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New Jersey – In the latest edition of “Behind the Jets,” we take a look at Geno Smith’s agent situation and one of the Jets better undrafted free agent signings . . .
With Geno Smith now looking for an agent, you have to wonder if he will sign with his cousin, Melvin Bratton, who works for the agency Vantage Management Group.
If the name Melvin Bratton sounds familiar, you might remember him from University of Miami in the late 1980’s where he was a star running back.
Bratton looked like he was going to be a good NFL player, but he blew his knew out in the Orange Bowl in 1988, and was never the same.
Bratton played a couple of years in the NFL, but the knee was still messed up, so he had to retire.
He worked as an NFL scout for a bit and is now an agent.
We will see if Geno throws his business to his cousin . . .
Geno Smith continues to take heat for a few different things, including thinking of leaving the draft after the first day, and going home.
This is unfair.
First of all, he should never have gone to the draft. If the NFL, and the people around him, had dealt with reality, they would have realized Smith was likely going in the second round. So with that being the case, why invite him, and put him through the humiliation?
The only people they should invite to the draft are the lock first rounders, like Luke Joekel, Eric Fisher, Dee Milliner and the like. Why risk it with borderline first round prospects?
So if Geno wanted to go home to Miami after that first night, which was embarrassing to him, why is that a big deal? I just don’t see how staying at the draft is a sign of great character.
If I were a prospect, I wouldn’t even go. I would stay at home with friends and family waiting for the call.
So of all the things he’s being criticized for, this concept that it’s a black mark against him that he thought of leaving after day one, to me, is being blown way out of proportion . . .
One of the Jets better undrafted free agents signings is safety Rontez Miles.
Don’t judge him by going to Division II California of PA. He was recruited by Colorado, West Virginia and Pittsburgh out of high school.
However, he wanted to play college football with his brother who was going to Kent State. They went there together, but then his brother was thrown out for getting caught with marijuana, so Miles bolted also, and went closer to home in Pennsylvania.
Also, his cousin Terrance Johnson was playing at UCP. Johnson now plays for the Atlanta Falcons.
Miles is really, really tough. Coming for Braddock, PA will do that to you.
“All we ever had in Braddock was football, you know, so, that was one thing that they’ll never take from me,” Miles said. “Where I’m from made me who I am today, basically.”
Miles has been through a lot in his life. The aforementioned brother is facing murder charges. His mother had drug problems.
According to a published report, Miles was taken off some team’s draft board due to character concerns.
This guy can play. He’s a big, physical safety with good speed.
But he’s very raw, and is likely a practice squad candidate at this point
May 1, 2013
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