HomeFeaturesGeno Smith: The Time is Now to be the Jets QB

Geno Smith: The Time is Now to be the Jets QB

This week was the 25th anniversary of the 1991 cult movie classic, “Point Break.” There is a scene in the movie where Patrick Swayze says to Keanu Reeves, “If you want the ultimate, you’ve got to be willing to pay the ultimate price.” Never has a statement been more accurate when describing Jets Quarterback, Geno Smith.
The fourth-year, former West Virginia standout has had a reputation of being a bit of a “diva.” Players and rival coaches have questioned his work ethic and desire to play football. So far, Smith seems to like football but isn’t in love with it. If Smith wants the “ultimate” — to be the Jets starting QB — he has to work harder than he ever has at anything in his life.
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Going into last season, first-year head coach Todd Bowles made it clear to the team and the media that Geno Smith would be the starting quarterback. All that changed in training camp when backup linebacker IK Enemkpali punched Smith in the locker room and broke his jaw. What was so disturbing about Smith being punched was that not one teammate came to his aid or defended him. Can you imagine if Tom Brady got his jaw broken by a reserve defensive player? The whole team, and all of Boston, would have launched a city-wide manhunt to find that player and punish him. This never happened for Smith, though; every player and coach just shrugged it off.
Once again, coming into training camp Smith is perceived to be the signal caller. (Last Year’s QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick, is not on the roster.) To date, Smith has 27 TD’s, 35 interceptions and is 11-18 as a starter. I’m not saying that Geno is the answer, but the Jets have to let him play before they can decide if he is their QB of the future.
Geno Smith
It is time for Smith to take the next step and win some games for the New York Jets. I don’t anticipate the Jets to go conservative on offense; that is not the way to win in today’s NFL. To that end, the Jets have added a plethora of talent on offense. Wide receiver’s Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker combined for 189 receptions, 2,529 yards and 26 TD receptions in 2015. The Jets also added running back Matt Forte; during his time in Chicago, Forte was considered the ultimate dual threat, running and catching out of the backfield. Jace Amaro, who missed all of last year with an injury, should be a great safety valve for Smith at the Tight End position.
There are no more excuses for the 25-year old Smith. He has all the physical tools and the offensive weapons around him to have a very good season. If Smith can’t deliver, he may find himself out of the NFL. This is his last chance to prove what he can do, and I am rooting for him.
For more from Monte Perez, follow The Sports Whisperer on Twitter @Montetjwitter11, and listen to the Monte Cristo Sports Thing on WRNJ Radio.


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