Happy to see him make an impact, but clearly he's got work to do and needs to become more consistent. I think its psychological, he's skilled but over-thinking things in his more rare and high pressure opportunities. I feel as though if he attains more reps he'll become more comfortable and improve, but then the reason he isn't getting reps is because he HASNT improved much in the first place. Its a catch 22… or a drop 22, I guess?...
Haha, nicely said Pun Master Flex. But I agree. He was in his own head early in the season. We saw how much the whole team celebrated his touchdown because he's obviously working hard to get better. Now that he has that first impact play out of the way he should start to feel comfortable moving forward and reduce the drops.
You can thank Rex for that. Taking a damned good rookie in one position and moving him to free safety. Ditto for Coples.
I think Devin is a work in progress. He's a rookie, who's going to have bright moments and make mistakes/ I know Jets fans have a hard time with patience, but I think it will prudent for them to show some. As long as he makes progress, I'll be happy. He's already shown that he is way better than Stephen Hill. Talk about fool's gold. I think it was really great that Bowles came over to the kid and congratulated him on his touchdown. I think it proves me to me that as long you're trying, the coach will be in his corner. But if he makes boneheaded plays, Bowles will continue to throw him under the bus.
How so? Hill had close to 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in his first game as a pro. But I agree with your first statement obviously, he's a work in progress, like every other young player and rookie especially. The same way he wasn't a bust last year this game doesn't make him the next Jerry Rice. He's heading in the right direction but it takes tons of more catches and games for him to establish himself to a point where we can just assume he will be a good receiver at some point. Right now you might as well flip a coin but it's great to see him make the right steps.
Devin had a pretty good college career, that so far he hasn't lived up to. Hill did nothing spectacular in college, had 1 good game in what 3 years? Hill still hasn't amounted to much.
What exactly did Devin do in college? Except for posting IDENTICAL stats in his senior year to Stephen's junior year? Both had like 30 catches for 900 yards, averaging 30 yards per catch. They both have proven one thing, they can stretch the field, but that's about it. Devin did it a little longer, is a bit of a safer pick, Hill had so much more upside because of his pure speed and size and how much room he had to grow and get better at, but it didn't work out. Still, to say Devin has already shown to be better than Hill (with like one catch) when Hill started out like the way he did in his first game vs Devin struggling all year makes no sense. Hill had Devin's best performance in his first game. Not that this means anything, I just disagreed with that statement because it's not true. Not sure why people have to compare those two all the time.
The Devin Smith touchdown reception reminds me of some wise words I heard once: Even Abyzmul can make a coherent post once in awhile....
I'm not comparing one to the other as Pro's, just pointing out Smith had a better college career than Hill. "Smith finished his college career with 121 receptions for 2,503 yards and 30 touchdowns." 4 years. "Hill finished his career with 49 receptions for 1,248 yards and nine touchdowns." 3 years. I don't think Smith is already better as a Pro, but I think he was better in college and a better pick than Hill, who we traded 2 picks to move up to get. ...And I think the comparison was said jokingly.
On his first catch yesterday the movement of his legs reminded me of deer-legged Hill. Hopefully it was just that play. Don't need a Stephen Hill clone around. Smith played well yesterday. Kudos buddy, your teammates were hyped up for you!
Can you imagine this draft class if these guys pan out. Williams, Smith, MAuldin, and the icing on top Petty (whom I am a firm believer in) That type of draft turns around a franchise.
Gotta be thrilled to see Smith make some plays yesterday. If it's a confidence thing, then this should go a long way to help him out. You know his teammates are going to be all over him this week--like he's become one of the clan. I would imagine he hasn't been getting a lot of love lately in the locker room--more encouragement and 'keep your head up' type stuff, but this week they are all going to be busting his balls good naturedly--and he's going to be feeling it. _
Both of his catches impressed me yesterday. The touchdown was obviously a big play before the half and he went up and fought for the football. His other catch was impressive as well. He showed the speed he has by being able to get to the sideline and add to the play.
The next thing I'd like to see is for him to take a short pass and see how he does in the open field. _
Agreed. He's definitely their fastest weapon so it would be nice to see what he can do in open space. Maybe run some drag routes with him or something.
I don't think the comparisons here to S. Hill are all that meaningful and instructive. Smith's problems I think so far have been mental, and I think it is not wild optimism to think a day like yesterday can and hopefully will serve as a turning point, away from the bad play he's had with the Jets until yesterday. The Jets could surely use that, as they are in great need of a third receiver helping Marshall and Decker.
Hill wouldn't have made that TD catch nor be in the slot to have made that catch. Therefore Smith is better.
Hill did not have more upside. He had size and speed AND STONE HANDS. He was extremely inconsistent catching the ball in college and didn't high point the ball. Smith is recognized as being great at tracking down deep balls and adjusting, and his hands have never been questioned.
