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New York Jets: 5 reasons why they have issues at quarterback
May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) and New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Should it be Ryan Fitzpatrick or Geno Smith that ultimately starts for the New York Jets this upcoming season? What about the other new faces at quarterback in Bryce Petty and Jake Heaps? With training camp around the corner for the Jets, there will be much coverage and discussion about what the team should ultimately do with their quarterback situation heading into the regular season.
Many believe that Smith should be the man to lead the Jets back to glory since it’ll be his third year in the NFL and is usually around the time that players find their niche. On the other hand, one can’t put a price on what a veteran brings to the table, especially someone like Fitzpatrick.
What if things don’t work out as planned at quarterback? In the end, these four athletes will battle it out this summer to determine who puts the Jets in the absolute best position to win plenty of football games. Here are the top 5 reasons why the Jets have issues at the most important position on the team.
Next: 5. Unreliability
Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
5. Unreliability
In two seasons with the Jets, Smith has been as unreliable as they come. While he did show glimpses here and there of being able to get the job done, turnovers have been what defines him. In just two seasons with the Jets, Smith has committed 34 interceptions and 16 fumbles.
That’s right, in just two years, Smith has ultimately coughed up the football 50 times. Fitzpatrick also has his fair share of turnovers the past two years as well with 20 interceptions and 8 fumbles. Both Petty and Heaps are rookies that have long journeys ahead of them before they are even considered as options to start.
The fact that the Jets don’t have a reliable and consistent option to get the job done at quarterback is a major issue to have heading into training camps. If things don’t work out with either Smith or Fitzpatrick, the Jets might not live up to their hopes of being a playoff contending team in 2015. Their defense can’t do everything to keep adding victories to their wins and losses column.
Next: 4. Terrible history of developing quarterbacks
May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) gets ready to take the snap from New York Jets center Nick Mangold (74) during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
4. Terrible history of developing quarterbacks
Unfortunately for the Jets, they have had a terrible history of developing quarterbacks the right way. If you look around most of the franchise quarterbacks playing today, many spent at least a year or two on the sidelines learning from a veteran.
They never got to start until coaches felt they were ready but the Jets never really took that route for any of their promising athletes that could have been developed into long-term franchise quarterbacks. Perfect case is what they did with Smith when he was first drafted into the NFL.
Smith definitely regressed by being thrown to the wolves way too early his rookie year as he never had an opportunity to just stay on the sidelines and absorb as much as he could before given the keys to the Porsche. One has to wonder what they’ll do with someone like Petty or Heaps if they end up making the final roster to be developed for the future.
Next: 3. Are the new offensive weapons enough?
May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a pass during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
3. Are the new offensive weapons enough?
The Jets went on a frenzy this off season in order to build a solid supporting cast for whichever option they go with as their starting quarterback. With Brandon Marshall, Zac Stacy, James Carpenter and Stevan Ridley being brought in to solidify the Jets’ offense, will it be enough?
It’s no secret that a quarterback can only go as far as his supporting cast as many are hoping everyone gels and executes well this upcoming season. New offensive coordinator Chan Gailey is installing a new and simple spread offense in hopes that either Smith or Fitzpatrick can deliver consistently.
Will Marshall be the X-Factor the Jets need on offense? Will their aging offensive line be able to give their quarterback enough time to get the job done? It might take much more time than many realize for everything to come together since it’ll be hard to believe the Jets will be the next major offensive juggernaut of the NFL with their current offensive lineup. Especially their options at quarterback.
Next: 2. New leadership doesn't always equal immediate results
Jan 21, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets new general manager Mike Maccagnan (left), owner
Woody Johnson (center), and new head coach
Todd Bowles(right) pose for a photo during a press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via USA TODAY Sports
2. New leadership doesn’t always equal immediate results
So far this off season, both general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles have been impressive. They’ve had one of the best off seasons in recent memory and both seem capable of putting the Jets in a much better direction this upcoming season.
However, the reality of the situation is that new leadership doesn’t always equal immediate results. With belief that the Jets should be a much-improved team compared to 2014, the confidence in the Jets’ offense especially at quarterback, isn’t one to believe they can go straight to the Super Bowl in 2015.
It might take a few years for this new leadership regime to put all the pieces together for it to be ready for a championship run. It won’t happen until they have an established franchise quarterback in place that is ready to take this team to new heights. Unfortunately for the Jets, it doesn’t look like they have that in place at the current moment.
Next: 1. Disaster could happen with injuries/decline in play
May 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during organized team activities at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
1. Disaster could happen with injuries/decline in play
Keep in mind that Fitzpatrick is coming off an injury year with a broken leg he suffered last season with the Houston Texans. Hopefully he’ll be fine to last the entire season should he be named the Jets’ starting quarterback. Smith doesn’t have a history of injury but a decline in play could very well happen if he reverts to his old ways of being inconsistent and a turnover machine.
Should the Jets get hit with injuries or a decline in play at quarterback this upcoming season, it could prove to be a disaster of a situation. Imagine what would happen if Smith hasn’t shown any progression and Fitzpatrick gets hurt again and is out for long periods of time or even the season? What do the Jets do if that is in their destiny?
Hopefully the Jets stay healthy at quarterback and either option can deliver on offense. To have these issues as possibilities this upcoming season brings the reality down to the Jets that their season may very well come down to their quarterback play. There is a chance that Smith steps up and delivers like there is no tomorrow or Fitzpatrick proves he can use his veteran experience to be explosive for the Jets.
There is also a chance however that the Jets might have some major issues at quarterback if things don’t go exactly as planned on offense. What do you think, Jets Nation? Are you confident in the Jets’ quarterback situation or are you worried that they won’t live up to the expectations they’ve built this offseason? Please leave your thoughts so we can get the conversation going on this hot topic!
Next: Coffee with the New York Jets: The art of BBQ