Schefter: Brad Smith may Not be Back in 2011
by Ryan Alfieri on Dec 3, 2010 12:57 PM EST
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I'm on a roll today. I dug up another juicy nugget that has gone undected, mostly because I still have ESPN insider (which I keep forgetting to unsubscribe too). Luckily for you all, I am forgetful and was able to read Adam Schefter's "10 Spot", which included a piece on the Jets contract situation with their recievers. Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, and Brad Smith are all on the final year of their contract. Many other key players, such as Antonio Cromartie and David Harris are also on their last year.
per Schefter:
Like Holmes and Edwards, Smith also is in the last year of his contract. Unlike his wide receiver teammates, the Jets know that Smith is likely to receive a strong offer from another team and they will be unable to keep him. Chances are, this is Smith's last season with the Jets. At least he is making it a memorable one.
Usually, Schefter's word is gold, and it's basically a done deal. However, I think he overlooks a few points. One, Brad's role as a reciever is not nearly as big as his role on Special Teams combined with his "Tigercat" package. These roles are almost exclusive to the Jets; in other words, other teams will not be able to get nearly as much production out of Smith because Smith knows the offense so well. As a reciever, Smith is very average. I am not sure if other teams are willing to spend a lot of money on a guy who is more of a role-player than a supremely talented reciever.
So I guess the Raiders will be interested.
Either way, I suspect these guys want to play for Rex, and may be willing to take slightly less to stay in New York, especially Braylon. Of the possible free agents, I think Santonio Holmes has the best chance to leave.
Going against what Schefter predicts is almost as dangerous as betting against Peyton Manning. It's breaking the most basic laws of the league, but I have to in this case.
I also expect David Harris to be franchised.
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Franchise Tags May not be here
We have to plan like the new CBA won’t have a franchise tag type object
Good point. The franchise tag will be a stipulation in CBA talks.
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if there is a franchise tag...
i think it’d be more likely they franchise cro than harris. if cro is our long term option that means we basically give up on 1st rd pick in wilson since he’d be stuck at 3rd cb. that being said, wilson prob wont be ready to start immediately next yr (barring great improvement. 2 yrs from now is a diff story though) so they’ll still need cro next yr. the franchise tag would do the trick
metsjetsknicksrangers.............can it get any worse?
Cro. is not being franchised.
Wilson was drafted so they wouldn’t have to do that, Wilson is certainly not a perfect replacement for Cro. but he is a replacement we have high hopes for no way we basically waste that pick but leaving him at 3rd string or commit 25+ million just for two CB’s.
I’m expecting the franchise (if still there) to go to Harris, but the most important player we need to resign is Holmes.
Order we need to sign our impeding FA’s 1) Holmes 2) Harris 3) Edwards 4) Ellis 5) Cro. 6) B. Smith
We also have to figure to fit a Safety in there if we don’t draft 1 that can start right away, Pool, E. Smith, and Dig are all FA’s as well.
I say tag Harris. Its a tough choice bc I really like holmes too, but I think harris is intrical to the D. I think can still be good without Holmes. Besides, this might be the best draft ever for receivers. I can think of at least 5-6 legit first round all-star talents that might come out.
by Crackback on Dec 3, 2010 8:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Maybe the Brown
So Cribbs can get a breather and they get no drop off of production lol but I honestly think we can keep all three. I dont think Braylon will be as expensive as everyone thinks. And the majority of teams that throw a huge contract to get players are usually trash and Id think they’d want to be on a winning team.
harris will re-sign
and the jets can use whatever tagging or other mechanism on another player.
also, with braylon’s dwi etc he may not get a big offer elsewhere as he would with the jets
Good point, Ryan.
A good example might be Antwaan Randle-El not playing for Pittsburgh.
and the HOLMES of the... JETS!!!
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If you can touch it, you can catch it.
the thing is
brad smith has been getting a lot of press and seems to be a big commodity right now. being that he’s at best an avg wr (patrick turner might even be better) and that its not that hard to find a kr, and also that our offense doesnt exactly need the tiger to survive, i wouldnt be surprised if they let him walk rather than spending $ on him that htey need to resign all the other guys
metsjetsknicksrangers.............can it get any worse?
Look at Hester’s contract (smith won’t get that much) when you are a threat to return a TD teams will give you money especially if they struggle scoring TDs. I wish we resigned him after last year.
In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
maybe bengals
he’s absolutely killed them the last 2 yrs
metsjetsknicksrangers.............can it get any worse?
I think Santonio Holmes would be the first or 2nd to re-up. dont see him going anyplace.
B Smith on the other hand could be a problem. Return guys are becoming worth the investment . Cribbs, Hester…
IMO Smith and Edwards move on . but a, Plex will be getting released soon.
I may not be the most noble of men but in a town of lepers, im the one with the most fingers.
+1
I think they know he is the #1 priority, he has excellent chemistry with Sanchez, and just not as easily replaceable as the others can be.
Not sure if its reported on here
But Jim Lenoard may have broke his shin on a collisan with Patrick Turner today at practice. He is OUT Monday night.
by Henne Given Sunday on Dec 3, 2010 2:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Losing Jim hurts but might be a blessing for the return team
The Jets have many options, but I wouldn’t use the young guys McKnight, Wilson. I would use either Cro or Holmes. Both have returned punts in the past, but are very elusive runners, but losing Jim on defense is going to hurt the Jets
Just read that Westy put McKnight on the punt block team and that he’s not an option. Also said that Cro was already going to be used in the 2-deep format, and that JCo will probably fill in for Jim on punt return.
by Crackback on Dec 3, 2010 4:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Why?
Holmes should not be wasted as a punt returner hes our #1 WR. One hit and we will have only Braylon and a gimpy Cotch.
Cro. has returned all 1 punt in his 5 year NFL career.
Wilson is the best option, he was fantastic in college and has done a decent job in limited returns this year.
I agree no McKnight though, he still make me very nervous.
Hopefully Tanny can find a way
to keep all of these guys even if it means we lose Smith because I am sure teams will fall in love with his versatility and over pay for a guy like him. Hey anyone who has ESPN insider able to read the article on how Ryan is killing the Jets? I am interested in the logic behind that one.
i hope we dont lose him
But we might have his replacement on the roster already in McKnight.
by Crackback on Dec 3, 2010 4:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I certainly don't want to lose him, but...
in the grand scheme of things I’m not very worried if we do, and certainly wouldn’t over pay for him. I’d rather see us keep Holmes and Edwards and make sure the passing game under Mark keeps all its main weapons and progress then worry about the change of pace, return specialist wild card.
Specifically the return game its not just B. Smith, I’ve seen Leon Washington, Justin Miller, Jonathan Carter, and Chad Morton, all put up spectacular return stats under Westy, only to be replaced by the next person on the list. Smith has been great but its the coach more than anything, and he would not be that missed.
well said. right on the money.
Especially about Westy and the return game.
by Crackback on Dec 3, 2010 5:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Smith’s role is far more than just kr. And all of the roles arent as replaceable as they may seem. McKnight is a perfect example. The guy stinks! He’s got no heart and will never have a substantial nfl career. Smith may have replaced others with ease in all areas, but I consider that more of a testament to his skill and value rather than a statement of such roles being expendable.
I'd let Smith go
I think there’s much greater needs on the roster than Brad Smith.
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Also every one always overstates the importance of staying with a team. These guys are interested in MONEY. Rarely, you will see someone take a pay cut to make their team better or because they are under performing and don’t want to be cut. But in a relative sense that’s so uncommon I always expect the player to leave for the payday.
Anything else goes beyond optimism into blind arrogance.
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Yeah, I could buy the possibility of him taking a discount if he was like a Tomlinson who already is set for life with past earnings. This will be his one chance to cash in during his prime. I’m sure he loves being a Jet, but if another suitor comes around with life changing money, I have a tough time believing he won’t take.
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If the offense evolves after another season then hopefully Smith is not as important but Smith has been the main reason we won couple of games this season.
In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.
A game, IMO.
And if out of 53 guys if you can’t find another breakaway runner to run end arounds and returns you have no business being in pro football.
I’ve seen so many players who are otherwise unworthy of the league put up awesome special teams performances for the Jets. Smith is more talented than those returners past, but he is regrettably replaceable.
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smith condenses the needs of several players into one
with him on the team, there is more of an ability to address other team needs. The players may have to come at a cheaper price tag, but it gives more roster spots to give young hungry players a chance to prove themselves.
I love Brad Smith, but if we’re going to be honest, there’s only so much money to go around for the receiver position. If we’re going to keep both Santonio and Braylon, I don’t see much being left for Smith. Even if we’re not, we have many more significant free agents.
You can’t keep every good player on your team in the NFL. You need to target the guys who aren’t replaceable (Revis, Mangold, Harris). Again, I love Brad, but you can find a guy to play Wildcat quarterback. You can find a guy to serve as a special teams coverage ace. You can find a guy to return kicks. You can find a guy explosive in space. You can do all of this cheaply. A guy with Holmes’ speed and route running ability is a heck of a lot tougher to replace.
NFL careers are short, and Brad really hasn’t banked in yet. I think some team will pay him more than the Jets will and that he’ll take it.
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a smith of all trades..
I also am a huge Brad Smith fan. The reasons to keep him are all the reasons you mentioned, but as a whole. Brad Smith is the football embodiment of the Gestalt theory. As you mentioned you can find another wildcat qb, another coverage teams ace, kick returner, 4th wideout, upback on punts, but can you find them all in one player? That’s exactly why Brad is so valuable. He does the job of 5 other players, all at a very high level (with the exception of wr, where he has shown vast improvement when given opportunity). Brad Smith may seem replaceable at one of his singular roles, but he is truly greater than the sum of his parts. Also, previously mentioned roles arent as easily replaced as they may seem. Smith is constantly making plays on the field, and “plays like a Jet” as much as anyone on the team. Plus he frees up roster space with all the roles he condenses into one player. Resign him at nearly any cost.
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