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While Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey continue their training-camp battle at Hofstra, there is another quarterback who has impressed Eric Mangini.
Well, a former quarterback at least. Brad Smith, the Missouri QB the Jets selected in the fourth round and are converting to wide receiver, has produced highlight-worthy catches to make Mangini hit the rewind button while watching tape.
"Each day is a little bit better," said the Jets' coach, who gave his team yesterday off. "Each day you capitalize on the opportunity and it's not, 'Well, who is that guy?' It's, 'Did you see what he did?' or 'He's really making progress here.'"
If he continues what he showed during Thursday morning's practice session, Smith will turn more heads than just Mangini's.
The rookie snagged an impressive touchdown catch from Brooks Bollinger, adjusting from trying to catch it over his left shoulder to over his right one while falling down on the right sideline.
"I know they expect me to make plays in any kind of way," Smith said. "That's how it was in college, so I don't know if they'd be surprised."
The Jets are banking on the 6-2 Smith being a playmaker as he was in college. As a four-year starter, Smith was practically the entire Missouri offense. He became the first quarterback in Division I-A history to pass for more than 8,000 yards and run for more than 4,000.
While he may not be suited to be an every-down NFL quarterback, the Jets could utilize Smith as an Antwaan Randle El type. The new Redskin was an option quarterback at Indiana who has made his mark in the NFL as a return specialist and speedy receiver, and occasionally lines up at QB.
Smith has dropped a few balls, so he still has much room to improve as he competes for the fifth receiver spot with Reggie Newhouse behind Laveranues Coles, Justin McCareins, Jerricho Cotchery and Tim Dwight.
But his quarterbacking skills have helped. So far in practice, Smith has had a few chances to throw passes off reverses.
"I definitely like that," Smith said. "When I have the opportunity to throw, make the right decision with it."
While Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey continue their training-camp battle at Hofstra, there is another quarterback who has impressed Eric Mangini.
Well, a former quarterback at least. Brad Smith, the Missouri QB the Jets selected in the fourth round and are converting to wide receiver, has produced highlight-worthy catches to make Mangini hit the rewind button while watching tape.
"Each day is a little bit better," said the Jets' coach, who gave his team yesterday off. "Each day you capitalize on the opportunity and it's not, 'Well, who is that guy?' It's, 'Did you see what he did?' or 'He's really making progress here.'"
If he continues what he showed during Thursday morning's practice session, Smith will turn more heads than just Mangini's.
The rookie snagged an impressive touchdown catch from Brooks Bollinger, adjusting from trying to catch it over his left shoulder to over his right one while falling down on the right sideline.
"I know they expect me to make plays in any kind of way," Smith said. "That's how it was in college, so I don't know if they'd be surprised."
The Jets are banking on the 6-2 Smith being a playmaker as he was in college. As a four-year starter, Smith was practically the entire Missouri offense. He became the first quarterback in Division I-A history to pass for more than 8,000 yards and run for more than 4,000.
While he may not be suited to be an every-down NFL quarterback, the Jets could utilize Smith as an Antwaan Randle El type. The new Redskin was an option quarterback at Indiana who has made his mark in the NFL as a return specialist and speedy receiver, and occasionally lines up at QB.
Smith has dropped a few balls, so he still has much room to improve as he competes for the fifth receiver spot with Reggie Newhouse behind Laveranues Coles, Justin McCareins, Jerricho Cotchery and Tim Dwight.
But his quarterbacking skills have helped. So far in practice, Smith has had a few chances to throw passes off reverses.
"I definitely like that," Smith said. "When I have the opportunity to throw, make the right decision with it."
