Could the New York Jets Stand Pat at QB?

Jul 24, 2014; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback

(7) passes the ball as quarterbacks coach

and quarterbacks

(5) and

(1) look on during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The debate continues to rage concerning the New York Jets QB position. We’ve discussed many of the options that may or not be there for the Jets.

It’s pretty much a unanimous opinion that there is very little talent available talent in the free agency market. Trades have been discussed, but most of them seem to be dying off, with their respective teams showing interest in keeping their QB’s.

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The draft is a contentious affair when the fans are concerned. A recent poll here at the JetPress shows fans split on the top two guys. You can find the results here.

The other option left to the Jets, if all options fail, is to simply stand pat with what they already have. It might not be an ideal situation, but it is a possibility. Let’s discuss it and see what it would mean to simply stand pat.

The Jets currently have Geno Smith and Matt Simms currently under contract. Michael Vick is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 10th. To stand pat at QB, they would need to retain Vick. If Vick’s services are retained the Jets head into camp with three experienced QB’s. Let’s take a look at them.

Next: The Incumbent

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Incumbent: Geno Smith is entering his third professional season. It’s early to give up on a third year kid in my opinion. The Jets took Smith as a project in 2012, they had to know it would take time. Smith enters his third year an embattled QB. The media is all over his case, and many fans have already written him off.

Smith’s struggles have been largely covered, yet he managed to throw for 3,o46 yards his first year and 2,525 yards his second. Smith posted a respectable 13 TD’s his first year and 12 last year. The turnovers have been his downfall, throwing 34 in his first two years.

I’ve never been that high on Smith, but I have to give him that the Jets haven’t helped him much. Saddled with no legitimate NFL receivers in his first year didn’t help Smith’s development. The offensive line play hasn’t helped either; poor line play has plagued Smith in both of his campaigns.

Shore up the offensive line to provide protection for Smith. Provide him with some quality coaching (anyone is better than David Lee), and let him compete for the job. The key word here is compete!

Next: The Backup

Nov 9, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick (1) reacts against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Backup: Michael Vick will be 35 years old in June. Fans have written him off as Jets option for the most part, but I wonder why so easily. Vick is as experienced as they come. Both Payton Manning and Tom Brady rival him in age, and both will be back in 2015. Vick could do the same, and he may very well be the best free agent QB available.

Vick played extremely poorly last season in limited opportunities.  It seemed his heart was not into the game.  He made headlines when he admitted he wasn’t ready to start when the Jets called on him to rescue Geno Smith from himself. While there was blame for Vick to burden here, I place most of it on the coaching staff. It is their job to insure everyone is ready to play.

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• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
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• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
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• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

Vick is a smart football player, we’ve seen it for years with both Atlanta and the Eagles. He reads defenses quite well, can still utilize his speed, and his arm strength is still amazing. Given a clean pocket to work with and a WR group to work with, Vick becomes an option.

Disregard last year’s play and Vick’s age and you have a seasoned veteran in Michael Vick. Again, I protested the signing of Vick last season. I thought there were younger more viable options last season. Vick is here though, he has the talent to challenge and possibly unseat Smith as the starter. If they had let him truly compete last season, I think he would have pushed Smith’s development. Vick is a viable option.  He played for $4 million last season, I think they might even  get him cheaper.

Next: Third Stringer

Aug 28, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Matt Simms (5) throws against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Third Stringer: The Jets signed Matt Simms for another year this past December. He has been the Jets third string QB for 2 years now. He’s performed well in preseason throwing against lesser competition. When the Jets have asked him to play in the regular season though, it’s been a different story. His performances in preseason has been like night and day compared to his regular season ones.

While Simms is only entering his third season, he’s showed little signs of taking over the backup role. Quite frankly, the Jets resigning him sort of surprised me.  He spent last season on the Jets practice squad, but this season he would actually take up a roster spot.

Simms is a dead-end project from where I sit. The Jets could simply stand pat with him, or find another developmental guy in the draft. Personally, I’d rather them take the latter option, I believe Simms has reached his ceiling. In a QB hungry league could the Jets get any value from him in a trade? Doubtful, but worth checking into.

Next: Wrapping It Up

Jun 17, 2014; Florham Park, USA; New York Jets quarterbacks Matt Simms (5), Geno Smith (7) , Michael Vick and Tajh Boyd (3) with quarterback coach David Lee during New York Jets minicamp at Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets QB position has been made out by the media and fans alike to be a dismal one. While it’s true this trio isn’t going to be considered elite, I’d offer that it holds potential. The trio could surprise if given a fair chance to actually compete. With upgrades on their way for the OL and WR group, these guys could offer the Jets at least a stop-gap measure. Let them compete!

Now I’m not saying this is what the Jets should do. There are still plenty of options for them to choose from. What I am saying is that this option has been neglected. Seemingly no one wants to discuss it. It’s been written off, and I think the Jets need to keep all options open.

I’ve been saying it for quite some time now; all the Jets needs at QB for 2015 is adequate QB play. They just need someone who can efficiently run an offense. The weapons for them to throw to should be there this season. The OL should be improved as well, providing them with a much cleaner pocket, and more time to go through the reads.

So what do you folks think? Can the Jets afford to stand pat at QB for one more year? Does Geno deserve the right to compete? Is Michael Vick washed up? Let’s hear what you have to say! Let’s talk Jets football!

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