Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career following his performance in the season-opener against Denver. Smith led the Jaguars with 11 tackles and contributed a forced fumble, one interception, one pass defensed and one quarterback hit.
Smith forced a fumble of Broncos running back Correll Buckhalter at the Jaguars 25-yard line midway through the second quarter that was recovered by safety Sean Considine. Smith sealed the Jaguars victory with an interception of Kyle Orton with 53 seconds remaining in the game, the fifth interception of his career.
A native of Albany, Ga., Smith has played in 93 games for the Jaguars with 91 starts since joining the club as a second-round pick in 2004. He ranks fourth in franchise history with 758 tackles and seven forced fumbles. He is the only player in franchise history with a streak of five straight seasons with 100-plus tackles including a team-high 150 in 2009.
