ORLANDO, Fla. — The Jets’ due diligence on Michael Vick — they even called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for a reference — left them convinced Vick will be a positive influence both on Geno Smith and their locker room as a whole.
Owner Woody Johnson also said Sunday during the owners meetings that Vick wasn’t brought in just to be a mentor, setting the stage for the Jets’ third quarterback competition in as many years.
“We’re going to let it play out and see what happens,” Johnson said when asked if Smith were still the starter. “[Vick] has been with [current Jets offensive coordinator] Marty [Mornhinweg] before, so he knows a little bit about what we’re trying to accomplish. So it’s going to be interesting.”
Vick, 33, was signed to a one-year, $5 million deal on Friday at the same time the Jets showed fellow quarterback Mark Sanchez the door after four seasons.
Vick has struggled with injuries, lost his starting job with the Eagles to Nick Foles last season and hasn’t posted a quarterback rating better than 86.5 since 2010, but the Jets think he can revive his career with Gang Green.
Johnson also said the Jets — who were accused of coddling Sanchez — think the second-year Smith can use the motivation from veteran competition.
“We’re looking for the best player to help us compete with Geno, to develop Geno and improve the team,” Johnson said. “We picked a good player in Michael.”
“You always try to bring in a veteran [quarterback], particularly for a young guy. You want a veteran, a guy who’s been there. [Vick] has been around football a lot, so he can tell him a lot about what it’s like to play in the NFL. And I think that’s invaluable.”
Vick, of course, is also a controversial addition because of his conviction on dogfighting charges that caused him to spend nearly two years in federal prison.
Johnson said the Jets investigated Vick’s character thoroughly, to the point the owner spoke with Goodell — who helped guide Vick’s return to the league after his release from prison — and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie about the former NFL No. 1 overall pick.
Both men had nothing but good things to say about Vick, proclaiming him a changed man from his dogfighting days.
“I had a long conversation with commissioner Goodell about him, so I think he’ll be a real positive,” Johnson said. “We didn’t ask about Michael Vick in terms of his throwing motion. It was just in terms of a person.”