NEW YORK – Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, do we have a special treat for you today on our one year anniversary. Happy Anniversary! As the marquee reads above this article, we have New York Giants WR Steve Smith in the house. Steve was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule and answer a few of our questions and yes fans, this is the real Steve Smith (he has since added this story to his facebook wall). In fact, Steve Smith will forever go down in history as the first interview ever for nygreporter.com. We are thankful to Steve (and his agent) and very thankful for all of the good things happening to us lately.

Steve Smith comes from an elite college football program at USC. I forgot to mention that I was at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 6th, 2003 and saw USC beat BYU 35-18, Smith was on the USC roster at the time and so was Terrell Thomas. They went on to win the Rose Bowl that season and both eventually made it to the NFL. Not surprisingly, the two former/current teammates are two of the best players on the team. Clearly products from an elite program under the tutelage of solid coaches.

Smith has done quite a bit in his short career with Big Blue. This includes getting himself out of the shadow of another NFL player in Carolina who shares the same name. He is breaking Giants WR records and he’s been to the Pro Bowl. Smith has become QB Eli Manning’s favorite target when the team needs a big play and he never complains when asked to sacrifice for the team. He has a Super Bowl ring and has established himself as a top tier NFL wide receiver. He is also a fan favorite for his laid back and cool style which compliments his skills on the field. No.12 jerseys (Steve Smith Jerseys and Collectibles) be seen all over the tri-state area and you have to sit back and wonder what Smith could possibly do in 2011, that will have fans rooting for him even more? Will he break another record or get back to the pro bowl in Hawaii? We will all have to wait and see but one thing is for sure, Steve Smith is going to play hard and be a huge asset for the New York Giants. Please join us, as Steve shares his thoughts on the G-Men and his NFL career right now.

I cannot think of a better way to say thank you to our readers, then by having Steve Smith do this interview. So, here he is (you get the Apollo Creed intro Steve) the Super Bowl Champion, Giants Record Holdin’, All American First Teamer, Ice Cold Pro Bowl Player, Number 12 Wearin’, Ten Table Ring Havin’, silent assassin Wide Receiver who catches everything in sight, Mr. Steve “One Two” Smith. (you can use the “One Two” nickname Steve)

The nygreporter Steve Smith Interview

RD/Q1: Hello Steve, welcome to nygreporter.com and thank you for doing this interview. With the 2011 NFL Draft coming up next month, my mind always wanders to the rookies and what they have to go through during the transition process. When you first arrived in the NFL after playing football at USC, what were your personal expectations during that rookie season?

Steve Smith: My expectations were to come in and make an impact. Just like I did at USC. Unfortunately, injuries set me back for most of the year but once I got healthy towards the end of the season, I showed what I could do.

RD/Q2: Winning a Super Bowl ring in your rookie season is crazy and something very few NFL players can own. What is your favorite memory from that entire life experience?

Steve Smith: Yeah, it was crazy. It was an unbelievable experience and I enjoyed the whole ride, from beating the Cowboys on the road to beating the Packers and Brett Favre and of course beating the Patriots. I remember it all like it was yesterday and it makes me hungry to get back and win another ASAP.

RD/Q3: By now, the fans have all seen what the Giants XLII Championship ring looks like, it is magnificent. Other then Michael Strahan (with all do respect of course), what player from the 2007 team shows off their ten table bling the most? Is it Sam Madison lol?

Steve Smith: You know what, that’s a good question. I feel like most guys keep it in a safe place, as I do and don’t show it off too much. It’s something we all treasure and don’t want to lose.

RD/Q4: The amount of recent injuries endured by the G-Men has been staggering from a fans perspective. Steve, you are inside the locker room, how frustrating has it been for you personally and for the other players to have to deal with the wave of injuries the past two seasons?

Steve Smith: It has definitely been frustrating but it’s a part of the game and everybody realizes that. That’s why it is important to have good depth and good leadership.

RD/Q5: How are you feeling yourself, Steve? The team was not the same without you on the field last season and we all hope you are back to 100% soon. I would also like to point out, that I believe I was the first person to call you Steve “the silent assassin” Smith. Did you know this was one of your nicknames (do you like it?) and do you have any other interesting nicknames the fans might not know about?

Steve Smith: I am feeling great! I am working hard everyday in rehab and I’m right on schedule. I’ve never heard of that nickname (the silent assassin) and I am not as silent as you may think. Another nickname I’ve gotten from fans is “3rd and Smith” (in reference to all of my 3rd down catches) and then “Scuba Steve” is one from my college days.

RD/Q6: You have seen some drastic player moves since you were drafted by the Giants back in the day (you’re a veteran now). What are the top player acquisitions you have seen since your arrival in New York in 2007? Also, which young Giants player is on the rise in your opinion?

Steve Smith: I think bringing in veteran safety Antrel Rolle was a great move because he is a Pro Bowler at a position we needed help with. I think that one stands out the most but there are a ton of other moves that were important as well. All of which contribute to making us a very dangerous team in 2011.

RD/Q7: What are your goals for the 2011 NFL season? I have practically guaranteed that the Giants will not miss the playoffs for a third year in a row. I do not apologize for my aggression in that statement. Do you feel the same way? Do you think the Giants will return to the playoffs in 2011?

Steve Smith: There is no doubt in my mind that we will return to the playoffs in 2011 and do some damage when we get there. Our one and only goal is to win the Super Bowl, so nothing else matters. Personally, my goal for 2011 is to be 100% healthy for the entire season and help my teammates matter as well.

RD/Q8: The Wide Receiver group has a ton of talent. I can’t remember the last time this group was so deep with good players. How do you get along with your fellow WR’s and who is your best friend on the team?

Steve Smith: They’re my best friends. Hakeem, Mario and I are very close and hang out a lot off the field.

RD/Q9: The Giants have 21 free agents to work on this off season. That is a lot of work to do and something the team has been addressing this past week with a few signings (Ware, Hixon and Reynaud). Do you want to play your entire NFL career with Big Blue? Also, how does it feel to have the Giants all-time record for receptions (107) in a single season?

Steve Smith: Of course I want to stay in New York my entire career. Having the record feels great but it is not something I really think too much about because I am focused on the future and not the past. I’m sure I will appreciate it more when I look back after my career is over.

RD/Q10: Last question Steve, if you were trapped on a deserted island and could only take 3 people with you to help you survive, who would they be?

Steve Smith: My Mom, my brother and Eli Manning.

RD/EI: Thank you so much for the interview Steve and Giants fans look forward to seeing you return strong in 2011.

What a classy guy. What do you think fans? I think he was very generous with his answers and very firm in his beliefs. We learned a little bit about his state of mind and health status, as well as some cool facts from his college days. I am even more convinced now that Steve Smith will be ready for the 2011 season and he will be looking to make big plays for Big Blue. If you’re interested in learning more about Steve or the charities he supports, be a sport and follow/friend Steve on his facebook account http://www.facebook.com/SteveSmith and his twitter account @SteveSmithNY.

RD – nygreporter.com – 1 year anniversary 3-6-11

Here is a link to the photographs we have of WR Steve Smith at the 2010 training camp in Albany.

WR Steve Smith, No.12 – photographs

All photographs are the property of nygreporter.com.

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The Steve Smith Interview: nygreporter Edition 0001