There are rumors that Jets are interested in picking West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith in the second round. In fact, there are reports they might look to trade up.
I’m sorry, I have nothing against the guy, but I think it’s a bad idea.
I have been covering the NFL a long time.
When I was younger reporter, I used to get too caught up in the physical attributes of prospects.
“Oh my goodness, that outside linebacker is 6-5, 240 and runs 4.4. He should go in the first round with those triangle numbers.”
Or at quarterback – “That guys has a howitzer of an arm and can make all the throws. Wow, what a prospect. He’s a lock to go high in the draft.”
Browning Nagle had a tremendous arm.
While top-shelf physical characteristics are good to have, so much of this game is about instincts, football intelligence and heart, especially at quarterback.
As Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has said several times over the last few months – “The two most important muscles for a quarterback – the brain and the heart.”
Tom Brady is a terrible athlete. So is Peyton Manning.
I know Geno Smith has a great arm. I know he’s very fast, but those factors aren’t the be-all, end-all of the QB position.
Right now, I see Smith as a similar QB to Mark Sanchez, but with a better arm and more mobility.
Like Sanchez, he doesn’t read defenses well, often holds the ball too long, turns the ball over a lot (32 career fumbles) and doesn’t feel pressure well.
If you are the Jets, why go there?
