ALLEN PARK — Cornerback Keith Smith, a third-round draft pick by the Lions in 2004, was released today.

Coach Jim Schwartz has said all along that no one is guaranteed a roster spot based on his history with the team.

Smith has played in 71 of the 80 games during the last five seasons. Last season he missed six of the last seven games with a groin injury.

“He was behind the 8-ball a little earlier coming back from an injury. We had a situation in the last game we wanted to look at some different guys in that same role and thought it would be best to move on from that standpoint,’’ Schwartz said. “There are some other guys we may look at.’’

The coach said it was lack of consistency that cost Smith his job. “You could still see skills, but he wasn’t consistent. What we were looking for we didn’t see it consistently,’’ Schwartz said.