Brad Smith is honored

Although it took place nearly a week ago, the accolade has finally arrived.

Brad Smith was named the AFC's special teams player of the week today for his stellar performance in the Jets' 26-14 win over the Bengals on Thanksgiving.

The versatile wide receiver had an 89-yard return for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff following Cincinnati cutting the Jets' lead to seven in the fourth quarter. What made the feat all the more impressive was Smith running the last 50 yards with only one shoe after losing the other at midfield.

It was Smith’s longest return this season and second-longest kickoff return of Smith's career, only topped by the 106-yard return he had in Indianapolis Dec. 27 a year ago. His 29.2-yard kickoff return average leads the NFL.

Smith became third player in NFL history with an 80-plus yard kick off return for a TD and a 50-plus rushing TD in the same game, joining Dominic Rhodes and Brian Mitchell. He also was only the third wide receiver in league history since 1950 to record a rushing touchdown and kick return for a touchdown in the same game, joining Billy “White Shoes” Johnson and Bobby Mitchell.

Overall, Smith totaled 200 all-purpose yards against the Bengals -- 55 yards rushing, 23 yards receiving and 122 yards on kickoff returns. The only other time he collected 200 all-purpose yards was earlier this season against the Dolphins when he collected 11 yards receiving, 41 yards rushing and 150 yards on kickoff returns.

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-* No access at The Hangar today as the Jets have the day off. We'll be back at it tomorrow and Friday before the Jets shut it down until Monday.