Brad Smith: Stay or Go?

by John B on Feb 1, 2010 7:30 AM EST Comment 26 comments

The Jets selected Brad Smith in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. The plan was to try and develop the college quarterback into a quality NFL receiver as the Steelers did with Antwaan Randle-El. That never really happened. Brad never figured out route running, and his hands left a lot to be desired. Even so, Smith found ways to make himself useful for Gang Green and eventually gained widespread appreciation in the fan base.

I equate Brad to a utility player in baseball. You wouldn't want him lining up at a single position on a full time basis. If you find different spots to insert him (Wildcat quarterback, receiver on reverses, running back, coverage units, return man), he'll add something to the team. Now he's a restricted free agent.

I'm not sure this is as much of a no brainer as conventional wisdom would indicate. Yes, Smith is valuable, but considered what the uncapped year means. As a final eight team, the Jets can only sign unrestricted free agents at the rate they lose them. Brad's great, but he's a luxury player. Next year Mark Sanchez will have a year under his belt and be expected to turn the passing game into a real asset. The Jets won't have to rely as much on gadgets or deception. Could the Jets not tender Smith and sign a slot receiver in his place to make the offense more explosive in a more conventional way?

The Jets could also slap a second round tender on Smith and see what happens in restricted free agency. I don't think any team would be willing to give up a first round pick on a part time player. A second round pick seems likely. What makes me say that? Last year Pat White, a player with a similar skill set, went in the second round to Miami. A lot of people had him going to other teams in the second round. Again, that early pick can help the Jets find a player who is more of a necessity in a year it's going to be difficult to make moves.

I do vote for Brad to stay, but I think it's a tougher call than a lot of people do.

What's your vote?

Poll

If you were running the Jets, what would you do with Brad Smith?

Try to resign him

238 votes

Don't tender him, let him walk, and sign another player in his place

40 votes

Second round tender him and let him walk for the Draft pick

220 votes

498 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I think were just figuring out how to use the guy, i see the case tho.
I voted stay, but that might not be on the cards.

Curtis "my favorite" Martin - 1 of the best!

by jcgamble on Feb 1, 2010 8:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Keep him

Keep him and tender Clemens. Make Ainge #2 and Smith #3 behind Sanchez. That way he can be used in the Tigercat as well as the other positions he already plays.

by NYC KID on Feb 1, 2010 9:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

not to be too nitpicky, but if he were #3 qb, if he came in the game (prior to 4th quarter) #1 and #2 qbs would be ineligible for the rest of the game.

by JetsFan1991 on Feb 1, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not if the Jets kept him active.

The emergency third quarterback isn’t counted as one of the active players for the game. Hence that rule.

Teams are free to leave three quarterbacks active, and the rule doesn’t apply. It just leaves one less spot for a guy at another position.

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by John B on Feb 1, 2010 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

john you are correct, perhaps i should have been clearer. they can do that, but then they get no benefit of the 3rd qb rule. might as well have someone as your 3rd qb who doesn’t count against your active list – you can always put smith or any other active player you want under center.

by JetsFan1991 on Feb 1, 2010 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It would free up a spot on the roster, though, not that I necessarily endorse it.

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by John B on Feb 1, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brad + Leon = Semitiger

Semitiger = destruction of opposing defenses hopefully lol

by Exystence on Feb 1, 2010 10:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

i like the 2nd round idea

getting a 2nd rounder and the right to sign a free agent would be pretty huge, particularly in this deep draft where we are short a few picks.

i like smith’s versatility, but a pick and a free agent could make up for his loss, particularly with Leon coming back. honestly i don’t see a team giving up a 2nd rounder for him.

by JetsFan1991 on Feb 1, 2010 10:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like his overall contribution to the team

Brad adds an element of misdirection and makes some unexpected plays possible. His pass to Eric Smith on a fake punt against Tampa Bay was a classic. He also got some good runs in on stolen snaps. While he isn’t great at route running or extremely sure-handed, I think he could work as a screen receiver or pitch runner, plus he could take handoffs and then throw.

I don’t agree with the argument that just because our conventional offense is improving (Sanchez can pass better, Greene has stopped fumbling, etc.) an unconventional player like Brad won’t add more. After all, the goal is to get more yards and end up in the end zone, and if you make the opposing defense lose a step and miss potential tackles because they’re not sure what’s coming, I’m all for it.

by Rabbit T on Feb 1, 2010 11:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If Leon comes back at full strength, I don't see where Brad gets on the field.

Like John said, Sanchez’s development means less emphasis on the run game, meaning less opportunities for the Tiger/Seminole. And if Leon is all the way back, he will be getting all of those plays. I say let him go and grab a true receiver for Sanchez to throw to. The return of Leon makes Brad useless.

by Crackback on Feb 1, 2010 1:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure I agree

Brad Smith isn’t much of a passer, but he still at least poses that threat. And at the very least he’d be useful on special teams and could probably be the dedicated punt return guy. I love Cotch but I cringe every time he calls for a fair catch when there’s like acres of green in front of him.

by Exystence on Feb 1, 2010 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Leon can return kicks.

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by Matt Birch on Feb 1, 2010 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

Was thinking the exact same thing, Crack. Leon’s return renders Brad Smith’s role relatively useless, unfortunately.

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by Matt Birch on Feb 1, 2010 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This post was in reply to Crackback’s above. Didn’t go where it was supposed to.

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by Matt Birch on Feb 1, 2010 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he’s on the field all the time. theres almost no limit to how and to the extent bsmtih can contribute. I dont see how you watch the game and dont want him on your team. Dangle Edwards out there for a 1st, he’s expendable and replacable. If you think Smith is, think again.

by Ozone on Feb 1, 2010 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What????? Edwards is replacable???

I can’t get on board with that. Im no Edwards fan but it can’t be denied that very few can do what he can do. Smith is nice to have for some trickery but he won’t get touches with a healthy Leon on the team and as Sanchez starts to toss it around a bit.

by Crackback on Feb 1, 2010 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah thankfully there are very few who can drop a pass in the nfl while wide open. I know where you are coming from though, Braylon has some very desirable physical attributes. He’s huge, and can get open downfield very well. I just see more players now and in coming years available at wr with similar once rare physical attributes and I would rather take a shot on someone else. Also, wr is a hugely overrated position relative to how the mainstream see it as far as overall value. No one is taking a first and third for him. A team might take a first, but I doubt it still. I would tender him a one, and play it from there.

by Ozone on Feb 3, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

this guys gots tremendous value to the team. Dont take a chance at letting another team get their paws (or fins) on him

by Ozone on Feb 1, 2010 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great Utility Player, BUT

Leon returning really makes his role diminish. Leon can run the option out of the Seminole, and he can also return kicks.

And as John pointed out, he’s really not a good WR.

I loved his contributions this season in Leon’s absence, but I’d also love a early round draft pick for our secondary.

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by Matt Birch on Feb 1, 2010 3:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i agree. i wouldnt mind keeping him or letting him go (provided we get something in return like the second round tender option). we have a few needs, so losing bsmith would be okay if it helped us cover one.

by random122 on Feb 1, 2010 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The should definitely keep him he is a versatile player that helped us get to where we got in the playoffs.

by LostOnRevisIsland24 on Feb 1, 2010 4:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Brad Smith as you all know is a former star QB at Missouri so passing is not an issue. His pass in the AFC game was just him being cautious and not wanting to overthrow a wide open receiver. Leon did nothing in the seminole/tiger because the defense knew he would be running Smith brings the pass option the defense has to consider. Why can’t we use Leon in the slot and as the third back if we keep all three?

by NYC KID on Feb 1, 2010 4:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We threw it once all season out of that formation, and we go with the formation maybe 3x in a game. It will be utilized even less as Sanchez develops. So we’d be keeping Brad for maybe one play every other game. Just doesn’t make sense. I say scrap the Tiger/Seminole altogether. We seemed to use it 2nd and 3rd and long, or out of a quick huddle to catch the D off-guard. In those situations, I’d much rather Sanchez rolling out with a run pass option and having Leon in the flat as an outlet with a ton of real estate in front of him.

by Crackback on Feb 1, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let Clemens go

Work Brad up to be the #2 QB, that way when he is in for any plays under center, he’ll be better equipped to handle it.

Go Jets
Go Devils

by FrankG929 on Feb 1, 2010 9:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Verry Good Point,, get rid of clemens Use Brad as #2 QB

Gives us an extra 1.5mil to use else-ware like a quality WR ect. Clemens is no more a threat than Brad would be back there taking the snap. I don’t see how Brad could be any less productive (than Clemens have been). Truth is if Mark goes down, the jets would be better off utilizing some form of cat formation in there game plan….. Relying on any of our Backup QB’s would not be a very good idea.

by GKmac on Feb 1, 2010 10:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Linking Clemens & Smith?

I think too many posts here are linking Clemens and Smith as an either/or. Clemens doesn’t have much support here and I agree, so let’s remove him from the equation. Looking at Smith, he does have some value in limited areas. If he can be re-signed for a reasonable dollar value, then he stays as insurance. If not, sit back and let him entertain offers. But Clemens goes either way.

by oldskooljet on Feb 2, 2010 12:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs