Bart Scott raises interesting Geno Smith concern ahead of Jets-Patriots

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith going five straight games without an interception is remarkable on its own, but what’s especially telling is how he’s managed the pressure. 

We’re not solely talking about his return to the New York media market and the late-night WFAN callers. Smith has taken 16 sacks over his last four games, and the 134 yards he’s lost currently lead the NFL. 

Unfortunately for Smith, he’ll be without left guard Dylan Parham yet again on Sunday. The 27-year-old lineman, who followed Smith from Las Vegas, has missed the Jets’ last three games with a knee injury. 

Former Jets linebacker Bart Scott is among those concerned about Parham’s absence, partly because it could force Smith to change his play style. 

“The interior’s gonna be pushed, and Geno’s gonna be having the pocket pushed in his face,” Scott told ESPN New York. “It’s gonna flush him out, and he’s gonna have to make plays with his legs, which he’s been a little hesitant to do.”

Smith has rushed for 43 yards on 18 carries, and a good chunk of that came on a 17-yard pickup in Week 3. 

Scott also quipped that Smith isn’t Charlie Batch, the former Lions and Steelers quarterback best known as Ben Roethlisberger’s longtime backup.

That’s an interesting, obscure pull by Scott, since Batch — who hasn’t played since 2012 — rushed for 515 yards and 4.6 yards per carry over his first 37 starts. However, the former Eastern Michigan standout never picked up more than 45 yards on the ground in any of his final eight seasons. 

But hey, we’re only a few months removed from Kenyon Sadiq drawing comparisons to Dustin Keller, who last played in 2012. Everyone loves their 2000s and early 2010s references. 

Should the New York Jets use Geno Smith more as a rusher?

Those of us old enough to remember Smith’s West Virginia days remember him as an exciting dual-threat quarterback. In years past, he’d likely have slid beyond the second round or been floated as someone worth moving to receiver.  

However, Smith entered the NFL amid a transformational era for mobile quarterbacks. Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick were showcasing the modern quarterback who could consistently make plays with their legs without being considered injury-prone or someone too dependent on their athleticism. 

Rex Ryan and Marty Mornhinweg tried to strike a balance, and Smith rushed for 366 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. His efficiency dropped in 2014, and we all know how and why he didn’t become a full-time starter again until 2022. 

That backstory matters because Smith was never Justin Fields: a mediocre quarterback who could realistically rush for 700 yards. He’s a situational runner who has understandably lost some speed with age.

But if rushing puts Smith at significant risk of injury, then Aaron Glenn and Frank Reich should maintain the status quo. Braelon Allen has played extremely well in Breece Hall’s absence, and we finally saw Isaiah Davis return from Witness Protection last week. 

As much as Jets fans adore Cade Klubnik, we can all agree the season hasn’t yet reached a point where he warrants extended action. Keeping Smith on his feet and outside the blue tent is a great step (pun intended) to avoid that conversation changing. 

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