Training Camp: Players To Watch For - S Eric Smith July 18th, 2007 by Gary Grund Eric Smith Eric Smith was drafted by the Jets in the third round of the 2006 NFL draft. Some fans were very weary about the Jets drafting Smith in the third round as they deemed the pick a reach. Smith played college at Michigan State having more than 100 tackles each of his final two season in his collegiate career. Smith established himself as a team leader on the defensive side of the ball for the Spartans in his final two seasons at Michigan State. Smith is a hard competitor and gives it his all on the field which led to coach Mangini drafting him. Smith took advantage of his time in preseason when starting safety Erik Coleman missed two weeks due to an injury. Smith worked with the first team defense during training camp and preseason last year and had an interesting regular season. He is known for his good football instincts and awareness on the field and that eventually led to his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns earning his first career interception against opposing quarterback Charlie Frye. Smith finished his debut season with 27 tackles, two interceptions and two passes deflected in limited time as a reserve on the team. His contributions on special teams last season should not go unnoticed either making key tackles down the field. His only real competition to start at safety on this team right now is Erik Coleman who in his first three seasons in the league appears to be a very up and down player. The only downside of Smith that Coleman provides is the speed and quickness for a safety. While Coleman did manage to get 100 tackles and reel in an interception, he seemed to lack the playmaking ability from the safety position that the Jets appear to be looking for. This battle will undoubtedly be the one to watch for in training camp this upcoming week and preseason.
great read,thanks for posting. Should be a fun battle to keep an eye on this year. My guess, Smith will be the starting SS at some point this year. Here is the link though: http://www.jetscentral.com/?p=371
I agree...Smith has limited time in the secondary last year, but he definitely made the most of it by going all out. Plus, as mentioned, he was clutch in the Special Teams plays that proved to be solid along side Brad Smith who was a Special Teams machine last year. I'd love to see if Revus will get a chance to line up on the same side as Moss in Game 1. I'm making it a point to mention in every one of my posts that I hope Vick is in a room, covered in steak blood, as 10 blood sucking pit-bulls are released on him.
It's Revis man...Revus sounds like something a redneck would name his dog. As a Jets fan, you should at least know how to spell their first round pick's name.
Well, the i is right next to the u key so it was probably just a typo, so I don't think there's any need for the spelling police to join us on the boards.
Eric Smith will replace Coleman. He is a better athlete and a more heady player. With Rodes, Smith, Dyson, Revis/Barret our secondary will be amongst the best in the league.
Smith made one of the most athletic plays of anyone last year, and it went with little regard from the local media. It was in Minnesota and he was up at the LOS apparently going to blitz, as the ball is snapped you can see Smith dropping back into coverage.....The play is approx. a 30 yard corner route to the end zone that Smith jumps and deflects away form the WR. It was a perfect throw and an even better play by the rookie...From that point on I made it a point to keep an eye on his play and he really held his own last year...Competition brings out the best in your best players, with that said I agree completely that this will be a very good TC battle for the staritng position.
It's okay because...he spelled it Rodes when everyone else knows it's Rhodes. The O is 3 to the right and 1 up from the H so he probably just made a type. Either that or he just plays alot of Madden and Rhodes isn't all that good in Madden, so he just doesn't know any better. No need for the spelling police!
It is amazing how a decent post and promising threads end up like this. Thanks Kentucky for the information.
Not really...since I browse to the boards from work I have signatures turned off and I can't read that quote of his enough times :rofl2:
It's called sarcasm broseph, and stop acting like you own the boards.I'm pretty sure I joined it before you did...even if it's only by a couple of months.
