Shaun Smith--Get a Life

Shaun Smith, former defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals and current Cleveland Brown, had some harsh words for a certain former teammate of his following the Browns loss to his former club.  Surprisingly, he didn't call out Coach Marvin Lewis for letting him go, or Chad Johnson for his antics.  Smith called out the Bengals' kicker.  That's right...the kicker, Shayne Graham.

Smith was quoted in Tuesday's Cincinnati Enquirer as blaming Graham for the Bengals' failure to make the playoffs last season.  Smith went so far as stating he hated Graham for that. 

This tirade explained a lot, as Graham was seen pushing Smith out of his face following a field goal in Sunday's game.  Just watching it on television, it was difficult to identify the Browns' player that was challenging the diminutive kicker.  One thing was clear, however.  Whomever Graham was jawing with was quickly getting under his skin.

By way of background, Graham's missed extra point in the Bengals' loss to Denver on Christmas Eve. knocked the Bengals out of a wild card spot.  Yes, Graham missed the kick.  Yes, the kick would've tied the game and sent it into overtime.  Yes, that game would have clinched a wild card spot.

Let's not forget the Bengals lost eight games that season.  The Bengals defense was just a tick better than this season--which is to say, they sucked then, too.  Of course, who was on last year's defense?  Shaun Smith, among others.  He wasn't even a starter in Cincy, either.

To say Graham blew the playoff spot is technically correct, but characteristic of the mentality of Smith.  He's missing the forest for the trees.  If the Bengals' defense had been better, they would've had the spot clinched before the fifteenth game of the season.  If he had done his job, he wouldn't have had to rely on the kicker to win him a playoff spot.

Maybe if Shaun Smith would keep his mouth shut, the Browns can still limp into the last playoff spot this year.  Of course, if they don't, who can he blame then?