Benjamin Watson is the starter with a Patriots pedigree and a big contract.
Evan Moore is the backup with wide receiver skills and a new multiyear extension worth millions.
Jordan Cameron is a rookie fourth-round draft pick with a basketball background and famous Southern California friends.
Then there’s Alex Smith. The forgotten man in the tight end room made people remember Sunday that he’s still around and can be a valuable contributor.
“He’s a steady player and I really have a strong appreciation for what he is,” coach Pat Shurmur said Monday. “Primarily a blocker, but we threw him the ball a couple times and he made big plays.”
The Browns used a significant amount of two-tight end sets in a 27-19 win over the Colts, and the vast majority of the time it was Smith along with Watson. Shurmur wanted to pound the ball on the ground, and Smith is a much better blocker than Moore or Cameron. Smith also reminded everyone he can catch — he entered the season with 133 in his career — grabbing three passes for 19 yards.
“I just think the more you can do, teams look at that the more they can use you and feel comfortable with you out there,” Smith said.
Smith almost capped the day with a touchdown in the corner of the end zone in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t quite get both feet down.
“I tried to make a play for the team and I came up a little short,” he said. “Just to have Coach call my number right there, it was a big boost for me. Hopefully I can come down with it next time.”
His roster spot seemed in jeopardy at the start of training camp after the pick of Cameron, but Smith (6-foot-4, 258 pounds) proved too valuable to cut loose. If running with Peyton Hillis is a priority, two blocking tight ends are required.
“We definitely know we have a weapon with Peyton and Montario (Hardesty) and I think that’s how our offense is going to get started,” said Smith, a seven-year veteran. “We have to follow behind them and get that run game kicked up and I think that makes the passing game that much easier for us.”
The return to relevance means a lot to Smith. He played in just three games in 2010 and was inactive for 11, catching one 6-yard pass. He was the fourth tight end behind Watson, Moore and Robert Royal, who wasn’t brought back this year. The downtime was quite a change for Smith, who was a third-round pick of Tampa Bay in 2005 and started 48 games in his first five years.
“I was definitely excited about the opportunity just to be back out there,” he said. “It’s been awhile. To be out there and be able to contribute this week felt real good.”
General manager Tom Heckert spent 2009 in Philadelphia with Smith, who played all 16 games with five starts and three catches. Smith signed a two-year deal with the Browns in 2010 after Heckert took over.
He was glad to see Shurmur hired and bring in the West Coast Offense he played in his entire career before 2010. The new coach felt like a fresh start.
“I just definitely have a comfort level with this offense and I thought I’d be able to contribute a little bit more this year,” Smith said. “I’ve just been trying to go out and work and try to stay humble.”
Under coach Eric Mangini last season, Watson led the team in receptions and never left the field. Moore was an athletic target in the passing game, and Royal was the go-to blocker. That left no role for Smith.
“I can’t sit up here and lie to you and say it was easy. It was definitely a trying time,” he said. “I’ve gone from starting four or five years of my career to not even being active. But me sulking wasn’t going to get me anywhere. Just had to keep working.”
According to Smith, he wasn’t always a strong blocker and he’s improved as he’s gotten older. For the Browns, his first responsibility is bringing a physical presence.
“In games where you’re battling it out for 5-yard chunks, that’s when you see a guy like Alex show up and I think he did that,” Shurmur said of the Colts game.
Smith won’t see as much playing time every week, depending on the opponent and game plan. But he won’t be complaining.
“We have a lot of weapons and it’s hard to get everybody on the field all at the same time,” he said. “I think the coaches have done a good job of rotating people in.
“When that red zone comes, you can best believe Evan’s going to be on the field and I understand. That’s something he’s great at. There’s things I’m able to do and contribute that’s helping us all win.”
He reminded everyone Sunday.
