http://nypost.com/2014/04/29/geno-smith-begins-as-jets-no-1-qb-says-mornhinweg/ Geno Smith begins as Jets’ No. 1 QB, says Mornhinweg By Brian Costello April 29, 2014 | 3:22pm Modal Trigger Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg (left) praised Geno Smith's progression as a quarterback and said Smith will take the first rep of spring workouts ahead of Michael Vick. Photo: Bill Kostroun MORE ON: New York Jets Eagles' McCoy says Vick will start: 'Way better' than Geno Michael Vick decides to wear No. 8 with Jets Another look at the potential in this year's NFL draft Jets' campaign may hinge on midseason Broncos-Patriots double dip It certainly sounds as if the Jets’ starting quarterback job is Geno Smith’s to lose. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Smith will open with the first team when the Jets begin their on-field spring practices in a few weeks as he tries to beat out Michael Vick for the starting job. Mornhinweg said the Jets don’t want to impede the progress Smith made in his rookie season. “We’re going to structure it in a certain way,” Mornhinweg said on a conference call with reporters. “One thing I want to make sure of is nothing impedes the young quarterback’s progression. I’m talking about Geno. He progressed beautifully. … I’m talking the last quarter of the season.” Smith was the lowest-rated quarterback in the NFL, but showed some signs of improvement in the final month of the season. Still, the Jets signed Vick to a one-year deal last month to provide some competition for Smith and possibly take the starting job if Smith falters. “He’s got a really important role here,” Mornhinweg said. “He’s 33 years old and he’s still got it. I look at him as a young 33. He’s still got it. He’s going to compete hard. He’s going to push. He’s going to make Geno and the rest of the quarterbacks the very best they can be. When he’s called upon to play, I’ve got great confidence in Mike.” Mornhinweg worked with Vick for four seasons with the Eagles. Vick had one good season in 2010 under Mornhinweg. A year after overseeing the competition between Smith and Mark Sanchez, Mornhinweg has another quarterback controversy/competition to manage. “We’ve got a plan,” he said. “Geno is in the middle of a progression. He’s a fine, young quarterback. You know I think highly about him. We brought Michael Vick in for a purpose. He’s going to compete, he’s going to push, he’s going to make Geno the very best. If he’s called upon to play and when he’s called upon to play, I expect Mike Vick to play at a real high level.” The Jets began their offseason program last week, but the team is restricted to strength and conditioning work right now. It is another few weeks before coaches are permitted to work with the players on the field. When they do, Smith will be under center at the start. “Geno will take the first one,” Mornhinweg said. “Geno will get a few more reps, but not many. I’m going to try to do the thing right. It will vary day to day, much like I’ve done it in the past. “ Eagles running back LeSean McCoy told The Post this week Vick definitely would beat out Smith because he’s a better quarterback. Mornhinweg avoided answering a question about his former player. “I like LeSean. LeSean is one of my favorites,” Mornhinweg said. “He had a good day media-wise yesterday, didn’t he?” Mornhinweg said it should be a “seamless transition” for Vick to get back into his system. He also is confident Vick knows his role. “Mike’s going to handle that real well,” Mornhinweg said. “He’s going to do the right thing. He’s going to compete. He’s going to play hard, all those things. Competition just makes you better. It’s that simple.”
Of course he is. Did anyone think that they were going to name Vick the starter before practices even began? Anyone smart?
Why is this news? Lol Did anyone really think they would just give Vick the job as soon as he got here? Of course it's Geno's job to lose, he started all 16 games last year.
I'm sure people will complain about this, but its absolutely the correct decision. If Vick is going to start (which he very well may) he has to take it away from Geno.
Marty made it pretty clear it's Geno's job to lose. Vick will have to badly outplay Geno to earn the job. Hopefully Geno is improving and ready to step up then if we need Vick if Geno gets banged up he will be ready.
No one will complain about this. Even if you hate Geno to death, of course he should be the starter going into camp.
I'm hoping, and it seems so, that with the addition of MM to control the offense we get it right with our treatment of Geno and bring him along the right way. I've said this for a long time, the way we handled Sanchez really hurt the kids progress IMO and I'd hate to see Geno get the same treatment. Give him the weapons he needs to succeed on the offensive side of the ball and lets see what we've got.
Whoever they decide will give them the best chance to win will start unless the whole Jets mantra is all lies.
I agree with this. I think part of Sanchez's failure was because of that, but I also think he was not the qb we all hoped he would come to be. As for Geno, I like the kid a lot and think he can be something special. I think with the continuality in the coaching staff, he can make progress. If he sits behind Vick, then he can also learn from a seasoned veteran. I think we are in a good place with Geno.
Really it's a win-win either way. If Geno lights it up and takes the job, GREAT!!!! If Vick shows why he was the #1 overall pic, then GREAT, Geno/Simms have a chance to watch and learn from the best.
as expected. Geno better hope he doesn't go a month without 10 completions in camp/preseason because the depth chart will change very quickly if he hasn't improved quite a bit.
we know based on last year they lie or mark never is playing in that Giant game and he starts the season for us. They want Geno to win the "competition", he will have to fall on his face to lose it.
You may be right, we never really got a chance to see who they would have named because Sanchez got hurt. It will be interesting to see if one of them is better this year what they actually do. Their whole thing is competition supposedly, well now they will have to prove it.
They wanted Geno to win the competition last year. I'm guessing that they may have their doubts at this point.
Geno would never have started last season had Nocho not gotten hurt, just because Geno was playing on a gimpy throwing ankle and was barely able to back peddle 20 yrds on every passing down.
Been saying it's not a true competition for a while now. They will give Geno every opportunity to keep his job.
I don't see how Marty could have said much different given the situation. But unless their play in camp is nearly even, Rex is in win now mode, and will go with Vick if, as I expect, he looks better. We are months from pre-season. What Marty said is not significant.
