceptions. Nathan Vasher and Brandon McDonald are options to replace Smith in the starting lineup.
Wed, Dec 8, 2010 11:34:00 AM

Lions coach Jim Schwartz confirmed Monday that RCB Alphonso Smith's right shoulder injury is likely to sideline him "long term."

Smith is a candidate for injured reserve. Though he's been picked in the Lions' last few games, Smith leads the club in interceptions (5). The team will choose between Nate Vasher and Brandon McDonald to replace him.
Source: MLive.com
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 04:26:00 PM

Lions RCB Alphonso Smith suffered a right arm injury late in Sunday's loss to the Bears and did not return.

Smith was seen with the arm "dangling" by his body, indicating a possible shoulder separation. His status for Week 14 against the Packers is unclear.
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 01:26:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Josh Portis
2Jerrod Johnson
3Trent Edwards
4Kyle Padron
5Nathan Stanley
6Collin Klein
7Alex Carder
RB1Michael Turner
2D.J. Ware
3Beanie Wells
4Curtis Brinkley
5Jamie Harper
6Brandon Saine
7Willis McGahee
8Stefphon Jefferson
9Richard Murphy
10Javarris James
11Darren Evans
GLB1Michael Turner
2Beanie Wells
3Curtis Brinkley
4Willis McGahee
3RB1D.J. Ware
2Beanie Wells
3Curtis Brinkley
FB1Lousaka Polite
2Vonta Leach
3Spencer Larsen
4Brit Miller
5Brock Bolen
6Owen Schmitt
7Alex Debniak
8Robert Hughes
9Dorson Boyce
10Nate Eachus
11Jourdan Brooks
12Ryan Roberson
13Rupert Bryan
14Eddie Williams
15Ryan D'Imperio
WR11Titus Young
2Jabar Gaffney
3Laurent Robinson
4Steve Breaston
5Emmanuel Arceneaux
6Chastin West
7Justin Hilton
8Bert Reed
9Cole McKenzie
10Chris Denton
11Rashaard Carter
12Scott Pillar
WR21Brandon Lloyd
2Early Doucet
3Kerry Meier
4Brandon Banks
5Darius Hanks
6Dale Moss
7Lavasier Tuinei
8Duke Calhoun
9Seyi Ajirotutu
10Michael Calvin
11Ronald Johnson
12Jason Thompson
WR31Jabar Gaffney
2Laurent Robinson
3Steve Breaston
TE1Randy McMichael
2David Thomas
3Kevin Boss
4Josh Baker
5Steve Watson
6Daniel Graham
7Joe Sawyer
8Dedrick Epps
9Dominique Curry
10Martin Rucker
11Cameron Morrah
12Evan Moore
13Taylor Cook