New York Jets Media Availability: Michael Vick Weighs In On The Quarterback Situation

Jan 30, 2014; New York, NY USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback

on radio row at the Super Bowl XLVIII media center at the Sheraton Times Square New York. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets had media availability as they hurdle toward the next round of OTAs that begin on Tuesday. Michael Vick and Geno Smith both spoke today regarding the quarterback situation and had very different things to say. The headline will read that Vick says there is no open competition, that Geno Smith is the starter and he is the backup. That is at first glance a shocking statement but as you flesh it out it isn’t a blockbuster quote in the least.

“Going through the competition with Nick {last year in Philadelphia}, we knew, both of us coming in, that it was open competition, and that the best guy was going to win the job,” Vick said Thursday. “That’s what it was. It was pretty much cut and dry.

“But this situation, it’s different, it’s kind of unique. Even though it’s not an open competition, we’re both competing every day.” NJ.com article “Michael Vick says it’s ‘not an open competition between him and Geno Smith” 5/22/14 by Dom Cosentino (read here).

So it is a competition that is not an open competition? What exactly does that mean?

Basically, he said a tie goes to Smith. If their preseason performances are similar, “I would assume Geno would be the starter,” Vick said. “Geno is making great strides. At the end of the year last year, he did a lot of remarkable things. He put his team in position to win and did everything he was asked to do.” ESPNNewYork.com “Michael Vick says he is backup to Geno Smith, New York Jets competition not open” 5/22/14 by Rich Cimini (read here)

In essence what Vick is saying is that the Jets want their 2nd year quarterback to start over a 34 year old on the down side of his career if that second year player is better than or equal to the 33 year old. I don’t see a problem there in the least bit. If Geno Smith plays as well as or better than Michael Vick then he should be starting and will have improved over last year. Marty Mornhinweg said so in his last conference call:

 Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, speaking to reporters for the first time since the Michael Vick signing (yes, really), made it quite clear they really want Geno Smith to emerge as their starting quarterback. He didn’t use those words, but the tea leaves are obvious. Mornhinweg talked about how he doesn’t want the competition to impede Smith’s progress and that Vick is here to “push” Smith. Predictably, he said Smith would get more first-team reps than Vick in organized team activities, which became the headline. All things considered, Mornhinweg’s comments weren’t a revelation. I mean, when was the last time you heard an organization say it wants a 33-year-old to replace a young incumbent with upside — a quarterback who happens to be the hand-picked choice of the general manager? ESPNNewYork.com “New York Jets’ coordinators speak: We listen, interpret” 4/29/14 by Rich Cimini (read here

So none of what was said today wasn’t said already or common sense for that matter. This isn’t the 2004 version of Michael Vick, this is ten years later and a lot of wear on his body. Vick can come in and win a few games if need be but the plans weren’t to hand the job to him, the plan was develop Smith and make sure that he rose to a minimum standard. That standard is Michael Vick. If Geno can’t play as well as or better than Vick then Smith won’t play. The Jets are betting he does but have Vick as a fallback. It’s always been that way today’s comments revealed nothing new.