Friday 10th October
Montreal machine make moves

By David Harwood
FWL.org.uk

The Montreal Machine continued to make deals in the offseason, acquiring QB Troy Smith and DE Isaac Hilton. These two deals give the Machine their QB of the future in Smith, a needed veteran Defensive Lineman, while also getting two draft picks. Gone are veterans LB Andre Sommersell (88 tackles, 5.0 sacks), CB Michael Harden (11 tackles) and S Kahil Carter (80 tackles).

The loss of Sommersell was to be expected when the Machine drafted LB Dan Cody 5th overall. Expected that Cody would be drafted earlier, the addition of Cody gave the Machine eight LB's with Sommersell, while only having five DL's entering the draft. The trade of CB Harden and S Carter was due to age and performance, as the Machine had one of the worst pass defenses in 2015.

Trades:
- Montreal trades LB Andre' Sommersell to Raleigh-Durham for DE Isaac Hilton and a 5th round draft (RDU) pick in season 19.
- Montreal trades CB Michael Harden and S Kahlil Carter to Mexico for QB Troy Smith and a 6th round pick (MEX) in season 20.

Troy Smith (6'0, 215, Ohio State):

FWL: Troy Smith saw some playing time in his rookie season, throwing 15 of 20 for 222 yards and a touchdown. Last season, Smith sat on the bench the entire season. Montreal looks to make Smith the full-time starter in season 20, if not sooner.

College: Named the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner (Ohio State’s 7th Heisman Trophy) as college football’s top player. Was a 1st-team selection to the Walter Camp All-American squad and a 1st-team All-American honoree by The Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News. Also won the 2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the 2006 Davey O’Brien Award (top QB). Was a finalist for the Maxwell Player of the Year Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top senior QB). Connected on 420 of 670 attempts (62.7%) for 5,720 yards, 54 TDs and 13 INTs during his career. Topped the 300-yard total offense mark 6 times, tying the school record. Completed 203 of 311 passes (65.3%) for 2,542 yards, a school-record 30 TDs and just 6 INTs his senior season. Also nabbed The Sporting News Player of the Year, Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year and garnered 1st-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior as he guided the Buckeyes to an appearance in the BCS National Championship game against Florida. Graduated at the end of the 2006 spring quarter with a bachelor’s degree in communications

Personal: Played his 1st 2 years at St. Edward (Lakewood, OH) HS, but transferred to Glenville (Cleveland) HS as a senior. Threw for 969 yards and 12 TDs as a senior, leading Glenville to the state playoffs. Played 3 years of basketball and ran track (high jump, long jump and 1,600-meter relay)
Established the Troy Smith Foundation in 2007, and holds an annual golf classic with Browns WR Joshua Cribbs. Funds raised will support the Cleveland Football League, which Troy played for as a youngster. Troy participated in the inaugural billiards tournament, benefiting Carsons Scholar Fund, which raises money for children’s education in Oct. 2007. Older brother, Rod, played guard at Ohio State in the early 1990s, and another brother, Andre, played at Bowling Green. A 3rd sibling, Irvin White, played at Walsh College. Has a daughter, TaNyia, who was born on 4/6/08.

Isaac Hilton (6'3, 260, Hampton):

FWL: Hilton has been tremendously under-used in his career, totaling only 1 tackle in the past two seasons, and only 10 tackles and 4.0 sacks in his career. Hilton should see significant playing time with Montreal.

College: Started 32 of 39 games as a three-year starter at Hampton University…Finished college with 205 tackles, 24 sacks and five forced fumbles.

Personal: Excelled for the Hampton Pirates track team, competing in the decathlon and in the shot put…twice won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference shot put title…was a state champion in the shot put in high school…attended St. Andrews Parish High School in Charleston, S.C…named team MVP as a senior…named South Carolina Athlete of the Year by the Post and Courier…Business Management major in college…Hilton grew up and now resides in Charleston, SC.