Michael Vick wanted a chance to be a starting quarterback in 2014 and naturally the New York Jets plan on giving him that option. The Jets have a starting quarterback in Geno Smith, but since John Idzik and Rex Ryan refuse to publically commit to a player for 2014, it is anyone's guess as to who will be under center come Week 1 next year.
While speaking at the owner's meetings, Ryan confirmed that the New York Jets starting quarterback job was once again wide open. This has been a running theme for the New York offseason since Mark Sanchez started to struggle. Tim Tebow has been given a chance. Greg McElroy has been given a chance. Matt Simms has been called an option. Now with Michael Vick on the roster, the story remains the same.
"I would say yes. Anybody. We want that competition. We'll let it all play out. It's not just Geno. I think competition is good for everybody," Ryan said, via the New York Post. "When you look at it, whether you're a quarterback or a right tackle or whatever, competition brings out the best of everybody. I think it's a good thing to have. We feel good about our quarterback situation, feel really good about it right now. The competition part of it, if we can have that kind of competition at every position that would be great."
Competition did not prove productive for Mark Sanchez. It landed him unemployed. Smith was the guy the Jets drafted last year to take over the franchise and be the future. He is supposed to be Idzik's guy, so why the competition? The issue is that Ryan cannot afford to look at a long-term plan for the Jets. The coach is under fire and coaching for his job this season. He needs as many playmakers on the roster as possible in order to give New York a chance to win.
Smith insists that he is fine with this plan. The second-year pro told media that he and Vick are good friends and if the team feels the veteran gives them a shot at winning then he is all for it.
"Awesome, man. Vick's my guy," Smith said, via ESPN.com. "We needed to find a guy that was legitimately a guy that could come in and play. I think that's what we did. Mission accomplished. It's just good to have a guy to compete with like Mike. We're going to compete. We're not going to say, 'Hey, you're the starter.' And we'll leave it at that. We want to get better."
The quarterback is saying all the right things in public. While Smith might be "the guy" for the future, New York does not have the time to wait for him to develop. Vick will take advantage of the situation.
