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The Jets released Devin Smith today. The announcement was made by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Was he a bust?
I don’t think so.
I don’t use that word very often. I don’t like to call another human being “a bust.” That is obnoxious.
In fact, I think some of the reporters who throw that word around, they might be “busts” at what they do, but that’s another story.
Smith blew out his right knee twice. He didn’t want to. It wasn’t something he did wrong. He suffered two serious knee injuries. It happens.
I don’t consider players who don’t work out due to serious injuries “a bust.” He did nothing wrong. Once again, he didn’t want to blow his knee out twice.
To take his roster spot, the Jets signed safety Brandon Bryant, who went undrafted in the supplemental draft. The signing of Bryant was announced by the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
I wrote about Bryant the other day, and how it’s highly unlikely that he’s going to help the Jets at safety this year.
As I mentioned in that previous article, Bryant had some academic issues at Mississippi State and was also a player given to blown assignments, so this isn’t a guy you expect to come in, with no off-season, and pick things up in a three-week training camp. Once again, I’m not question his intelligence. I’m saying he’s likely not a quick study. I wasn’t a quick study in college. Some people pick things up fast, and others don’t.
I think if the Jets take their time with Bryant, he can help them down the road. He’s a fast, athletic safety, but not instant coffee.
The Jets have pretty good depth at safety with Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Terence Brooks, J.J. Wilcox and Kacy Rodgers II. Rontez Miles is currently hurt, but that doesn’t necessarily hurt the Jets at safety because of limitations in coverage. The Miles’ injury hurts the Jets on special teams more than in the secondary.
In Bryant, the Jets are adding another individual to a growing list of people in their locker room with a DUI.
He was arrested last New Year’s Day in Georgia on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to maintain a lane.
The Jets’ current brass is a very forgiving group and are willing to give people second chances. They aren’t obsessed with character. They are looking for good football players, not choir boys. I’m not saying whether this approach is right or wrong. I’m just presenting the reality of the current situation.
Now Bryant did have a rough couple of years after the tragic death of his father in a motorcycle accident. That is a tough blow for anybody, especially a college freshman.
But while this is very tragic, it’s still no excuse to drink and drink.
Bryant is a player who is likely headed for the Jets’ practice squad, and that might be good for him to spend a year learning and getting bigger and stronger.
July 16, 2018
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