Optimism is high for Geno Smith

With the uncertainty of the Ryan Fitzpatrick situation, Geno Smith remains confident and that optimism has spread around the team.

Recently, team reporter Eric Allen of the New York Jets joined Bud and the Manchild on ESPN Radio to talk about the latest happenings around Geno Smith. When asked about how Smith has been performing thus far, EA had rave reviews for the fourth year signal caller.

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Smith is entering his second year in offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s offensive system and he’s playing a lot smarter and faster. That headline that came from head coach Todd Bowles earlier this offseason, is a rarity for a coach known for his quiet demeanor.

EA is believing what he’s seeing with Smith this offseason and his obvious improvements. Thanks to Media Relations Department of the Jets, here is what Bowles said about Smith so far:

On assessing Geno Smith at this moment…

Well, being in the system a year he’s light years ahead of where he was last year. As far as being confident and operating the system, and understating the checks, and running the offense – he’s night and day of where he was.

This is the problem with Smith, we’ve seen him play lights out in spurts throughout his career. Although those spurts can sometimes be full games, sometimes it can be as streaky as quarter to quarter, or even play to play.

While it seems almost inevitable that quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s throne is simply being warmed by Smith, he’s his own man. It’s not an enviable situation, but it’s the cards that Smith has been dealt.

Fitzpatrick had record breaking stats last year, the topic on the bearded wonder has been covered much more than it should be. While much of the credit has gone to Fitzpatrick, he’s only semi-deserving.

How about the other side of the coin? The weapons that were at Fitzpatrick’s disposal, it’s not a coincidence that Fitzpatrick had a career year in his 10th season in the league.

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It’s because he had the best team around him that he’s ever had, the combination of Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are arguably the best combo in the NFL. There should be optimism for Smith, because it’s very likely he could post similar numbers under center in 2016.