Geno Smith, Michael Vick…Quarterback Competition?

Jun 17, 2014; Florham Park, USA; New York Jets quarterbacks

Geno Smith

(7) and

Michael Vick

(1) during New York Jets minicamp at Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Vick and Geno Smith. The quarterback competition. This is the storyline that everyone is ready to follow once Cortland opens up for training camp this summer. The Jets love competition, and quarterback is obviously the biggest position to have a competition. So we are for this competition.

But is it really a true open competition?

Offensive coordinator Marty Morhinweg made the competition interesting by stating that Geno Smith will be receiving 70-75% of the snaps with the first team offense. I wasn’t a math major, but that doesn’t leave much time for Michael Vick with the first team.

That doesn’t sound like a true quarterback competition to me. But you know what? Good for Marty. This is how it should be. Geno Smith earned it.

First of all, Michael Vick is a professional quarterback. What I mean by that is, he doesn’t NEED equal time in order to come in and perform well. He knows this offense from Philadelphia. Been there, done that. Like it or not, Michael Vick is more than able to run this offense in a pinch.

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Secondly, and more importantly, Geno Smith earned the right to go in as the starting quarterback of the New York Jets. The last three games proved that to all of us. Geno had his difficulties with decision-making prior to that point, no doubt. However, in the last three games, two of which the Jets won, Geno only threw one interception against three touchdowns. He clearly grew in his command of the offense, and earned his right to be the clear starter, with Michael Vick there to catch him if he falters.

Don’t forget the front office factor either. John Idzik would be nothing less than thrilled if Geno Smith is the continuing starting quarterback. Why do I continually say that? Because Smith is Idzik’s guy. Let me explain. When a general manager comes into a new job, the significant picks are the ones that determine their legacy. The biggest pick that the Ninja has made, by far, and that any GM can make is at quarterback.

If Geno Smith is successful as the Jets’ quarterback, and the team moves forward to the championship we have all been waiting for, John Idzik will be remembered as a hero, and Geno Smith will be marked as his featured pick. If Michael Vick has to take over because Geno Smith flamed out, John Idzik will be known as another GM that picked a failing quarterback. John Idzik wants Geno to succeed.

It may not be a full quarterback competition, but that is OK. Geno earned it.

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