The New York Jets tried to run the read-option offense once before with Tim Tebow and that experiment failed miserably. However, the team is mulling the package once again, this time with rookie Geno Smith running the option. As the Jets continue their competition for a starting quarterback, the team is looking to capitalize off Smith's strengths even if he is not the starter.
Smith is highly athletic. He was projected as the best quarterback in the league for a reason. While at West Virginia, he played the role of a passing and running quarterback. He averaged 7.2 yards per scramble in 2012 for 253 yards. If Smith loses the starting competition to Mark Sanchez, the Jets are still looking to create a package of plays for him to run during the season.
"I know what everyone is thinking. If we did that, it would be like, 'Oh, didn't we try that last year?' But certainly, that's a possibility. I think he's got the athleticism to do that. They didn't run a whole lot of zone reads at West Virginia, but he has the skill set to where there's no reason he shouldn't be able to do that," head coach Rex Ryan said.
Ryan notes that Smith is smart enough of a quarterback to understand the read-option and how to run it successfully. He is realizing the league is changing and running for first downs and touchdowns is becoming a norm for starting quarterbacks now. The Jets are attempting to jump onto the trend and give it a try with the rookie.
The Jets attempted the read-option on 76 snaps last season. It was essentially ineffective with Tim Tebow, who failed to find his niche with the team. The package of plays was viewed as more of a disruption to the offense than something that could bring success.
Sanchez and Smith are both currently battling to be the starter for the Jets on Week 1. Ryan will not say who is going to start, noting that June is too early to even name a front-runner. If Ryan is looking for a way to please everyone, the specific package for Smith is the team's best option. Smith will get some time in minicamps with the first-team offense where the Jets intend on testing the waters with the read-option.
