Geno Smith insists he has been told he is still the New York Jets starting quarterback after being pulled from Sunday's 23-3 home loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Smith told ESPN on Monday, with the team's playoff hopes faintly alive, quarterback's coach David Lee told him he will start this week against Oakland.
"If it was a tactic to wake me up or get me going, it definitely worked," Smith told ESPN of his benching. Smith has gone five straight games without a touchdown pass and was roundly booed on Sunday when he threw an interception just before halftime. The rookie quarterback now has 19 interceptions on the season and has led the offense to just one touchdown in his last 36 possessions.
Smith was replaced by Matt Simms, who committed two turnovers in a 9-for-18, 79-yard performance.
The 5-7 Jets have now lost three straight games, potentially putting coach Rex Ryan's job in jeopardy. After Oakland, the team faces Carolina, Cleveland and Miami in their final three games.
On the year, Smith has completed 179 passes on 327 attempts for 2, 256 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also rushed for 180 yards and three more touchdowns as Mark Sanchez's replacement.
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