BY NICK ST. DENIS
Brad Smith started his career with the New York Jets, and he wouldn't mind finishing it with them.
The soon-to-be 30-year-old utility player was released by the Buffalo Bills Friday after two and a half seasons of not quite finding his niche on a team that has been in transition.
Smith was on injured reserve with a rib injury he suffered during the preseason but has been cleared by doctors to return to the field. According to Tim Graham of The Buffalo News, Smith was able to "negotiate his release" in hopes of landing with a new team.
With that, Smith is free game, and he told Graham he would "absolutely" be on board with a return to the Jets, whom he played his first five years in the league with.
"That's a place I love," Smith said. "I love the fans just as much as I love the Bills fans. It's the place I started. That would be real cool."
Smith returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in his last two years with the Jets, and he had short stints of success both at receiver and in the Wildcat. At one time, he was a regular contributor for Gang Green, but that ship has likely sailed.
New York recently acquired veteran Josh Cribbs to assume kick return duties, and he's been better than serviceable. Cribbs also taken on Smith's old role as an occasional participant in the offensive backfield and has done so with some success.
Smith hauled in 37 receptions for 392 yards and three touchdowns in 2011 and 2012 with the Bills, tallying a pair of rushing scores in the meantime.
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