New York Jets rookie quarterback, Geno Smith, hasn't even thrown his first NFL completion but is numerous reports, as a result of list of controversy.
Former Jets quarterback and Hall of Famer, Joe Namath, calls Smith a "sensational athlete" with "good size," but doesn't see the need for him on the Jets roster, according to the New York Daily News.
"No, I don't think they needed a quarterback," Namath said at the United Way's 20th annual Gridiron Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel on Tuesday. "They needed the other positions filled. Possibly offensive line. They got some defensive line. The safeties are still questionable. The outside linebackers are still questionable."
Namath's rational is that he believes that the Jets already possessed a quality quarterback in Mark Sanchez, despite his struggles as he feels were attributed to the "distractions" that clouded the team.
"I am pulling for him," Namath said of Sanchez. "I know that he can do better than he's done. And we saw him lead a team to two AFC championship games, right? I also know what it's like not to necessarily have the weapons you'd like to have, not to necessarily have the time you'd like to accomplish."
Namath doesn't blame Sanchez for the team's struggles last season, as he believes only a handful of players got a "passing grade." Despite the productions of lineman D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold and safeties Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry who lived up to expectations, no one else seemed to help support Sanchez last season.
However, as a former quarterback Namath knows the position very well, and he expects Sanchez to help himself, with or without the Jets.
"I know it's a team game and I know Sanchez is going to play better," Namath added. "I promise you you'll see a different guy (this year). I believe you'll see a different guy.
"Mark's not a puppy anymore," he added. "He's gone through some things, growing process. As far as Sanchez goes, even if he's not with the Jets, he's going to play as long as he wants to. He's that good. As long as he wants to, he's going to be in the NFL."
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