Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith on Working Together While Competing

May 22, 2013; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) walks past quarterback Geno Smith (left) during organized team activities at the New York Jets training facility. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Two guys competing for one position. That position? Only the most important position on the football field, the quarterback. That’s what we are looking at when we look at the picture to the right. The competition between these two, Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith, will say a lot about how the upcoming season is going to turn out.

With that, you would think this competition would be cutthroat. Not with these two. Mark Sanchez has been the consummate professional, helping Geno Smith understand the reads, the terminology….etc, and all the rest he needs to know. Why? Because it’s right:

I think it’s the right thing to do. I think you got to be a pro no matter what you’re doing. I think when I came in as a rookie, Kellen Clemens and I were competing, but Kellen wasn’t shy. If I were to ask him a question (he’d) help me out and that’s the way I learned. I guess that’s just kind of the way I was brought up in this league and I think it’s the right thing to do. Maybe not everybody does it, but that’s me.

When asked about Geno, and how he performed, Mark wasn’t shy about complimenting him:

He did great. He’s doing a great job, he always has and he works hard. He’s busting his butt and he’s a great competitor and we get the best out of each other. The best player will play and that will eventually help the team.

It’s always nice to see an athlete put his ego aside for the good of the team. No matter what happens, Mark Sanchez is Jets first. It’s refreshing.

How does Geno Smith see Mark? What does he think about Mark teaching, despite competing:

It speaks volumes about his character. Like I said, Mark’s a great guy. He’s always helping me. He’s always willing to help me. From my knowledge he’s always helped everyone, including Greg (McElroy), including Matt (Simms). And that’s the relationship we all have inside the quarterback room and I think that breeds a good room and it helps for good competition.

And Geno had this to say about his relationship with Mark Sanchez:

It’s great. We’re out there encouraging one another but we’re also competing. Mark did a really good job today. He was out there being accurate and being his normal self. I appreciate Mark for what he does for me on and off the field. He helps me, he teaches me, he helps me get acclimated to the pro game and we have a really good relationship. When we’re on the field we encourage one other but we also compete.

This is how it should be. The veteran is helping the rookie feel comfortable, all the while trying to keep his job. Team first, yet competition. Everyone will be better as a result.