Will Jim Leonhard's Injury End Eric Smith's Time as a Nickel Linebacker?

by John B on Dec 13, 2011 11:19 AM EST

Eric Smith might be at his best in a nickel linebacker role. On obvious passing downs, the Jets drop him down close to the line. This year Brodney Pool has usually come in to take Smith's safety spot when this has happened.

Smith is an ideal guy for this spot in a subpackage. He does not need to cover the whole field. He usually takes on linebacker coverage responsibilities. While his issues in coverage are well documented, he is better than the average linebacker in coverage. On many plays, the linebacker is responsible for less or at least less critical things. Smith is also better than the average safety against the run and getting off blocks so the team loses less than it would simply dropping a traditional safety.

It will be interesting to see how things work now that Jim Leonhard is out. Pool will not be able to take Smith's spot now to let Eric drop down. He will be starting for Leonhard. A year ago, the Jets still had Dwight Lowery so they could move Smitty closer to the line. Who might fill this role this year? Will the Jets simply abandon the concept and keep Smith at safety? I hope not. He is effective at linebacker.

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Maybe T. Wilson is decent enough to do it?

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Dec 13, 2011 11:41 AM EST reply actions

Why not?

They should give him more reps in practice to see if he is ready for this week or next week. The only other option is bring M. Cole in at the slot and put K. Wilson to safety. The down side is K. Wilson is playing awesome in slot coverage.

by NYCKID on Dec 13, 2011 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

2 injuries in 2 seasons

I think Leonhards time in NY is over as well as his season, I like Leonhard but we need more speed and a bigger body back there, I hope the FO has plans on a Safety in the Draft, at least with 1 of our first 2 picks

"The message to the rest of the league is, hey, the Jets are coming, and we're going to give you everything we got. And I think that's going to be more than you can handle"

by AFCxxBEAST on Dec 13, 2011 12:10 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

I think a lot of us feel the same way… Speaking of which, some notable free agent safteys:

1. LaRon Landry

2. Michael Griffin

3. Tyvon Branch

Along with some decent prospects in the draft:

1. T.J. Macdonald

2. Mark Barron

3. Robert Lester

I think any of these would be a substantial ‘upgrade’, hopefully one of these could be selected in the 2nd round (wishful thinking) which would allow us to draft ‘that’ pass rushing linebacker.

Thoughts?

by Re1gn on Dec 13, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

“Dirty Thirty” would be the perfect SS on the Jets but I think he’s going to demand too much money.

by RevisChrist on Dec 13, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

Laron Landry

would definetly be my choice out of those guys, i just think it will be too much $$$$…Mark Barron has been pretty impressive so far and at 6’2 220lbs he would be a nice fit

"The message to the rest of the league is, hey, the Jets are coming, and we're going to give you everything we got. And I think that's going to be more than you can handle"

by AFCxxBEAST on Dec 13, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions