Geno Smith has an arsenal of physical tools required to be a successful NFL quarterback. But the physical aspect is only a part of it.
Smith, who is battling incumbent Mark Sanchez for the New York Jets' starting job, is out to prove he can not only deliver the football, but also take command of the entire offensive unit.
Thanks to some designated focus on other players and positions and the fact that Smith sustained a minor ankle injury, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said he didn't get "much of an evaluation on Geno" in the Jets' preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. He did, however, think Smith's first practice rehearsal was more positive than negative.
"... he handled the huddle well, all those things," Mornhinweg said earlier this week. "Probably looking back on it, it was probably a pretty good first experience. He got in, he completed a few balls and now he’s got to push through this thing."
"This thing" being the ankle ailment, though Smith did promptly return to practice over the weekend. Smith completed six of seven passes for 47 yards in his exhibition debut.
Neither Mornhinweg nor head coach Rex Ryan would give the starting nod for the team's upcoming preseason bout against the Jacksonville Jaguars to Sanchez or Smith. Sanchez started the preseason opener and it was expected that Smith would open Saturday's game.
"We’ll [decide] that, when the time is right, when we all think the time is right," Mornhinweg said. "There (are) a lot of variables involved in some of those choices we are going to make throughout the whole football team."
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"We’ll [decide] that, when the time is right, when we all think the time is right," Mornhinweg said. "There (are) a lot of variables involved in some of those choices we are going to make throughout the whole football team."
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