"77"

Hard Hat Award (Game #10, @ Balt.)

Stiller DE Aaron Smith is the winner of the weekly Hard Hat Award, given to the Stiller player who best embodies the iron-tough, hard-as-steel attitude of the steel workers inside the blast furnace of a still mill.

 

Amidst the slop and gristle of the ugly loss to the Ravens, Aaron Smith was one of the very few Stillers that showed up with a game face and contributed a fierce, effective effort. Smith was all over the defensive front, stuffing ground plays and providing some pass heat.  Smith made 6 solo stops, which is an enormous number for a DE in a 3-4 scheme that calls upon the DE to bottle things up so that the LBs can hunt and attack their prey. 

 

Kudos to Smitty for winning the weekly Hard Hat Award.  Wear the Hard Hat proudly, Aaron! 

 

Past 2005 Hard Hat Winners:

 

Week 1, vs. Tenn: Willie Parker

Week 2, @ Hou: Troy Polamalu

Week 3, vs. NE: Clark Haggans

Week 4, @ SD: Troy Polamalu

Week 5, vs. Jax: Heath Miller and Ike Taylor

Week 6, @ Cinci: Hines Ward and Ike Taylor

Week 7, vs. Balt.: Andre Frazier

Week 8, @ GB: Duce Staley

Week 9, vs. Clev: Hines Ward and Charlie Batch

 

(Note: Stillers.com will pay tribute to Steve Courson this season by placing "77" in the Hard Hat Award article each week.  Courson, as most of you certainly recall, was the ultimate Hard Hat kind of player.  Tough.  Dependable.  Versatile.  )