ORLANDO — Geno Smith or Michael Vick? How about Geno Smith and Michael Vick?
The Jets could use both of their mobile quarterbacks on the field together on occasion, Rex Ryan said Tuesday morning at the NFL owners meetings.
The Jets coach said he called Smith to alert him that the team would be signing Vick late last week.
“Vick is going to provide great competition, and that’s going to be great for Geno. But Geno Smith is going to be hard to beat out,” Ryan said.
When asked if Vick could be the Week 1 starter, Ryan said, “I would say yes. We’ll let it all play out.”
He did admit Smith took a step back at points last season, but pointed to the Jets’ lack of talent at the skill positions as the main reason.
“Geno had a dropoff during the season, but Johnny Unitas would have had a dropoff with what we had out there because of injuries,” Ryan said.
Ryan preferred to use the word “competition” when referring to what could become a raging quarterback controversy.
“If we could have that kind of competition at every position, (it) would be great,” Ryan said. “Vick can still run and he’s more accurate than he was.”
Ryan said offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg pushed to sign Vick, and the Jets leaned on Mornhinweg’s input when evaluating him because he coached him with the Eagles.
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Ryan declined to join owner Woody Johnson in the potential tampering zone when asked about the Jets’ interest in Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson.
“Mr. Johnson is the owner, so he can do what he wants. I’m not talking about somebody on another roster,” Ryan said.
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Ryan said he doesn’t regret using Mark Sanchez in the fourth quarter of the Jets-Giants’ preseason game last August because “at the time, we were still in a quarterback competition.” The coach said his only regret about the situation is Sanchez wound up getting injured and missing the season.
Ryan said he is keeping his Sanchez tattoo — on his arm, a blonde with a striking resemblance to his wife, Michelle, is pictured wearing a No. 6 Jets jersey — rolling up his sleeve and saying, “As you can see, it’s still there.”
“I’m going to put No. 75 on there in honor of (Jets Pro Bowl tackle) Winston Hill,” Ryan said.
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Former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, now head coach of the Browns, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer his team may make a play for Sanchez.
“He’s a player we’ll discuss. I had a great relationship with him,” Pettine said.
The Eagles are currently the favorite to land Sanchez.
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Ryan, who has directed three playoff-less seasons in a row, says he’s not bothered by the specter of having to win now to save his job.
“I always feel like I have to make the playoffs,” Ryan said. “My goal is never to be 8-8. This year is no different. It’s time to step up and deliver. It’s time to deliver for New York and this community. I’m not running from it.”