Brains and Brawn: Smith not your typical accountant

Most people who have their taxes completed by Brandon Smith would probably be surprised to learn his other profession.

The CFL receivers who have experienced the Calgary Stampeder defensive back knock a sure catch out of their hands would likely be even more surprised to know Smith is an accountant during the offseason.

“Very rarely do you see accountants that play football,” Smith said Thursday, prior to the Stampeders taking the practice field for Sunday’s 102 Grey Cup game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at BC Place Stadium.

“You know. If you are an accountant you are a nerdy guy with glasses and a suit and tie. The industry is starting to change. You are getting more casual, laid back people that have other interests than just being into the numbers.”

If Smith doesn’t fit the stereotypical image of an accountant, no pencils in his shirt pocket or calculator, he also isn’t your typical defensive back.

The 30-year-old from Oakland, Calif., is soft-spoken, almost reserved.  He doesn’t seek the spotlight and is happy to fly under the radar.

“I have never been a guy that likes to showboat,” said Smith. “I don’t demand a lot of attention.”

“I just go out there and do my job.”

Fans might overlook the five-foot-10, 186-pound Sacramento State product but opponents are very aware of what Smith can do.

This year Smith started 18 games for Calgary and led the 15-3 Stampeders with 85 tackles, which ranked third overall in the league. He had three tackles for a loss, a quarterback sack, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and one knockdown.

For the first time in his eight-year career Smith was voted a West Division All-Star. He shrugged when asked about being left off past all-star lists.

“If it really bothered me I wouldn’t be in the position I am,” he said. “It just doesn’t bother me.”

“It’s more of a popularity thing. Do I feel like I’m robbed? No, that’s fine.  As long as I’m recognized by my teammates, my coaches, that’s fine with me.”

A good defensive back can see his statistics shrink simply because teams don’t want to throw in his direction.

“Your stats don’t always speak for themselves,” said Smith.

“I don’t have a whole mess of interceptions. It says one of two things. Either you’re not getting the ball caught on you, or they are not throwing your way. One way or the other, as long as I’m doing my job, it’s fine with me.”

One of the keys for the Stampeders to beat the Tiger-Cats Sunday is stopping a young Hamilton receiving corps that has Terrell Sinkfield, Luke Tasker and Brandon Banks, plus Mosis Madu and Nic Grigsby coming out of the backfield.

“They bring athleticism, they bring a great knowledge of the game,” said Smith. “They are fairly young but they are capable of making big plays if you allow them.”

“You have to stay right in their pocket and make them make good catches.”

Tasker, the son former Buffalo Bill Steve Tasker – a seven-time NFL Pro Bowler – might be the most dangerous Hamilton pass catcher. He had five catches for 80 yards in Hamilton’s 40-24 win over the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Final.

“He does his job, comes down with the ball and makes big catches,” said Smith.

“He is a consistent player and that’s what you want in a receiver. One that can make consistent catches and move the ball. He’s good at doing that.”

Hamilton will start Zach Collaros at quarterback. In an injury-shortened season the third-year player had a 65.8 per cent completion ratio in throwing for 3,261 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Collaros wasn’t fancy in the win over Montreal but still completed 18 of 27 passes for 199 yards.

There have been questions about how the 26-year-old will handle the pressure of his first Grey Cup start.

“He plays with a lot of confidence,” said Smith. “He’s very knowledgeable of his schemes and his playbook.”

“He can’t be rattled no more than in any other game I don’t think the magnitude of the game will shake him up at all. As a defence we just have to go out there and make it hard on him. Mix it up, play a tight coverage and make him make good throws.”

After playing college football, Smith attended a mini-camp with the Detroit Lions before joining the Arena League’s San Jose SaberCats in 2007. He signed with the Stampeders as a free agent in 2008 and was a member of the Calgary team that beat Montreal in the Grey Cup that year.

An interest in finance resulted in Smith becoming an accountant.

“I like to see where money flies in and flies out,” he said. “Everyone’s financial situation is different so you are constantly learning about people, about the industry. Just the constant improvement in learning keeps me interested.”

Smith can even make a parallel between crunching numbers and shutting down opposition receivers.

“My personality draws me to be detailed in football as well as detailed in accounting,” he said. “You miss one number in accounting and whatever you are working on can go the complete opposite way.

“It can be the same way in football. If you are not assignment sound, if you miss an assignment, you can easily give up a touchdown.”