When Chris Johnson was signed to the New York Jets, he was told the role of starting quarterback had not yet been decided. Geno Smith started every game for New York last season and was returning this year. With Mark Sanchez out of the picture, it was assumed Smith would once again be the starting quarterback despite suffering plenty of rookie woes. However, Michael Vick signed on in free agency and once again, the Jets have uncertainty at the quarterback position.
Johnson stirred the Jets' media pot by saying that Vick and Smith were competing for a starting role. As New York's offseason workouts began Monday, Smith told reporters that he was in the mindset that he was the starting quarterback and Vick was the backup no matter what Johnson said when he signed.
"With the experience I've gained," Smith said, via the New York Daily News, "I feel like I'm more than capable of being the starter. I look forward to working with him. I look forward to competing with him as well. He's a veteran with tons of experience. ... He's played in many big games ... but I look forward to learning from him."
Vick said that when he signed with the Jets, he intended on competing to start no matter if he was the veteran or not. Smith appears to be the future of the Jets franchise, but is he ready this year? Vick may turn 34 before the season begins, but the veteran looks more ready to start Week 1 than Smith might be. He is motivated and his arm strength and effortless running make him a constant threat no matter what. If Vick appears the better player, the Jets will not hesitate to start him no matter what Smith thinks.
The Jets have established a plan to win now and not later. The team signed Eric Decker to be the top wide receiver and will likely draft another top prospect at the position. The signed Johnson to be the one-two ground game punch with Chris Ivory. Vick might be the better win-now quarterback while Smith develops and works past his rookie issues.
So, while there is a growing competition at quarterback, there could also be one at the running back spot. The Jets signed Johnson as Ivory's backup, but he fully intends on being the first back on the field come Week 1. Rex Ryan told media that Johnson was not promised a certain amount of carries and would compete like the rest of the players. Johnson is up for the task.
"Basically, it's just a situation of coming in and competing and just doing whatever to help the team win," Johnson said, via Dom Consentino via the Newark Star-Ledger. "Really, it was that. Not really having too much concern about how the carries are going to be."
