NFL

This is the year Geno Smith answers or validates his critics

As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.

No. 14: Geno Smith

Last year’s ranking: Unranked (Rookie)

Position: Quarterback

Age: 23

How acquired: Selected in the second round of the 2013 Draft

Years left on contract: 3

2014 salary cap figure: $1.1 million

Looking back at 2013: Smith won the quarterback competition by default when Mark Sanchez suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the preseason. He showed some poise early, leading the Jets to a comeback win over the Buccaneers in the season opener. That showed the best of Smith. The worst would soon show itself.

Smith had an inconsistent season, playing OK early, terrible in the middle and well at the end of the season. He finished with 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, along with four fumbles. Smith was the lowest-rated passer in the NFL. He completed 55.8 percent of his passes for 3,046 yards.

The last four games of the season was the best stretch for Smith. It is no coincidence he started to use his legs more during that time. He rushed for 180 yards in the final four games, almost half of his season total of 366. Three of his six rushing touchdowns came during that stretch.

You can’t make any sweeping conclusions off of Smith’s rookie season. He showed promise in leading them to five game-winning drives, but made you question whether he was the answer during a terrible three-game stretch in November and early December.

Outlook for 2014: Smith’s progress is the biggest variable in the Jets’ 2014 season. The team has upgraded the offense around him. You would expect Rex Ryan’s defense to perform well. But has Smith taken a leap forward or will Michael Vick replace him in midseason?

If Smith (7) struggles, there will be a clamor for Michael Vick (1) to start.AP

The Jets decided to stick with Smith this year after his encouraging finish to last season. They signed Vick strictly as an insurance policy in case Smith gets injured or struggles mightily. There is no training camp competition this time around. It is Smith’s job.

The coaches believe they had a breakthrough with Smith at the end of last year when he began to run the ball more and make better decisions with the ball. We’ll see if they’re right.

General manager John Idzik put some targets around Smith that should help in wide receiver Eric Decker, tight end Jace Amaro and running back Chris Johnson.

The pressure on Smith will be much greater this year. If he struggles, there could be massive support — both internally and externally — for Vick to start. Vick was very popular with his Eagles teammates, and you can see the Jets players who grew up wearing Vick’s jerseys rallying around him if Smith stumbles.

The Jets need to find out if Smith is a franchise quarterback or just another in a long line of quarterback failures.