49ers WR Torrey Smith: Time to shape up with the hiring of Kelly
Wide receiver Torrey Smith did not see a ton of passes in his first season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Smith expects that to change upon hearing the news on Thursday that the 49ers named offensive guru Chip Kelly to succeed Jim Tomsula as their head coach.
Moments after Kelly's hiring became official, Smith tweeted: "Guess I might have to start running right now to get in shape" -- a reference to being prepared for the fast-break offense run by Kelly with the Philadelphia Eagles.
@TorreySmithWR @NFL This is assuming you will make the team!
— LT (@boomklat) January 14, 2016
@TorreySmithWR do yourself a favor and run right out the door. Chip Kelly will crush your dreams and kill your soul.
— Melissa Marie (@AidnZig) January 14, 2016
@TorreySmithWR nah, he's gonna trade you fam
— Jeremias E (@Jeremias7e) January 14, 2016
@TorreySmithWR nah he'll trade you, bowman, reed and any other solid player
— Brenden Cormier (@CormierBrenden) January 14, 2016
A number of fans reacted to Smith's Twitter posting with cautionary warnings, due mainly in part to Kelly's history of roster upheaval during his three-year tenure with Philadelphia before he was fired prior to the end of this season.
@TorreySmithWR at least now you can expect several shots deep with you a game instead of 2 shots in 2015.
— NinerSteve™ (@NinerSteve) January 14, 2016
@TorreySmithWR Good! Maybe we will put you to use next season!
— Bex is back! (@rebdab) January 14, 2016
@TorreySmithWR RIP Taco Tuesdays
— ¡Gustavo! (@verygooster) January 14, 2016
Smith, who left the Baltimore Ravens to sign a five-year, $40 million free-agent contract with San Francisco prior to last season, had a career-low 33 receptions in 2015. He had two catches or fewer 12 times in a 13-game span in a vanilla offense, which should certainly change dramatically under Kelly.
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