Eric Smith: Stay or Go? Part 1: Introduction

by John B on Feb 17, 2011 9:00 AM EST

Eric Smith was one of two men the Jets chose in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft, the first one in which Eric Mangini and Mike Tannenbaum ran. While generally considered a reach at the time, Smith stuck on the roster unlike the other guy Gang Green selected in that third round, boar hunter extraordinaire, Anthony Schlegel.

Smith has generally been a reserve during his time with the Jets but has gotten spot duty starting since his second season. Sometimes it has been due to injury as was the case this year with Jim Leonhard. Other times it has been to send a message to a starter like Kerry Rhodes in 2009 or Brodney Pool in 2010. He has never stuck as a starter, though. The Jets have made moves to acquire guys like Pool, Leonhard, and Abram Elam in recent years to not have to go with Smith.

Eric has still developed into a valuable reserve and a good special teamer during his run in green and white. Now he is a free agent, another guy whose status as either restricted or unrestricted will be determined by the CBA.

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staaaaaaaaaay

by realsouthace on Feb 17, 2011 9:04 AM EST reply actions

I like this guy

Not a superior player, definitely not flashy, but he’s a pro…knows his strengths and gets out there and does his job and does it consistently.

Plus, he loves to lay out Welker.

by EVT on Feb 17, 2011 9:09 AM EST reply actions

+10000000000000000 on welker comment

by tinley24 on Feb 17, 2011 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

Stay--what his price though?

This guy was big for us in Rex’s new scheme during the playoffs…he makes guys catching the ball over the middle a little tentative—

by ATL Jetsbaby on Feb 17, 2011 9:10 AM EST reply actions

if the price is right

smith is a good ,hard hitting player that we need to keep . we can’t let pool and smith walk

by tinley24 on Feb 17, 2011 9:28 AM EST reply actions

let him go

by SLAUGHTERHOUSE on Feb 17, 2011 9:32 AM EST reply actions

and replace him how?

he adds depth and certain situations is very effective—also on teams…

by ATL Jetsbaby on Feb 17, 2011 9:44 AM EST reply actions

Every winning team needs guys like this. Stay.

by SioneBAAOOOHA on Feb 17, 2011 10:15 AM EST reply actions

I don’t think he’s going anywhere. He’s not going to command a lot of cash, he’s special teams captain, and he can start in a lot of different spots.

Staff Writer - GangGreenNation.com
My name's Darrelle; spelled like Darrell, pronounced Darrelle

by Ryan Alfieri on Feb 17, 2011 10:30 AM EST reply actions

I'd be very suprised if he is not on the Jets next year

He is more or less the ideal less-talented player. He has skills and plays his strengths, works hard in practice (as seen in him moving up the depth chart), plays hard physical football, plays well on special teams, and keeps his mouth shut. I think having a player like smith on the roster is a huge advantage for this team even if they pick up two new safeties. He can play both SS and FS (and safetey-backer) and is pretty good at both so just having that level of depth and the usage in various subpackages is invaluable.

by flixenuz on Feb 17, 2011 10:41 AM EST reply actions