I am not defending Smith, but didn't he play with something torn? As per rotoworld he played the last 5 games with a torn meniscus.
I don't know why everyone wants to let the Wayne Hunter of Safeties slide all the time because he "sure tries hard". He's hopeless. He's less than thrilling as a backup. Horrid as a starter. He needs to be cut to the tune of 2M in savings and be replaced if and at all possible.
I used to like smitty. I remember in the first game of the season, he blew his coverage and thank goodness Leohnard is fast. He caught witten at the two. Get smitty out of here.
Smith & Leonard can still help this team both in the locker room & on the field. They just aren't full time starters anymore. People forget that Smith is ST captain & has made a ton of plays on that unit. he also is very good in goalline/46 type looks. He just doesn't have the range or hips to be a full time safety. Leonard can be a good situational player as well b/c he's a very good open field tackler,blitzer & doesn't mind cover 0. Leonard's problem is lack of size & durability. I think the Jets need 2 starting safeties, but they should think about bringing back leonard in a situational/ST role. Smith & Leonard as your back-ups is pretty good depth.
Eric Smith isn't going anywhere and I hope we can re-sign Leonhard as well and add a nelson type as a FA.
The bolded is a great great point. Situationally and on ST he is valuable to this team. I also remember Rex bringing him in on 3rd and longs as a LB so if there was anything underneath he could make the sure tackle or scare the WR into short arming the pass.
Adam Schefter Bengals safety Reggie Nelson is scheduled to visit Jets on Friday. fingers crossed!!! The fact that he's scheduled a visit increases our chances... Lets hope he doesnt pull an Aso on us and sign with Philly at the last minute... Jimmy and Nelson as our starting Safeties sounds GREAT to me... This signing would open up the draft so much for us. We could go DE\LB or WR in the first
Sounds like the Jets and Nelson's reps have been talking for a couple of days (per Cimini) so hopefully the contract should be sorted quick!! Fingers crossed the Jets really need Nelson.
How many safeties do you guys think we'll sign this offseason? We gonna sign one draft one? Or sign two free agents ?
Im hoping we sign two, but its doubtful... At this point, we would be lucky if we can sign one decent safety.
I like this a lot. I look at this move as a significant improvement over Pool, a good starting safety for the Jets could line up opposite Jimmie L, keeping Smith for special packages and ST captain. If we find a replacement for Leonard through the draft and bring him into the rotation slowly we could be in great shape. OLB and ILB or OL on the first depending on Best available at 16 or traded own.
If Leonhard isn't brought back, fully expect Smith to be a Day 1 starter, as sickening as it sounds. A safety calls the defensive alignments in a Rex/Pettine defense. A rookie or FA signing won't step into that role right away.
