Inside the Film Room: Key Play for Geno Smith vs. Tennessee Titans

Sep 29, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Time to go inside the film room at the Jet Press, to take a look at scenes from last week’s game against the Titans.

This week we are going to take a look at a play from a key point in the game, where the Jets had the chance to take the momentum back from the Titans. Instead, they turned the ball over, and it turned into a back-breaking touchdown for the Titans.

We are looking at the interception late in the first half.

The Jets are set up with decent field position, first and ten at their own 41 yard line, with 1:37 left in the half.

Geno Smith is set up in the shotgun, with one back next to him. The Titans are set in a single-high safety set up, the safety circled in Titans’ blue. The Jets have one receiver set up to the left, Santonio Holmes. Three are lined up to the right. The receiver inside to the right is going to run a crossing route. The receiver wide to the right is going to run a quick hitch route. Santonio Holmes, at the bottom of the screen is going to run approximately an eight yard hitch route. (All mentioned receivers circled in green). Let’s move it forward.

The two receivers from the right side, in the circles with the one and the two, are open. The crossing pattern has resulted in a man open over the middle. The quick hitch on the right is open for a short pickup as well. The guy who is NOT open is Santonio Holmes, at the bottom of the screen, with the H. But, if you look at Geno’s eyes, with the green ink, he is staring down Holmes the whole time.

Sure enough, although Santonio Holmes has the cornerback draped all over him, Geno throws it to the guy he has locked onto the entire time, Mr. Holmes. We know the result.

Veneer out-duels Santonio Holmes for the interception.

This is another key area that Geno Smith needs to clean up, staring down his receivers. It’s a common problem with young quarterbacks, but it is certainly one that needs to be fixed.

In this case, Geno could have taken the momentum back for the Jets. Instead, it turned into a touchdown that for intents and purposes, put the game out of reach.

He must improve in this area.