The Geno Smith era for the New York Jets may be officially underway.
One day after offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg reportedly requested for Smith to start instead of Mark Sanchez in Week 1 Sept. 8 at MetLife Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular-season opener, reports indicate that head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik are also leaning towards pushing Smith as the team's No. 1 signal caller instead of the incumbent fifth-year quarterback.
The New York Daily News reported that "Ryan, Idzik and much of the team's key decision makers are on board with moving on from Sanchez," who has played with the team since it drafted him fifth overall in 2009, but hasn't enjoyed much success over the last two years.
Sanchez is still recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants in a Week 3 preseason game, so his status for Week 1 was already in question, even though Ryan hasn't said who will start under center a week from Sunday. While it seems more and more likely that Smith will get the nod to start due to Sanchez's injury, it may lead to more starts for the Jets 2013 second round draft pick and No. 39 overall even when Sanchez is healthy.
Smith impressed early on in training camp, and it was reported that Idzik was really pushing for him to be the starter, however after an ankle injury in Smith's NFL debut early in the third quarter of the Jets Week 1 preseason loss to the Detroit Lions sidelined Smith for Week 2, the rookie had a rough Week 3. Smith threw three interceptions against the Giants in the Jets third exhibition game and has endured some growing pains, but it looks like the Jets brain trust may hitch their wagon to him for the season.
A video of Smith's Week 3 struggles can be seen below:
While Smith hasn't proven himself on an NFL level yet, the team believes he's the better choice for a starter over Sanchez, who has committed 52 turnovers in the last two seasons.
In his senior season with West Virginia last year, Smith was 369-for-518 for 4,205 yards with a career-high 42 touchdowns and six interceptions. Sanchez, in what could prove to be his final year as a Jets starter, went 246-for-453 for 2,883 yards with 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 2012.
The Jets are looking to bounce back from a sub-par 6-10 season in 2012.
In his senior season wwith West Virginia last year, Smith was 369-for-518 for 4,205 yards with a career-high 42 touchdowns and six interceptions. Sanchez, in what could prove to be his final year as a Jets starter, went 246-for-453 for 2,883 yards with 13 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in 2012.
The Jets are looking to bounce back from a sub-par 6-10 season in 2012.
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