INDIANAPOLIS — Brad Smith gave the Jets hope yesterday. In the process, he also made Jets history.
Smith’s role in recent weeks has expanded for the Jets. But never was it bigger than it was in yesterday’s 29-15 win over the Colts as he took the opening kickoff of the second half and returned it 106 yards for a touchdown and a stunning 10-9 Jets’ lead at the time.
It was not only the longest kickoff return in Jets history, but it was the longest play in Jets history, beating out a 104-yard Aaron Glenn TD return of a missed field goal against the Colts on Nov. 15, 1998.
“It was a big burst, a big boost for the team, something we needed,” Smith said. “It was one of the most exciting plays of my life, knowing the situation in the game and seeing how happy the guys were on the sideline. It got the team going a little bit, so that meant a lot.”
It erased a 9-3 halftime deficit and positively ignited the Jets.
“Brad did a great job of setting us up and changing the momentum,” linebacker Bart Scott said.
“It was huge,” safety Jim Leonhard said. “For Brad to come out and do that, it gave everyone life. He really jump-started our offense and our defense.”
Smith, who had downed the first two kickoffs by Colts punter Pat McAfee, said he’d gotten a “green light” from special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff to take the third one out of the end zone.
Here’s how he described the play:
“Catching the ball six [yards] deep you try to get to the wedge as soon as possible,” Smith said. “Rob Turner and Mike DeVito were the two wedge guys and they did a great job of setting up the block and making the read definite. When you go back and see that film and see the blocking on that play it was textbook. I can’t tell you how easy they made it. We had a couple guys double teamed and I tried to break to the outside and break it up the sideline.”
He did.
Colts DB Tim Jennings, who dove at Smith’s legs, was the last man to beat and Smith did as the Jets’ sideline erupted.
“We know what type of player he is when he gets his hands on the ball,” receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. “He’s hard to bring down and he’s hard to catch.”
After the Jets special teams had such a heavy hand in last week’s loss to the Falcons, failing to convert on three field-goal tries, this was a huge boost for the Jets.
“We wanted to make a play,” Smith said. “Everybody on special teams wanted to be a part of something to get this game in our favor.”