In their first meeting, the Wildcat ran wild. Miami's star running back and New England's head coach tackle the unorthodox formation. Plus, news and notes from Wednesday's practice.
The Patriots head into Sunday's game at Miami tied with the Dolphins for second place in a highly competitive AFC East. The winner of the contest will answer a few questions heading down the stretch toward the postseason. For all the other questions surrounding the Patriots we bring another wide-ranging edition of Ask PFW.
After seeing the Dolphins' Wildcat formation rip it to shreds in Week 3, New England is doing everything it can to prevent a repeat performance this weekend.
Joey Porter's running his mouth again. Read all about that and the other news and notes leading up to this weekend's Patriots-Dolphins game in today's Patriots.com News Blitz.
Le Kevin Smith was born the son of Kimberly Smith on July 21, 1982 ... Named to the 2003 Big 12 Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll ... Attended Stratford (Macon, Ga.) Academy, where he became one of the top high school defensive linemen in the country ... Named the USA Today Georgia Player of the Year and was an All-American according to Super Prep and Rivals.com ... Helped Stratford Academy win two Class 3A state titles ... Had 87 tackles (45 solos), including 20 stops for losses as a senior ... Also caused two fumbles, recovered four fumbles (one for a touchdown), one interception, 13 quarterback pressures and a blocked punt that he returned 48 yards for a touchdown ... First-team coaches' All-State defensive lineman and the Macon Telegraph's All-City Player of the Year ... Four-year letter-winner in track, winning three state titles in the discus and two in the shot put ... His performance helped Stratford Academy to three straight track titles ... His toss of 185'5" in the discus ranked first in the state, while his mark of 59' 9 1/2" in the shot was second ... Graduated from Nebraska in December 2005 with a degree in Construction Management.
Career Transactions
Le Kevin Smith was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round (206th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft.
2006 Season
2006 (3/0/2/11): Buffalo (9/10): Did not play in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Inactive. Denver (9/24):Dressed but did not play. at Cincinnati (10/1): Inactive. vs. Miami (10/8): Inactive. at Buffalo (10/22): Inactive. at Minnesota (10/30): Inactive. Indianapolis (11/5): Inactive. vs. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Inactive. at Green Bay (11/19): Inactive. vs. Chicago (11/26): Inactive. vs. Detroit (12/3): Inactive. at Miam (12/10): Inactive. vs. Houston (12/17): Saw limited action as a reserve at nose tackle and collected a tackle in the Patriots' commanding 40-7 victory over the Texans. at Jacksonville (12/24): Saw limited action on the defensive front in goalline situations in the Patriots' 24-21 division-clinching win over the Jaguars. at Tennessee (12/31): Saw limited action on the defensive line and posted a tackle in the Patriots' 40-23 victory over the Titans.
2006 Postseason (0/0/0/3): vs. N.Y. Jets (1/7): Inactive. at San Diego (1/14): Inactive. at Indianapolis (1/21): Inactive.
College
Started 35 of 49 games at Nebraska, recording 9.5 sacks for 55 yards and 36 tackles for losses of 112 yards ... His 36 tackles for losses were the seventh-highest total in Cornhusker history and the second highest total by any defensive lineman in school annals ... Only Jim Skow (1982- 85) had more tackles for losses as a defensive lineman at Nebraska ... Also recorded an interception with a 14-yard return, 20 quarterback pressures, three passes defensed and a fumble recovery ... Missed only one game during his collegiate career ... Topped the 40-tackle mark in all four of his seasons as a Husker. 2005 (Senior): Started all 12 games at weak-side defensive tackle and recorded 43 tackles (23 solos) with a career-high six sacks for 35 yards and a career-high 13 stops for losses of 54 yards ... Registered seven quarterback pressures and returned an interception 14 yards ... Also defl ected a pass, playing a key part as the defense led the nation with 50 quarterback sacks and 124 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. 2004 (Junior): Started all 11 games at nose guard and received Associated Press All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention ... Led all Nebraska defensive linemen with 43 tackles (18 solos) with 2.5 sacks for 14 yards and 11 stops for losses of 29 yards ... His 11 tackles for losses ranked second among all Husker defenders ... Collected four quarterback pressures ... Helped the Huskers rank second on the Big 12 and in the top 15 nationally against the run ... Nebraska allowed just 104.0 rushing yards per game, ranking 11th in the nation. 2003 (Sophomore): Started all 12 games at right defensive tackle ... Registered 44 tackles (20 solos) with six stops for losses of 18 yards ... Defl ected two passes and had four quarterback pressures ... Also recovered a fumble ... Helped the Huskers defense lead the nation in turnover differential and rank in the top 15 nationally in four major defensive categories ... Recorded a career-high 10 tackles (7 solo) at Missouri ... Recovered a fumble against Texas A&M as part of a team effort that netted a school-record eight takeaways on the day. 2002 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 14 games as a reserve defensive tackle and was selected as a member of The Sporting News' All-Big 12 Freshman team ... Recorded 42 tackles (16 solos) with a 6-yard sack and six stops for losses of 11 yards ... Also had five quarterback pressures ... Had five games with four or more tackles ... Capped his freshman year with a season-high five tackles in the Independence Bowl. 2001 (Redshirt): Redshirted and did not play as a true freshman.
High School
Attended Stratford (Macon, Ga.) Academy, playing football for head coach Rodney Collins...One of the top defensive linemen in the country at Stratford Academy...Named the USA Today Georgia Player of the Year and was an All-American according to Super Prep and Rivals.com...Played defensive tackle and some offensive tackle in short yardage and goal-line situations, helping Stratford Academy win two Class 3A state titles...Had 87 tackles (45 solos), including 20 stops for losses as a senior...Also caused two fumbles, recovered four fumbles (one for a touchdown), had an interception, thirteen quarterback pressures and a blocked punt that he returned 48 yards for a touchdown...First-team coaches' All-State defensive lineman and the Macon Telegraph's All-City Player of the Year...Also earned the Macon Touchdown Club Lineman of the Year and Georgia Player of the Year honors...Four-year letter-winner in track, winning three state titles in the discus and two in the shot put...His performance helped Stratford Academy to three straight track titles...His toss of 185'5" in the discus ranked first in the state, while his mark of 59' 9 1/2" in the shot was second.
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