The Jets’ distinct ability to mismanage their quarterback situation is on display again this spring.
The team that brought you such classics as Tim Tebow, Neil O’Donnell and Browning Nagle wants everyone to believe there is an open competition for the starting job this year between Geno Smith and Michael Vick.
Except no one believes it — not even the players.
Vick blew up general manager John Idzik’s illusion of competition for the second straight week when he said he does not believe he and Smith are competing for the starting job.
“Nah. It’s not an open competition,” Vick said.
This was the only time Vick veered off a script clearly given to him by Jets management after he said last week he thinks the starting job belongs to Smith.
Vick gave the same answer or a slight variation to seven questions, including when he was asked if anyone from the team spoke to him after what he said last week. The six-minute interview was an uncomfortable session, with Vick clearly worried about his words being examined by management.
“I’m just here to compete every day,” Vick kept saying. “I’m here to help this team win. That’s the most important thing right now.”
It was reminiscent of Tebow’s answers in 2012 when he kept saying he was just trying to get better as he realized he was never going to get on the field with the Jets.
As you’d expect, Jets coach Rex Ryan said there is a competition between Vick and Smith.
“I think there is competition,” Ryan said. “There’s no doubt. As a coach, you love it.”
Ryan even went on to describe it as an “ideal situation” even though you would think having an actual franchise quarterback might be the ideal situation.
But Ryan is just following Idzik’s orders. The novice general manager won’t say anyone is guaranteed a starting job, even though that is not realistic.
He loves talking about competition, even though he kept two draft picks on the roster last year who were inactive for all 16 games over keeping players that might have been special-teams contributors.
Smith was not made available to reporters.
On the field Wednesday, Smith saw most of the time with the first team. Vick did get some reps with the starters, though. During 11-on-11 team drills, Smith completed 8-of-10 passes and was “sacked” twice; there are no true sacks as these are non-contact practices. Vick went 3-for-7 with two drops by his receivers.
Vick, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Jets in March, has said several times Smith is the starting quarterback. While he wants to start, Vick also seems to understand the situation.
“I knew what I was getting into when I got here,” Vick said. “It’s everything I expected.”
The Jets seem intent on finding out whether Smith is a long-term answer at quarterback, something they have been searching for since Joe Namath left town. The feeling inside the Jets organization is Vick is an insurance policy if Smith stumbles in his second season. Smith had 25 turnovers as a rookie and was the lowest-rated passer in the NFL.
Ryan has spent the offseason pumping Smith up, citing a strong finish to last season.
“I’ve said from Day One, I think Geno’s going to be hard to beat out,” Ryan said. “I’ve said that from Day One, but I’ve also said Mike’s going to have an opportunity to compete and he definitely will.”
Not if you ask Vick.