New York Jets: Can Geno Smith get it done in 2015?

After a stellar draft the New York Jets are still asking themselves the same question. With a new cast, can quarterback Geno Smith now get it done in 2015? Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

TODD:

Coming out of the NFL Draft, the New York Jets are in an interesting position. They made a number of smart moves during the big event, but success may still rest on Geno Smith.

New York traded up in the fourth round to grab quarterback Bryce Petty. The Baylor product has a big arm but comes from that dreaded college system that scouts struggle to translate. Either way, it was a smart pick on the final day after smart picks each of the first two draft days as well.

The Jets obviously grabbed who they deemed the best player available when their turn came in round one, taking Leonard Williams. Many, including myself, think he was the top overall player in the draft, but he enters a crowded situation along the interior of the team’s defensive line.

It is hard to say that taking Williams was a bad choice, but if they fail to find him snaps, did the Jets mess up here? Or was this a good choice no matter his 2015 impact because it provides the team with a Muhammad Wilkerson replacement should the latter leave after this season?

I feel as though Devin Smith‘s impact could be similar albeit for different reasons. Smith is a good pick and good asset whether he produces a lot in 2015 or not. His ability to stretch the defense with the threat of the deep ball will do wonders for his quarterback and other positional peers.

Dec 6, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith (9) celebrates catching a pass in the end zone for a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

And then there’s the solid additions of Lorenzo Mauldin and even running back Zac Stacy, who has to be thrown onto that list of draft adds. Stacy fell out of favor in St. Louis even before the Rams drafted Todd Gurley, but he will provide New York with another above-average option at tailback.

The Jets had a good draft whether Petty becomes a future starting quarterback or not. But if Petty is good enough to take the job from Smith, suddenly NY has a team worth paying attention to, and if he isn’t, draft success doesn’t mean as much with a question lingering behind center.

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DAN:

I loved the Jets’ draft as a fan, but they made stellar moves from a pure football stand point as well. I remain skeptical, like you, in regards to actual 2015 success, simply because of their offensive leader. Yet here’s the good news. NFL teams can and have won championships without a star at quarterback.

I speak the truth, I really do. A standout QB is not the be all, end all, for NFL success. The caveat being, that team MUST be amazing in several other aspects of play. If the defense is unbelievable, the running game is unstoppable, and the mistakes and turnovers are non-existent, then a team can excel with a pure game manager.

The New York Jets do not have a pure game manager on their roster at quarterback, as far as league history is concerned. So even if their defense is as good as advertised and the running game exceeds expectations, someone on their roster has to improve at quarterback. But the main sticking point from Geno Smith’s initial seasons with the Jets was the lack of weapons surrounding him on offense. That has now changed.

Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver

Brandon Marshall

(15) catches a pass during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Since Mike Maccagnan took over as general manager, he has been adding weapons everywhere. The most notable are on offense, at wide receiver and running back. His first draft only emphasized this even further. Zac Stacy is an interesting addition to a crowded backfield. The bottom line is that either Stacy, Ivory, or Ridley is likely to have an excellent season. All three have put up big numbers at one time in the league. It’s too early to call them a three-headed monster, but there will be a cool nickname attached to them by season’s end.

New York now has some scary talent at wide receiver as well. The ability to move Eric Decker back to the slot will send ripples throughout the offense. I’m a firm believer that newly drafted receiver Devin Smith will make an immediate difference because of his speed alone. So will Brandon Marshall. This opens up the field for tight ends Jeff Cumberland and Jace Amaro. Weapons make a quarterback’s life infinitely easier.

Geno Smith improved his accuracy from his rookie year to last season. This trend must continue for him to be successful. His interception totals also dropped. If both of those trends stay in tact, Geno can succeed in this new Jets’ offense.

Since leaving Buffalo, Ryan Fitzpatrick has also seen his completion percentage go up and his interception totals plummet. This is great news for the New York Jets. With two quarterbacks on roster trending in the right direction, one will be able to capitalize on a re-loaded team. The schedule heavily favors the Jets as well in 2015. It’s not unrealistic to peg them as a pre-season worst to first team this year.

Next: Jets 2015 Draft Grades

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