NFL: Preseason-Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles

Aug 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Marcus Smith (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Marcus Gilbert (77) battle during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Steelers, 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

(Eric Hartline)

By the time it was over, Eagles linebacker Marcus Smith's rookie season became a bit of a punchline.

The 26th selection of the 2014 draft out of Louisville played in just 74 defensive snaps and was used even more sparingly on special teams faced criticism from all angles in a forgettable first NFL season.

While he says that he tries to block out the outside noise, Smith took ownership of the criticism during an interview with myself and Joe Staszak Saturday afternoon on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia.

"I'm kind of blind to all that stuff," Smith said. "The first time I heard about criticism was when the media or somebody brings it up [to me]. I usually don't look at newspaper clippings, listen to radio shows or even what the media says.

"Again, you can't get caught up with that stuff, especially when you know what's going on on the inside. I know that the coaches are coaching me up, training me up to be able to play and be a playmaker at that position."

Just this week, former Eagles assistant coach Tra Thomas said that the 6-foot-3, 253 pound Smith had the body type of a 'high school athlete or college athlete,' which seems to gel with head coach Chip Kelly's repeated assessment that he needs to see more consistency from him in practice.

Smith said Saturday that that analysis of where his career currently stands isn't anything new to him.

"What I'll say is ... Tra was right," Smith said. "My body type has to change. I can't look like a quarterback forever. That's what I used to play. I'm still, during the season trying to look like that type. Right now I'm 265 [pounds], I'm really eating well, trying to maintain that weight ... I'm running with that weight and I'm feeling really good right now.

"Everything that Tra has said, he's already told me before. When he says that,It's just the truth. I just have to get bigger and stronger and be productive at that weight so the coaches can be impressed."

After a season in which he started the year at outside linebacker and then shifted inside once DeMeco Ryans suffered a season-ending injury and depth at the position was tested, Smith says that he expects to return to the outside linebacker position in 2015.

Smith is spending his offseason working out in Atlanta Georgia under the tutelage of Chuck Smith working on his pass rushing techniques and former John Lewis (brother of former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns running back Jamaal Lewis) on his footwork.

"I just want to come back ready to go the right way," Smith said. "I'm feeling good and I just want to have the opportunity to showcase my talent. I think last year was a very good learning experience for me. It gave me a chip on my shoulder coming into this year."

In order to improve on a season that resulted in limited playing time without even registering a tackle, Smith says he knows what he needs to do to at the very least get into the rotation at linebacker.

"To be honest," Smith said. "I'm really hungry and I can't wait to get back around the guys and be able to show again what I'm all about. It's not about anything else. It's about my teammates and the team. Chip is great. I just want to play well for him.

"Just make plays. Go out there and be the difference maker. You have to go out there and play the game. Beat be disruptive. Don't be passive. You can know everything that the coaches tell you but at the same time, just don't think about it. I think that's the key to staying on the field and staying on this team."



Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975. Find NJ.com Philadelphia Sports on Facebook