An article previously wrote on SB Nation by Danny Kelly writing about These are the NFL's grittiest defensive role players. Now I don't completely agree that Daryl Smith is only a role player, the definition of role player shifts from person to person. In my mind role player means situational. Courtney Upshaw is still only a role player as he has not turned into a full 3-down player yet. Daryl Smith, is gritty, but he is a through and through NFL starting linebacker. I'll explain...
Courtney Upshaw has clearly been used in one situation and one situation only.