Geno Smith to Santonio Holmes: Signs of the New York Jets’ Future?

Sep 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Geno Smith to Santonio Holmes. Did that combination look good on Sunday or what, ladies and gentlemen? If Santonio Holmes is not 100%, he is very close. He ran crisp routes, showed his signature good hands, and was able to be a major target for Geno Smith down the field.

If this is a sign of things to come, the future looks bright for the New York Jets’ offense. Very bright. Let’s look at the 69 yard game winning touchdown to see what I mean. When you see the window that Geno had to fit this into in order to connect with Holmes, you too will be excited for the future.

Geno Smith is in the shotgun, with a back to either side. Santonio Holmes is wide to the near side, circled in green. He is being guarded closely by the cornerback and there are two deep safeties. Santonio is going to make a move to the inside as if he is running a post pattern or crossing pattern, and then will break back to the outside to try to beat his man on a go route up the sideline. He doesn’t have much luck, leaving Geno a very small window to throw into.

As Geno releases the ball, the cornerback is on Santonio Holmes step for step. If you look in the green circle, Santonio is not that open. The window that Geno has to hit is very small, indicated, to scale of course, with the green square. Geno must lay the pass out in front of Santonio so he can run under it, right on target or there is no shot at a completion.

The ball is coming in just over Santonio’s shoulder, again circled in the green. Look at how close the defender is. Santonio isn’t exactly wide open, but the catch can be made if the ball is placed perfectly. Again, the window is indicated by the green square. Geno doesn’t have a lot of room to put the ball in here. But…….

Geno Smith puts the ball in Santonio Holmes’ hands, right in stride. Holmes shoves the defender away, and scampers the rest of the 69 yards for the game winning touchdown. Jets win.

Give these two credit here. Geno Smith made one great throw, and Santonio made an excellent play to make the catch and take it the distance. This type of throw is indicative of a growing connection between the two.

If this is what is to come, this offense is going to grow into quite the exciting group.