Geno Smith entered the 2014 season without a quarterback competition. The New York Jets signed Michael Vick in the offseason after releasing Mark Sanchez, but made it very clear that the veteran was simply there to be a backup and mentor to the second-year quarterback. Through three games, Smith has continued his inconsistencies, looking like a true star at some points and a deer in the headlights during others. After another struggling performance against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, will there be a change under center coming?
Smith ended the night going 26-of-43 in passing for 316 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was also sacked three times for 16 yards. That was not the performance the Jets were hoping to see causing some to question whether it was time to give Vick a shot as the starter. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News is reporting that Vick is waiting very close on the sidelines to replace Smith. For now, head coach Rex Ryan stands by Smith, but for how long?
"Guys, this ain't the same quarterback he was at the beginning of last year," Ryan said, via Dom Cosentino of NJ.com. "I don't care what people say. Did he make a mistake, he wasn't perfect? Yeah, absolutely. Their quarterback [Jay Cutler] made a mistake, but the difference is they caught the ball, and we didn't."
Vick was not even given a chance to compete for the starting job of the New York Jets despite being under the impression that he would see some time as the starter. Vick had noted during free agency that he only wanted to sign with a team that gave him a chance to play some during the season. There is no question that the veteran still has plenty of talent and could be a difference maker for the Jets, but for now Ryan is defending Smith as his turnover total continues to rise.
Of course the Jets struggles are not all Smith's fault, but he gets the blame for his inconsistent play. The quarterback was without Eric Decker most of the game. The Jets run game is failing to bail him out. Antonio Allen dropped an interception. The mistakes by other players were there, but Smith is aware that he carries the loss on his shoulders.
"We've got to figure that out right now, and it starts with myself," Smith said. "I've got to make sure when we get down in that red zone-we were 1-for-6 today, and that's completely awful. We don't expect to ever go 1-for-6 because we hold ourselves to a high standard, and that starts with me having a turnover, or having some plays where I maybe take a sack-something that happens that doesn't allow us to score seven points."
Ryan would not even entertain the idea of replacing Smith with Vick. He stressed that Smith was "his guy" but the quarterback determines how long that continues.
