He can run the football.
He can pass the football.
He can play quarterback.
He plays special teams.
He can return punts as well as kickoffs.
He can run the Seminole offense with ease.
He was the most versatile game-breaker on the Jets roster.
But the New York Jets decided it was more important to sign "jail bird" Plaxico Burress than reward in my mind the biggest impact player on the depth chart with a new, long-term deal.
And to make matters worse, the Jets will face him twice a year as a member of the improving Buffalo Bills in 2011.
Because Brad Smith is one of those players fans love to root for.
A good citizen who wore the uniform with pride, Brad Smith probably should have been elevated to third on the depth chart behind Mark Sanchez and Mark Brunell as Kellen Clemens just took up space for the last four seasons.
Incredibly, Clemens is still a Jet while Smith is shipped to America's version of the Russian Front: Orchard Park, New York!
At the same time, Brad Smith easily could have filled the shoes of Braylon Edwards, who had hints of excellence when he wasn't dropping balls right in his bread basket!
So as the Jets enter 2011, who will carry the special teams load?
Jericho Cotchery could return kicks as well as Kyle Wilson, who was mediocre at best last season given his high draft status.
But in particular, who will run the Seminole?
Why didn't the Jets even bother to take a serious look at Reggie Bush, who will be another source of pain every time he touches the football as a Miami Dolphin?
The loss of Brad Smith will dramatically make the Jets all the more predictable as the gadget plays will be thrown out of the playbook replaced with a lot more passing and a lot less rushing.
For whatever reason, signing Brad Smith was never a priority.
Team Tannenbaum saw Brad Smith as someone who ultimately was underutilized during his tenure with the New York Jets. No real attempt was made to insert him into the offense in such a way that could threaten Mark Sanchez on one hand while giving the starting receiver spot to Braylon Edwards and his erratic production from week to week on the other!
Brad Smith will be missed by the New York Jets.
Unfortunately, it won't be realized until he burns his old teammates with a pass, reception, kickoff or punt return leading to a Buffalo Bill score.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/789733-loss-of-brad-smith-puts-kink-in-jets-special-teams-attack
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