User blog comment:Pacifista15/Vice Admirals vs. The World/@comment-4754162-20121018051418

10/10 !

During Marineford War, all the VA (Smoker included) were not really up to the expectations of would-be Admirals some day. From the start, Garp was the only VA which clearly demonstrated of his achievements qualifying for promotion. For me back then, Garp was the only competent VA. He had no special (DF) powers, just being a haki-monster is enough.

Borsalino had a brief flashback when he was a VA and easily took down Arlong one on one. That also had a clear indication for qualification but seriously Arlong was not known to have haki to beat the light-logia VA, so that's TOO obvious an indication there.

Now, post-TS, we see Smoker being a quite formidable fighter in his own right (against Law and Vergo). He has improved and steadily showing his worth. Being a logia plus that jutte of his and the black haki-coated fist, might be a bit too late but still yer never too ol- ... ol- ... unyoung to be promoted to admiral level.

Vergo is as you have said.

Pre-TS, especially during Marineford, none of the VA showed any glimpse of such capabilities, thus can't blame us for kinda looking-down on them back then... ^_^