Anthony

Smith

He’s had a standout camp, and could pass Ryan Clark on the depth chart during the season and start next to Troy Polamalu.

Smith didn’t record a tackle but the INTs should increase his chances of being a factor in his first year. One of the picks came on an impressive leaping grab.

Smith suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to the Saints. He shouldn’t need more than a few weeks to get back to 100 percent health. A journeyman former third-round pick, Smith had 11 tackles in 13 games this season. It’s not a guarantee he’ll break camp on someone’s active roster in 2012.

Smith is only 28, but he hasn’t had a solid role since the Steelers gave up on him following the 2008 season. In 2007, he infamously guaranteed a victory against the 12-0 Patriots and then proceeded to give up two big touchdown plays in a 34-13 loss. “We’ve played against a lot better safeties than him, I’ll tell you,” Bill Belichick said afterward. If this really is the end for Smith, he finishes with 19 career starts -- 14 of which came in his first two seasons.

Smith, who showed a ton of big-play ability as a rookie in 2006, lost his starting free safety job in training camp to Ryan Clark. Polamalu (abdomen) is expected to sit out against Seattle, making Smith an excellent IDP fill in.

Both missed practice all week and will be game-time decisions at best. The Steelers could go with Anthony Smith at strong safety in place of Polamalu. Pittsburgh’s run defense looks a lot worse with Hampton on the bench.

Smith is naturally a free safety, so this makes sense with Troy Polamalu sidelined. Ryan Clark will play the strong side and could be used in the box often. The Steelers still project to be a little weaker against the run.

Chukky Okobi will run with the first team at center over Sean Mahan; Deshea Townsend over Bryant McFadden at right cornerback; Ryan Clark over Anthony Smith at free safety; Max Starks at right tackle over Willie Colon. However, none of this means anything unless the players produce in training camp.

He admitted he thinks the staff wants Smith to win the gig, which will most likely happen. Clark could be used in nickel and dime situations because he’s a good pass defender. He probably isn’t in danger of being released.

Smith “is letting the ball get behind him,” Tomlin noted. Smith wasn’t a great cover safety coming out of Syracuse and his confidence has to be shaken after his guarantee blunder. Carter made only three tackles in Week 16.