If Geno Smith is going to be the new starting quarterback of the New York Jets, he better start to pick things up. The rookie was brought in to compete with veteran Mark Sanchez and potentially win the job as starter, but so far he is failing to overwhelm the coaching staff. ESPN reports that early returns on Smith are not impressive as the Jets prepare for mandatory minicamps.
New York fans are just now starting to get over the infamous butt fumble from Sanchez and need something to pick up their spirits. The hope that Smith would become the next Russell Wilson a blow people away during early practices does not seem to be the case right now. The Jets were hoping to have the next rookie sensation much like the Colts got with Andrew Luck or Wilson with the Seahawks, but early reports show that Sanchez could likely end up retaining his job.
There is a hope that the early struggles are due more to the fact that the Jets have zero offensive weapons for the both Smith and Sanchez to throw to. With Santonio Holmes out until further notice, the wide receiving core is occupied by a bunch of guys that have yet to play a down in the NFL. Sanchez even joked that players are coming up with nicknames for them because he had no idea what their actual names were. The Jets dumped off most of their offensive fire power in the offseason, failing to replenish the roster with anyone of marquee status. Holmes will likely carry the weight once he is healthy.
The Jets are hoping that Smith can step his game up and at least begin to look the part of a starting quarterback. Even if he is not ready to take over the job when the season begins, New York needs the rookie to begin pushing Sanchez and make him fight for the job a little.
Sanchez recently told media that he loves the quarterback competition taking place. Could Smith's struggles be the reason? He is currently talking with all the confidence in the world, saying that he is just focused on being the best player he can be and studying the offense in order to be on the field Week 1.
That is looking like the case more and more with each practice. Unless Smith steps in during training camp and greatly improves, Sanchez will be back under center to kick off the Jets' 2013 season.