Jets Flight Weekly …

Uptown/Downtown Geno, Year 1

 When the Jets entered the draft, it was automatically assumed that they needed a QB. Mark Sanchez had just finished his worst stint in the Big Apple. One small problem, there really was no top QB prospect to speak of available in the mid first round. Most considered EJ Manual and Geno Smith; EJ was projected to go early to mid second. Geno Smith started out as a sure top 10, but his non co-operation with the scouts dropped him, everyone still guessed he would go mid first. Both Jets and Bills were QB needy, no way that both teams would pass up on the kid.

 

New York reporters were speculating that the NY Jets with two first round picks would grab Geno with their #14. Had Tannebaum not been let go, that scenario would have happened for sure. Then when the Bills did the unthinkable, and selected EJ Manual,  Idzik, used his patience to his advantage. At first I’m sure he figured his future QB would have to wait a year. Geno was not worthy of a first round pick, and by the time the Jets picked again, he would be gone. Shockingly, Geno was still available, at this point they had no choice but to grab the kid, and let him develop as their future QB.

 

Geno had an interesting off-season to say the least. The New York media, no longer being able to count on Rex’s mouth to give them stories, decided that the kid would give them some. The fools that make a living writing NY Jets trash for the numerous local newspapers, Daily News, NY Post, NY Times, Newsday, Newark Star Ledger, not to forget Cimini, etc, needed something. Rex had gotten them promotions and raises, and suddenly with the arrival of Mr. Idzik, all the talk was gone. The above-mentioned fools went on a digging campaign. When Geno decided to work out in Florida instead of attending Jets West, it became he was arrogant, not team oriented, and on and on.

 

When camp began, New Yorkers expected this kid to make headlines of one dumb decision after another. That never happened, and instead devoted Jets fans began to realize that Geno was not even close to the media made selfish player we thought he would be. Geno had moments at camp, but he clearly was not ready for the NFL. Going into game 4 of pre-season, Mark Sanchez was going to retain his starting job, Geno would sit and learn, and eventually become the starter. As we know, Sanchez was injured, and out for the season; Garrard’s knees didn’t hold up, and Geno’s only competition came in the form of Matt Sims.

Smith started out very well, at home against the “Eventually Playoff bound Bucs”, or so we were told. 

	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	AVG	LNG	TD	INT	RAT
	24	38	256	63.2	6.74	26	1	1	80.6

 At this point his raw ability began to show, and began alternating weeks.

 The next games were all win/loss/win 

	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	AVG	LNG	TD	INT	RAT
NE	15	35	214	42.9	6.11	37	0	3	27.6
BUF	16	29	331	55.2	11.41	69	2	2	89.9
Tenn	23	34	289	67.6	8.5	36	1	2	79.2
ATL	16	20	199	80	9.95	47	3	0	147.7
PITT	19	34	201	55.9	5.91	29	0	2	48.8
NE	17	33	233	51.5	7.06	27	1	1	71.9
CIN	20	30	159	66.7	5.3	26	0	2	51.9
NO	8	19	115	42.1	6.05	44	0	0	62.4

Downtown Smith finally arrived in the form of rookie mistakes; it should have been expected. The lucky recipients: Buffalo, Baltimore and Miami 

	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	AVG	LNG	TD	INT	RAT
BUF	8	23	103	34.8	4.48	38	0	3	10.1
BAL	9	22	127	40.9	5.77	30	0	2	22.3
MIA	4	10	29	40	2.9	12	0	1	8.3

 ……finally the trip Uptown! 

	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	AVG	LNG	TD	INT	RAT
OAK	16	25	219	64	8.76	32	1	1	88.6
CAR	15	28	167	53.6	5.96	35	1	1	68.6
CLE	20	36	214	55.6	5.94	22	2	0	91.7
MIA	17	27	190	63	7.04	34	0	0	83.9

Totals for his rookie year: 

	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	AVG	LNG	TD	INT	RAT
	247	443	3,046	55.8	6.88	69	12	21	66.5

 Summary:

This kid played like any normal rookie would have played, and he did so at the biggest stage the Sports World has to offer. In New York you are a hero today, but a goat tomorrow. The papers even have a column dedicated to that weekly. If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere….with those words Frank Sinatra described what is a fact of life in the Big Apple.

Geno  began the season like a kid on his first date ever, and he went right for the kiss, no courting required. His game was like numerous dates as a kid, some work well some don’t. However, luckily for him and for us Jet fans, some kids eventually mature and find that nice girl, marry her, because everything about it is right.

Mark Sanchez was welcomed in NY and he actually handled the mess pretty well, but he had a problem. During his tenure as QB, the HC was a loud mouth that invited the media to follow. His hopes were to deter any distraction away from the players and on to himself. Unfortunately Rex himself had to learn that in this town there are only heroes or goats. Sanchez paid the price for not only his ineffectiveness, but also his coach’s immaturity; and now Mark ,who married the wrong girl, is headed for Divorce Court.

Prediction:
Geno will grow, not at the rate that the Lucks, or RG3s or even Wilsons of the world have, but more like the rate we have see Cam Newtown take. Jet fans in general must learn from their new GM, and be patient.

Smith will thrive in this town because he has thick skin. The one thing we need to mention that doesn’t show in the stats: Smith, finally listened to Morty and used his legs to his advantage. In those last 4 games, Geno became a threat, a la Cam Newtown. That lesson will help him tremendously next season.

An entire off-season as the starter and preparing to start with competition, will give this kid an opportunity. He must work on protecting the football, as he did the last 4 games. Uptown Geno Smith should become a lot more regular to see than the Downtown version.

Protect the football and you have found yourself the right girl!