The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WITH the NFL offseason in full swing, one veteran player with Bahamian roots looks to continue his career as a journeyman reserve.

Alex Smith has emerged on the short list of options for the Denver Broncos as they look to replace acclaimed rookie tight end Jeff Heuerman.

Heuerman, a third round pick out of Ohio State, tore his ACL in Saturday’s afternoon practice session and is expected to miss the entire 2015 season.

According to ESPN staff writer Jeff Legwold, Smith is among consideration for the roster spot along with David Ausberry, Chase Coffman and Nick Kasa.

Smith’s former teammate in Cincinnati, Jermaine Gresham, and Zach Miller have also been mentioned as options, however both have dealt with injury riddled 2014 seasons.

The Broncos currently have four roster spots available and stand at 86 players.

A 10-year veteran who spent all last season injured reserve, both Smith and Gresham were 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, recording 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.