Skip to main content

Jets cut Mark Sanchez, sign Michael Vick and stunt Geno Smith



Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports

In a classic Friday afternoon news dump designed to gain as little attention as possible (oops), the New York Jets released fifth-year veteran Mark Sanchez, then announced minutes later that free agent quarterback Michael Vick would join the team on a one-year contract.

Both announcements had been rumored, though not necessarily expected. But while the first part makes sense Sanchezs time in New York was numbered ever since the drafting of Geno Smith last year the second is baffling. If Smith is supposed to be the answer at quarterback, why bring in a bigger talent to hold a clipboard? And if Vick is brought in as the starter, why did Smith only get 16 games as a starter. Better yet, why was he drafted in the first place?

Though hes not the same quarterback he used to be, Michael Vick can still turn a middling team into a playoff contender. What will the Jets do with him? Is he the starter? A backup-in-waiting? And how does any of this help the New York Jets beyond 2014?

If Vicks the starter, then the Geno Smith era is as good as over. The Jets will have forced out two young quarterbacks to sign a 34-year-old quarterback on his final legs. If Smith gets the nod, the instant he struggles, whether in the preseason, regular season or any point in between, the calls to start Vick will be deafening. The back-page headlines (Ge-NO!) practically write themselves.

(Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

It was just 11 months ago Smith, the West Virginia quarterback once penciled in as a potential No. 1 draft pick, fell to the Jets in the second round of the draft. Sanchez was still reeling from his miserable 2012 that included the infamous Thanksgiving buttfumble. Smiths drafting immediately put Sanchez on the hot seat.

But like with everything around the Jets, nothing was quite as it seemed, and that orderly transition never happened. Smith was erratic in the preseason and Sanchez figured to be the opening day starter, right up until Rex Ryan put him back into a meaningless preseason game and the quarterback suffered a season-ending injury behind a backup offensive line.

Smith started all 16 games, more because of the lack of options behind him than anything. He performed like rookie quarterbacks used to, back before Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson ruined the curve. There were flashes of greatness, but those were interspersed between three-and-outs and game-ending interceptions.

(Photo: Jim Brown, USA TODAY Sports)

The second season is when a young quarterback is supposed to show the most improvement. Will Smith get better? More importantly, if he doesnt, how much time does he get before Rex Ryan goes with Vick? The coach has a new contract, but hes fighting for his job too.

You can make the argument that the Jets made their team better by getting Vick. The problem last year was that there wasnt a viable backup to replace Smith when he struggled. Vick solves that. Or you take the opposite view, that bringing in Vick is a short-term fix that has potential long-term consequences. Any other number of serviceable backups could have been had in free agency, but New York went with the one who will bring the most roster drama.

Its almost as if the Jets enjoy the circus. Any chance they can bring back Tim Tebow to round out the madness?

Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

Source: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/03/michael-vick-mark-sanchez-new-york-jets-geno-smith/



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lexington citizens' petition looks at MBTA flaws

A Town Meeting member, unsatisfied with the MBTAs presence in the suburbs of Boston, wants to encourage his fellow citizens to open lines with the transit system to make improvements. Precinct 2 Town Meeting member Bijan Afshartous gained 37 signatures from Lexington residents to place a citizen's petition on the 2014 Annual Town Meeting warrant, which proposes a resolution to improve the MBTAs bus service to Lexington. The town clerks office accepted Afshartous' petition Monday, Dec. 30. Specifically, Afshartous is looking for five specific improvements to be negotiated between Lexington and the MBTA, which he said, "will benefit Lexington residents and businesses in Lexington." Thee resolution would propose extending the hours of the route 76 and route 62 buses by at least one hour in Lexington during the week and extending Sunday services throughout Arlington, Lexington, Bedford and Belmont. Afshartous, who was without a car for five years, said it is dif...
Post a Comment
Read more

*NEW* LEGO Series 12 Complete Set of 16 MINIFIGURE​S On Line

I think you are very lucky To be Get *NEW* LEGO Series 12 Complete Set of 16 MINIFIGURE​S Reviews in cheap. I thought that The Cheapest *NEW* LEGO Series 12 Complete Set of 16 MINIFIGURE​S Online is a great product. If purchased at the right price. Not wonder you are looking for coupons. Please check prices best price before making a purchase. You will not be disappointed with Buy Online *NEW* LEGO Series 12 Complete Set of 16 MINIFIGURE​S . Now you are looking for coupons or discounts at the low price. get coupon or Check price What is The Best Price for *NEW* LEGO Series 12 Complete Set of 16 MINIFIGURE​S? Cheap Product Available. Cheap Buy *NEW* LEGO Series 12 Complete Set of 16 MINIFIGURE​S with Credit Card . Compare your cheap price with best price online store. Choose your best price product with trust store Shopping online. The best *NEW* LEGO Series 12 Complete Set of 16 MINIFIGURE​S Best Price via Founder ,are generally excellent ware. Whether it's a rather wonderful so...
Post a Comment
Read more

Low Cost Lego New Black Legs Short Pants Minifigures Figs Piece

This shopping online sellers provide the finest and low cost which integrated super save shipping for Lego New Black Legs Short Pants Minifigures Figs Piece On Line . Reading opinions delivers you with a a lot of fuller data of the cons and pros on the Big Discount Lego New Black Legs Short Pants Minifigures Figs Piece . The Discounted Lego New Black Legs Short Pants Minifigures Figs Piece had good price and awesome customers feedback. Where Can I Buy Lego New Black Legs Short Pants Minifigures Figs Piece? This shopping online sellers provide the finest and low expense price which included super conserve shipping for Buy Online Lego New Black Legs Short Pants Minifigures Figs Piece . Reading opinions offers you with a a good deal of fuller information of the cons and pros in the Lego New Black Legs Short Pants Minifigures Figs Piece Compare Prices . The Best Savings for Lego New Black Legs Short Pants Minifigures Figs Piece make all buyers happy :). The best Lego New Black Legs Short...
Post a Comment
Read more