Smith’s season down with Jets

By Joe Scalzo

The former Chaney High standout was surprised the team fired Eric Mangini.

Count Brad Smith among those who were surprised to see the Jets fire Eric Mangini.

“Definitely surprised,” said the Chaney High graduate, who has played wide receiver for the Jets during his three-year NFL career. “He’s a good coach and he’s a good guy. A really good guy.”

Mangini, who had a winning record in two of his three seasons in New York, was hired by the Browns last week.

“Anytime that happens to somebody you worked with, you’re happy for him,” said Smith. “It’s great that he landed so close to home.”

This was a somewhat frustrating year for both the Jets and Smith, who were both hoping to play a little more. Smith appeared in 15 games, rushing 12 times for 113 yards and catching 12 passes for 64 yards.

But his production and his playing time dropped off a bit from last season.

“It was a little bit [frustrating],” said Smith, a record-setting quarterback at Missouri. “Just from wanting to have an impact on the game, getting the ball in my hands a little more. But we won five straight at one point and that’s what it’s all about. Whatever it takes, I’ll do.

“Hopefully in the future I’ll earn more touches.”

After an 8-3 start, the Jets lost four of their last five games and Mangini was fired soon afterward, a move that surprised many in the locker room. Although QB Brett Favre’s production was down over that stretch, Smith said a lot of things contributed to the team’s struggles.

“We won as a team and lost as a team,” he said. “Hopefully next year we’ll get rolling.”

Smith, who lives with his wife in New Jersey, has one more year left on his contract but said he doesn’t spend much time dwelling on it.

“I know what situation I’m in, but once you get on the football field and start playing, you forget about it,” he said.

His biggest concern is about the team’s next coach. New York has interviewed several candidates but it looks like it could take a few weeks before it hires someone.

“We’re just waiting on a new coach,” said Smith. “I’ve never been through this before. It’s all new and I’m sure it’s the same for a lot of guys on the team.

“I don’t really know what to expect, but we’ve got a strong group of guys on this team. I think we’ll be all right.”

scalzo@vindy.com