New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith continues to find himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Instead of getting people talking for his on-the-field abilities, more people are commenting on his off-the-field behavior. He has yet to take a snap in the NFL and yet he is already the mot discussed player outside of Tim Tebow. The Jets cannot catch a break. Negative reports have surfaced regarding Smith's draft process and all that it entailed and he is taking time to deny any kind of diva reputation that is surrounding him.
Smith has been painted as a diva after reports surfaced that he was refusing to come back for Day 2 of the NFL Draft when he fell out of the first round. He was originally projected as a top-10 pick and instead was taken at No. 39 overall, in the second round. After the draft, sources claimed Smith had a bad attitude during pre-draft interviews. It also did not help that he fired his agents immediately after the draft, reportedly because they had convinced him he would be taken in the top round.
"I don't worry about what people say-my skin is pretty thick. I've never been in trouble," Smith said.
The rookie quarterback is hoping to get the media off his back by setting the record straight on several rumors flying around about him. Yahoo! Sports once reported that teams were turned off by Smith because he was checking Twitter and texting friends during interviews.
"That's not true. I got strong remarks from all the teams I visited with...I couldn't care less what's coming out in the media because I know what's true," Smith said.
Smith admits that part of the draft experience was difficult for him to handle and that we glad it was over and done with. Now, the quarterback will focus on another competition, the one to be the Jets new starting quarterback. Smith is eager to work with the team's other quarterbacks. He received a congratulatory text from David Garrard and is happy to have him as a mentor.
Smith is ready to get the Jets playbook and compete in the five-man battle for starting quarterback.
"What more can you ask for? As of right now, my roles as a rookie quarterback is to be a sponge."