Link: Brad Smith #3 QB?
Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com recently previewed the Jets QB situation. Interestingly, it appears there is a chance Kellen Clemens, Erik Ainge and Kevin O’Connell will all be cut before the season stars. ESPN NFL Rumor Central sums it all up.
New York Jets wide receiver Brad Smith was a pretty adept quarterback at Missouri, and in fact, the team has experimented with him a bit under center in past seasons. But there’s an idea that that role may expand a bit more in 2010.
Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com previewed the Jets’ quarterbacks on Monday, and offered two interesting nuggets. One, he notes that Smith “got a lot of work behind center in minicamp.” Two, given that it’s likely the team will target Mark Brunell to be the primary backup/mentor to Mark Sanchez, the Jets may actually list Smith as the No. 3 QB, thereby saving a roster spot while simultaneously bidding a fond farewell to Kellen Clemens,Erik Ainge and Kevin O’Connell.
Given that Sanchez is recuperating from a knee injury that was partially caused by his reckless playing style, and the fact that Brunell’s days of carrying a Super Bowl contender are likely behind him, this situation bears close monitoring.
60 Responses to Link: Brad Smith #3 QB?
-
Ryan says:
Eddie,
Please explain your logic, it does not make much sense to me
-
Harlan Lachman says:
Steiny, While I agree with your assessment of Brunell (and my comments about the Qbs below apply equally to him) your article suffers from an error of omission:
Do you, unlike me and many on this board, actually think Clemens, Ainge and O’Connell are more valuable than nothing? I think whether any of them are on the team or not, makes no difference. If any one of them (or Brunell) has to play more than mop up duty in one game or an entire game against any team other than an inept opponent like Tampa Bay, our hopes for a SB are over.
What may bear watching is management’s decision to not have signed or drafted a credible back up QB. But giving the boot to any or all of these non-entities is irrelevant.
I like the idea of using Brad Smith as the #2 Qb (i.e., not number 3). If Sanchez, the guy any team will have prepared for goes down, Smith offers a completely different look than any Qb currently or soon to be on the roster. He is not likely a suitable Qb for a playoff caliber team, but unlike the others, Smith creates preparation and play problems for our opponents. Plus, he frees up roster spots on game days (since he is already active).
harlan
-
Dylan says:
Crazy Eddie,
I think Brunell would be listed as the backup QB, and Smith would be listed as a WR. The Jets wouldn’t officially carry a 3rd string QB. Honestly, I like that idea. When I was watching Clemens play last year, I remember thinking that the Jets would probably have more success if they just ran the wildcat the entire game.
-
Tom in Raleigh says:
Ryan, he is refering to the NFL rules regarding QB play in games. We’ve seen this in action with the Jets in the game Vinny T went down in ’99.
I like the idea though. Smith performed better under center, and with the chance to play under center, last year than he has at any other point in his career. How many of us have been waiting for him to come on as a WR? They finally got him in a rythm and he excelled! -
J-Kay says:
We’ll regret cutting Ainge.
-
Neville says:
How about we dump Aigne, O’Connell and keep Kellen. Do we really think Mark Brunnel is a better option as a backup QB. He doesn’t know the system and at this point prob has worse arm strength than Chad.
I have thought the idea of Smith as the 3rd QB always made sense… once you get down that far, you are thinking about Jeff George anyways…. -
dmazz says:
I agree with this – this team has too many financial obligations to be paying for these backups when we have a guy like Brad Smith who can do it all. This is where the Jets need to be dollar smart. These role players i.e. Brad Smith need to find a spot and be that guy. This is why the team wasnt going to pay Leon Washington to be a 2nd or 3rd down back and return kicks for 4-6 mil a year. Its plain stupid. Keep Brad Smith and release guys that will never start. We can find serviceable parts around the league if the situation warrants it. I agree with Harlan in that if we rely on a backup QB for any more than 1 game this season than we may not even mae the playoffs.
-
Antstiggity says:
Good riddens………… Like I said before I’d rather have a 50 year old washed up QB over Clemens. Guys shouldn’t even be wearing a jet jersey, he looks completely lost every time we give him a chance. Atleast Mark has shown the ability to perform, idc of it was 10 years ago. Bag and tag him, time to go Clemens. And don’t give me that crap that he knows the system what good I’d that he can’t execute the plays to save his life???????
-
What good is that if he can’t execute the plays to save his life?????*
-
O’Connell and Clemens, sure, but cutting Ainge is stupid. Big thumbs down to this one.
-
Mike F. says:
Brunell would be a good mentor for Sanchez, which wouldn’t hurt. Clemens has had his chances and has proven to be garbage. Ainge is a good guy but seriously, we will regret cutting him? He will never see the field. I like the idea of Smith as a wildcat type QB though
-
neauone says:
Smith makes the team no matter what because of his versatility at various positions. The Question than becomes who do you want to come in if Sanchez is hurt. Sorry I love Clemens, but he is terrible, Ainge and O’Connell are no better, but who knows for sure who is winning that battle. Which leaves us with potentially signing Brunell. If that is the case the game can be modified to fit Brunell’s strengths and the Jets can weather the storm. You don’t bring a QB to play like someone else. Brunell is an obvious choice. Smith for all his talent has been nothing more than a gadget player at WR, RB, and QB, not to mention KR. His worth was realized when he was allowed to find a deal on his own, bu
-
But signed with the Jets.
-
Ferraro41 says:
I agree with Harlan. The problem is that none of those guys, including Brunell, is a legitimate # 2 QB on a (hopefully) SB contender. Brunell is a 40-something year old has-been who can’t throw any more, and the rest of them are never will be’s. Smith is a nice change of pace guy, but if you had to rely on him for more than the wildcat and an occasional surprise pass, it would not be pretty.
This is the one main area of concern I have had all along going into this season. Smells like 1999.
-
jcjets says:
I am so happy cimini is not working for the daily news anymore..
I can see Smith getting the most playing time at QB of all of the backups, but he’ll be listed as a WR so he can play at WR and special teams.
I hope we don’t sign Brunell (Unless its for less than Clemens would get..).
-
Bring back Vinny the Ginny from LonGGGisland
-
PickNY says:
It’s about time getting rid of guys that you know they wasn’t going to use. I think it’s a good move to allow Mark B to tutor Sanchez on situational passing scenarios and for Brad S to be the 3rd string QB! That money can now be used to help towards paying our core guys. Plus, it gives those guys an opportunity to find a spot else where in the league, if they can:( Sanchez will be fine and he will prove many wrong as he continue to show his maturity. The stage is set and I’m all for the move!
-
BKWRXWgn says:
Before I get stoned for a potentially dumb suggestion, just hear me out…. If a back up QB does need to step in the center to run the game if something unfortunate happens (do not want to name names to avoid a potential jinx) can’t Brunell/Clemens split snaps with Brad Smith? As much as I hate to admit it the Fins were doing this a lot last year with the exception that Brad can actually throw the ball.
-
JetOrange says:
Ainge> Brunell…Lets also look at 2011
Increase commitment to Smith, no.2 QB -
mole57 says:
Since Sanchez is the starter and is all of 23 years old, it makes no sense to groom Ainge or O’Connell as a backup that will eventually take over, as it’s not happening. The reason they kept all those guys last year was in case Sanchez was a disappointment. Now that the team is confident and SWhat the team needs is a career backup QB, or a vet who knows he can do nothing else but be a backup.
-
Since Sanchez is the starter and is all of 23 years old, it makes no sense to groom guys that are older than him (Ainge or O’Connell) as backups because they will not be taking over when their time comes. The reason they kept all those guys last year was in case Sanchez was a disappointment.
Now that the team is confident in their QB and Sanchez is entrenched as the starter, what the team needs is a career backup QB, or a vet who knows he can do nothing else but be a backup. It’s unfair to Ainge/O’Connell — they wouldn’t play and they wouldn’t benefit from learning under a more experienced QB.
-
Broken Record Redux.
I do not understand anyone who thinks Brunell can or should mentor Sanchez.
What do we have a HC, OC, and Qb Coach for if not to mentor Sanchez. The Qb Coach’s sole job is to work one on one with Sanchez. The OC’s job is to make sure his Qb executes his offense. Brunell has not worked with Shott, his offense, or Rex before so he brings nothing of use to the table that the others have as individuals or a group.
harlan
-
I do would like to see Brad be more consistent on his passing, so teams won’t look for him to run every snap! I like the idea Brad is getting plenty of snaps under the center to get comfortable. He would be ANOTHER threat defenses would hate to defend! However, I do agree that the Jets need to start looking to groom somebody just in case, unless Brad is there Man! I’m all for it!
-
WW85 says:
I don’t think Brunell has anything left, but I hope I’m wrong. I’d rather just let KC, Ainge & OC battle it out for the #2 spot & then keep Smith at the unofficial 3.
I don’t get why Garcia is not in the conversation. he is willing to backup Kolb in Philly, so why aren’t we talking to him? He is loads better than Brunell. Also, Brunell is a lefty–so Brick will have to switch sides?
-
Crazy Eddie says:
Ryan,
NFL rules require teams to list their QBs 1, 2, and 3. QB 3 does not count against the 45 dressed players, but he cannot play until the 4th Quarter or else QBs 1 and 2 are not allowed to re-enter the game. This is why Tom Tupa played QB until the 4th quarter when Vinny T got hurt. Parcells was trying to dress extra guys and listed Tupa as QB 2.
That being said, I may have rushed with that post. Perhaps the Jets could just not have a 3rd QB, only dress 45 men and still use Brad Smith as QB when they wanted.
-
Harlan L,
Coaching and playing are not the same, unless they played QB before, so I disagree. I always had a dislike about commentators who never actually played the position to know. My opinion.
-
Sanchez is the undisputed starting QB for a long time to come. The only role for the backup is to enter the game in case of an injury and not screw it up. Sorry, but Ainge, O’Connell and Clemens are not capable of that. You need a guy who has actually played in meaningful games before.
-
matthewm says:
I am for changing the nature of the QB position, and carrying three or four QBs, all of whom do different things for the team, in different situations. Think of how baseball and the role of pitchers has changed. Why not football QBs? I like how the wildcat formation has changed the position, but why not take the concept further? Have a long ball specialist? A third-down QB? A short-yardage QB? Plus starting QBs usually get hurt or dinged up in a season, and then that’s it for the team, so I would play at least three all the time.
-
Crazy Eddie, now I realize you’re right. The jets will have to keep one of the 3 stooges(KC, Ainge, or OC) because of the 3rd QB rule. He doesnt count against the roster, so why would the Jets possibly cut all 3? Smith could still be the #3 unofficially. Why cut a guy who doesn’t save space? Unless, the team is worried about cap space?
-
JesusRevis says:
dmazz, on July 19th, 2010 at 11:16 am Said:
Bring back Vinny the Ginny from LonGGGislandHas it become ok to call an Italian-American a “ginny”? I hope not, that’s an offensive term.
Back to the subject, havign Brad Smith as the #3 QB seems like a risky propostion.
-
Clemens is not the answer. He has had his shot to show this team what he can do. Brunell, even with a weak arm, will not kill this team with mistakes. That is what you really need from a backup. Somebody that can come in, and not lost the game.
Someone who once had a reckless playing style (remember, early in his career Brunell was one of the first running QB’s) to talk Sanchez into containing himself a little bit would be a great thing for this team.
-
WW85,
He would count against the 53-man roster. He just wouldn’t count against the 45-man active game day roster. So if it’s a choice between keeping an extra QB or another bubble guy, they may like the bubble guy better. -
WW85,
Keeping a 3rd QB wouldn’t take up a spot on the active roster, but I’m pretty sure it would use up a spot on the official roster. Basically, the Jets would be choosing between a 3rd QB or someone like Andre Allison, Danny Woodhead, Kevin Basped, Marquice Cole, Jeff Cumberland, etc.
-
Dylan, Thanks. Yeah, I guess it’s more complex than I realized.
I like the Jets thinking out of the box anyway.
-
WW85,
Yeah I agree. The QBs will at least stick around until the season starts. Maybe one of them will show something.
-
tish says:
Brad Smith is a clearly a situational substitute for Sanchez based upon his specialized skill set. The Jets need someone to replace Sanchez in the event of an injury. Brad Smith is not that player. The team appears to like Brunell as the person who can fill that role, but I see him as slightly better than worthless. I much prefer a Garcia or a Rosenfels (easily obtainable in a trade). They need someone with experience who can get the job done (complete a few passes, not have any turnovers). Clemens scares no one and worst of all has shown no improvement. They do not need a developmental prospect like they have since Sanchez should be the starter for years and the 2 guys they have demonstrate nothing to indicate that they can ever start (should Sanchez’ career be aborted by a major injury). There are a bunch of other teams with extra QBs who are experienced and who will be available down the road (just as there are kickers who will be available should Folk be a disaster).
-
What would be funny is if the Pats pick up O’Connell, Ainge, or Clemens (pending on who gets cut) to gain information on the Jets O playbook as it was done to them….
-
ramble914 says:
Dmazz,
I fing your comment very offensive! As an Italian American I find the term reprehensible and disgusting.
I also don’t care for your mocking the Long Island accent. it’s no worse than any other accent.
-
Jets-Fan-4-Life says:
I think moving Brad Smith to the QB2, QB3 could work out, as I always felt like Mangini screwed this kid by making him a gimmick player (QB / KR / WR) instead of developing him. If I recall he had a tremendous collage career as a QB with passing over 8,100 yards and rushed around 4,500 yards (Granted its not the NFL).
As for the current grouping of QB’s behind Mark Sanchez, I truly have no faith in them at all.
Clemens sucks and always will plain and simple. He could not beat out noodle arm Chad even after the team gave him every opportunity (hence the reason for Brett Favre), then last year there was a group of us who saw him in camp last year at Florham Park when he could not hit a wide open J.Cotch 8 yards out, and then we all saw how bad he was after Mark went down during the season!
As for Ainge and his cannon arm, well I like this kid but if he couldn’t beat out Kellen Clemens the last few years for the back up spot then its time to move on. Nuff said about this!
As for O’Connell, I think this kid needs another year since he was brought in last season and should now know the playbook. If anything I see him being on the practice squad this year if he can’t claim the QB3 spot.
I think Mole said it best…. Sanchez is only 23 and is the Jets starting QB, there is no sense at this time to groom another kid if there is no chance that he is going to start.
At “best” the team could have another potential QB controversy similar to what we saw in the past with Doug Flutie/Drew Brees, Doug Flutie/Tom Brady, Joe Montana/Steve Young of years past. Not that have that kind of controversy is bad, but what happens when the team eventually divides over their favorite QB, and then the team is forced to jettison one of them to another team and the our team picked the wrong one to toss (just food for thought)?
Anyway getting to the point… Mark needs someone who has been around awhile with some kind of championship experience within recent years to show him the ropes and provide him with a what to do on and off the field experience and act like a sound board for questions (who by the way will not lay challenge to his starting spot). Granted the coaching staff is good but they have not played the last few years.
That means Mark needs someone who could have told him not to eat a hotdog during the game (not that I thought that was bad or anything), or be pissy to the media, or to control his emotions on the filed, or how to fake out the opposing Defense for example.
A guy like Mark Burnell or even a guy like Jeff Garcia (who for one probably still thinks he can be a starter in this league which is why no one has contacted him) could show Smith a thing or too as well based on their experiences.
-
Six Five says:
From what I understand off the 3rd string QB rules – I think they might list Brad Smith as QB #2 – with Brunell as #3.
That way a spot on the 45 man active roster is freed up, the downside being that Brad Smith would have to take the QB snaps at least until the fourth quarter (if Sanchez goes down)
Could someone with a better understanding of the QB rules shed some light on this?
Would Smith be unable to line up at receiver or in special teams with him being QB #2?
-
CharlieJet80 says:
GUYS I HAVE A QUESTION! & Bent
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
> Let Ainge, O’Connell and Clemens go.
> Keep 2 QBs officially Sanchez & Brunell
> List Brad Smith as a WR & enter games as above with Sanchez as the #1, Brunell as #2, & Smith as a WR to run the Wild Cat & be the #3 QB is Snachez & Brunell are down.
Please advise Bent
Thanks, Charles D -
brian311 says:
many people here dont understand the rules – you want to list a QB3 on the roster to take advanatge of the fact that they do not count on the 45 man gameday roster. If Brad Smith does figure into the QB depth chart, he would have to be QB2. Listing him as a WR and then not using a spot for QB3 would not make sense
-
JetsFan4Life says:
Believe other key factor on who is officially listed as a QB has to do with whether a player can wear the helmet with the earphone allowing them to get plays from OC…
-
brian311,
Why wouldn’t it make sense? It would allow the Jets to keep an extra player on the 53 man roster. If Brad Smith is going to be your 3rd QB anyway, why waste a roster spot on a guy like O’Connell or Ainge? Yes, the Jets wouldn’t be using the free spot on the 45 man active roster. But unless both QBs AND Smith got injured in the same game, it wouldn’t make a difference.
-
fattyboomboom says:
Mmmm, like the idea of having an extra 53 man roster spot, sort of reverse of last year when they kept 4 QB’s
Don’t think it would have any effect on the game day roster, i mean if ur happy only having 3 qbs’s including Brad then all three would be availble at any point of the game, the jets just wouldnn’t need to name a 3rd QB for an extra game day roster spot they ould already here there 3 qb’s in the 45
-
originalJetFan says:
Look back in your files, I suggested this would be what they doduring OTA’s and after seeing the open practice at the new stadium, it was apparent they were testing Brads under center capabilities.. it makes way too much sense, saves a spot, saves money and if both Sanchez and Brunnel go down at that point it really wouldn’t matter (or you could get Vinny T off his couch)
-
I agree with Six Five …
While Cimini might have meant a figurative “third” if you are going to use Brad Smith as a 3rd QB, then you are ruining his ability to play one of his most important roles, special teams.
As the third QB, he’s an emergency activation only so to slot him as an “extra QB then put him in as the 2, since that way he can play during the course of the game, and not foul things up for the other QBs. If Brunell has to play, I believe he might be able to, but it would mean that Smith and Sanchez would have to be out for the rest of the game.
-
One more note … they used Smith a lot as a QB because they were working on the Wildcat Package for their defense … Rex even said so during a presser.
-
i dont think carrying Sanchize, Smith and Brunell as the only 3 QBs on the 53 man roster makes sense. not only would the team be incredibly thin if Sanchez went down, but a big part of a #3 or #4 QBs role is in practice. Since Smith is going to spend a lot of his time on specials and WR, that would only leave Brunell to run the scout teams. I would prefer to go with Sanchez, Brunell, O’Connell / Ainge, and Smith on the 53. On game days, have Smith #2, Brunell #3 and OC/Ainge not dress
-
to clarify – that would mean KC and the loser of the Ainge / OC competition would be cut
-
Bent says: Look no further than the Pats. Behind Brady, all they had is Hoyer. In the event of an injury, they were prepared to “make do” for the rest of that game and then if there was a longer term problem, they’d bring in a Garcia or someone off the streets. Better that than waste a roster spot on someone who likely won’t play and you lack faith in anyway.
I’m not the Jets, but I lack faith in Ainge and Clemens. I haven’t seen enough of O’Connell to make my mind up, but the fact he was cut by the Pats does not bode well.
Soneone like Smith as a backup is ideal because they can at least call plays and run an abridged version of the playbook with him in an emergency situation. A temporary injury can therefore use him to fill in. If Sanchez is out for the rest of the game, you can choose whether to sacrifice Smith to use your other QB or make do with Smith until the 4th quarter, then you have the option to use either (or maybe somewhere in between – ie make do with Smith until halftime).
I don’t think the situation would ever arose where he becomes the starter. They’d sign a replacement during the week in the event of a long term injury.
Yes, Brunell’s a lefty, so I assume Brick would swap with Woody and everything else would stay the same.
-
Jets69 says:
Sanchez knee surgery was not the result of reckless play. The knee that was operated on was the one he hurt as a junior in college while throwing warmup passes in practice. The kneecap dislocated. The off season surgery fixed that knee. He hurt his other knee during this past season and missed the Tampa game.
-
greatgastineausghost says:
Vinny is a better option than Kellen.
-
Harvlis says:
Whether the rumour is correct or not — It is sad that the Jets took these three QB’s, haven’t developed any of them, and still don’t know what they could do if called upon.
I don’t put this on Rex, this is all Schottenheimer.
I realize that last season was devoted to getting Sanchez comfortable but, injuries are a way of life in the NFL. Our back-up QB’s should all be ready to step in. Obviously, Clemens wasn’t ready, last season, and no one has a clue as to how Ainge or OC would do.Brunell hasn’t had anything close to a season of football, since 2005. I would hope that, if they do pick up a seasoned vet to back up Sanchez, it is someone who might be a little more potent than Brunell.
I like the idea of letting Brad Smith throw the ball a little more. It adds to our exceptional list of weapons and it keeps the other teams totally off balance, when Smith gets behind center. It shouldn’t have taken this long, to let him throw. Once again, Schottenheimer.
-
Benny says:
When Brad joined the team I had hoped they would use him as a QB. He looked great in college and I thought having a mobile quarterback would really work and be more fun to watch. I agree with others that Mangini poorly managed this kid. He shows composure under center and with him running always being a real threat it should force some good mismatches. Now I’m not saying start him, but he is a better back up than anything else we got and better than some teams have at their QB#2 spot.
-
PickNY mispoke: “coaching and playing are not the same, unless they played QB before, so I disagree.”
Pick, it is important to know your coaches. Check out about Matt Cavanaugh, Sanchez’ Qb Coach.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CavaMa00.htm
Like I said, no need for a mentor who is not good enough to start.
Harlan
-
i agree with Harvlis – if cutting 3 QBs currently on the roster is even a remote possibility, that is a terrible reflection of Schotty and Mr T.
Now, if all of these guys light it up in the preseason and Mr T can trade someone for a draft pick, i will give him credit. But cutting 3 players who have eaten up roster spots, simply is mismanagement of the roster
-
eboozer says:
How about if we bring them all to training camp and then keep the ones who play the best?
-
MrJetGreen says:
This is a bunch of Malarkey…… Clemens WILL be the #2 nand Ainge the #3. Brad Smith is QBX………Kevin McConnell will be bagging groceries before long. We won’t be bring in some old man carrying several bags of garbage.
That would make no sense. Smith would have to be the number 2 QB in order to be able to play other spots, so Brunelle would be the number 3. If Sanchez gets hurt, Smith has to play until the 4th quarter or he and Sanchez can’t play the rest of the game.