Geno Smith vs Ryan Fitzpatrick
The New York Jets have yet another QB battle on their hands for the third consecutive year. It starts with the incumbent starter Geno Smith who has had to battle for the starting spot every season since he was drafted in 2013. “Miramar’s Finest” battled Mark Sanchez in his rookie season, eventually beating him out due in large part to Sanchez’s pre-season shoulder injury. In 2014 he won the position battle against newly signed Jet, Michael Vick. In Year 3 of the Geno Smith experience he now has to battle Ryan Fitzpatrick while having to learn a new offense, which Fitzpatrick is already extremely well versed and familiar with. He also has the added pressure of playing under a brand new regime who wasn’t responsible for drafting him.
Smith has been inconsistent in his first two seasons. He flashes potential but also turns the football over at a high rate, throwing 34 career interceptions to just 25 TD passes. Enter Ryan Fitzpatrick, a journeyman quarterback with high football intelligence. He has the advantage of having previously played for new Jets’ offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who coached him in Buffalo from 2010 to 2012. Fitzpatrick is no stranger to turnovers himself. He has his shortcomings as a passer, and has developed a reputation for being somewhat of a gun slinger despite his football accumen.
The New York Jets’ starting quarterback job is a competition that will be Geno Smith’s to lose. He is still currently the man in New York but will now be on a shorter leash due to the front office/coaching staff overhaul in New York. The new regime consists of new general manager Mike MacCagnan, new head coach Todd Bowles, and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. As with any organization or corporation that changes management, the brain trust likes to bring in their own guys. Geno Smith is not their guy (Bryce Petty). Therefore, Smith will need to make major improvements this season to cement himself as the future of the franchise.
