Jets' Rookie Wideout Devin Smith Takes Exception To Early 'Bust' Label
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- He was supposed to stretch the field, add a vertical aspect to the Jets' passing game not seen in some time.
He hasn't. And though it's still very early in Devin Smith's NFL career, the rookie second-round pick is already feeling the heat from critics -- and he doesn't like it.
"Yeah, to be honest, the people who say that, they don't got s--- going on themselves," Smith told reporters on Monday. "Doesn't matter to me. They don't know football themselves."
Smith was referring to comparisons to wide receiver Stephen Hill, who was also a second-round pick -- and one that didn't pan out.
As long as Smith makes minimal impact on the field, he's going to hear the comparisons. He has just seven receptions, 82 yards and zero touchdowns in six games this season. This after missing almost all of training camp and the preseason due to rib and lung injuries.
"Not everybody is gonna come in and be Amari Cooper," Smith said, referring to the Oakland Raiders' star rookie receiver. "Not going to come in and be Odell Beckham. It takes stepping stones for some people. And that's how I'm kind of approaching it."
The Jets have gotten tremendous production from veteran wideouts Brandon Marshall (57-753-6) and Eric Decker (42-557-7), as they look to become the franchise's first 1,000-yard receiving tandem since Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet in 1998.
Smith is supposed to be the guy who frees them up underneath by taking advantage of his blazing speed with deep downfield patterns, but he and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick have yet to get on the same page.
"A lot of people don't really realize the situation that I came into. I came in with a 10-year vet, and Deck is what, six, seven years already," Smith said. "We've got a few guys that's been here two, three years.
"I'm not saying I'm going to hold back or (not) challenge them, but you've got two top receivers that's been in the game for awhile, you should expect not to get the ball as much," Smith added.
Head coach Todd Bowles said he expects Smith to eventually become a very useful part of the Jets' offense, not the guy who fumbled away a touchdown on a kickoff return last week against Buffalo.
"It's a learning experience," Bowles said. "He's getting better. Every time he gets better, he gets hurt. If we can get him healthy, and get him into the mix a little more, and get a little confidence... He had one good grab last week. Obviously, he had the fumble, too. He's up and down right now, but he's working to be more consistent."
At this point, it should be all hands on deck for the Jets as they are 5-4 and just on the outside of the AFC wild card picture. New York travels to Houston (4-5) on Sunday.
