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Somewhere over the United States on a flight home from Indianapolis – I don’t get it. Actually I totally get it. This whole narrative isn’t steeped in reality, but perhaps it leads to clicks on website.
To me, this is creating news, not reporting it.
I also think it’s disingenuous. Do they really think the Jets should consider going back to Geno Smith once he’s healthy, or are they just trying to stir it up?
Here are some questions today for Todd Bowles in his press conference.
Q)Will Ryan Fitzpatrick remain the starting quarterback after Geno Smith is healthy?
Bowles: Ryan is our starting quarterback right now. We’re doing well, we have good chemistry going and everything else and Geno understands that and as we go, Ryan is our quarterback. We’ll go forward from there.
If that wasn’t clear enough, there was this follow-up.
Q)If Geno Smith were ready to play this week, would Fitzpatrick still be the starting quarterback…
Bowles: Yes, Ryan’s the starter.
Can somebody explain the reason for that follow-up question? Did Todd give his first answer in French?
And then this gem followed – “Will it be a delicate situation dividing reps when Geno Smith is healthy?
Bowles: We’ll get Geno ready, but Ryan is going to stay sharp and Ryan is going to be taking the first-team reps.
You know what would be a delicate situation, if Todd Bowles handed the reins back to Geno Smith when he’s healthy.
That would be delicate because he might lose the team.
This line of questioning is indicative of what is going on these days – let’s create the news instead of trying to report it.
And you know what, these questions created news. This story was the #2 headline on ESPN.com the last time I checked.
Mission accomplished.
This angle is beyond dumb, but I guess it sells.
Ryan Fitzpatrick gives the Jets a much better chance to win that Geno Smith. It’s not even close. He makes quicker decisions, reads defenses better, is a lot more comfortable in Chan Gailey’s offense and is a better leader.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not writing off Geno Smith.
He’s a young developmental quarterback still developing.
But Fitzpatrick is the game-manager this team needs right now to compliment their running game and strong defense. His 10 years experience, compared to Geno’s two years, shows on the field.
And ignore those Jets insiders, who are never at camp, telling you that Geno was having a great camp before he got hurt.
It’s not true. As a mentioned in the latest issue of the magazine, he was okay, but he was taking few chances – checking down a ton and running too much. So when you hear he wasn’t turning the ball over, keep in mind he was more conservative than William F. Buckley in the practices before he got hurt.
I hope those people sold a lot of papers, and got a lot of hits on their websites, if that is what they were looking for with these ridiculous questions.
The Jets are 2-0, and looking good, and they are asking about Geno getting his job back?
Jeez.
September 22 2015
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