CORTLAND — Let’s end the rhetoric when it comes to who will have the biggest voice when it’s time to name the Jets starting quarterback for the 2013 season opener. It’s not going to be coach Rex Ryan or general manager John Idzik. It’s going to be offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.
Why? It’s his offense.
Idzik on Saturday and Ryan yesterday have spent two days trying to convince us the decision on whether Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith will be behind center against the Bucs will be “a collective effort.” Seemingly just about everyone on the staff will be consulted before a decision is rendered.
“It’s always going to be a New York Jet decision. It’s always a team thing,” Ryan said yesterday, echoing Idzik’s words on Saturday.
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Truth is, the only voice that matters is Mornhinweg’s. Clearly, Ryan has handed over the entire offense to Mornhinweg, who joined the Jets after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Eagles the last seven seasons. With a resume that includes working with Brett Favre, Steve Young and Donovan McNabb, Mornhinweg has earned Ryan’s trust.
“It’s not like he has to sit back and reinvent the wheel,” Ryan said. “He’s already done it. It’s impressive, I like watching our offense. Some of the screen things we do, some of the other things that we do down the field. He’s got a way of getting people the football.”
My guess is it will be Mornhinweg who gives the recommendation on who should be the starter. Idzik will rubber stamp it and Ryan will announce it. Bottom line: It is Mornhinweg’s offense. It will be his call.
Ryan yesterday accused the media of making “a mountain out of mole hill,” concerning who would get the final say on the starting quarterback. In most cases he would be right. But Ryan claimed that responsibility last June, only to be undercut by Idzik a day ago.
It was a rookie GM move by Idzik to insist Ryan didn’t have the final say in the decision. It only served to undercut the authority of the head coach, at least publicly. To think the head coach won’t have any more say than quarterbacks coach David Lee only makes Ryan look more like a lame duck.
Furthermore, part of the Jets problem last season was it wasn’t always clear who was making the decisions: Rex? Owner Woody Johnson? Former GM Mike Tannenbaum? Now Idzik has added to the confusion by suggesting every scout and assistant coach will have a say on who plays quarterback.
Mornhinweg didn’t tip his hand yesterday on who he might be favoring. He said Sanchez is grabbing the “verbiage” faster because of his pro experience, but described Smith as “a bright guy, football-wise.”
The Jets have been installing between 21 and 30 pass plays and from four to eight running plays a day, Mornhinweg said, calling it “an extensive” schedule that hasn’t overwhelmed the rookie Smith.
“We were talking about how quickly he’s progressed in the system,” Mornhinweg said of the second-round pick from West Virginia. “His challenge is to continue to progress.”
Smith operated the first unit yesterday, the first practice of training camp in full pads. Rain suspended the morning workout, but Smith continued to look sharp when practice resumed in the afternoon. Mornhinweg said the two quarterbacks will be evaluated “every day, every play and every practice.”
When asked what he was looking for in a starter, Mornhinweg sounded like someone expecting to make a choice.
“Normally … one man significantly removes himself from the other fellas,” he said. “When that happens, there will be a time when we make that call. The tougher one is when it’s very, very close, so we’ll be ready for that. Then you go on some gut instincts there.”
It’s Mornhinweg’s gut that should carry the most weight.