Geno Smith believes he was playing too mechanically during the team’s recent three-game losing streak, calling his play “pretty much awful.”
“At times, I was playing like a robot,” Smith said Wednesday. “I was dropping back, five hitch and throwing it. I know that’s the way it’s drawn up in the game plan and the way it’s supposed to be run, but everything is not ideal on the field. Sometimes you’ve got to improvise.”
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said last week he wanted Smith to play more naturally and it worked against the Raiders. Smith played his best game in a month, throwing a touchdown pass and running for another. He ran for 50 yards as he used his legs more than he had been.
“Throughout the game, [I was] just playing freely,” Smith said. “It goes back to not thinking about all my past mistakes. I think I kind of got into this zone where I just tried to be way too perfect and that’s almost impossible to do at any level, especially as a rookie [in the NFL]. There were times where I was so caught up in running the play and executing it to perfection that I didn’t allow my natural ability to take over at times.”
WR Stephen Hill did not practice as he deals with a knee injury. Hill missed Sunday’s game against the Raiders and coach Rex Ryan would not rule out the possibility Hill’s season could be over.
“I don’t know. We’ll see,” Ryan said. “Obviously, we’d like to get him out here if he can play and be effective. Obviously, that would be the best scenario for us. We’ll see how it progresses.”
Ryan said no when asked if he regretted taking Hill with in the second round of the 2012 draft. Hill has just 24 catches for 342 yards and one touchdown this season. Ryan said Hill has been dealing with the knee injury for a while and that has hurt his production.
“It doesn’t look good but the knee may be a major contributing factor with that,” Ryan said. “Obviously, when you look at the numbers it looks like he has not progressed.”
Ryan on who has simulated Panthers QB Cam Newton this week in practice: “I thought about putting Calvin [Pace] out there since they’re the same exact size.”
Ryan is not that far off. Newton is 6-foot-5, 245 pounds. Pace is 6-4, 265 pounds.
“My offensive days are long gone,” Pace said. “I don’t like to get hit. I’ll pass.”
Ryan said QBs Matt Simms and David Garrard have split time playing the role of Newton on the scout team.
CB Antonio Cromartie (concussion) did not practice. Ryan said if Cromartie can’t play either Ellis Lankster or Darrin Walls will start in his place. … WR Santonio Holmes (foot, hamstring) and LB Garrett McIntyre (knee) were limited in practice. … Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) did not practice.