Chaney's Smith makes strides at wide receiver

He's still adjusting to the differences between quarterback and wideout.
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Brad Smith was a quarterback at Missouri when he first met Antwaan Randle El.
Never did he think he would become exactly what Randle El is: a signal caller turned receiver. Smith, a Chaney High graduate, can only hope to be as successful as his friend, and is making big strides in his rookie season with the New York Jets.
When the Jets drafted Smith in April, they told him they wanted him to change positions. Though Smith loved playing quarterback, and set record after record with the Tigers, he knew making the move would be the best for his future.
So far, he has shown glimpses of being the type of playmaker the Jets desperately need. The type of playmaker Randle El has become.
"You can't help but watch what he's done," Smith said Tuesday. "He's amazing. He's good, and he's going to be good for a while."
Hoping to duplicate success
Smith first met Randle El last year through a friend of the family, when the current Redskins player was still with the Steelers. Growing up in Youngstown, Smith was keenly aware of the way Randle El moved from quarterback at Indiana to receiver in the NFL.
Randle El gave Smith advice on preparing for his future as a pro. But little did Smith know he would need it even more this year. Good thing the Jets played the Redskins last weekend. The two talked before the preseason game.
"He told me to just work hard," Smith said. "It was good to see him again. He was encouraging."
Smith gave the Jets something encouraging, too. Early in the second quarter, he entered the game on first down. Patrick Ramsey snapped the ball and handed off to Leon Washington. Smith ran by Washington and took the ball.
Reverse.
Ramsey made the key first block, springing Smith loose. Rookie center Nick Mangold hustled and picked off a would-be blocker. So did guard Pete Kendall. And receiver Laveranues Coles. Rookie tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson made the final big block 30 yards downfield, and Smith ran 61 yards for a touchdown.
As Ramsey said, "It was one of the best reverses I've seen."
And Smith's mom and sister were in the stands to see it.
Key play
"The thing I was most proud of from the game the other night was the reverse play," coach Eric Mangini said. "To me, that is exactly what we are looking for. It is that whole group effort."
Smith saw Ramsey make the first block and knew he might have a chance to go the distance.
"I don't think it could be executed any better," Smith said. "Maybe they could have had a faster guy out there, but the guys did a good job. After that first block, I saw nothing but green and I tried to get through there as fast as I could."
That was the biggest play so far for Smith, who has five catches for 20 yards in two games. He is still trying to learn how to play receiver. The biggest adjustment is learning how to use his body, to play lower to the ground and learn how to block.
"How they play so low and fast, it's unbelievable to me," Smith said. "Playing quarterback you just stand up, and you see everything in front of you. At this position you have to play a lot lower, be able to do a lot of different things with your body."
Making progress
Smith has made some nice catches during training camp, and has had fewer drops with each practice. He is a far from his days at Missouri, where he became the first player in NCAA history to pass for at least 8,000 yards and run for another 4,000.
That's not to say his days of throwing are gone. Like Randle El, the Jets could try to use him in some trick plays where he can toss the ball or take a direct snap. But Smith knows he is a receiver now, even if he doesn't feel much like one.
"It's not an easy thing," he said. "Guys at this level have been doing it a long time and are very good at it. But Antwaan and Kordell [Stewart] -- they were able to get it done."
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.