Bra Smif doin it all for the JETS

Pitt Gorilla · 08-03-2007, 10:53 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/sp...vNs3QLc1AOKUzA

Under Center, Out Wide, and Deep to Receive

By TEDDY KIDER
Published: July 30, 2007

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., July 29 — Brad Smith plays more positions in two hours of training camp practice than most N.F.L. players would consider attempting in their careers. From catching passes with the starting receivers to returning kickoffs to taking snaps under center, Smith is the ever-evolving man on the Jets’ roster.

Brad Smith, who in his second season with the Jets, plays quarterback, running back, receiver and special teams.

The most observant Jets fans quietly tell their friends that he can do everything. But most probably do not even realize the frequency with which he alternates between his red and white No. 16 jerseys.

“Last year, we gave him a lot of different roles, and he did well with all those different roles — whether it was special teams, he played some running back, he’s played some receiver, he played some quarterback,” Jets Coach Eric Mangini said. “And I liked where he was going with all those things.”

Smith studied so many different positions that he did not notice he was listed on this year’s roster as a quarterback until reporters told him Saturday.

Although Smith said Sunday that he had probably practiced most at receiver this year, Mangini said on the first day of training camp that Smith would be in contention for the backup quarterback position.

Smith, a 23-year-old in his second season out of Missouri, said his favorite position was “where I can make plays.”

As a rookie drafted in the fourth round, Smith played in all 16 regular-season games last season and started in three — two as a running back and one as a receiver. He finished with 103 rushing yards, 61 receiving yards and 10 tackles on special teams.

Smith would not say what position he would most like to play or where his future might lie. But if the players who have influenced him are any indication, Smith’s heart is at quarterback. He said he most liked watching Randall Cunningham when he was younger, and more recently, has enjoyed watching Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Chad Pennington.

Smith was a mobile and athletic quarterback for four years at Missouri, where he became the first player in N.C.A.A. history to pass for 8,000 yards and rush for 4,000 yards. He finished his career ranked fourth in total offense with 13,088 yards.

Mangini asked Smith to prepare to be a receiver after the Jets selected him with the 103rd pick of the 2006 draft.

“I never gave up on it at all,” Smith said about playing quarterback. “I felt I had the ability to do it, but I put that to the side. I did what I was asked to do and do whatever it is to try to get better.”

Pennington said Smith had the demeanor and silent confidence to be a successful N.F.L. quarterback. But even as the Jets list Smith at quarterback, it seems that Mangini will continue to use him at many other positions.

Smith changes positions and drills with such regularity that it sometimes seems as if he is throwing passes to himself. He is a one-man microcosm of the overall balance that the Jets hope to have on offense, with Pennington, Thomas Jones at running back, and receivers like Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.

Smith, who Mangini said was the team’s off-season most valuable player, just may be the spark the Jets need.

“He’ll definitely have a group of plays each week,” Mangini said. “He’s such a change-of-pace-type player that other teams are going to have to prepare.”

He added, “Now, at any given point, you can say, ‘Brad, go in and run this play.’ ”

Frazod · 08-03-2007, 11:07 PM