Brad Smith’s Emergence?
So, is Brad Smith showing the improvement that we’ve all been looking for from him? Maybe. A few weeks ago, Mangini made a point to say that he was still “a big fan of Brad Smith” even though Smith had a quiet start to the season. Newsday blogged a little yesterday about Smith and his game Sunday and how his contributions helped keep the Jets in the contest late.
Think the Jets should have more plays for Brad Smith? Smith came in with no catches and two runs for a total of 26 yards, but had four receptions for 29 yards and four runs for 59 yards, His biggest moment was on the Jets’ fourth quarter drive in which they tied the score at 10. Smith ran 39 yards on a reverse.
Mangini said the Jets have a package of plays for Smith installed in the gameplan every week and if the defense isn’t giving the look they expect when Smith is in there, the quarterback usually calls an audible. Smith’s improvement as a receiver could get him on the field more.
“What’s nice about it now with Brad is he’s developing more and more as a receiver,” Mangini said. “So it’s not like you have to put Brad in for his plays. He’s in during the course of the regular game and you can just the plays as part of the natural progression. To me, that’s better situation than saying, ‘Insert him to run his specific plays.’”
It’s true, Smith is still developing and the team is looking to utilize his athleticism which is a good thing, but until he does, he’s going to struggle to become a second option in an offense, which when you think about it, is deep enough at receiver as it is. Smith’s speed and versatility work on special teams and in running reverses, but his hands are going to be what could propel him to becoming a real option in an passing game. Right now with a number of other options for the Jets, Smith’s reps are limited, but I think that if they continue to use him judiciously, and in plays not specifically designed for him, he can grow into a solid receiver, and an economic one. Smith can be a roleplayer for this team. As Judge Smells once said “well, the world needs ditchdiggers too.” We hope that’s not the top of Smith’s career arc, but it’s not a bad thing either if it is.
14 Responses to Brad Smith’s Emergence?
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Joe B. says:
Wait, I thought he was a virus and should be caught.
I said it before. He’s a poor man’s Antwaan Randle-El, and if those “silly” running plays gain 14.5 yards per play, I’m cool with that.
I hear people complain about the offense’s predictability. Well, this is a guy who offsets that.
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Najy says:
BubbyBrister/shovelpass,
Wrong!!!
I happen to think that he can be excellent in running WR screens. He has great speed. I am not sure if you watched the preseason game this year but he caught a pass in the backfield and flew right by everybody. Samething against the Raiders. He had the biggest play of the game.
Coaches just do a poor job of utilizing his playmaking ability.
P.S. By utilizing him, I dont mean putting him at Qb because he never throws the ball and he is not a Rodney Brown. What I mean is the ball in his hands in open space.
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Cut, not caught.
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SackDance99 says:
There are certain players on the Jets that just get fans here frothing at the mouth for unexplained reasons. Smith is one of them. He was a terrific option QB at Mizzou and has spent 3 years trying to be better at WR. IMO, each season he has gotten incrementally better and, when he does get the ball in space, he and Leon are the most dynamic runners on the Jets. And, at 6-2, 210, he’s a load at the WR position. So, give the guy a break. He could become a real weapon in the NFL, but he has to be able to play the WR position better…and he is getting better. Also, I thought that last season Mangini may have stunted his development by floating the idea that he could be in the QB mix (he even wasted time in the red jersey at training camp). It would’ve been better to let him concentrate 100% on becoming a WR and practice only occassionally those gadget plays (which should work better with Favre). I’m rooting for Smith because the Jets could use playmakers and he is one.
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I think Smith shoudl be playing on every offensive down. That is the only way you get the most out of him. The defense will always think its going to be a trick play. Then you can run up the middle. Run fakes and throw long. Put him in the slot then change the call and put him in the backfield. We need to start throwing the book at the defense!!
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jas says:
He SUCKS. There, its that simple. What are we up to 3 years waiting? Next draft why not take an OL and try to make him a WR. Stupid. Anyone else notice there aren’t very many WR’s available for the draft each year.
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kc. says:
I have considered B.SMITH as one of our BEST weapons! Along with LEON(even after the botched punt) COLES, COTCH, KELLER(who we NEVER use!!??)etc,but after they have a BIG?PRODUCTIVE week,then everyone starts asking”should we get him MORE plays”. This makes NO sense to me. How about have them all out there,run their routes,and HIT THE OPEN MAN!?
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meant BIG/PRODUCTIVE…not BIG?PRODUCTIVE because that makes no sense!
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jas – He sucks? That’s a thoughtful and comprehensive argument. I know who to turn to now for personnel analysis!
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Joe-
I thought I would just keep it short. -
dave says:
I think I’ve read articles with this title about 7 times over the last 3 years, on this site alone. The guy isn’t the Randle El we had hoped, and I can only hope we start cutting ties with these Magini projects whom he naively thinks are going to change the state of the game.
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ramble914 says:
jas,
He dosen’t suck. He can be a legitimate offensive weapon, and I think he will be a legit WR. As Sackdance99 said above, he has gotten better every year, and will continue to do so.
IMO he hasn’t been given enough opportunities to show what he can do, and on this team those opportunities are hard to come by because of the players in front of him. But, he is a prime candidate to become one of those players that if released, will go to another team and be very good for. I hate to watch Derrick Ward and think what would be if he was still with the Jets.
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ramble-read dave’s post. as for better every year-i guess he’ll be starter in 10 or 11 years.
I think Brad Smith has “maxxed out” on his game day contributions with the Jets. There’s no more upside, here. He’ll never be more than a #4 WR and a good (but not great) special teamer. Those silly running plays he does, are just fool’s gold. Essentially, he is another version of Wallace Wright. He needs to go the path of Scott Frost!