Is it a good idea for Geno Smith to run the read-option?
Not really.
True, Smith ran a a 4.56 forty at the combine, which is an excellent time for the quarterback position.
But the way he’s built, a little on the skinny side right now, at about 6-2.5 and 218 pounds, it’s a bad idea to expose this guy to open field hits.
He came to the Jets in dire need of a strength program. To be honest, it doesn’t look like he spent a lot of time in the weight room in college. He has very little muscle definition.
Remember, a player excelled at the read-option last year is a powerfully built guy – Colin Kaepernick is 6-4, 235 pounds, and has two years of NFL strength training.
RG III, who is built like Smith, ran the read-option last year, and got banged up.
Smith needs a lot of work in the weight room.
He needs to be attached at the hip with Jets strength coach Justus Galac.
Aside from not being built to withstand the punishment of running the read-option, there is another issue here – Smith’s not a great scrambler.
He has good straight-line speed. Remember, that 4.56 forty was obviously run going straight. Smith isn’t considered an elusive scrambler.
Running fast doesn’t make you elusive.
For instance, Jeremy Kerley didn’t run a good forty coming out of Texas Christian, but he’s amazingly elusive. Being elusive isn’t necessarily about great speed, it’s more about lateral quickness and loose hips.
Smith is best suited as a pocket passer, who perhaps occasionally scrambles.
Running the read-option with this player is a disaster waiting to happen.
