Promotion

Chasing Barry

From Lions.com ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Kevin Smith spent the 2007 football season chasing Barry Sanders.

And Smith's pursuit of the Lions' Hall of Fame running back isn't going to end anytime soon, now that Detroit selected the former Central Florida standout as the first of their two third-round selections in the NFL Draft.

"I don't know if I'm going to be chasing him, but I'm glad to play for the organization he played for," Smith said.

Production and durability are qualities that the 6-foot-1, 217-pound Smith displayed in his three seasons with the Golden Knights.

Although he fell 62 yards short of breaking Sanders's single-season NCAA record of 2,628 yards, he shattered Marcus Allen's NCAA record of 405 rushing attempts. Smith carried the ball 450 times for 2,567 yards.

"I can't say I was chasing Barry, but the numbers were there," Smith said. "It was a great accomplishment and an outstanding achievement to be close to a legend like that."

Tim Salem, the offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Central Florida, said that Smith's pursuit of the record didn't consume him.

"He cared more about winning than the record," Salem said. "That's just how he feels. 'Give me the ball and let's win the game.'"

Smith was excited to get the call from the Lions, who swapped third-round picks with Miami, to make him the first pick of the Draft's second day.

"I knew this was the place I wanted to be," Smith said. "It's a dream come true. When I visited there I felt at home. I just wanted to stay there. I'm so happy right now I'm at a loss for words."

Lions president Matt Millen wasn't taking a chance that a team like Miami or St. Louis might snap up Smith before the Lions had their turn.

"We all liked him and didn't feel comfortable sitting there (with the 66th overall pick)," Millen said. "We're excited to get a guy who fits the system and also fits a need."

Smith thinks he'll be a perfect fit for the Lions' zone-running scheme under new offensive coordinator Jim Colletto. And he did his homework on the organization.

"They believe in the same things I believe in," Smith said. "They have a great quarterback, great receivers, great running backs. They believe in winning and doing things the right way. I had a long conversation with (running backs) coach (Sam) Gash and coach (Rod) Marinelli, and they let me know exactly what they were about, and that's exactly what I'm about.

"When I played at UCF we ran the inside-outside zone so much. I adapted and learned so well. That scheme for me has to be my No. 1 running style."

Salem, who coached with Coletto at Arizona State and Purdue, thinks that Smith will thrive in the Lions' offense.

"We could talk all day about Kevin Smith, but he's a competitor," Salem said. "He loves football. He'd play games at 12 noon or midnight, or if you're playing the University of Michigan or St. Mary's girls college, he'll come ready to play. I think what he has learned the last couple of years he's going to be a very good fit."

Marinelli likes him, too.

"He's tough, durable and physical," said the Lions' coach.