Geno Smith has received the warning from Mark Sanchez: Bill Belichick can be hazardous to your health.
The bright-eyed rookie quarterback of the Jets goes eyeball-to-eyeball now with the diabolical Darth Belichick.
Geno versus Genius.
“I embrace the challenge, and I know Coach Belichick is one of the masterminds in this league,” Smith said Monday. “A ton of respect for him and his team. I expect every single look, and I will appreciate it because it’ll help me out in the future. I’m going to prepare myself for pretty much anything, because that’s what you can expect coming from that team.”
Day-to-day Sanchez was asked what he recalled about his first game against Belichick and the Patriots and what advice he would have for Smith. Sanchez (14-22, 163 yards, 1 touchdown) outplayed Brady in a 16-9 victory at home in his second NFL start. Sanchez (16-25, 194 yards, 3 touchdowns) enjoyed what was arguably his finest hour outplaying Brady again in the 2010 playoffs in Foxborough.
“He’s a heckuva coach,” Sanchez said, “and things aren’t always what they seem on film. We’ve gone into games just knowing for a fact we’re going to get certain looks and coverages and then boom, he just flips the script on us and that’s what makes them so tough to play against. They disguise coverages well. They always have just a sound defense, and offensively, obviously they’re explosive, special teams are great. It’s always a good challenge.
“Not much to say other than you just got to experience it, play your very best, prepare your butt off, and be ready for the unexpected, try and be sharp.”
Smith caught Belichick’s eye against the Bucs.
“He showed his athleticism and showed good arm strength, good accuracy,” Belichick said Monday. “Handled the team well.”
Belichick has never had to defend a Jets quarterback (Vinny Testaverde, Chad Pennington, Brett Favre, Kellen Clemens, Sanchez) with this kind of mobility.
“We saw plenty of that when he was at West Virginia,” Belichick said. “He can run if he needs to run. He can throw if he needs to throw. I thought he did a good job of both..”
Smith, speaking via conference call with the New England media, said: “I am never looking to run first. At times you have to improvise.”
Smith watched film of EJ Manuel’s NFL debut on Sunday (18-27, 150 yards, 2 touchdowns, 105.5 QB rating) in the Bills’ 23-21 loss to the Patriots.
“He looked calm,” Smith said. “He stood in the pocket tall, he stayed strong, and I was impressed.”
Tom Brady on the other side doesn’t scare Smith.
“Good quarterback, obviously one of the best there is in this league, and I look forward to facing he and his team,” Smith said.
Smith was asked when he began preparing for the Patriots.
“As soon as Nick [Folk] made that field goal, and we walked off that field,” Smith said.
How did you do that?
“Simple. Just did it.”
He knows all about the rivalry.
“I expect it to be a packed house, full house, loud crowd, everyone’s going to be excited, everyone’s going to be watching. Thursday night game, two rival teams, and it’s going to be a great game, and I look forward to it,” Smith said.
“I know that it means a lot to everyone around here. We’ve got to prepare our minds and our bodies for a hard-fought game.”
Do you enjoy road games?
“I enjoy all games, road or at home,” Smith said. “It’s just a great opportunity and once again, try and get a victory with my teammates.”
Geno vs. Genius.
“We will be ready come Thursday night,” Smith said.