New York Jets

Bowles blasts Jets rookies: 'They need to grow up'

Published Nov. 23, 2015 10:39 a.m. ET

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The New York Jets have one of the best rookies in the NFL in defensive end Leonard Williams. Aside from that, though, their first-year class hasn't made a huge impact.

On Sunday against the Houston Texans, it showed in a big way, and head coach Todd Bowles took notice. Rookie wideout Devin Smith dropped a couple of passes, most importantly a perfectly-thrown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick that would have gone for a 46-yard touchdown. And the worst part about Smith's drop is the fact that catching deep balls was his strong suit at Ohio State.

After the game, Bowles put his rookies on blast and called them out for not only their lack of production, but their lack of maturity.

“Our rookies have got to stop being rookies,” Bowles said when he was asked about Smith, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “They need to grow up. They get paid like everybody else and they’ve got to start acting like they’re not in college anymore.”

Smith is likely the main target of Bowles' comments with his struggles this season, especially of late. His fumble on a kickoff return last week resulted in a touchdown for the Bills, while he didn't record a single catch this week on four targets.

Like many other rookie wide receivers, Smith hasn't produced as a high draft pick, catching just seven passes for 82 yards and zero touchdowns. Last season at Ohio State, he averaged 28.2 yards per catch and had 12 touchdown receptions on just 33 catches. He was a big-play threat with every snap, but he's failed to bring that to the NFL.

“It’s tough, but I know my time is coming,” Smith said. “So I’m just going to keep working hard. When that day comes, everybody will know.”