What was Jets brass thinking here? In this article from a few days ago he basically concedes that the only way he'll ever play in the NFL is as a special teamer. Did the Jets really need to invest a high round pick(3) on this guy? "Smith will be content playing special teams. It's real unlikely I'll come in and be a starter, so unless I'm making an impact on special teams there isn't really a reason to keep me around," Smith said. "That's the way I can make a team." http://www.mlive.com/spartans/football/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1146219024312640.xml&coll=1 Smith hoping to buck odds again in draft Saturday, April 29, 2006 By Steve Grinczel EAST LANSING -- Eric Smith has been undervalued and overlooked before, so he isn't concerned about this weekend's NFL draft. Although the former Michigan State strong safety heard this week he could sneak into the fourth or fifth round, the Sports Illustrated Web site predicts he'll be waiting until the seventh, and final, round. Smith isn't banking on anything, however, and won't be surprised if he has to begin his professional career as an undrafted free agent. He's made it work before. "Just about everybody doubted me in high school and I found a way to overcome it," Smith said. "The only teams that recruited me were Michigan State, Kent State, Harvard and Yale." Last season, Smith led the Spartans with 101 tackles, had a team-high four pass-breakups and intercepted two passes while earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. He hasn't exactly dazzled the scouts with his speed. His best workout time, recorded at MSU's pro day, was 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash. However, Smith compensated with his football intelligence quotient at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. "I got a chance to sit down with four different teams in individual interviews and they said they were really impressed with how intelligent I am football-wise," Smith said. "A lot of teams said I really helped myself. "I think I'll be able to pick things up on film better and read plays quicker, which will allow me to react sooner and that will make up for me not running a 4.4." Atlanta and Cincinnati have shown the most interest in Smith, he said while adding, "I'll be happy anywhere." Smith will be content playing special teams. "It's real unlikely I'll come in and be a starter, so unless I'm making an impact on special teams there isn't really a reason to keep me around," Smith said. "That's the way I can make a team." There were a ton of higher rated players still left on the board when the Jets picked Smith in the 3rd round.
He says that because he knows he isn't the flashyest. He knows he has to come in on ST and work his way up. Sounds like a pretty good work ethic....
jetsnation06 that is why we are on the message boards posting and not coaching for the jets. They obviouslydid their homework with preparation for this draft. Relax we also wasted the 1st pick of the second round with Alex Van Dyke years ago...
"It's real unlikely I'll come in and be a starter, so unless I'm making an impact on special teams there isn't really a reason to keep me around," Smith said. "That's the way I can make a team." How many third rounders come in from day one and start right away? I know nothing about this kid, so why count him out before i have seen him play? Yes we have a lot of safeties, but how many of the safeties were drafted by this coaching staff? I like what Mangini is doing bring in his own players who fit what he wants to do, open up the competition and may the best man win.Its the capitalist way isnt it?
We drafted Bj Askew in the third round a few years ago, How many games has he started? Its only this season that it looks like he is going to start.
I have to laugh to myself everytime I read "this kid is an injury waiting to happen" .... He hasn't had an injury or missed a game in two seasons. Bad luck early in his career and he is "made of glass". I give him an "A" for attitude & desire. Have to wait and see what he can do on the field before I can form a solid opinion on him.
