Jets general manager John Idzik promised “ebb and flow” in the way first-team reps would be divided among the quarterbacks. Consider this a big ebb.
Geno Smith took all 16 of the first-team reps Thursday with Michael Vick being relegated to the second team. It was a departure from the previous days in camp when Smith took about 75 percent of the first-team snaps.
Vick did not seem bothered by the development.
“It’s pretty much been that way,” Vick said, “so like I said, … We have a certain mission to accomplish and we’ve got to get things going. … I won’t stand in the way of that.”
Vick has maintained all along there is no competition for the starting job despite Idzik and coach Rex Ryan pretending there is one.
“It doesn’t affect me at all,” Vick said of working almost exclusively with the second team. “I know how to approach practice in a professional manner, so that I take advantage of every rep that I get.” I come to work every day to get better. I feel like I’m getting better each and every day and that’s a great feeling at the age of 34 when you feel like you’re coming to work and you’re getting better. [I’m] pushing the young guys and still pushing myself and still watching the film feeling like I’m getting good results.”
The final question of Vick’s meeting with the media Thursday was if he thought the coaches had already made a decision on Smith being the starter.
“I’m outta here. Have a good one,” Vick said, walking away and then patting the reporter who asked the question on the butt.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman on CB Dee Milliner saying he’s the best in the league: “Dee has got to do what he has got to do in terms of getting better, working at his craft, as far as what he said, like I said that doesn’t bother me because it doesn’t mean anything. You have to go out and play. Nobody goes out and talks their way through the National Football League, you have to perform your way through this league.”
The Jets need to find a second wide receiver. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Stephen Hill has been “outstanding” so far in camp.
“Some of the receivers make this big jump between their second and third year, and it looks like Stephen is doing that,” Mornhinweg said.
Ryan said undrafted rookie DL Kerry Hyder has “popped out of nowhere.” He named Hyder as one of the pleasant surprises of camp along with the team’s safeties and guards Brian Winters and Oday Aboushi.