Once when I was young, I landed in a Navajo right behind a 744. Dumb. Very dumb. I got tossed like a paper hat. All I can remember is ten seconds of terror and then the runway. Now, those engines are quite spread out, I doubt you'd have the same effect on a mostly centerline 727. As far as procedure, I'd say you were right, but did it wrong way, regardless of what any FAR says. I don't know where SMF is, other that I bet it's in CA somewhere, but not too major of an airport. I don't see at a smaller field why you would have to be so rushed to get someone out if it ended up 'looking close' to both aircraft.