Rex Ryan Is Right to Continue with Geno Smith at Quarterback

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback

(7) is pressured by San Diego Chargers linebacker

(53) in the second quarter of the game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Geno Smith had a passer rating of a whopping 7.6 on Sunday, before heading to the bench at halftime. Between missing a short meeting on Saturday before the game, and then performing as bad as any quarterback ever has. He certainly earned his time wearing a baseball cap last week.

Immediately after the game, coach Rex Ryan announced for all to hear that Geno Smith would reassume is role as the starting quarterback next week when the Jets face Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Many fans are annoyed, thinking it is time for Michael Vick.

I am not. Starting Geno Smith is absolutely the right way to go. Here is why.

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) sits on the bench with a drink during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

IT IS FAR FROM ALL GENO SMITH’S FAULT: Obviously, the quarterback is the one that takes the most heat on a football team. He handles the ball on every play, he is at the forefront. If the quarterback makes a mistake, which Geno Smith made his share of on Sunday, it is noticed. And he was bad.

But it was far from the only problem. It was not Geno Smith’s fault that the offensive line left him running for his life. It was not Geno Smith’s fault that, thanks to injuries, that the group of wide receivers was worse than last year. Nor was it his fault that the vaunted Jets’ run defense was gashed by a fourth string running back (Branden Oliver).

Geno Smith is not the only problem with the New York Jets.

MICHAEL VICK IS NOT THE ANSWER: The Jets needed to sit Geno Smith last week. Nothing was going right, and the game was still in possible reach at 21-0. Rex Ryan needed to see if a change at quarterback could spark the team.

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Michael Vick did not provide that spark. 8-19 for 47 yards is not going to spark anything, other than laughter from the opposing fans, and boos from us. I know that he didn’t get the reps as a backup, but he looked lost. Lost. As I have said before, this is not the 24-year-old Michael Vick. This is a mid-thirties Michael Vick that is declining in skills. Naming him the starter does nothing positive.

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets wide receiver

(11) warms-up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

EVEN A GREAT MICHAEL VICK WON’T SAVE THIS TEAM: Let’s say Michael Vick set the world on fire last week. He leads a miraculous comeback, and the Jets win somehow find a way to win. Does that, all of a sudden, make the New York Jets a great football team? NO!

We all know the state of this roster. No, it is not as bad as it looks. But, it is not a quarterback away from being great. Winning maybe a couple of more games with Vick than Geno, if Vick was looking good, is not worth it. Yes, Geno Smith can learn, but it is not good for the development of this team.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Jets are absolutely right to stay with Geno Smith. Everybody get on board. The ride will continue to be bumpy, but it’s the only choice we have.