Content available exclusively for subscribers
Florham Park – Interesting Jets practice today at the Atlantic Health Training Complex. A lot going on. Let’s get into some of the festivities . . .
Geno Smith was holding the ball too long on way too many plays today.
This was an issue at West Virginia.
He needs to get rid of the ball quicker, make quicker decisions, speed up his progressive reads . . .
It was really hot today in Florham Park, and tempers flared a few times in practice.
Guard Stephen Peterman got ticked off at nose tackle Junior Aumavae, and after the whistle, he tossed him to the ground.
And then you had the play, that I’m sure you all heard about by now, where Antonio Cromartie leveled Stephen Hill right after he caught a pass on the goal-line.
There was nothing impressive about what Cromartie did.
It’s not like this player is known as a big-hitter.
It was one of those situations where the quarterback put the ball in a spot where it was an easy opportunity for a cornerback to crush him – it was right place, right time. It was put on a silver platter for the corner.
And then to stand over him and celebrate was strange. He did this to a teammate, not a Buffalo Bill.
Like I said, there was nothing impressive about this, like perhaps inspiring defensive teammates with a big hit. That didn’t happen after the hit.
It was a bad decision . . .
Manish Mehta had a blockbuster story today
The headline in the Daily News read – “If Geno Smith can stay interception-free, QB will secure NY Jets starting job.”
Manish Mehta wrote, “The Jets farcical quarterback competition will conclude Saturday night with rookie Geno Smith needing two turnover-free to secure a job that many people in the organization want him to win.”
I have to say, I’m not aware that “many people in the organization want him to win.”
I’ve never heard that.
And the idea that two quarters of football would decide a quarterback competition doesn’t sound like a very smart plan.
Marty Morhinweg, David Lee and company have been monitoring every play from these quarterbacks from the spring camps to training camp to preseason games.
Everything will be taken into account.
There is no way Morhinweg, Lee, Rex Ryan, John Idzik and company would make a huge decision like this, based on Smith playing turnover free football in one preseason game.
One of Geno’s big problems is that he’s not making quick enough decision and being too cautious with the football. He’s very hesitant to pull the trigger.
So if he goes out against the Giants, and doesn’t commit any turnovers, yet doesn’t make a lot happen because he’s too careful with the ball, and holding it too long, why would you reward him the job?
I spoke to a couple of people with the Jets today, and asked them about the story, and they both categorically shot it down . . .
Ryan Spadola had the best catch of the practice today – high pointing a ball down the left seam. I’d be shocked if this guy doesn’t make the team. The Freehold-product is having a heck of a camp . . .
Santonio Holmes held a press briefing today, and based on what he was saying, doesn’t sound very close to returning.
You could make a strong argument there is little incentive for him to rush back – he will get paid the same whether he plays or not.
August 21, 2013
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Thursday