Jets S Smith signs 1-year tender offer
March 18, 2010
NEW YORK (AP)—Hard-hitting safety Eric Smith(notes) has signed his one-year tenderoffer with the New York Jets.
The deal Thursday, worth $1.176 million, keeps Smith in the competition withthe recently signed Brodney Pool(notes) and James Ihedigbo(notes) to replace Kerry Rhodes(notes)opposite Jim Leonhard(notes) in the Jets’ secondary. Rhodes was traded to Arizona onMarch 6 for two draft picks.
Smith, 27, started last season when Rhodes was demoted by coach Rex Ryan fora few games. He finished with 48 tackles and an interception, and has fourcareer picks.
Smith was a third-round draft pick out of Michigan State in 2006, and hasbeen a key backup as well as one of the Jets’ top special teamers.