In the NFL, rolling with a rookie quarterback often means absorbing a lot of bad plays to get to the good. For the New York Jets, Sunday afternoon was almost entirely bad.
Rookie quarterback Geno Smith had his worst game as a professional, throwing two interceptions, fumbling twice, and getting sacked five times for 50 yards. In the process of repeatedly giving the Titans the ball in good field position, he made a bid to supplant injured backup Mark Sanchez as the owner of Gang Green's most embarrassing turnover.
On Thanksgiving night of 2012, Sanchez famously tried to take off out of the pocket, ramming into the backside of offensive guard Brandon Moore. The impact knocked the ball free, allowing the New England Patriots to scoop it up and race for a touchdown.
On Sunday, Geno dropped back to pass and, under heavy duress, attempted to put the football behind his back. He was sacked and lost the ball in the end zone, gifting Tennessee six points.
While Smith's play will not become a legendary blooper like Sanchez's, it is arguably a more foolish move. Immediately after the game, Jets coach Rex Ryan spoke about the 38-13 loss.
"It shocks me," Ryan said. "I never expected for the game to turn out like this. Certainly a shock. I don't know what else to say."
Ryan was also tough on Smith, who is not being granted immunity from playing well because of his rookie status. "How many times are we going to make that an excuse?" Ryan said. "One of these days we're going to have to learn from them and it better be soon.... We better learn in a hurry. It has to get better."
Smith wasn't any easier on himself, declining to chalk up his failures to being inexperienced and calling his play "piss poor."
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