Before I start, I want to address my most recent post. Earlier this week, I let the intrusive thoughts win. I opened myself up to getting roasted in the comment section, and you all brought me back. I had a paranoid thought and made the mistake of sharing it on the internet. I want you all to know, I learned from that mistake. That said, J.J. McCarthy is still the future and he will lead us to Super Bowl glory one day.
Today’s post isn’t about McCarthy. It is about my favorite player to ever play for the purple. Although I am going to hope for one more year, this might be the final homestand of Harrison’s Smith’s career.
A Great Memory
Yesterday’s game has me thinking week four of the 2012 NFL season when the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Detroit Lions for a week 4 divisional showdown. Some of you probably already know where this is going, but for those who maybe don’t, this was Harrison Smith’s first-ever game against a division rival. In the year that he was drafted 29th overall, Smith had an excellent rookie season. That year, he played all 16 games, racked up 106 combined tackles, one sack, 10 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, 2 of which he returned for touchdowns, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. It was a truly remarkable rookie season, which led me to purchasing the last jersey I’d need for 13 years.
The entire season was great, it was a moment in that week four game against Detroit that made me a Harrison Smith fan. It was 2nd and goal for Detroit on the 18 yard line. The broadcast has just returned from a game break. Matthew Stafford lines up in the shotgun with three wide receivers out wide. The Vikings appear to be in a nickel formation. Calvin Johnson, aka Megatron lines up in the slot.
Johnson powers by his defender down the seam and Stafford rips a ball into his arms for a sure touchdown. However, lying in wait is Harrison Smith, who lays a perfect hit on Johnson and knocks the ball free on the would-be touchdown catch. Megatron is known as one of the best ever to play the game of football. However, on this particular play, Harrison Smith was the better player. I could watch this a million times and never get tired of it. Not only did he knock the ball loose, but he also hit Calvin Johnson so hard that he made him regret some life choices.
(I hope I embedded this properly. If not, play starts at 49:31 on the video).
That was the play that made me a fan of Harrison Smith. It’s rare that an NFL player gets to play his entire career for the same team. We are so fortunate as fans to be able to witness a player of such caliber play for as long as he has. I honestly don’t think this is going to be the last season for Smith. I know he is getting up there in age, but the end of the season has left hope that this team can contend next year. I would love nothing more than Smith to finish career making a deep playoff run, because he deserves it as much as any other player in the NFL.
He is still chasing history and has already cemented himself as a future hall-of-fame candidate. After the Christmas Day win, Harrison Smith is only one interception away from being one of three players in NFL history to have 40 interceptions and 20 sacks. Achieving that feat would mean that he would join Ronde Barber and Charles Woodson in that illustrious club. There are currently seven players in the 30 interception, 20 sack club, including Harrison Smith. His sack last night gives him one of those very specific stats of having the 5th-most sacks of members on the 30/20 club. Specific or not, it is damn impressive.
It’s not over until it’s over
There is an idea floating around in the ether that if Harrison Smith hangs up his cleats, he could make his foray into coaching. If that came to fruition, I would be incredibly happy to see his presence remain with the Minnesota Vikings franchise. He has been a part of this organization for so long, that I don’t know how I’m going to handle it once he’s gone. I hope this isn’t the end. I think if he gets interception number 40 in the final game of the 2025 season, that might be enough for him to be fulfilled. However, I hope he’s greedy and wants to put the finishing touches on his career with one more season. I will be cheering for it the rest of this season and the offseason ONE MORE YEAR. ONE MORE YEAR. ONE MORE YEAR. We can manifest it together. I believe in us.
Here’s to another sack and/or interception for Harrison Smith!
Until Next Skol.
- Jesse M.
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