ROGERS COLUMN: Smith's weaknesses now showing

Rough weekend? Blow too much money for too little fun?

Sorry about that. But no whining around Andre Smith. He really had a bad weekend.

The former University of Alabama offensive tackle apparently made quite an impression at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.

In what amounts to the biggest job interview to date for aspiring professional football players, Smith likely cost himself millions of dollars.

I guess Smith’s new agent, Alvin Kells — his second agent in two months — didn’t advise his client that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Hard to figure which mode of Smith’s behavior most aggravated NFL scouts. Was it announcing that he wasn’t going to work out in Indy? Was it being overweight? Was it being out of shape? Was it going AWOL, leaving the combine early without informing organizers?

The man who two months ago was considered a potential No. 1, 2 or 3 overall pick apparently now is considered one of the top three tackles in the draft, perhaps a mid- to late first-round selection.

Smith’s combine saga is bizarre. You shake your head and wonder who is advising this guy. He got sent home from New Orleans when Alabama coach Nick Saban said he violated team rules. The coach wasn’t going to risk eligibility concerns or an institutional control question on a player that may have had illegal or inappropriate contact with an agent.

But, as the Alabama beat reporter for the Dothan Eagle, I’ve got a couple observations that won’t excuse Smith’s behavior, but they might explain some of it.

I’ve thought most of the season that Smith is one of the best players at his position in the country. Still do. But I’ve never gotten the impression that he craves the competition, that he loves to play football. He’s just better at it than everybody else his size. The NFL will be Smith’s profession, not his passion.

Yes, we’ve seen him crush opponents on great hustle plays. We’ve seen him blindside linebackers, nearly rearranging their limbs in the process. We’ve seen him bury defensive backs 40 yards downfield. That is him executing to the best of his ability.

That is what Saban and offensive line coach Joe Pendry demanded of him. He was told to get stronger and lose weight. He did it. He was told to concentrate on his technique. He did. He was told to block downfield. He did.

He’s not a bad guy. He does what his coaches demand of him. But it was their idea, not his. Be at this weight. Lift weights at this time. Eat this. Learn this play.

But since his college career ended, who has made demands on Smith? What consequences have there been for a skipped workout? A missed curfew? A late-night snack?

In other words, removed from the rigors of Saban’s exacting standards, it was up to Smith’s drive, ambition and love of the game to continue them.

The weekend was an indication that things have gotten off track.

Yes, he will shed the weight he’s gained since his college career ended. He may even be ready for Alabama’s Pro Day March 11, when NFL scouts will watch him, finally, work out in Tuscaloosa.

Coaches sometimes tell their players, “I can’t want it more than you do.”

From my point of view, that’s exactly Smith’s problem. I’m not sure he does.

Ken Rogers covers Alabama sports for the Dothan Eagle.