Eric Smith
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| Height: | 6'1" |
| Weight: | 205 lbs |
| Age: | 27 |
| Years in NFL: | 5 |
| College: | Michigan State |
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
◊ Played in 55 games, starting 14. ... Posted 118 tackles, four interceptions and one fumble recovered, along with 17 passes defensed.
◊ A mainstay on the Jets special teams units, he has recorded 62 tackles during his career.
◊ Named Jets Special Teams Player of the Week, at MIA, 12/2/07.
◊ Registered first career start, recording a career-high 12 tackles with one pass defensed, at NYG, 10/7/07.
◊ Recovered an onsides kick by future teammate Jay Feely to secure first win of the season, vs. MIA, 9/23/07.
◊ Recorded his first career interception vs. Charlie Frye at CLE, 10/29/06.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS
◊ 4/29/06, NYJ, D3b (97)
SEASON-BY-SEASON REVIEW
2009 (JETS) Served as a contributor to a Jets defense that finished first in the NFL in points allowed, total yards allowed and passing yards allowed. ... Played in all 16 regular season games, with starts in four. ... Registered 34 tackles, one interception and six passes defensed. POSTSEASON: (Wildcard: 1/9 at CIN). ... Compiled five special teams tackles. SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: (11/29 vs. CAR). ... Posted a season high nine tackles. (9/27 vs. TEN). ... Stepped in front of a Kerry Collins passed intended for RB Chris Johnson.
2008 (JETS) Saw action in nine games, making six starts and finishing the season with 32 tackles, one interception, four passes defensed, one fumble recovery and seven special teams tackles. SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: (12/21 at SEA). ... Recovered a Dwight Lowery forced fumble on the Jets threeyard line, the first fumble recovery of his career. (12/14 vs. BUF). ... Made first start in six weeks. ... Recorded five tackles. (10/12 vs. CIN). ... Missed game after being placed on reserve/suspended list for infraction during game vs. ARI, 9/28. (9/28 vs. ARI). ... Intercepted a Kurt Warner pass and returned it six yards. (9/14 vs. NE). ... Started at safety. ... Registered seven total tackles and two more on special teams.
2007 (JETS) Played 15 games, starting four, recording 36 tackles and five pass breakups. ... Finished second on the team with 19 special teams tackles. SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: (12/2 at MIA). ... Recorded three special teams tackles in being named Jets Special Teams Player of the Week. (10/7 at NYG). ... Registered his first career start, recording a teamhigh and career-high 12 tackles with five solos and one pass defensed. (9/23 vs. MIA). ... Recovered the Dolphins attempt at an onsides kick in the last two minutes of the game to secure the 31-28 win.
2006 (JETS) Played in 15 games as a reserve safety, logging 16 tackles, two interceptions and two passes defensed. ... Tied for third with 11 special teams tackles. POSTSEASON: (1/7 at NE). ... Four tackles and one more on special teams in the Wild Card loss. SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: (12/31 vs. OAK). ... Named Jets’ Special Teams Player of the Week after partially blocking a Shane Lechler punt. ... Picked off Aaron Brooks for his second interception. (10/29 at CLE). ... Picked off a Charlie Frye pass for his first career interception.
BEFORE THE NFL
◊ Smith posted triple-digit tackles his last two seasons at Michigan State, with 115 stops in 2004 and a team-high 101 tackles in 2005.
◊ A four-year letterman, Smith earned 36 career starts and registered 323 tackles, including double figures in tackles 13 times. ... His career totals included 10.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and four interceptions.
◊ Earned Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2004 at Michigan State.
◊ Second-team All-State and All-District selection as a senior at Groveport Madison HS, after he made 55 tackles and intercepted seven passes to earn first-team All-Conference honors in 2000.
◊ Started the last six games at quarterback and saw action at wide receiver and running back, pulling in 16 receptions for 400 yards and four touchdowns.
◊ Received the Ernie Godfrey Award, which is presented to the top high school scholar-athlete in the greater Columbus area, in addition to being selected conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
OFF THE FIELD
◊ Helped make improvements to the entrance of Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, Queens as part of the United Way Hometown Huddle in 2006.
◊ Handed out sporting goods gift cards to seventh and eighth graders from Brooklyn during the holiday season. ◊ Visited schools to educate kids as part of the Eat Right, Move More program.
◊ Graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice.
◊ Sported a 3.95 grade-point average in high school and qualified for the track and field regional in the pole vault, high jump and long jump.
◊ Enjoys bowling and golfing in his spare time.
◊ Favorite board game is Monopoly.
◊ Born in Columbus, OH.
