What’s Next For Brad Smith?
Last year, although most of us were excited, we weren’t sure what to expect from Brad Smith’s rookie season. Although he didn’t make a huge statistical contribution to the team in 2006, he helped out in a some quiet ways. Whether on the field for offense or special teams, or through his ability to confound defenses, causing at least one or two instances (I can think of off the top of my head) where he caused mismatch havoc for a defense.
So, what’s the future for Brad Smith with the Jets? Here’s a few of my thoughts, feel free to add yours.
Special Teams – Smith’s smooth speed means he’s a great gunner on special teams, either to make it downfield or to flush his quarry. If he can continue to elude blockers, he will could continue to be a force here for at least another year or so, depending on how the rest of his game progresses.
More Wrench Time – As in “wrench in the works.” QB, RB, WR, Smith’s unique skills allow him to line up in more than one spot. Last year, as opponents picked up on his versatility, he made some Defensive Coordinators scratch their heads and linebackers shout things like “sixteen is in the game!!” Smith’s versatility even made Belichick’s boys call timeout once. Unfortunately, as a fourth or fifth receiver, his entrance into a game signaled defenses to a chance to look out for something odd. Even so, Smith made some nice plays (most notably on reverses) with his top three rushes all season going for 32 yards, 20 yards and 12 yards.
Third Receiver – Smith has an uphill battle here, if the roster stays more or less the same with both Tim Dwight and Justin McCareins both slotted ahead of him. If Smith can become a legitimate third receiving option for the Jets, his “wrench” status becomes even more droolworthy, as fitting in plays designed for him (options, reverses) can be masked more effectively. With a full offseason, one would hope Smith is working hard on slot work, route running skills, and catching the in the middle as and as high as he can on deep throws down the sidelines. McCareins is almost the exact same size, is probably now slower than Smith and his work as “the deep threat” could be supplanted by Smith depending on his progress.
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion/Bassett
early in games, run the reverse where intent is to throw…maybe to Leon out of backfield streaming downfield with an LB on him. Even if it does not work it will loosen things up
I still am waiting for him to throw that reverse option — I have much more faith in him winging it downfield as opposed to Leon Johnson!
I am wrong to believe that Smith can become a better than average possession receiver? He has the size, the leaping ability, and the athleticism. Is it that he really does not have a position or is it because he does several things well but not any one thing very well? I would love to see him get a chance to pass McCareins on the depth chart.
B.Smith needs to work on his WR skills if he isn’t already, as mentioned. The reverses, direct snaps, and so called “gadget plays” are not fooling anyone, as evidenced as the season went on. When 16 is in the game you know the ball is going to him. I agree with everyone here that with his athleticsm he should be able to rise past Dwight and McCareins on depth. I also have a feeling that if he sticks around long enough I wouldn’t be suprised if Mangini calls his number to help out on the defensive side of the ballas well. The sky’s the limit on his versatility.
I disagree with Dr. K that the defenses knew what to expect with 16 in the game. As a matter of fact, I recall on most plays when he was in that nothing went to him. He was a decoy on most plays from what I recall.
Now can he become a receiver? I don’t know and don’t care. He is a Jet and as far as I’m concerned I’d rather have him here learning about the game than have him somewhere else playing against us.
I know that most would say, including myself, that a college career is not impressive if you can’t do anything on the next level but he had a crazy career as a QB in college and is only in his first year so I expect more from him this year.
If a team ever has to account for one player, and especially as a rookie, then you have a special player that you should keep. Who else is like that on any team never mind just the Jets?
FWIW, Coles, Cotchery, Dwight and McCareins all saw their numbers jump after their rookie years. When you factor in Smith’s running and ST contributions, his rookie year stacks up favourably (sic) to those guys. Coles is a decent comparison because he was a converted RB, but I think the conversion from QB is tougher.
Smith needs to show he can get open downfield, but towards the end of the year, he was contributing in a number of ways. I don’t expect him to be a big numbers guy, more of a dangerous playmaker.
Reading that Kiper combine report two things stood out other than McCarreins very fast time.
Derrik Blaylock ran a 4.33, shows you 40 speed is irrelevant in a running back.
And seeing Jamie Henderson’s name listed among the fastest D Backs was an eye opener, what a shame, may have been a very nice safety.
[...] To see my thoughts (and fellow readers) on Brad Smith, see this post I wrote last week. [...]