New York Jets to Install Read-Option for Geno Smith?

Jun 11, 2013; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass during the New York Jets minicamp session at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Is this what they call a case of Deja-Vu? It just might be.

Reports came out during minicamp, including reports from our mainstream beat reporters, that the Jets were working on a “Read-Option” package to feature rookie QB Geno Smith. I have but one question in response, and gets to the depth of the matter, and the real heart of last year’s realization.

That point? It is that installing a two quarterback system because it changes the focus of the offense too much.

First of all, there is the question of communication. Once talking is off the table, it comes down to had judgements. Without strong verbal communications, come down to gestures that are obviously not going to be as effective.

When you are switching from one basic core to another, that amounts to a lot of extra talk that has to take place during that 45 second clock, and how often have coaches been slow with the next play.

This is a lot of work for an offense in general. Changing midstream affects the rhythm of the offense, for both quarterbacks. The starter can’t get into a rhythm if he completes a huge pass and then comes out. The starter can’t get going, and the backup can’t get off the deck either, even if the crowd loves him.

Like it or not, momentum is an issue. Quarterbacks need the opportunity to get into a rhythm, in order for an offense to click on all cylinders. How do you get that going? YOU USE ONE QUARTERBACK. There is an old football saying that says, “When you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks”. I firmly believe this to be the case, and to HAVE BEEN the case since the beginning of football times.

And go through the times where this has been attempted. Has a two-quarterback system won a title in the NFL, ever? You had Tebow with Denver, that didn’t work. I know, his fans will say it did, but the obvious retort is, “If it worked so well, Why did they let him go?” Why? Because John Elway knows football, and knew that even in the throws of its greatest success, running the “Wildcat” will never work as well as traditional quarterbacking.

Even Kaepernick didn’t start the domination until he was the full-time starter for his team. It was tried in Dallas with Craig Morton. Guess what? Highly uncussessful once again.

My point, to bring it back to the headline, is please don’t force the read-option on Geno Smith. We don’t know how he will run it, and we have seen the core of the team run it.

And don’t yell at me, I still feel this way with or without Tim Tebow.