Smith, for what it’s worth, has played 575 defensive snaps out of a possible 584 in those games (98.5%).
“I think early in the year we were figuring out exactly what our individual roles were,” Smith explained, “and there was a lot of good, but it wasn’t quite as tight. And then we’ve gotten maybe a little more aggressive in some things and I think it’s more just the belief in that. Without getting too into detail, it’s a scheme that most guys have not come up playing (in), with these rules and these techniques and stuff.”
Smith attributed the surge, which dates to Week 9 at Detroit, to players buying into the concept of carrying out their assignments because “it makes sense for the totality of the defense,” and time on task.
The quintessential safety who’s played 206 regular-season games and eight in the playoffs for the most successful team by winning percentage that’s never hoisted a Lombardi Trophy (.550) has sweat and blood equity in the franchise. A Viking since April 26, 2012, he should be embraced as one forever by spectators and storytellers and really anyone privy to his run, thanks to what he’s done for Minnesota.
While fielding questions about his emotions and his future, Smith shared perspective on the present.
“I’ve definitely been on some great defenses over the years and had phenomenal performances. But when you’re bumped out of the playoffs, there’s just some realities that set in, and to have the players that we have — a lot of guys have been Pro Bowlers, guys that have made money or whatever — it’s very easy to think, like, ‘Ah, I’m not going to go all-in. I’m going to think about my career here,’ which is — it’s not unreasonable, right? But there’s something about this group on defense, like, we just — when you get between the lines, you just kind of go all-out. And I don’t why exactly but it makes it fun.
“You just — like I said, I forget my age,” Smith continued. “I forget all that (and) just enjoy the moment.”