If you want to see a mediocre back look at Law Firm. Smith was a very good back at least when he got here. Better than than Blount imo for what he was including when he was used as a pass receiver. Just as good as Blount in getting into the end zone. Brady and the Patriots season goes very differently in 2001 without Smith. Nobody is comparing him to Dillon but that doesn't mean he wasn't good.
I won't bore you with stats, but you're nuts saying just as good as Blount getting into end zone. Frackin Blount got into the end zone so much they had to cut him.
Nobody leads the league in TDs and stays on the NE payroll!
Just no. Antowain has a special place in our hearts and all, but it's not because he's one of the great running back talents of NE lore.
But let me know if you want to do the stat comparison. I am sure your "eye test" says he's good, and possibly it's very important that "he's a mudder." But, no. He just wasn't very good.
PS, Lawfirm had these things going for him:
1) didnt fumble except when he did.
2) Embedded in his name was the name of Jarvis Green. Additionally, his first three names are a Hebrew patronymic, Ben-Jarvis Green, meaning "Son of Jarvis Green."
3) His name was indeed an excellent law firm name.
4) Like Antowain, he just didn't have snazzy stats, but was pretty trustworthy
5) He wasn't Laurence Maroney.
let me know if you want to go the stat route on Antowain - nothing against him but I think I remember a 3.5 YPC season in 03 (and 4.0 in 01)... Law Firm was like 3.7? I dunno. Pretty similar.