3...e5 is playable but I don't know the theoretical status of this (the point being that Nxe5 loses to Qa5+) as c3 seems to make it a good smith morra for white, although I'm not sure.
1. E4 C5; 2. D4
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Apparently 3...e5 4. c3 is a named gambit. It looked like an improved Smith Morra to me also, but a GM and a number of IM's have allowed it, with mixed results:
http://www.365chess.com/opening.php?m=8&n=9052&ms=e4.c5.d4.cxd4.Nf3.e5.c3&ns=3.3.52.94.1390.8946.9052
Nothing to make me stop playing 2. d4, 3 nf3 to throw black a curveball, but I guess its another line I'll need to be ready for.
I use this in blitz to gain time. After pxp, I play nf3 and players at my level generally think there is an advantageous way to take advantage of my "deviation" from book. They either plan nf6 (in which case e5 transposes to a recognized Sicilian variation which I'm sure they have never looked at), b6 (which strikes me as a little weak), or they play nc6 and exchange knights after I take, leaving me with a centralized queen. Once in a while they calmly play their regular 2nd move on move 3, and we transpose back, but thats ok.
I looked at opening explorer a bit, and cant see any way for black to take advantage of the move order...seems like its just a good blitz strategy to gain a few seconds. Thoughts?