Aaron Smith on IR

[YoungMoneyFam]

http://rotoworld.com/player/nfl/642/aaron-smith

[stillers4me]

Just getting ready to post and ya beat me to it!

http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1269370077/edphoto1_normal.jpgEdBouchette (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/EdBouchette)Ed Bouchette



#steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/search?q=%23steelers) place Aaron Smith on IR ending his season & maybe his career. Sign Corbin Bryant DL from practice squad

[BigNastyDefense]

I'm glad they did that. Carrying him on the roster was killing our OL depth. He has been an absolutely great player for us, but his body just can't take the toll of the NFL anymore. It's sad that his career is probably going to end with another stint on the IR.

[stillers4me]

Sad day for Steeler Nation.

This could be it for a tremendous player and even better man.

http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/1427102760/Head_normal.jpgDejan_Kovacevic (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/Dejan_Kovacevic)Dejan Kovacevic



Two words Aaron Smith spoke to me after rough game in Indy resonate right now: "I'm tired." ... It comes even for the best. #Steelers (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/search?q=%23Steelers)

[stillers4me]

Dejan Kovacevic's Blog (http://blog.triblive.com/dejan-kovacevic) http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png (http://blog.triblive.com/dejan-kovacevic/feed/)A place to talk Pittsburgh Sports




A look at the great Aaron Smith (http://blog.triblive.com/dejan-kovacevic/2011/10/22/a-look-at-the-great-aaron-smith/)

The Steelers made the move everyone saw coming, even as we all were trying to look away.

Aaron Smith, the linchpin defensive end of the 3-4 formation that carried the franchise to another wave of NFL glory, was placed on injured reserve by the team this afternoon. That officially ends his 2011 season and, at age 35, probably his career, too. Defensive lineman Corbin Bryant was signed off the practice squad to take his place. The moves were announced Saturday afternoon, just before the team’s charter left Pittsburgh for Phoenix.
Smith played in only nine games in 2009-10 because of shoulder and triceps injuries, then was out of the lineup again this season after injuring his foot earlier this month. He was replaced last season by youngster Ziggy Hood, and that’s how it will be now, as well.
It makes for a sad, sputtering end to a brilliant career. When Smith is remembered, it will be as someone appreciated far more within the game than outside it............

read more @ http://blog.triblive.com/dejan-kovacevic/2011/10/22/a-look-at-the-great-aaron-smith/#.TqMXEqxj1wE.twitter

[polamalubeast]

Great player, but didn't look the same this season...

[XxKnightxX]

You know at this point you cant even compare it to a football related manner. The guy is just battering his body and it seems as his body doesnt have that football driven purpose. Tomlin must of did this to save the guy some pain from the future. Aaron, you have been AMAZING these years, you have set the standard of what 3-4 DEs should be like. Hopefully we can win one more for ya, and you can retire pain free my friend. Maybe look into coaching if you would like. Thank you, now go to your children and rest.

[Count Steeler]

He gave up his body for the Steelers. Thanks Aaron. Hope the Steelers have a nice tribute for him.

[86WARD]

Great career! He'll be missed...but it had to be done...shoulda been done last year.

[fansince'76]

Thanks for the memories, Aaron. You'll be missed. :drink:

[Merchant]

WAS an amazing player. Probably the best 3-4 end of the decade. We knew this was coming for some time now. Hence the drafting of Heyward in the 1st round.

[st33lersguy]

Thanks Aaron for a great, hardnose career

[Edman]

It's happens to every NFL player. The time comes to simply hang it up. I'm sure Aaron wants to keep going, but his body is saying "No More". It's hard to let go of the game, but his own life and family is more important.

God Bless You Aaron Smith. Others may not have given you credit, you were constantly underrated because you didn't play a glamourous position in the NFL, but you were an excellent Steeler, the best at what he did, and will certainly be missed. The ultimate 'lunch pail' guy. Cheers to you big guy and thanks for all the memories. Go home and rest.

Sure we have Heyward and Hood, but I don't think they will have the prescence Aaron had. Aaron in his prime was easily among the elite 3-4 Ends in the league for many years. I remember him going down in 2007 and the Run D fell apart, and the next year came back and the D kicked ass on the way to XLIII, his last complete season. HE WILL be missed.

[Devilsdancefloor]

Wow even knowing it was coming still bummed out about it THANKS for everything

[kmsteelerwr15]

Very sad day. I thank him for everything he has done for the team.

[Psycho Ward 86]

We knew it was coming but it's going to take a while for it to sink in. Thanks for the memories Smith!

[Burghfan58]

Nothing flashy about his name or his style of play. Just a hard workin lunch pail player.

[steel striker]

What a great player and, Aaron you will be missed.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Thanks for the memories, Aaron. You'll be missed. :drink:

I agree. Shame that his career had to end with all of these injuries.

[salamander]

A sad day in Steeler nation. Thanks for all you've done, Aaron!

[YoungMoneyFam]

Lets just hope the young guys learned something from him!

[Moose]

A truly sad day for Steeler Nation, a super player and alot of history is going to end with this guy. I'm glad that we had him for the time we did. I hope everything works out well for Aaron in the long run. Thanks Aaron for the player you've been for the Steeler's, but it does look like the time has come to call it the end. The past few seasons have just been too hard on him and his body is taking the toll for it. Now's time for a new, young player to step up and try to fill some big shoes, to learn what Aaron did to make him what he is. Good Luck !!

[Psycho Ward 86]

Lets just hope the young guys learned something from him!

At least we were able to give Heyward one year under his belt with one of the best ever. He'll still be in great hands, everyone knows John Mitchell is one of the best in the business. And Dick Lebeau is Dick Lebeau.

[GutterflowerSteel]

At least Aaron will go out as a Steeler :tt02: Thanks for everything, Big Guy :hug:

[ALLD]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRwwUZLV-IE

[Count Steeler]

OK defense, time to pay tribute to one of your teammates, a solid kick ass performance is due tomorrow.

[stillers4me]

I think what has had me bummed out all day is knowing that Aaron is just the first of many beloved players we will have to say goodbye to in the next few years. They really had a great run.. Let's hope the young guys are absorbing like sponges and can carry the future in the great tradition of all great Steelers past! :drink:

[GodfatherofSoul]

God bless you, Aaron Smith and everything you did for this organization.

[zulater]

Sorry it had to end this way for a great Steeler. But these last few seasons don't diminish the great career he had. The best 3-4 DE in Steeler history!

[7willBheaven]

Wow...this kinda shocked me...I thought this was just a minor injury...must not be healing as quick/etc and they figured this was the best option at this point and time. And i too can see it as the end of his career regardless if he's under contract next year or not. A great player in his day and sad its come to so many injury plagued seasons lately. If this is the end...thanks for all you've done Aaron.

[BigNastyDefense]

Hopefully Heyward and Hood are both in his ear for the rest of this season getting advice on everything from how to play the position to how to be a professional.

Aaron Smith was one of the most underrated players not just in Steelers history, but NFL history. While many people in the media may not recognize how great of a player he was, Steeler Nation and anyone who ever lined up across from him on a football field do.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/906059-pittsburgh-steelers-the-aaron-smith-era-comes-to-an-end

An article I wrote after I heard the news.

[O'Malley]

One word describes Aaron.... LEGEND....

[The Duke]

Damn, just finding out about this. Guy truly made me love defensive lines, I'll miss him

[Craic]

I know everyone is thinking about Aaron the player.

But honestly, this is what will stick out in my mind the most about him.

The story of what he and his son went through, starts about 5 minutes in, but the entire vid. is good. http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-presents/09000d5d81c108fb

[katmandu]

Thanks for the memories, Aaron. You'll be missed. :drink:x2.

THANK YOU AARON !! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

[suitanim]

Bummer. Great player, better person.

[HometownGal]

This absolutely breaks my heart but I think we all knew it was inevitable. :Cry: Great player, great teammate, great family man and a great overall guy. Aaron - you will be missed very much but you will always live on in all of our black and gold hearts. You are the true definition of what being a Pittsburgh Steeler is all about. :hug: :tt03:

[Galax Steeler]

Thanks Aaron for the memories what a player you were for the Steelers.

[Austin87]

WOW, I didn't know the injury was this serious. Sad way to end a great career. Can't see him coming back after this.

[stillers4me]

http://a1.twimg.com/profile_images/1099965827/TweetLogo_normal.jpgSteelersDigest (http://www.steelersuniverse.com/#!/SteelersDigest)Steelers Digest



The injury that landed Aaron Smith on IR was to his neck, not his foot.

[7willBheaven]

Just read about the the neck thing here:

http://plus.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/pro-sports/steelers/112722-ed-neck-injury-not-foot-drove-smith-to-ir

Interesting for sure.

[steel9guy]

Gonna miss the guy and Steelers Nation needs to be thankful for his years of service. That being said this could help us develop younger guys and get Ziggy in more because Aaron didn't look right this year. Thanks for your service Aaron.