New York Jets’ Fans: Keep the Expectations Realistic Regarding Geno Smith

Aug 29, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) warms up before a pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Well, as we approach Wednesday, when we will finally learn specifics on injuries, it is looking more and more like Geno Smith will be the starting quarterback. It’s ironic in a way, they say in sports that you aren’t supposed to lose your job due to an injury. This time, Mark Sanchez may be losing his job thanks to a situation set up by the head coach.

Unless from out in left field we hear that Matt Simms is going to start, it will be Geno. Some are speculating that Mark may even end up on the PUP list. The majority of the fan base is getting what it wants, Mark out of the lineup. That’s fine. I have no problem getting behind whomever is named the starting quarterback of the New York Jets. If the team thinks he is my guy, he has my support.

I just want to remind everybody, before we send Geno Smith off to Canton, OH, before we anoint him the next Dan Marino, let’s keep our expectations realistic. He may play well enough to keep himself on the field. He will have to drop the ball pretty badly to be returned to the bench in favor of Mark. However, remember folks, the odds are pretty good that………

It will get worse before it gets better. It’s just the nature of the beast.

Geno is getting this job by default, first and foremost. Anyone who watched the game against the Giants knows that he is not ready. He threw 3 interceptions that night, and two of them were on him. They were bad. Don’t get me wrong, Geno Smith showed flashes of the quarterback he may become, but he is not ready to lead an NFL team. Not yet. If Mark hadn’t gotten hurt, we would not even be having this discussion. Mark would be the QB once again.

Combine that with the early season schedule, and it doesn’t set him up well. I mean, I would love to be wrong about this. Geno Smith coming into the league on a hot streak would make nobody happier than it would me. All I want is success for the Jets, no matter who helps us get there. That being said, does anyone really expect starting the season with Tampa, and the Patriots four days later, is going to be a rousing success for a rookie QB?

Bill Belichick is licking his chops, dreaming of what he can draw up to confuse the heck out of a rookie quarterback. The odds of it being pretty just aren’t good. The Jets also have the Steelers, the Falcons, and the Saints, all prior to the bye week. It’s not a schedule that lends itself to beginner’s luck for a quarterback.

It seems that Geno Smith will be taking the reigns as starting quarterback. Most Jets fans are rejoicing. All I say can is keep your expectations realistic. It will likely get worse before it gets better.