Why Jets stopped Using Devin Smith On Punt Covrage

[flgreen]

Why Jets stopped using Devin Smith on punt coverage


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Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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on October 16, 2015 at 6:00 AM, updated October 16, 2015 at 6:06 AM





You might've noticed that the Jets used rookie wide receiver Devin Smith, their second-round draft pick, as a gunner on punt coverage three weeks ago.

It happened in Smith's debut, a loss to the Eagles on Sept. 27, after he missed the first two games while recovering from broken ribs. Smith broke his ribs very early in training camp and missed essentially the entire preseason.

PLUS: Jets report card, as they leave London with impressive win over Miami Dolphins

But in the Jets' next (and most recent) game, against Miami in London, they didn't use Smith as a gunner. They won't do it Sunday against Washington.

Even though Smith was a successful gunner at Ohio State, thriving as a gunner in the NFL is a different sort of challenge, as Jets special teams coordinator Bobby April explained Thursday.

"The biggest thing for Devin is, his injury set him back, because the types of things he needed to train for, in terms of being a gunner, he didn't get the opportunity to do," April said. "He is a tremendous gunner. The way the college deal is set up, generally those guys are single blocked. Where a guy has got to make the big transition into the NFL is they're usually double teamed [as a gunner]. That's a whole different animal there. So all the training and drilling of facing and beating two guys, he was never exposed to.

"I watched all his film at Ohio State. I don't remember him ever being double teamed. Why they wouldn't double team him, that's their problem. But they spread the guys all over. He was the widest. And he went down there and made a ton of plays. We're trying to wean him into facing doubles. Not only did he miss training camp, but he also missed all the preseason games. So I think it set him back from that type of thing.

"I don't think he's deteriorated. I just think he's still climbing the mountain to get to a level that a lot of guys have gotten to, because of their practice and because of their drill work that they've done. And he's a rookie, too. He was in there in the Eagle game, and we did replace him, because I think he just needs a little more time to get acclimated. I think he's going to be really good. I've got high hopes for him, and will no matter what."

Cornerbacks Darrin Walls and Buster Skrine likely will be the gunners against Washington, based on what April said Thursday. Walls is on track to return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the past three games. He last played in the opener against the Browns.

The Jets have struggled in punt coverage this season. They rank last in the NFL in average punt return yardage allowed.

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/20...devin_smith_on_punt_coverag.html#incart_river

 

[flgreen]

Translation: Smith was more responsible for Sproles 89 yard TD, then anyone else.

He was knocked to the ground by a double team at the 40 yard line. When he regained his feet, he seemed to be disorientated. Lost his containment. Seemingly couldn't find Sproles until Sproles ran right by him. Smith never attempeted to tackle him, even though Sproles passed by him, about a yard to his left opening a clear lane to the end zone.

Guess that was enough for April for now.

 

[Elias]

Good reason to take him off the special teams. Some players aren't special team players

 

[flgreen]

Good reason to take him off the special teams. Some players aren't special team players

Elias, actually when all is said and done, I think he is going to be an excellent gunner. I think the article is correct. Smith was stunned with the violence, at the NFL level, of covering punts. Got his butt kicked.

Like with his route running, his missed camp and mini camp is really showing. Hope it's not a whole lost season

 

[Elias]

Elias, actually when all is said and done, I think he is going to be an excellent gunner. I think the article is correct. Smith was stunned with the violence, at the NFL level, of covering punts. Got his butt kicked.

Like with his route running, his missed camp and mini camp is really showing. Hope it's not a whole lost season

I am a bit biased at why I don't want him as a gunner. I know he's a rookie and should pay his dues but we brought him in to be a deep threat. Let him focus on that and leave him out of specials. I know the roster sports are limited but I'm sure they can figure it out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[johnnysd]

Elias, actually when all is said and done, I think he is going to be an excellent gunner. I think the article is correct. Smith was stunned with the violence, at the NFL level, of covering punts. Got his butt kicked.

Like with his route running, his missed camp and mini camp is really showing. Hope it's not a whole lost season

He has been getting open consistently. The routes he is running is not the problem, even the QB coach has said that Fitz cannot handle his speed of play.

 

[flgreen]

I am a bit biased at why I don't want him as a gunner. I know he's a rookie and should pay his dues but we brought him in to be a deep threat. Let him focus on that and leave him out of specials. I know the roster sports are limited but I'm sure they can figure it out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had mixed feelings when the Jets took Devin Smith in the 2nd round.

He is fast, but not lighting. He is very athletic. He has an ability to make circus catches, then have 2 balls go boink off his hands.

Coming into the draft I questioned his toughness. He seems to twitch a lot. Never was much at Ohio state when it came to running routes. Seemed a bit undisciplined. Relied on his speed.

At the NCAA level, his speed ,4.45 is very impressive. In the NFL? Not so much.

If your looking for a deep threat, Owusu is your guy. Ran a 4.31. Low of 4.21. Now that's real speed.

If Smith is going to be anything more then a guy who can take a DB deep, he needs to get tougher. He needs to learn about running routes. About staying on his feet, and in his lane on ST's. About taking hits.

If he isn't playing ST's, he's not learning much. If what your looking for is a :"Deep threat" Who can bring world class speed to stretch the field, Owusu is your guy.

Smith needs to learn how to be a football player. Not just a decent sprinter. ST's are the place to learn that.

JMO

 

[flgreen]

He has been getting open consistently. The routes he is running is not the problem, even the QB coach has said that Fitz cannot handle his speed of play.

Johnny C'mon. We've had this debate before. I'm not doing it again. I know you don't like fitz. But everything negative isn't his fault.

In the NCAA a WR can beat DB's purely with speed. Not so in the NFL. When a QB is getting the ball out in 2.76 seconds, the ball is out BEFORE the WR makes his cut. If the wr doesn't run the right route, and cuts right instead of left, the ball falls into open space, or is an interception.

If you look at a replay ya say, MAN he's wide open! that's because the DB broke on the ball when it came out. The rookie WR is running in the wrong direction. Of course he looks open. He's running away from the ball.

Right now Devin Smith is a long way from being a good WR. He needs to learn to run crisp routes. A least cut in the right direction.

 

[flgreen]

He has been getting open consistently. The routes he is running is not the problem, even the QB coach has said that Fitz cannot handle his speed of play.

Devin Smith had 0 targets today. Was he even active?

Seems like his lousey route running has taken him out of the game....................For the time being at least

 

[mykcuz]

He has been getting open consistently. The routes he is running is not the problem, even the QB coach has said that Fitz cannot handle his speed of play.

The reports I read, we're that he can't beat double teams as a gunner. Fitz was looking to limit turnovers which means feeding Marshall and Decker more, unfortunately they both coughed up easy passes in stride.

But with 4wr sets, Devin can see the field and get game experience without submarining the team. If this is the plan, and it works, maybe he will come to be a force late in the season. Just in time for a sb run.

But I don't think that on the day Marshall has become our most consistent high production receiver since 1968, that the problem is the Fitz can't handle his awesomeness.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[flgreen]

I think that Devin Smith has tremendous potential. Right now he's a liability.

Like Petty, right now he belongs on the bench.

Seems like right now Gailey is going to force feed us Enunwa. We'll see what shakes out when Owusu is ready.

 

[Costigan77]

He has been getting open consistently. The routes he is running is not the problem, even the QB coach has said that Fitz cannot handle his speed of play.

How was Devin Smith yesterday? Did he dress?

 

[flgreen]

How was Devin Smith yesterday? Did he dress?

He was dressed but you wouldn't know it. He got 16 snaps, 0 targets

 

[johnnysd]

He was dressed but you wouldn't know it. He got 16 snaps, 0 targets

Fitz just locks into Decker and Marshall, plus the game plan did not include any deeper passes but sure let's keep thinking he is sucking when the QB coach himself has said Fitz struggles with Devin's speed. Hopefully they get on the same page soon.

 

[Old#15]

Fitz just locks into Decker and Marshall, plus the game plan did not include any deeper passes but sure let's keep thinking he is sucking when the QB coach himself has said Fitz struggles with Devin's speed. Hopefully they get on the same page soon.

When did he say that?

 

[johnnysd]

When did he say that?

theres an interview on Jets website with him where he discusses it

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

Fitz just locks into Decker and Marshall, plus the game plan did not include any deeper passes but sure let's keep thinking he is sucking when the QB coach himself has said Fitz struggles with Devin's speed. Hopefully they get on the same page soon.

Fitz can lock on those two because they are great WR's and Fitz is successful whether some like it or not.

 

[Old#15]

theres an interview on Jets website with him where he discusses it

Thanks, I hadn't seen it.

 

[flgreen]

From Decker

He lacks the arm strength to be a starting quarterback in the NFL..

Yeah, Decker says there's nothing further from the truth.

Speaking after practice on Thursday, Decker weighed in on the biggest criticism thrown Fitzpatrick's way, and in particular, how he feels about it. Having worked with Fitzpatrick each and every day in practice for the last several months, Decker has seen first hand what Fitzpatrick can do.

And in his professional opinion, there's nothing any other quarterback can do that Fitzpatrick's can't himself.

"He can make every throw in the book," Decker said. "Whether the throw is 70 yards on a line or not, it doesn't matter. If you can make all the throws in the game, and Fitzpatrick, from what I've seen over the last six months of being with him, he can make every throw.

"That's not a question, it's not a surprise to me. I got to witness it everyday in practice. He's been great for us."

From Marshall

Marshall, like Decker, offered high praise for Fitzpatrick. He agreed there's no issue with the quarterback's arm, but also said it helps when Fitzpatrick takes it to a "totally different speed" on game days.

"It gets on you quick," Marshall said. "Fitz, I don't know where people get it that he doesn't have a talented arm or strong arm, he actually does.

http://www.scout.com/nfl/jets/story/1588334-decker-fitzpatrick-can-make-all-the-throws

Devin Smith

Weaknesses:
Needs development as a route runner
A little straight line
Raw
Has to learn to run underneath routes


Summary: The Buckeyes have been known over the past for years for things like a rushing attack led by power back Carlos Hyde, running quarterbacks like Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett, and 2014's breakout stars, Ezekiel Elliot and Cardale Jones. While those players generated a lot of headlines, wide receiver Devin Smith will probably be drafted ealier than any of them. Smith is a deep-threat receiver who could end up being a Thursday night pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Even though he didn't get a lot of opportunities in 2014, Smith made the most of them as he averaged 28 yards per catch. The senior had only 33 receptions on the season, but was a home-run hitter with 12 touchdowns and 931 yards. In 2013, he hauled in 44 passes for 660 yards with eight scores. Smith was a contributor for the Buckeyes as a sophomore (30-618-6) and freshman (14-294-4), too.

For the NFL, Smith looks like a dangerous deep-threat receiver who can take the top off a defense. He will challenge cornerbacks vertically and many teams are going to have to consider safety help over the top. While Smith is fast running downfield, he also is skilled at making leaping grabs over defensive backs. Smith can high-point the football and make contested catches. He has very good body control along the sideline and end zone.

Smith needs to develop his route-running and ability to function on underneath routes. He showed some ability to do that at the Senior Bowl, but he needs more work and refinement. Smith will need to learn to run all of the route tree for the pros.

In the 2015 NFL Draft, Smith could get late first-round consideration and is unlikely to be lower than a second-round pick.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2015dsmith.php#kRpVfxwuXYQ4Xf7x.99

The Book on Smith

Smith is obviously a good deep threat, but every scouting report I’ve read on him suggests that he is still somewhat raw as a receiver in terms of running a variety of routes well.
http://thejetsblog.com/bga/bga-scouting-devin-smith/


Against the Fish Fitz threw a ball 60 yards in the air, it was about a foot and a half short from being a perfect throw. Like Decker said it might not be a frozen rope , but it gets there, and gives the WR a chance to make a play on it.

yesterday wasn't a situation where Fitz is choosing Marshall, and Decker over Smith, which he does, and he should. The CS only put him out there for 16, out of 67 plays. And then only to draw DB deep.

he has also been taken off ST's because he is a liability. He was very responsible for the the 89 yard TD against the Eagles. Got knocked down and lost his containment.

No one is saying the kid is a bust. He hasn't had a mini camp, or a summer camp. Will that change as he learns how to play the pro game. Hopefully.

Right now he is a liability on the field. He is very talented, but like Petty right now he should be on the side line.

When that changes. Great.

 

[Costigan77]

Fitz just locks into Decker and Marshall, plus the game plan did not include any deeper passes but sure let's keep thinking he is sucking when the QB coach himself has said Fitz struggles with Devin's speed. Hopefully they get on the same page soon.

Fitzpatrick completed passes to 6 different receivers in basically what became a 3 quarter game. He also averaged 9.7 yards per pass play. He also (unlike Geno Smith) had the wherewithal to decide when to stay in the pocket and when to run.

His lack of throwing downfield (not sure what you definition is in today's nfl) is Chan Gailey's offense. Any QB they brought in would play the same.

Your hate of Fitzpatrick is something I feel sorry for. The guy may not be off the charts, but he was the best option and he has this team at 4-1 going into New England---a beaten up New England team. The Jets, will have a great shot to win by controlling the ball and the clock. That eludes to long drives, and turnover free football. Not trying to bomb it to a rookie who has noted problems getting separation. Very few people can run by DB's in todays game, and he is not one of them. They have a beast RB, with Ridley a week or two out from being able to spell him. This team is playing by design--just the way they were built. This has the makings of being one of the better defenses in Jets history, and an offense run by a guy who makes good decisions.