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Geno Smith signed a contract today, so he will be at camp on time. That is a good thing, because he has a lot of work to do.
This is a player who needs every rep he can get.
“He came from a system that primarily was a shotgun system,” Rex Ryan said. “His steps, drop backs [and] his mechanics that way, footwork-wise, weren’t dialed in the way they’ll have to be at this level. It’s all new to him.
“Sometimes, you really can’t even notice them because when he’s on, the guy is absolutely terrific. We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy process, but I have confidence that, when we get to Cortland [for training camp], I think you’re going to see the guy keep improving and improving.”
The first half of the Rex quote is dead-on, the second part seems a little Pollyanna, perhaps unrealistic.
Of course he looks terrific sometimes, because the guy has a rocket arm and throws a beautiful ball.
“He can spin it,” as coaches like to say.
But there is so much to playing quarterback in the NFL than having a rifle arm.
For Rex to think that he’s going to somehow take a quantum leap in Cortland is probably far-fetched.
You know the Jets only have 15 practices in Cortland. Two-a-days are a thing of the past thanks to the new CBA. Getting rid of two-a-day practices a couple of years ago really cut down on reps for players, and this especially hurt rookies, who need all the reps they can get.
Remember, Smith is going to have to split starting reps with Mark Sanchez in these one-a-day practices. Unlike a situation where the quarterback is clearly the starter, and get the majority of the first team rep, this will be a split. And perhaps Greg McElroy and Matt Simms will get a small amount of reps as well.
So Rex’s theory that there is going to be a sea-change in Smith during essentially two weeks of practice in Cortland, is hard to see.
I’m telling you, this kid needs a lot of work – a lot of work.
Even with Sanchez’s shortcomings, Mark is way ahead of him right now. I don’t think this is going to be a close competition.
I think Smith can be very good in time, but that West Virginia offense doesn’t translate at all to the NFL. It’s almost like a different sport.
Smith needs so much work on reading defenses, such an important part of playing quarterback in the NFL. Why do you think he is so slow to get rid of the football? He’s just not very good at processing what he’s seeing right now.
And I do think Smith’s college resume was embellished by having Tavon Austin and Steadman Bailey as his wide receivers, both with the St. Louis Rams right now. For instance he could throw a bubble screen to Austin, who has world class speed, and amazing change-of-direction skills, and this guy would often be off to the races for a long gain.
“I feel like I have a great shot (to win the job),” Smith told the Charleston Gazette. “I did a pretty good job overall of just adapting to the system and playbook and felt very comfortable with it by the end of OTAs (organized team activities) and mandatory (minicamp).”
I’m sorry, it’s hard to believe, after a few practices in the spring, this rookie quarterback is “very comfortable” with the Jets system.
I’m just not buying it.
He might think he’s “very comfortable,” but keep in mind they limited what they threw at him.
He’s still got a lot to learn.
And so many mechanical issues to fix.
July 22, 2013
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