This week, John Idzik made it clear that the Jets would look to field roster spots this season through undrafted rookie free agents. Former California University safety Rontez Miles went undrafted, we’ll take a look at Miles in this post.
BIOGRAPHY: In short, he went to high school with Rob Gronkowski, and Miles was recruited by many big schools out of high-school, but he choose Kent State to play with his step-brother Vondre Griffin. In Miles’ first year, Griffin was dismissed from the program (but was eventually cleared) of the charges, and Miles decided to leave the program with Griffin no longer there. After a year in a warehouse taking classes at a community college, Miles then enrolled at California University of PA. Where he earned PSAC Freshman of the Year, four All PSAC-West selections, back to back Defensive Player Of The Year awards, and two-time Division II All American honors. This USA Today article gives a great picture.
STRENGTHS: Good size and looks extremely athletic. Very lean and hard build. Miles is known as a punishing hitter, and is extremely willing to get physical against the run and he’s a good tackler and wraps up well. Good diagnosis skills, and decent against the pass.
WEAKNESSES: He will have get much more technically sound as he moves up to the NFL. Sometimes can overpursue the play and can take bad angles at times. He sometimes tries too hard to make a big hit and that might get him in trouble in the NFL.
CONCLUSION: It’s impossible to look at some of his highlights and not be impressed. At the same time, it’s maddening because his it is impossible to judge how he’ll fare against a much more talented pool of players. Miles has all the athletic skill and the physical nature that could make him a menace in the defensive backfield, but he’s going to need to get much more technically sound and not rely on his brute strength and athleticism to make plays in the NFL. He’s a great prospect for the Jets to give a try, but some dedicated work and roster stowing might pay dividends over time.
This week, John Idzik made it clear that the Jets would look to field roster spots this season through undrafted rookie free agents. Former Virginia Tech WR Marcus Davis went undrafted, and was cut less than a month after signing with the Giants. Even so, in putting in a waiver claim the Jets got a physically gifted player to add to the competition at one of the team’s depth-challenged units … we’ll take a look at Davis in this post.
BIOGRAPHY: Davis was a high school quarterback and receiver and he played both spots during his freshman year in Blacksburg. Rather than sit behind Tyrod Taylor, Davis then moved from quarterback to receiver duiring that season and a right shoulder injury during preseason practices forced Davis to redshirt 2008. Davis then only managed only five catches for 125 yards in 2009, including an 80-yard touchdown against Boston College. Davis’ role grew in 2010, starting two games and catching 19 passes for 239 yards and two TDs. In 2011, Davis then started eight games while missing significant time in two games with a sprained right foot. Davis ended third on the team in receiving (30-510, 5 TD) that year behind Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin. As a senior, Davis led the Hokies with 51 catches for 953 yards and five scores.
STRENGTHS: Big frame with the perfect length and body mass. Davis has deceptively quick feet and burst to evade press at the line, but with active hands to shed the jam as well as the size to untangle. Gets up to speed quickly and his workouts show good flexibility to change direction on sharp routes. Davis uses his hands well to shed the jam and also to pluck the ball out of the air. Has good vision to locate the ball and use his body to position himself and shield defenders from the catch. Good at “high-pointing” the ball with excellent size and vertical.
WEAKNESSES: In short, Davis needs to be more aggressive against defenders and polished in his technique. Davis has a tendency to round off his routes too frequently. Davis also needs to use his size to better fight for position and to get physical with defenders for the ball in the air. There were some communication issues with his quarterback in college and he also had some concentration lapses (turning upfield before securing the ball). While he has the skill to pluck the ball out of the air, he often traps the ball against his chest. Davis has also been noted for not using his size to be as aggressive in the run-blocking game.
OVERVIEW: Davis was called by NYJetsDraft.com one of the “most underrated receiving prospects” in the country and some analysts had him as a middle round prospect early in the draft process. The Virginia Tech offense was stagnant and inconsistent due to poor quarterback play in 2012 and most of his career, Davis played behind Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin; it was only as a senior that Davis had a chance to stand out. Davis then led Tech with 51 catches for 953 receiving yards and five TDs as a senior in 2012.
Davis was expected to be a Day Three prospect, but it wasn’t until after the draft ended that he had his chance. Davis made the decision to sign with the Giants.
It is concernning that a prospect like Davis would go undrafted. A player in the ACC who had a productive senior season and has all the measurables to fit in the NFL wouldn’t normally fall as he did. There are some theories about why he went undrafted, and his hometown newspaper the Virginian-Pilot offered some of them.
Davis [...] still doesn’t know all the reasons that led to him not being selected, although there were numerous theories — from the receivers’ lackluster blocking last year to his agent’s relationship with NFL teams to concerns about a shoulder injury from five years ago.
CONCLUSION: The Jets are short at wide receiver and therefore need to be creative about how they fill out their roster. There’s no downside to picking up a player like Davis. The Jets might quickly analyze Davis and toss him as the Giants did, but I highly doubt it. 6’4″ 232 pound receivers with 4.5 40 yard dash speed who can bench 225 19 times don’t grow on trees, and the Jets have the right receivers coach can work with this sort of player. Sanjay Lal worked hard to focus DHB in Oakland and used that experience to help him in equipping Stephen Hill (a player CBS Sports compared Davis to) and so that model could work again with another freakishly gifted player who needs serious technique refinement. At his size, the argument might be made that the Jets could consider bulking him up and moving him to H-Back / Tight End … it’s an inventive thought, but my initial reaction is that a player who doesn’t already have the aggression to play receiver at his current size would get eaten alive by defensive ends and linebackers.
Davis is going to have to work hard to improve his technique, but he appears to have all the physical tools with which to work. Under Tannenbaum, this is a player that the Jets would likely try and give every benefit of the doubt and who they would do their best to stow on the roster somehow, to give him the time they need to develop. We’ll have to see how Idzik handles the matter, but if in fact there are injury concerns, then the Jets might see 2013 as a sort of redshirt season for Davis.
Here’s some of the quotes and rumors from last night. Our man Corey killed the red carpet at the ESPN The Magazine event, here’s some of what he tweeted out during his time at the IAC Building.
Geno Smith expects to go in the top 5. Says he’s visited with #Jets and seen them at his pro day. Thinks they have interest.— Corey Griffin (@cgriffin415) April 25, 2013
Geno Smith is atop the Jets QB rankings. #nyj— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) April 24, 2013
Reaction: There’s so many conflicting reports on this and whether the Jets are or aren’t interested. They’ve done their due diligence and if they covet Smith, then they are doing a great job of keeping it a secret. Smith might be the top QB on their board … but does he have a ranking above #13? That’s what really matters. Also, this is a good indication that the Jets interest in Nassib was not genuine.
Josh Bush says Revis “not salty” over trade. Says it’s a business and he’s moving forward. Bush aiming to start after safeties left #Jets— Corey Griffin (@cgriffin415) April 25, 2013
Kenny Vaccaro said the Jets were "one of my best visits." Thinks he can help replace Revis by dominating immediately. http://t.co/HmL57kwzY8— Corey Griffin (@cgriffin415) April 25, 2013
Reaction: This is Bush’s shot. The team has signed Dawan Landry who could play strong or Big Nickel depending on who the Jets come away from the draft with. Bush could make a good free safety, so good to hear that he’s got his eyes on the starting spot. Vaccarro is a heck of a player and would fit in nicely. It’s also cool to hear that he loved his visit with the Jets.
Cordarelle Patterson says he'd be OK with being a backup for #jets this year. Met with Rex, Sanjay Lal at facility. http://t.co/VnINUvqxwv— Corey Griffin (@cgriffin415) April 25, 2013
Reaction: Patterson was linked to the Jets early on but Austin seems to have supplanted him as the top receiving prospect. There’s some concern about Patterson’s smarts, but he’s got an incredible skillset and might make a dynamic receiver in the NFL. When the Jets had just one pick in the first, using the 9th on Patterson seemed unlikely, but depending on how things fall, he might be there at 13.
Chance Warmack fashionably late. Told me earlier today he thinks he's a really good fit in Jets blocking scheme. http://t.co/MG1sTbBlPo— Corey Griffin (@cgriffin415) April 25, 2013
Reaction: Warmack would take the Jets interior line to warp speed. He’s on the larger side, but his speed and athleticism (and losing a little weight) would help him fit right into the Jets scheme.
Reaction: Signing Goodson took some of the wind out of the sails of interest in Bernard. Gio might be the best playmaker at the tailback spot in this class and is an open-field threat … but would he fit the Jets current or projected (assuming Chris Ivory trade happens) makeup?
Rumors
EJ Manuel saying he thinks Bills, Browns or Eagles will take him. ESPN #predraft— Robert Littal (@BlkSportsOnline) April 25, 2013
Reaction: There’s been an undercurrent that the Jets might be interested in Manuel. It sounds to me as if Manuel is saying that this would be at the top of the second. If the Jets are serious about adding EJ Manuel, then they might have to maneuver in front of some teams.
Jets like Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert, but not at No. 13. #nyj— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) April 24, 2013
Reaction: We like hearing that. Eifert might be a nice tight end, but there’s just too much value to be had at the start of the second and third rounds. Ertz, McDonald, Kelce are all good prospects in their own right and not that far behind Eifert’s abilities.
Reaction: Now this is interesting because the Browns have been the one top ten team routinely linked with CB Dee Milliner. Will whoever trades back with the Browns then take Milliner? Maybe not, but it also means that Milliner might more easily slide to the ninth pick and other teams might want to trade up to draft him.
1 source: #Eagles have been calling Lane Johnson a lot recently. 1 NFL insider: Don't see the #Eagles taking Lane. Me: Pulling my hair out.— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 24, 2013
Debate in KC is coaches want Fisher, scouts want Joeckel. Not a rift, just a debate. Dorsey is from Ron Wolf tree, prefer big school player— Jason Cole (@JasonColeYahoo) April 25, 2013
Filed to USA Today Sports: Chiefs still taking calls from teams inquiring about the No. 1 pick; negotiating with Dolphins for B. Albert.— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) April 24, 2013
Although most believe Chiefs take Luke Joeckel, I do not, I believe Chiefs will take Eric Fisher w #1 pick. Big, nasty, fits city— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) April 24, 2013
Reaction: There’s a real bottleneck in the top ten when it comes to tackles and guards. It’s really hard to gauge how serious
Podcast Redux: Listening Back to Tony
Brian Bassett , theJetsBlog.com
Yesterday I had the chance to listen back to the Tony Pauline interview again from the Friday podcast that Corey and I taped. In case you haven’t listened to it, here’s a few things that I learned from Tony on Friday:
Like a Boss — According to Tony, John Idzik is running the show and he’s the one in charge and will be the one making the final call come Thursday. There’s nothing wrong with a head coach wanting specific players for his team and giving that input back to the GM, but at the end of the day it’s the GM’s job to execute the long-term vision for the football team and that is exactly what seems to be happening in Florham Park. To me that’s a good thing. Rex tends to get over-enthused about things and so I like hearing that Idzik is acting as a speed governor to Ryan’s acceleration pedal.
The Assumed Revis Exam — Before any trade, it’s obvious that the Bucs are going to want to examine Revis, and it might be that it happens (happened?) without the news getting out. Could the Jets, Bucs and Team Revis keep a lid on the story? They might need to do so if they all want to pull off the trade. So while the news might leak, should we not hear anything in the the next three to four days, it doesn’t mean that an exam didn’t take place, or previously take place.
With the Ninth Pick — Whatever the Jets end up with in terms of draft picks on Thursday, they are going to want to grab players who can start and therefore make an immediate impact. With that in mind, Pauline expects the Jets to draft either of the two top-rated guards (Warmack or Cooper) or the name that we keep hearing when it comes to the OLB spot … Barkevious Mingo.
Grab a Safety by the End of Day Two — If the Jets want to draft a safety that can step in and start, it might have to be by Friday night. While there’s a number of higher rated prospects Pauline really likes DJ Swearenger and then should the Jets wait til Day Three, Earl Wolff out of NC State might be a nice pickup.
Going Across the Middle — Rounds three to four are a nice place to pick up receivers, and Pauline mentioned names like Da’Rick Rogers and Kenny Stills as possibilities.
Better Than — It is very interesting that the Jets are interested in Chris Ivory, and that they want to add him is an indication that they value beefing up their running game, but are less certain about the prospects in the class and whether or not they would be better than whatever they might get for a few seasons out of Ivory.
Stay Tuned — Pauline talked at length about Cornelius Washington and how he might be a great NFL players but one who didn’t get to flash at Georgia because he played in the shadow of Jarvis Jones. Washington might have the ability to be a playmaker, but his tape won’t show it as he was the gap assignment guy. Even so, Washington has had some character concerns off the field but also needs to get more explosive off the snap for the NFL. He’s an interesting Day Three prospect for a team. Oh and don’t forget about EJ Manuel and Ryan Nassib who Pauline mentioned as the Jets having some interest in … could they maneuver around to get their man in the late first or early second?
Team Needs: Jets Defense
Brian Bassett , theJetsBlog.com
With the Jets hunkering down for the NFL Draft next week, here’s a quick review of where the team is at each position. What do they have? What do they need? We’ll make note of the spots that the Jets could look to upgrade starting as soon as next Thursday. Today we’ll do the offensive group, tomorrow the defense.
Safety – The Jets lost both their starting safeties from last year when Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry signed elsewhere, they also lost their third safety Eric Smith when they cut him leading up to free agency. Assuming that the secondary could look drastically different in a week’s time, safety is a position that the team can quickly upgrade to shore up the potential loss of a Pro Bowl corner in this draft class. Sure, the Jets signed Dawan Landry and more will be expected from Josh Bush. Still, it’s fair to say that in a draft class that has a high number of talented coverage safeties deep into the third day, the team might use a pick to find a player to augment their group and push to become a starter in due time.
Outside Linebacker – One way to help improve a pass defense without adding a secondary player is to get a pass rusher. The Jets have decided to move away from the Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace duo, and while they brought back Pace this week, he might share duty with Antwan Barnes situationally. The Jets have been holding onto Ricky Sapp for a reason, and we might see it this season but the Jets have been routinely linked to the DE/OLB spot with their 9th pick in many mock drafts. The Jets haven’t had a dominant pass-rusher since John Abraham and there are a number of players who might be able to help the group from the edge. The Jets have shown some interest in lesser rated prospects, but many think that the Jets very well could draft a solid pass-rusher early on like Jones, Mingo or should they fall to nine, Jordan or even Ansah.
Defensive Tackle – The Jets lost their long-time run-stuffer Sione Pouha due to cuts and that will have to play into whatever they do at the spot in 2013. Pouha was a great find and worked well in Rex’s scheme, but he was found money for the Jets coming out of a time where Kris Jenkins couldn’t stay healthy. The same problem happened to Pouha in 2012 and his cap number was too high. The Jets have been bringing along Kenrick Ellis for such a moment, but the team also signed Antonio Garay who seems like a good fit to work situationally with Ellis. Still, if the Jets get a chance to grab one of the classes top players, they might have a tough time saying no, even after drafting two defensive linemen in the first round in the last two drafts.
Corner — We know Rex Ryan’s mantra is that you can never have too many cornerbacks and should the Jets move Darrelle Revis, they might be in the market. Even without Revis, the group is solid already with Cromartie leading the way with Kyle Wilson, Ellis Lankster and Isaiah Trufant pitching in, but the team might plan to use a mid to late round pick who could bolster the group and potentially line up on the outside should he need to. Of course, the Jets might have a hard time letting Dee Milliner slip by them at No. 9 should he still be available.
The Rumor Mill: Hunkering Down
Brian Bassett , theJetsBlog.com
Here’s a steaming portion of pre-draft rumors and reports NFL team and agent reverse propaganga.
Saints RB Chris Ivory
Tickling the Ivory — In the past week the Jets have brought in and considered making an offer to RFA running back Chris Ivory from the Saints. According to LaCanfora, the team is seriously considering the idea of bringing him in — a move which would cost the team their second rounder. Ivory is a player who has seen little time on the field in his career, but whose results are mouth-watering. Ivory started college at Washington State but was kicked off the team for infractions and ended up at Tiffin where a former special teams coach had landed. Ivory has had a tough road, but has proven himself a valuable player. Ivory has routinely shown that he’s a battering ram and that he’s extremely hard to bring down even when defenses are keying on him as he was used as a “closer back” in New Orleans. Earlier this offseason, Khaled Elsayed wrote for ESPN Insider that Ivory might not be a great fit for what the Saints do, but could be for someone else and that “he’s incredibly hard to bring down. Ivory has forced 57 missed tackles from a running position since entering the league, or one every 4.9 touches. This season, Adrian Peterson forced one every 5.4 touches.” Pairing a player like Ivory with Goodson might be a nice one-two punch; the brusing power back on one hand with the agile rocket powered open space runner on the other. Ivory is an interesting player who would fit Rex Ryan’s ideal of power runner, but seems to be a departure from the Johnathan Franklins and Christine Michaels they’ve been linked with, but more in the LeVeon Bell wheelhouse.
Shoddy Dee? — Mike Mayock stated on a con call this week that he doesn’t think Dee Milliner will be a top ten pick in the draft. Milliner is a good player, to be sure, but corners have a history of not going in the top ten in the draft and while there are teams with real need at the cornerback spot from 6-10, Milliner might not rate higher. Meanwhile, Tony Pauline is saying he believes the Browns are very focused on Milliner with that sixth pick. I know a lot less than Mike Mayock, but I think that Milliner will likely go in the top ten, but I could see how this revelation from Mayock might embolden the Bucs in their tete-a-tete with the Jets after seeing Milliner go as high as #2 in many a mock draft over the past few months. Pay close attention to what happens with the 6th pick … it might have major ramifications for how everything else plays out. The Jets last gasp might be the hope the Dolphins might be the last line of defense against Milliner being available to the Bucs at 13 as Miami is said to be interested in the corner.
With the Jets hunkering down for the NFL Draft next week, here’s a quick review of where the team is at each position. What do they have? What do they need? We’ll make note of the spots that the Jets could look to upgrade starting as soon as next Thursday. Today we’ll do the offensive group, tomorrow the defense.
Wide Receiver — Assuming that Holmes recovers from his surgeries, Hill makes the leaps that many expect he will in his second year and Kerley continues his pace, the Jets receiving corps might look solid for 2013. The problem is that is planning for the perfect outcome, and that rarely happens in the NFL. Moreover, the Jets are going to need to address the position sooner or later to have a plan at the position for the 2014 season. As we saw from Stephen Hill in 2012, rookies have a tough time making major contributions to the team so a long-term planner would want to draft a player now who would fit the system for 2014. With the large and athletically gifted Hill and the nimble and excellent Kerley, the Jets might consider a well-rounded receiver, or a potential possession receiver to complement and play within Morhinweg’s West Coast system.
Tight End — One of the biggest problems in the last year and a half with the emergence of Jeremy Kerley is the conundrum of how to use Dustin Keller. Historically Keller was one of the most targeted tight ends out of the slot in the league in 2011 and so the value of playing there with Kerley on the roster seems to me to be less valuable. Jeff Cumberland has been a three-year project for the Jets and he filled in decently in 2012 for the oft-injured Keller. Even so the Jets have been tied to a number of free agent tight ends and Idzik is said to like some of the tight ends in the draft class. The Jets need a tight end who can play in-line yet still be a integral part of the receiving game. Look to see if the Jets don’t grab a player by the first part of the third day of the draft.
Guard/Right Tackle — The Jets signed former Steeler Willie Colon, a move meant to mitigate the loss of both Matt Slauson and Brandon Moore, but are the Jets ready to go into the season with Vlad Ducasse and Willie Colon as their starters? This might be one of the best guard classes in the last 10-15 years, and immediate starter level players could be had well into the third or fourth round. Will the Jets find a player like Warmack or Warford in one of the earlier rounds? It’s possible. Also, while Austin Howard was a solid plug-in at RT last year, should the Jets find a right tackle early, he might become one of the interior starters and do well by it.
Quarterback — The Jets quarterback depth chart is less than overwhelming. Mark Sanchez hasn’t demonstrated he can elevate his play, David Garrard hasn’t been healthy in two years, Tim Tebow isn’t long for this team and Greg McElroy might never get the chance to truly compete for the job. Combine that with a less than stellar class of QBs, and it’s hard to say what the Jets would do. They’ve been linked with players like Nassib and Dysert and there’s been some lesser known players that have caught the the team’s eye. Still, this might not be the year to find a future franchise QB in the draft, so look to see if the Jets don’t prioritize other players or needs.
Running Back — Bilal Powell and Mike Goodson has the potential to be a promising committee for the Jets, but could the team be interested in adding another player? While it’s routine stuff, the Jets did bring in 2nd round tender Saints RB Chris Ivory, which might have been meant to level-set the talent against their draft board. Idzik’s Seahawks had a eye for fitting the right talent into their system at the running back spot, something that has been missing from the Jets backfield for a while. The Jets are said to be implementing a West Coast system so look out for players like Johnathan Franklin, Gio Bernard or Stepfan Taylor in connection with the Jets.
The Roundup: Would Freddie be a Fit?
Brian Bassett , theJetsBlog.com
So far through the free agency period, the Jets have shown interest in a few tight ends, which indicates that the team is considering adding some competition to the spot and not just assuming that long-term project Jeff Cumberland will assume the starting role for the 2013 team, or that the team is dead set on drafting a player next month.
While Cumberland has improved in the passing game, he lacks some of the all-around skills that a tight end in a West Coast system might need, so the team is looking to visit with Fred Davis, as was reported widely yesterday.
Free agent Fred Davis told Pro Football Central Radio that he will visit the Jets after he visits the Bills today if a deal does not get done in Buffalo.
Davis, 27, has spent the past five years with the Redskins after playing at USC with Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Davis’ best season came in 2011 when he had 59 catches for 796 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games.
It could be that Davis is using a visit with the Jets as leverage with Buffalo to hammer out a deal. Davis has been in close communication with the Bills for a few days. Davis was reported to have dined with team brass last Saturday in Buffalo … no word on whether it was an Applebee’s or not.
Doug Marrone’s new Bills offense is expected to resemble the one he ran in Syracuse, which was one with West Coast roots. So that the Bills are also interested and potential bidding competition is a good sign that he might fit what the Jets could be trying to build in New York as well.
Revis Saga: No Matter What Happens, The Jets Will Win
Corey Griffin , theJetsBlog.com
The Darrelle Revis situation is at once the most understandable, ridiculous and thoroughly frustrating scenario the Jets and their fans have had to go through in the past 12 months. That’s saying something.
But to understand this situation, we have to look back at 12 months’ worth of poor decisions and strange fascinations that got the Jets in this spot in the first place and why the man that made those decisions could not have solved the Revis problem.
From hiring Tony Sparano as the one to take Mark Sanchez to the next level by taking the ball out of his hands (think about that) to then extending Sanchez for millions of guaranteed dollars and trading for Tim Tebow, it was a strange offseason. Made even weirder by Rex Ryan calling the talent-deficient roster possibly the best team he’s had since he came to New York (ego boost, anyone?) and proceeding to watch said team collapse in on itself, betrayed by, guess what – a lack of talent, particularly at quarterback.
There was the buttfumble – the moment that will forever capture the 2012 Jets – and the brief love affair with Greg McElroy, all while the healthy-but-not-enough-to-play Tebow sat and watched. Six different wide receivers started a game this season, while nine caught passes from three different quarterbacks. A team that based itself on ground and pound was outrushed by its opponents nine times while the defense allowed the seventh-most rushing yards in the league.
It was a circus, complete with the New York Post back page cover. And it all – along with many, many more stories, stats and stupor-inducing snapshots – got general manager Mike Tannenabum fired.
Which brings us back to Revis’ contract. A contract negotiated by Tannenbaum to be a “stop-gap” deal (or whatever language you choose to use) until the parties could negotiate a true “lifetime contract” for arguably the best cornerback since the greatest cornerback ever. That never happened – partly due to burnt bridges on both sides, partly due to the Jets finally having leverage over Revis.
What the Jets do with Revis all trails back to Tannenbaum. He drafted him. He helped hire a staff that cultivated Revis’ talent. He negotiated a contract through an extremely contentious process that alienated Revis’ agents and probably partly Revis, too. But the Jets could not have gotten out of this situation if Tannenabum were still in place. There needed to be a new voice on the phone to other teams, in negotiations with Revis’ agents and in the meeting rooms where the Jets will ultimately decide what to do with their franchise player.
(Brainiac) Eric Smith: Studying a Playbook is Like Cellular Respiration
kristianrdyer , theJetsBlog.com
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The game of football has been compared to many things, most often being called a battle. But never, never in the history of the NFL has anyone compared any part of the game to cellular respiration.
Eric Smith runs back interception against Rams
That is, until one talks with Eric Smith.
Last week, Jets head coach Rex Ryan praised the Jets safety for his understanding of the defense and certainly that shouldn’t be a surprise. Smith is smart, borderline brilliant and is largely considered the smartest Jet on the team. The seventh year veteran reads Greek Mythology for fun and got his masters degree several years ago.
He’s also the player that all new members of the secondary turns to in order to understand the defense. Smith likened studying the playing book to understanding biology and in particular cellular respiration.
