CORTLAND — Sitting in front of his computer in March, Eric Decker opened up Google and searched “Geno Smith interviews.” Then he went to YouTube and did the same search.
The wide receiver was days away from becoming a free agent and he was considering signing with the Jets. But first, he wanted to learn about the team’s quarterback who finished his rookie season in 2013 as the lowest-rated passer in the NFL.
Decker had already watched some game film of Smith. Now, he wanted to learn more.
“I was impressed by the games I watched of Geno, and then I Googled and YouTubed interviews to get a feel of who he was as a person more than just the physical skill on the field,” Decker said. “That’s a big thing.
“As a young guy, everyone goes through bumps. For me, it was how mentally strong he was and his potential I saw. It’s enormous as a veteran receiver. I want to be a part of this kid’s growth because I really see something that stands out.”
The Jets signed Decker to a five-year, $36.25 million contract in March, hoping he can be the answer at a position that has been a problem for years. His other task is to help Smith’s development in his second year, a task he has embraced in training camp.
Michael Vick has been brought in to push Smith, but Decker is the one who will be pulling him along. Decker said after his research, he felt like he had a good feel for Smith.
“It’s the power of technology,” Decker said. “I feel like I have good intuition and good instincts. I just felt something that he was going to be good.”
Fellow receiver David Nelson said Decker’s approach is to treat every practice like a game situation, and it is rubbing off on his teammates. Decker is known for his precise route running, and his teammates say he is a reliable professional.
“That’s what he brings to Geno — that consistent piece that we didn’t have last year,” Nelson said. “We weren’t able to get that accomplished last year because of injuries and whatever. He’s going to bring that key component to our offense and take us to the next level.”
Decker spent the first four seasons of his career with the Broncos and thought he would spend his entire career there. But when his agent spoke with the Broncos after the season, it was clear they were going to let him walk away.
“It’s tough because I gave everything to the city and the organization,” Decker said. “There’s no disrespect or animosity between us. That was the business decision that was best for them. It was a decision that was best for me.”
When free agency began, Decker’s first visit was to the Jets. He loved what he heard from coach Rex Ryan and liked Marty Mornhinweg’s system. He canceled a visit with the Jaguars and signed the contract.
“I did my research,” Decker said. “I did my homework on the potential teams and what they did in 2013 and watched some film. I watched a couple of games from the beginning and the end of the season. I felt like I knew a little bit going into it. I didn’t know every detail, but I knew the mystique of the defense and I knew the offense didn’t have the best year.”
The Jets had done their homework on Decker. The visit with him confirmed that they wanted to bring him aboard.
“It pretty much backed up everything we thought about Eric,” general manager John Idzik said. “Just a real pro.”
Besides the football, the city of New York also appealed to Decker, who has a reality show on E! along with his wife, Jessie James, a country singer.
“I wish I could play football forever, but I need to understand what I want to do afterward,” Decker said. “This is a place you get to meet people that understand the business side of different things.”
Decker acknowledges being in New York will help his wife’s career, too.
“It gives her chances to reach out and pursue her dreams as well,” he said. “It was a lot of things that added up. Football is No. 1, but everything on top of that, you compare a New York to a Cleveland, the opportunities are so much greater or even to Denver, the opportunities are so much greater.”
At the moment, Decker is focused on his other opportunity — the one with the Jets. Decker is done watching YouTube videos of Smith and the Jets offense. Now he hopes to create some highlights with them that can be posted to YouTube.