I was just wondering why Brad Smith hasn't been used in the backfield yet. He is very good at avoiding tackles. And, with the problems we've had running. I just don't understand why he hasn't been used more. I don't know how good he'd be up the middle. But, with proper blocking and an end that is not filled with defenders has always been on the positive yardage side. Anyone know why we haven't been doing that? Is he just too small for the job?
He might be good at 'avoiding tackles' in open space, but it's a whole new ballgame when you're running up the middle into 5 or 6 defenders while your offensive line is being pushed back 4 yards every play.
Well. for one thing, the defense against the jets normally does have a line filled with defenders. They know chad can't run, and can be hurt. Brad smith is also just a good threat as a receiver, on the reverse, and on fake plays. I just can't really see him in the backfield, since this isn't a great run blocking line, and he is not really built for it.
I'd think that he'd be a dump threat as an RB receiver and a good outside runner. Up the middle I don't know. I would worry about him getting hurt. But, he's being underutilized now and the Jets need a running game.
That I can understand, being kinda like a Brian Westbrook back, but I still don't think he's really built for it, or that he would be as effective there as where he is now.
Brad Smith can't be a RB. He isn't bulky enough and its a position that is much harder to learn. For example, Blaylock has been a RB his entire career, and he still doesn't get the concept of hitting the hole. Smith is much better as a WR than he would be as a RB. He wouldn't get low enough and it would be tough to run in between the tackles.
exactly. if i remember correctly, they used him in the backfield once in the Tenn. game, Week 1. it was 3rd/4th and 1 (later in the game); Pennington faked the handoff up the gut, then pitched to Smith off the tackle. the Titan D, actually had good containment, but Smith juked, then clawed his way to a first down. cheers
I can't see Brad in the backfield as a RB because he's not bulky enough. I want the Jets to use him more. Get him so passes!
They could just jump to the next step in developing him as a sweep runner and let him fake the sweep. Take advantage of the most likely overpursuit. And, let him throw a pass off it too.
this will work best only if they actually do pitch/sweep it to him several times; so when opposing D's are studying tape, they'll be aware he's gotten it before and stay honest, which will unclog the middle in those short-yardage situations. cheers
Brad Smith should our 3rd WR instead of McCareins. I came to this conclusion after one play in last week's lost. The play didn't mean anything in terms of winning or losing the game but it exemplified why Smith should be in there instead of McCareins. It happened on a 2nd and 9 early in the 4th when we were riding "Mr Mo" heavy. We had 2 super human efforts by Cotch and Coles in consecutive possessions and Rhodes had a monster fumble causing sack to start the drive. McCareins caught a 7-8 yard out and had just 1 yard and a diving out of position Vrabel to beat for a 1st down and more; Jmac gets tackled by his shoe strings 1 yard short of the 1st. What was really funny about that play was that one of the announcers had just finish saying that when a WR make a play like Cotch made it becomes contagious, and every starts making plays (i.e., Penny, Coles, Rhodes...etc). So there was McCareins' opportunity make his big play, and not surprisingly he falls short. That would have been a huge play if that was Smith.
There'd still be a need to have excellent blocking also. Could help to understand if the problem with the running game is all run blocking.
When I think about it it's good that's he not playing every game. We know what he is capable of, but some of the other teams in the league may not. Notice how last week he was used in the game involved with "tricks" (that reverse to him and that play on the punt when NE was forced to call a Time Out). It's kind of good that he isn't used every week. Let him get some passes here and there every week, and then maybe one week he just abuses a Defense. Has an explosive game that the team didn't see coming because of what they have heard about him from previous weeks.
im a fan of smith, yet im sure his route running isnt as precise as j-mac's...the guy has been a receiver now for what, 6 months? i also previously brought up the idea of smith used some out of the backfield, be it running, receiving, or throwing...smith definatly needs more touches, but i think j-mac is a decent 3rd receiver
Smith does need to get more touches but RB is a grueling position and I don't think he'd be able to handle the beating he would take back there. I like the decoy ideas and you could see Belly was burning up when he was placed under center on that 4th down. Sooner or later he is going to get a reverse amd it will be thrown hopefully better than lamont's ill fated pass. For now he is a secret weapon but sooner or later he is going to need to become more than just a trick play guy.
the way you make him a trick play guy isn't to conceal him and use him sparingly; on the contrary, you use him normally like you would any other WR. as Defenses grow accustomed to seeing this, a "normal" play to Brad Smith will then catch them off guard when it's a trick play. the Steelers trick plays with Randel El worked because most of the time he was a legit WR. but just when you think he's catching another WR screen or running a reverse, he throws it deep on you. cheers
brad smith doesnt have a rb body. short and simple. he is fine at wr.. as he continue to learn to position he is gonna be a real threat.
