CORTLAND — During the first two days of training camp, Jets quarterback Geno Smith has received 74 percent of the first-team snaps and Michael Vick has picked up the scraps. But general manager John Idzik would like you to believe Smith is not being given a leg up in the “competition” to be the Jets’ starter.
“I don’t think it’s tilted at all,” Idzik said.
Huh?
How could one quarterback getting to play behind the best offensive linemen and throwing to Eric Decker and Jeremy Kerley all day not have an advantage over another playing with guys who probably won’t be here in September?
“Competition is not just about counting reps,” Idzik said. “They just got off of a conditioning drill. It’s pressing each other in the conditioning drill. They go from the conditioning drill and take one of those nice little carts and go lift weights. It’s pressing each other when lifting weights. There will be an ebb and flow.”
The Jets would love everyone to believe they are not handing Smith the job after his dismal rookie season that included 25 turnovers and the lowest quarterback rating in the NFL. Idzik preaches competition at every position, but in this instance there is no competition. Vick and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg have admitted as much. Teammates have said this is Smith’s team and talked about preparing him for his second season.
Idzik? He still refuses to say Smith is the No. 1 quarterback on the team right now, even with Smith taking the majority of snaps with the starting offense. No one is asking the Jets to say who is starting Sept. 7 against the Raiders, but at least admit Smith is on top of the depth chart right now.
“We don’t look at it that way,” Idzik said. “We’re not naming starters or No. 1s or No. 3s or anything like that. … I think that almost leads to looking beyond what’s right in front of you. Again, we’re going to try to stay disciplined not to do that.”
Idzik said the division of practice reps could change. Last season, when the Jets held a competition between Smith and Mark Sanchez, the reps were divided pretty evenly.
“There will be a little bit of fluctuation in reps,” Idzik said. “Going into camp, we feel like we’re going to give the lion’s share to Geno and we’ll see how he responds. So far he’s responded very well.”