The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AS teams fortify their rosters headed into the playoffs, one veteran player with Bahamian roots took advantage of the opportunity to continue his career as a journeyman reserve.

The Washington Redskins signed tight end Alex Smith as they look to secure the position that has been riddled with injuries all season long.

Used primarily as a blocker thus far, Smith has appeared in two games for the Redskins, both wins over Buffalo and Philadelphia.

A recent injury to Derek Carrier left the Redskins short at the position with Jordan Reed as the only healthy veteran at the position on the roster.

Carrier was the third Redskins tight end to suffer a season-ending injury this year following Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen.

Smith has a pre-existing relationship with current Washington head coach Jay Gruden from his days with the Bengals. Gruden served as offensive coordinator for the Bengals during some of the most productive offensive seasons for Smith, particularly in 2013 when he set several career highs.

An 11-year veteran, Smith spent the offseason with the New Orleans Saints but was released before the regular season.

In 2014 he spent most of the season as an injured reserve. Smith was released by the Bengals as they revamped the tight end position with new draft picks.

In 2013, Smith was the only tight end of the trio to appear in all 16 games for the Bengals. He caught three passes for 12 yards and one touchdown.

Smith is the son of Ed Smith, the first Bahamian drafted to the NFL when the Denver Broncos took him with the 319th selection in the 1973 Draft.

After a storied career at Stanford, the younger Smith was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

During his four-year tenure with the Bucs, Smith started 43 of 58 games, recorded 129 receptions for 1,252 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In 2009, he was traded to the New England Patriots for a fifth round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft but was subsequently released during final cuts in September. He followed with a three-year stint with the Cleveland Browns.

The 32-year old has appeared in 119 NFL games, with 57 starts. He has 163 receptions for 1,473 yards and 13 touchdowns.

During his tenure with the Buccaneers, the Smiths became a fixture in the development of local football when they hosted a series of summer clinics for potential players seeking scholarship opportunities in the United States.