Geno Smith outplaying Mark Sanchez

[Hammock Parties]

Suck it, haters. Suck the choco-penii of destiny, feel it's power. It could have been ours.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/stor...-training-camp

CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Rookie Geno Smith has outplayed Mark Sanchez through the first week of training camp, pulling even or perhaps ahead in the New York Jets' quarterback competition.

"He can do more" than Sanchez, one veteran said Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

It was Sanchez's turn to lead the starting unit and he struggled, throwing an interception for the second straight practice. Smith has yet to throw an interception in team drills over the first five practices.

It's premature to anoint a starter -- after all, they haven't begun live tackling -- but the early development is noteworthy because people close to the team expected Sanchez, based on his experience, to look sharper than Smith at the outset. That hasn't been the case.

"Everybody gets enamored with the guy who throws a 96 mph fastball," coach Rex Ryan said of Smith. To be politically correct, Ryan quickly added, "But Mark certainly has a good enough arm to play in this league."

It didn't sound like a ringing endorsement. Sanchez declined to say whether he believes he's leading the competition.

"I don't know, ask the coaches," he said. "I feel good, though. I feel confident. I feel like I'm playing really well."

Smith has sparkled with his accuracy, but he tends to hold the ball too long when facing pressure, according to Ryan. That, he said, "concerns me a little bit." The organization knows what it has in Sanchez, who was benched late last season.

Privately, the hope is that Smith can master the offense and seize the starting job. Even if he doesn't win it, Smith will be involved in the offense. Even though Tim Tebow is gone, Ryan said he remains committed to running the ball from the quarterback position.

He's intrigued by Smith's running ability, which would give the Jets a run-pass option at the quarterback position. Ryan acknowledged the plan, admitting last year's strategy under former coordinator Tony Sparano was ill-conceived. They never trusted Tebow to throw the ball. Whenever they used him, it usually was a read-option running play between the tackles.

"I think if that's the only thing you do with that position, why don't you just leave a running back in, a guy that's trained to do it?" Ryan said, second-guessing last season's approach. "If you're going to have a quarterback do it, like a (Colin) Kaepernick or somebody like that, it becomes more of a weapon because you know it's not just Tebow coming and he's going to run the ball. That's kind of where we were last year."

Ryan laughed when asked if he plans to use the Wildcat (or read-option) more than last year. Tebow finished with 32 rushes, averaging only 3.2 yards per carry.

"We probably will because, you guys say it, we never used it," he said. "So I would say, yeah, I think that will be part of what we do."

In the Wildcat, the ball is snapped to a nonquarterback. In those situations, the Jets can utilize wide receiver Jeremy Kerley or a running back, probably Bilal Powell. When Smith is on the field, either as the starter or a change-of-pace quarterback, they can employ the read-option.

The presence of new quarterbacks coach David Lee, one of the Wildcat innovators, is another reason the team is planning to use it. Sanchez said he could run the read-option, but there's little chance of that happening. His running ability will forever be linked to the "Butt Fumble," when he ran into a lineman's rear end last season.

Smith's athleticism could be a factor in the quarterback decision. Sanchez acknowledged that Smith is "very talented when it comes to that stuff. But I can't worry about it." Sanchez joked about the quarterback competition, mentioning that he sees more front-office types on the field for practice, scribbling notes during routine drills.

He said it reminds him of his rookie year in 2009, when he won the job against Kellen Clemens.

"For you (reporters), it's your job, but it's funny to see everybody else charting stuff," he said. "Everything is under scrutiny. There's a ton of pressure. That's the way you like it; that's the way you play this position."

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

McCluster isn't as fast as Austin, but he's just as shifty and nimble.

Bullshit.

[keg in kc]

Saying McCluster is as quick and shifty as Austin, just not as fast, is sort of like saying Shaun Draughn is as quick and shifty as Charles, just not as fast.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Should we fire up the dexter bet for this year?

LOL What is with your love for Dex?

I don't hate the guy, but I do keep forgetting about him.

[BossChief]

Dexter may not have deep speed, but he can get open and I see the majority of Alex Smiths passes going to the short areas that Dexters routes often take him.

He will be the slot guy and our top returner.

I just hope he hold onto the ball this year.

[ChiefsCountry]

Alex Smith will finish was Matt Cassel started - the death of Dexter McCluster.

[DaneMcCloud]

Wha?

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) drops the ball while attempting a pass during training camp at SUNY Cortland

[beach tribe]

He will have the butt fumble down before you know it.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Wha?

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) drops the ball while attempting a pass during training camp at SUNY Cortland

I thought even you would be above such petty foolishness. Now I see you for what you are.

[T-post Tom]

Joe Namath supports this thread. (While trying to kiss Suzy Kolber in a drunken haze.)

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Clayton Bibsby

I thought even you would be above such petty foolishness. Now I see you for what you are.

Petty foolishness? It was in USA Today, but I can't link because of their website format. Check for yourself.

Oh, and you're a ****ing moron, Jagofff fan.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Petty foolishness? It was in USA Today, but I can't link because of their website format. Check for yourself.

Oh, and you're a ****ing moron, Jagofff fan.

The "Wha?" part was petty because you were trying to be stupid and piss in people's cheerios.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Clayton Bibsby

The "Wha?" part was petty because you were trying to be stupid and piss in people's cheerios.

You're a clueless twat. Go back to Jacksonville. They need more dumbasses like you.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Dexter may not have deep speed, but he can get open and I see the majority of Alex Smiths passes going to the short areas that Dexters routes often take him.

He will be the slot guy and our top returner.

I just hope he hold onto the ball this year.

I'd like to see the coaching staff take Dexter off the return duties. I remember when they tried Dante Hall in both roles and the physical constraints of running back kicks took a toll on him in the offensive game and vice versa.

If he's being listed as the third or fourth wideout option, I'd much rather that they just give the return duties to Wylie instead, who's not listed on any of the receiver depth charts that I've seen.

However, as it looks like they are really favoring the tight end position so far, at least in terms of personnel, perhaps the #4 receiver isn't going to be on the field as much as you'd usually expect from a West Coast system. In fact, now that I think about it, the Edwards WC system really ends up featuring the tight ends and fullbacks more than it does going deeper into the receiver depth chart.

If this is the case, I'm thinking that Wylie might be a 53 man roster casualty if they intend to use Dexter as the kick returner as Knile Davis could effectively function in that role in the event of a McCluster injury (though they'd have to be sure of the transformation of Davis' hands on the ball as any type of turnover/fumble in the kicking game has an enormous negative impact).

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

I'd like to see the coaching staff take Dexter off the return duties. I remember when they tried Dante Hall in both roles and the physical constraints of running back kicks took a toll on him in the offensive game and vice versa.

If he's being listed as the third or fourth wideout option, I'd much rather that they just give the return duties to Wylie instead, who's not listed on any of the receiver depth charts that I've seen.

However, as it looks like they are really favoring the tight end position so far, at least in terms of personnel, perhaps the #4 receiver isn't going to be on the field as much as you'd usually expect from a West Coast system. In fact, now that I think about it, the Edwards WC system really ends up featuring the tight ends and fullbacks more than it does going deeper into the receiver depth chart.

If this is the case, I'm thinking that Wylie might be a 53 man roster casualty if they intend to use Dexter as the kick returner as Knile Davis could effectively function in that role in the event of a McCluster injury (though they'd have to be sure of the transformation of Davis' hands on the ball as any type of turnover/fumble in the kicking game has an enormous negative impact).

As of today, Dexter is listed as the #1 kick and punt returner, followed by Wylie.....

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Clayton Bibsby

The "Wha?" part was petty because you were trying to be stupid and piss in people's cheerios.

It seemed funny and pretty harmless to me and Dane and I have different opinions on Geno.

I don't read the intentional malice you perceive, but I'm no expert.