Michael Vick says Geno Smith is the guy
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) scrambles. Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Jets need to see what they have in last year’s second-round pick Geno Smith this upcoming season, as he improved as he gained experience last season. Smith didn’t play as well as N.C. State rookie Mike Glennon did last year, and he wasn’t the first quarterback taken in the 2013 NFL Draft either. That said, Smith was the most touted of those quarterbacks in the pre-draft process, and he has solid physical tools with a good arm and running ability. His issues are with taking care of the football, as he displayed lackluster decision-making skills, especially when it came to limiting turnovers. At least Smith never gave up on trying to challenge defenses, so we know he has plenty of resiliency.
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Although Michael Vick has injury issues, he’s still a talented player and a very good veteran backup/stopgap option to help Smith out, and it will be interesting to see if the Jets are forced to start him. Hopefully Smith can more than hold his own out there, but it was a wise move to bring in Vick, who is familiar with Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. Both quarterbacks are expected to compete for the starting gig, but it would be unwise for the Jets to start Vick unless if Smith plays at a horrifically poor level; again, they need to see what they haev in the West Virginia product.
Vick himself recently stated, via NJ.com’s Don Cosentino, that Geno is the starting quarterback right now, “Geno’s the starting quarterback for that football team.”
“Ultimately our goal is to try to help Geno become the best quarterback that he can be. Myself and [third-stringer Matt Simms] are all trying to put him in a position where he can get better from year one to year two.”
While Vick still views himself as a starting-caliber quarterback in this league, he knows that the keys to the franchise are still in Smith’s possession; Vick’s job is to mentor Smith, be a quality backup, and take the reins of the team only if the second-year QB gets injured or struggles too much. If the latter occurs, then Rex Ryan will probably be collateral damage and John Idzik will be hunting for a quarterback in 2015.