Quarterback Mark Sanchez grabs his shoulder after getting hit during Saturday’s game. (AP)
Mark Sanchez stood on the sidelines with his shoulder wrapped after he left the game. (AP)
Take a seat, Geno.
Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith got his first start in last night’s preseason overtime win over the Giants, and it needs to be his last for a while.
To steal a line from Rex Ryan … it was brutal. The Jets, 24-21 winners in overtime, were awarded the Snoopy Trophy, but the only dog at MetLife Stadium Saturday night was Smith.
Smith threw three interceptions in the first half against a Giants defense that was showing nothing but vanilla looks in front of 74,971 fans at MetLife Stadium. He looked lost as he saw his first extended action in the preseason, leaving the Jets with no choice but to turn to Mark Sanchez to be their starting quarterback if he is healthy.
Ryan is expected to announce the team’s starter today or tomorrow. The Jets may have the decision made for them after the incredible decision to play Sanchez in the fourth quarter behind the second-team offensive line. Giants tackle Marvin Austin drilled Sanchez, injuring his right shoulder. Sanchez left the field with his shoulder wrapped, presumably to get X-rays.
If Sanchez is OK, he has to be the starting quarterback. Many people in the organization were privately rooting for Smith to win the job, but it would be impossible for the Jets to justify starting Smith after last night’s performance.
Smith finished the game 16-of-30 for 199 yards with one touchdown and the three picks. Smith’s quarterback rating was 45.7. He capped his night off by stepping out of the back of the end zone in the fourth quarter for a safety.
Smith had his first pass batted down by Spencer Paysinger and the team went three-and-out. The Giants helped Smith out on his second series, committing four penalties for 33 yards. The Jets used the penalties and moved the ball down the field. Smith hit wide receiver Ben Obomanu for a 22-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 and that was his highlight of the night.
Later in the first quarter, Smith threw the ball behind receiver Ryan Spadola and Giants cornerback Prince Amukamura picked it off. Smith threw another interception on the next drive, this one to Giants safety Stevie Brown who was playing deep and Smith’s pass went right to him.
The turnover gave the Giants the ball at the Jets’ 23 but they were only able to muster a Josh Brown 40-yard field goal to make it 10-7.
The third interception went to defensive end Justin Tuck on a terrible throw from Smith.
The turnovers overshadowed any good things Smith did. Turnovers have been the Jets’ biggest problem with Sanchez under center and Ryan desperately wants his team to stop turning the ball over.
Smith, who missed last week’s preseason game with a sprained ankle, has been given every chance to win the starting job. The Jets pushed the quarterback competition into a third week so he would get a full opportunity to show them something. Instead, he slipped last night.
The Giants offense did not look much better than the Jets. They were unable to get anything going and went 1-for-8 on third down in the first half while the starters were in. Quarterback Eli Manning went 8-of-20 for 83 yards and seemed out of synch with wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.
The Jets defense gave up an 84-yard touchdown run to Giants running back David Wilson on their first play, but buckled down after that. The defensive line played a strong game with rookie Sheldon Richardson leading the way. Richardson sacked Manning and also made a nice play on a screen pass.
The Jets left the starting offense in to start the second half and Smith led them on a nice drive against the Giants’ second teamers. Bilal Powell scored a two-yard touchdown from the wildcat to give the Jets a 14-10 lead.
Sanchez did not play until there was 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. That was not much prettier. He fumbled a shotgun snap and then got drilled by Austin, injuring his shoulder.
brian.costello@nypost.com