The Geno Smith era is officially underway in New York. After being drafted in the second round back in April, it was only a matter of time before the rookie earned his spot as the starter. Of course an injury to the team's veteran Mark Sanchez helped his case along with a lack talent playing behind him on the depth chart.
The Jets announced on Twitter that Smith would get the start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Sanchez continues to nurse an injured shoulder. Smith has performed well in the preseason despite being hampered by an ankle injury. In his two appearances he completed 22 of 37 passes, throwing for 246 yards. There was that one game where Smith threw three interceptions, but the Jets are chosing to look past that.
Both Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg have been complimentary of Smith's command in the huddle and ability to grasp the offense quickly.
"Learning Marty's system, he really did a tremendous job, as did all the quarterbacks. I think he really fits the system. He's a guy who is very accurate with the football, he has good mobility in the pocket and he's adjusting to the speed of the game," Ryan said via CBSSports.com.
So where does this leave Sanchez? For now, the veteran is predicted to not be available until Week 3 of the season. The shoulder injury suffered in the preseason game against the New York Giants appears to be worse than originally reported, leaving the Jets no other choice but to give Smith the start and reps with the first-team offense.
Will Sanchez ever see the field again as a starting quarterback? According to former Jet LaDainian Tomlinson, the answer would be no, Sanchez will never be a starter again. In an interview on Sirius XM's Mad Dog Sports Radio, Tomlinson said he believed Sanchez's time as a top quarterback in the league is over.
"I don't think Mark will be a starter again in the NFL," Tomlinson said. "I think there's certainly potential for him to be a backup and then get a starting job for half the year or what have you that way. But I think his days as a full-time starter are pretty much over."
Tomlinson certainly knows a lot about Sanchez. He spent two seasons in the backfield with the quarterback. He was present for the 26 turnovers created in 2011. The quarterback followed that up with 26 more turnovers in 2012. The running back has watched Sanchez start and stop in four years with the Jets.
"You've got to realize in football, for a quarterback, you're going to get three to five years in an organization to prove that you're the franchise guy. I mean that's just what it is. And if you don't do it in that time frame, then they're going to move on to somebody else," Tomlinson said.
The Jets have certainly moved on for the time being. If Smith plays well, which could really mean anything, expect New York to stick with Smith whether Sanchez is healthy or not. Time will tell if Tomlinson's prediction comes true.
