Could this be the year Geno Smith finally makes the next step? The quarterback certainly thinks so as his confidence is higher than ever entering training camp for the New York Jets. The team has done nothing but support Smith's future, handing him the starting spot over Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty while surrounding him with plenty of offensive talent. According to Smith, he has no plans of being average this season and expects the results to show on the field.
Smith is speaking like a starter as he continues work in training camp. While Jets' fans are unlikely to buy into the talk, there is a chance they might be surprised with what Smith has to offer this year after big adjustments to the roster. According to Smith, he is poised to be a breakout star this season.
"I don't want to be average at all," Smith said, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. "That's never the goal. ... There's a handful of plays that you shouldn't make during a game. I've had the experience in two years realizing that sometimes you don't have to force it. Sometimes you can just pull it down and live to play another play and let your defense win the game. Then there's other situations where you've got to make the play. My goal is to be one of the best."
Like last season, the success of the Jets will either rise or fall based on the play of the quarterback. However, this season Smith has upgraded talent that could really make his talk become true. Brandon Marshall joins the team along with Stevan Ridley and Zac Stacy at running back. They pair with Eric Decker, an improved Jeremy Kerley and Jace Amaro along with Chris Ivory in the running back spot. While Smith is ranked fairly low in terms of a fantasy outlook, the quarterback is planning on being the surprise of the season.
Fitzpatrick wants to make sure that does not happen. While Smith is taking all of the reps with the first-team offense, Fitzpatrick is still holding on to the idea that this is a battle that he intends on winning.
"The thing we stress every day and Coach Bowles stresses is he going to put the best guys on the field to help the team win," Fitzpatrick said, via ESPN.com. "That is what we are all here for, to win football games. Todd was hired as a head coach for a reason and we all really respect him what he did in his career as a player and what he has done so far as a coach. He really treats us like men."
