What did the draft picks say about Rookie Minicamp?

LB Nolan Smith: It’s all about the details

Already, technique is in play. Linebacker Nolan Smith is working with Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers Coach Jeremiah Washburn and absorbing lessons on the little things about his game.

“Ton of advice. Ton of things I learned, from fixing my lines to simple pass-rushing things from simple stances. You could say I love Coach Wash,” Smith said. “He’s getting me right as far as fixing my lines, my aiming points. He’s coaching me how I want to be coached.”

The point it, it’s all about technique in the NFL. You can win with talent alone in college, but it takes much more than that at this level. Smith played at 242 pounds at Georgia and after losing a few pounds in the pre-draft process, he’s packing it back on.”

Smith thinks that new Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai used “smaller” linebackers like him when Desai was the defensive coordinator with the Bears very effectively, but Smith isn’t sure how the Eagles will use him. He said he is excited to meet Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick soon – the rookies will leave Philadelphia after this weekend and then return on May 15, per college rules – and trade ideas and absorb knowledge from Reddick.

“Media always knock us on the same thing. Certain guys like me – Von Miller’s not knocked on anymore because he’s proven himself – guys like us that are undersized guys, I just want to know certain things that he does about his game, how he approaches the game, how does he study. So many questions I have to ask,” Smith said. “I just want to learn.”