Brad Smith - Are we using him correctly?

[thewildrabbit]

I said it before the season and I'll say it now; Smith is not touching the ball enough to be worth the money they paid him. I am glad he's been making us some 1st downs, but I don't think he is doing anything more than what Freddie could do in the wild cat.

 

This year the wild cat, next year the triple option.

I agree!

 

I would like to see Smith being utilized more in running plays, end a round's, options, wildcat et al. Just to spell Fred Jackson more often.

 

As for Smith throwing it more, I'd rather leave that to Fitz

[RyanC883]

He ran a lot of option out of the wildcat with NYJ. I'd like to see some of that rather than the simple QB Iso and QB counter we've seen all year.

 

 

I bet the first time he lines up in the Wildcat this week, he throws a long bomb to a streaking, uncovered CJ Spiller. BOOM. 7 points.

[RuntheDamnBall]

I think pitch out to Spiller is the great call. See where the D is stacked and go the other way, you've got a threat to either side and they can't account for both. If they really do, you've got an option to pass if you can make the read quickly. Fred, CJ and BS out there means you've got guys who can block and guys who can make a play.

[KD in CA]

I understand your perspective, KD, but I also think you have to take the long view on this. They bought pretty high on Smith, but they are already getting bonus production, essentially from the 3rd QB position, via the new rules. That the Bills are an innovator here is pretty encouraging.

 

Also, as mentioned by others, he had a pretty short curve to getting to know the playbook, and they will be able to design and install more plays for him next go-around. I still think you're going to see more of him now that a lot of the fundamentals are in place, and as we shift more toward run and run-options in the colder weather.

 

I hear you. I do like what Smith brings on the field, and if the Bills can figure out ways to create a more dynamic offense with his involvement than I'm all for it. It just seems to me that some people have a misguided perception of what he's done previously or what expectations should be given his history. He's already on pace to exceed his high-water mark for rushes in a season, so while I agree that the productivity could be better, I'm not sure how much more of him it is realistic to expect this year.

[Turbosrrgood]

I'm sitting here reading the article about Brad on two bills drive that talks about his production with the Jets and how he was an all purpose kind of guy. I start thinking that besides the wildcat and the crucial first downs he's been able to get us where has he been? and are we using him enough? did we overpay for him? I watched the tape on some of his runs and also the few catches he's had and i have to say that it's not like he has shown the burst or shiftyness i've seen on some of the jets highlight tapes but most of those are from kick off returns where he is already at full speed when he makes his moves. Since that BS kickoff rule changed IMO he's not the value that he was in NY. I know I'm gonna catch flack from the supporters but I'm not a big time fan of the wildcat even though it works sometimes. Anyone else share the same sentiment? Not impressed with his passing capability and I don't believe the coaching staff is either bc they haven't passed out of that formation very much if at all.

 

 

Here is the thing, most of Smith's productivity was in the wildcat and special teams. I would say he has been pretty effective for us in the wildcat, using him mostly in short yardage situations. But our offense has been very efficient this year, we don't NEED the wildcat very often. I don't think anyone expected our offense to be this good, and most people probably thought that we would need to rely on schemes like the wildcat. Running the wildcat means taking the Ball out of the hands of a very smart QB that is getting the job done, and one of the leagues most effective RB's so far.

 

Unfortunately Brad Smith simply isn't a very good WR. He has awful hands, and doesn't judge the ball well. Hence his limited reps at that position. We also aren't a very efficient special teams unit, ranked low in returns. So while I think smith is good in that role, ST's just isn't a strength for us.

 

I am still a fan of having him on the team. Regardless of how often we use him, teams HAVE to game plan for him. He HAS been effective in short yardage situations, and he is one more thing defenses have to worry about when playing us.

Edited November 2, 2011 by Turbosrrgood

[RuntheDamnBall]

I hear you. I do like what Smith brings on the field, and if the Bills can figure out ways to create a more dynamic offense with his involvement than I'm all for it. It just seems to me that some people have a misguided perception of what he's done previously or what expectations should be given his history. He's already on pace to exceed his high-water mark for rushes in a season, so while I agree that the productivity could be better, I'm not sure how much more of him it is realistic to expect this year.

Agreed. Maybe a first-round bye in the playoffs gives them some time to install some new wrinkles? A man can dream...

[maryland-bills-fan]

Of course, Brad Smith cause the other team to have to prepare for another wrinkle and also watch our substituion pattern more (and whatever, somewhat less).

 

Brad gives Fitspaterick a rest for a few plays throughout the game.

 

Smith has almost always done a read and then a running play into the line. The option of throwing is still there. Other teams plan on the Bill's tendancies and the players get used to what the Bills usually do.

 

Sooner or later, we are going to be in a fix and Brad is going to fake a run into the line, and then roll out or rear up and fire a long pass downfield to somebody who is wide open.

 

If we have Brad pass routinely, then there is no surprise factor. Gailey is good at using one play or a series of plays to set up a future play.

 

I think, we are providing a lot of repetitive film to opponents to prove that we don't pass from that formation. Don't be surprised.

Edited November 2, 2011 by maryland-bills-fan

[Turbosrrgood]

I bet the first time he lines up in the Wildcat this week, he throws a long bomb to a streaking, uncovered CJ Spiller. BOOM. 7 points.

 

I'd like to see that as well, considering he was a former QB...But have you seen the guy thrown? Man I don't know how Smith was a QB, he can't throw a spiral to save his life. I doubt we will be seeing many "bombs" from him.

 

I have a feeling the Jets will get a good does of him this week though...

[Kelly the Dog]

I think that Brad Smith should be used a wee bit more and a wee bit differently in addition to what he has been doing, but...

 

1] It's extremely difficult to argue with the strings that Gailey has been pulling overall... and more importantly...

2] No one likely predicted the efficiency that the offense as a whole has been doing the entire season, with Fred, with running the ball, on third downs, in the redzone, etc, so it's much much harder for Gailey to take Fitz off the field or out of the base offense. I would bet anything that Gailey himself had planned to use Smith more than he has.

 

I still think, however, that he has been and will continue to be an extremely important cog to this offense and this team. Getting a first down on third and short is absolutely invaluable, and I don't think that he has been stopped yet. One time it was like a 3rd and 4 or something and he got exactly four (the jump offsides play to ice the game against Philly, which I also thought was a poor spot).

[YOOOOOO]

Still waiting for Brad Smith to run the option out of the WildCat formation....

 

Again i think they are waiting for the weather to turn, to break out the wildcat on a bigger scale...

[John from Riverside]

This kickoff rule came along at a bad time for the Bills.....because we just signed a great return man

[opfball91]

He gives Freddy and Fitz a break even if its only a short one, gets first downs, and like everyone said adds another wrinkle to our offense. I love him personally, never had so much confidence getting a first on a 2nd/3rd and short than I do when he has the ball. Plus he'll break one eventually I have to think.

[kota]

I think the Brad Smith signing was more about hte multiple things he can do and not about the wildcat. He is a KR, WR, RB, and QB. His many hats allows the Bills to have more OL, DL, and LB's active on Sunday. I think that is what they were after.

 

I laughed when Troy Aikman bashed the Wildcat on Sunday. I hate it as well.

[Erik Flowers]

Brad Smith is too dumb to be successful in the NFL.

[Captain Hindsight]

The best way to use Brad Smith is to keep him off the Jets roster.

 

This guy killed us for years, if you cant beat them, get them on your payroll

[EldaBillsFan]

Wouldn't mind seeing him on some punts

[#34fan]

Yah, the wildcat is simply a waste of a down. -Unless, of course, it results in a FIRST down. I look for Brad's contributions to increase as he becomes more familiar with this offense.

[PromoTheRobot]

I appreciate this stat, but where does it come from?

 

I remember a few weeks ago when this stat was 100%.

Off the top of my head, actually. I recall only one play where Smith came up a yard short for a first vs Philly. Were there other plays?

 

PTR

[starrymessenger]

The best way to use Brad Smith is to keep him off the Jets roster.

 

This guy killed us for years, if you cant beat them, get them on your payroll

Exactly. I was waiting for someone to make the point. Signing him diminished an important Division rival and subtracted a player on their roster who had big days against us. As to whether he is being used properly, like others have said I would like to see him run more options. I also do not like Chan's rule that if the kickoff is anywhere in the endzone our guys are instructed to take a knee. We have some of the best return specialists in the game and other teams are getting big plays on kickoffs despite the rule change. Maybe he is not confident in our special teams play, but then, you know, he should work on doing something about it.

[SoFFacet]

I said it before the season and I'll say it now; Smith is not touching the ball enough to be worth the money they paid him. I am glad he's been making us some 1st downs, but I don't think he is doing anything more than what Freddie could do in the wild cat.

 

This year the wild cat, next year the triple option.

 

He's a bigger threat to pass, and there's something to be said for letting Fred have a few plays off anyways. I do agree that the triple option and similar plays should be implemented for Smith. Air Force runs a neat plunge/keeper/pass play that aims to create a run/pass responsibility conflict for the CB.

Edited November 2, 2011 by SoFFacet