Geno Smith Goes From Cursing Out Fans to Arguing With Reporters Over Vick Questions

[flgreen]

Geno Smith goes from cursing out Jets fans to arguing with reporters over Michael Vick questions

 

Three days after Smith dropped an F-bomb to a paying customer at MetLife Stadium, the Jets starter showed more cracks when asked whether he sees value in bringing Vick into a game to spark the team if needed. 'That doesn't make sense,' a clearly agitated Smith said. 'That's not a question. Next question.'

 

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Wednesday, October 1, 2014, 7:01 PM A A A

 

 

 

The strain of losing games - and possibly his job - is starting to show on Geno Smith.

 

Geno Smith is splintering amid growing expectations, shrinking timelines and the specter of a better player below him on the depth chart, an ominous sign for a guy who believes he's a franchise quarterback for an organization starving for one.

 

Three days after Smith dropped an F-bomb to a paying customer in the wake of his third multi-turnover game of the season, the Jets starter showed more cracks Wednesday when asked whether he sees value in bringing Mike Vick into a game to spark the team if needed.

 

"I don't know what you're trying to lead to with that question," Smith bristled before interrupting an attempted clarification of the question. "Maybe that's your opinion."

 

"What do you mean a spark?" a defensive Smith continued. "We've already put him in."

 

Smith was asked again if he saw a benefit in bringing Vick in relief to jump-start the offense.

"That doesn't make sense," a clearly agitated Smith said. "What team do you see doing that?... That's not a question. Next question."

 

It was the second time in three days that Smith turned testy to reporters. On Monday, he offered a cryptic and convoluted take that the media was trying to make his situation "something that's not about football."

 

The truth, of course, is that Smith's subpar production has warranted the recent criticism. His seven turnovers, including a pair in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to the Lions, have been killers. He has a 9-11 record as a starter with 32 career turnovers. He has been the primary culprit for the Jets' 30th ranked red-zone offense. Jake Locker is the only current starter with a worse quarterback rating this season.

 

Other than that, Smith is dead on.

 

Geno Smith has no patience for questions about Michael Vick.

 

HOWARD SIMMONS/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

 

Geno Smith has no patience for questions about Michael Vick.

Vick, who should have replaced Smith this week, took the politically correct path when asked whether there's value in coming into a game to provide help if Smith struggles.

 

 

"No… we don't need any more distractions right now even though I don't think I would be a distraction if I went in and played temporarily," Vick said. "We just need to focus on beating San Diego."

 

 

Ryan reiterated his support for Smith Wednesday, but rolled out his talking points about "organizational decisions" and "Jet decisions" regarding who starts on Sundays, a familiar refrain that has fueled speculation that general manager John Idzik is playing a central role.

 

 

Ryan did, however, admit that he will make the call whether Smith, or anyone else, gets benched during a game.

 

 

"During a game, who else is going to make them?" said Ryan. "That falls on my shoulders and I think that's obvious… I'll make that decision."

 

 

Ryan believes that Smith will play well enough to avoid getting yanked on Sunday, but the second-year quarterback wanted no parts of addressing whether he should play all four quarters against the Chargers (assuming he's healthy): "Next question," said Smith, channeling his inner Drew Rosenhaus.

 

 

Smith had been calm, cool and collected for the better part of the past year and half, but the pressure has intensified in his second season. He has grown in some respects, gaining a firmer handle on Marty Morhhinweg's offense and sharpening technical elements of playing quarterback, but his decision making under duress is nowhere close to where it needs to be for the Jets to have a realistic chance of reversing course and making the playoffs.

 

 

His profanity-laced outburst directed at a Jets fan at Metlife Stadium last weekend isn't befitting a leader of a pro sports franchise, but it's fair to give him a one-time free pass.

 

 

 

As Geno Smith continues to struggle, backup QB Michael VIck (r.) waits for his shot.

The bigger concern is his penchant for turnovers, which ultimately sacked Mark Sanchez. Smith has committed a turnover in 16 of 20 career games (80 percent). That's brutal.

 

By all accounts, he's a hard worker who has invested the time to learn his craft, but Ryan's job is on the line. If the mistakes continue early in San Diego, Ryan would be doing his team a disservice if he didn't turn to Vick.

 

"I've played games without turnovers," said Smith, who has won all four of his turnover-free games. "I've played games where I've had turnovers. Some we've won, some we've lost. Ultimately it's about winning and making winning plays."

 

Smith simply isn't making enough of them.

 

"It's a real finicky situation no matter what team it's on," veteran outside linebacker Jason Babin said about making a quarterback change during a game. "Because there's such an unofficial hierarchy… So any time you adjust that, there's a ripple effect."

 

Smith, supremely confident in himself, insisted that he has "never needed to be reassured" about his standing on the team.

 

He believes his coaches have always had confidence in him, but make no mistake: The Jets will turn to Vick to provide a spark on Sunday, if needed, whether or not it makes sense to Smith.

[RutgersJetFan]

ZE KGB VEEL DECIDE VHAT EEZ AND EEZN'T A QVESTION HERE MEESTER MEHTAAA.

[Lizard King]

Beat writers are finally getting their big moment.

[jgb]

Gotta defend geno on this one. What if someone came into your job ad asked how you would feel if they brought in the new guy to replace you on a big proposal to "provide a spark?" He is 23, dealing with media will come to him. Kid is feeling the New York lights now. Benching might relieve some pressure--not crack his confidence--especially if Vick sucks as much of this board believes.

[Larz]

when the media makes the story the story, they need to be shot

[flgreen]

Beat writers are finally getting their big moment.

 

Yeah

 

They have actually been softer on him then I expected over the last year.  His cursing at the fan on Sunday put blood in the water, if he starts arguing with the vultures, they will eat him alive

[flgreen]

Gotta defend geno on this one. What if someone came into your job ad asked how you would feel if they brought in the new guy to replace you on a big proposal to "provide a spark?" He is 23, dealing with media will come to him. Kid is feeling the New York lights now. Benching might relieve some pressure--not crack his confidence--especially if Vick sucks as much of this board believes.

 

Your right.  It seems like he is becoming a bit unhinged, benching him will take some of the pressure off him before he implodes.  

 

Guys like Mehta and Cimini will destroy him if he losses his cool 

[RutgersJetFan]

Yeah

 

They have actually been softer on him then I expected over the last year.  His cursing at the fan on Sunday put blood in the water, if he starts arguing with the vultures, they will eat him alive

 

It's kind of sad that he's keeping with this act. You'd think that the Jets PR would have done a crash course with him in how to come out of this. Nope.

Geno may very well get his sh*t together some day. I don't know, but it doesn't look like it will be here. There are just some guys out there who can't handle playing in NY.

[Matt39]

He didnt say anything wrong.

 

shrug

[Jack Straw]

For 30 other NFL teams outside of NYC, this isn't a story. Oh my god, stop the presses! Geno was annoyed at a reporter! Who. The F. Cares.

[Integrity28]

Gotta defend geno on this one. What if someone came into your job ad asked how you would feel if they brought in the new guy to replace you on a big proposal to "provide a spark?" He is 23, dealing with media will come to him. Kid is feeling the New York lights now. Benching might relieve some pressure--not crack his confidence--especially if Vick sucks as much of this board believes.

 

True. 

 

Also, in the same spirit you wanted to see how he responds to a benching, I think it's highly interesting to see how he responds to getting grilled by the media.

 

I don't mean seeing him get sh*tty with them either, I mean how he responds on Sunday, after they grill him all week.

 

Would love it if he just came out of the funk, and never looked back. It would shut a lot of people up about a lot of bullsh*t.

[Jolot]

True.

Also, in the same spirit you wanted to see how he responds to a benching, I think it's highly interesting to see how he responds to getting grilled by the media.

I don't mean seeing him get sh*tty with them either, I mean how he responds on Sunday, after they grill him all week.

Would love it if he just came out of the funk, and never looked back. It would shut a lot of people up about a lot of bullsh*t.

great point , I want him to take a seat also to see how he reacts , but you're right this is a good test ...if he sticks it up their as##s after 5 days of media assault against a good team on the road it could change everything

[RSJ]

Thanks Idzik.

[Bugg]

What ever you think of Smith, this is Manish Mehta making up stories where there are none. Again.

[kay_gee]

They ARE trying to make it into something that isn't about football, Geno. They are trying to make you part of their narrative. Don't let them.

[AFJF]

Yep...non-story..media trying to make something out of nothing.

[deucebag]

Remember when Geno apologized to all of his teammates for turning the ball over - making you think he was confident he could play better.....well maybe he is not so confident anymore.

[Jets Voice of Reason]

Would've preferred he said **** you to the media than the fan but other than that I see nothing wrong here.

[Clementi49]

Go away

[JetsFanInDenver]

I dunno about rest of the world but I am old school. I like my QB to want his job bad and show some fire when its even remotely suggested that someone else can do the job better.

 

And to hell with these beat writers and there self sustained sense of self importance. Freaking d-bags!

[Il Mostro]

Anyone else notice Geno's body language at the post game presser?  He was hunched over, hanging on to the podium the whole time.  This was the first time he showed this and moped his way through his interview.  Big contrast to the first two games. He has wilted in more ways than one.

[LurkerKing]

Like Sanchez after the Ravens game, Geno is done.

[KSJets]

Well, if definitely wasn't Cimini.  My guess it's Mehta being the whiny bitch he is:

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/44002/geno-testy-in-reponse-to-vick-question

 

Jets' Geno Smith testy in response to Michael Vick question

October, 1, 2014

OCT 1

8:05

PM ET

By Rich Cimini | ESPNNewYork.com

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Geno Smith lost his poise Sunday when he yelled a profanity at a heckler, and he became agitated Wednesday when a reporter asked about Michael Vick. Some will try to connect the dots, saying the embattled quarterback is succumbing to the pressure. You could draw that conclusion from the stadium outburst, but a testy exchange with a reporter? Well, you be the judge. 

Standing in front of his locker for his usual Wednesday session with the media, Smith was asked if he believes a relief appearance by Vick would be the "best avenue to take" to win a particular game. 

 

Smith

"I mean, I don't know what you're trying to lead to with that question." 

Reporter: "Bringing in Mike as a spark ..." 

Smith: "Maybe that's your opinion." 

It's not an opinion, said the reporter, it's a question. 


Smith: "That is not a question." 

Reporter: "Do you think there's value in putting Mike Vick in as a spark?" 

Smith: "As a spark?" 

Reporter: "Yeah, within the course of a game." 

Smith: "What do you mean, a spark? We've already put him in." 

Reporter: "Well, not for a play. I mean a quarter ..." 

Smith: "It doesn't make sense. What team do you see doing that?" 

Reporter: "OK, so you're not in agreement with it." 

Smith: "It's not a question. Next question." 

And that was that. 

It was a loaded line of questioning, to be sure. And, no doubt, Smith bristled. But how was he supposed to respond to the suggestion that the team would be better off with him on the bench? Frankly, it was good to see a little fire. 

Look, there's a chance Smith could be fraying amid the crucible of a quarterback controversy. He certainly didn't respond well by cussing out a fan, which showed that he's letting the situation get inside his head. But getting snippy with a reporter? If he threw the reporter into a locker, a la Richard Todd, yeah, that would've signaled a meltdown. But a couple of testy responses? A little perspective, please.

 

 

If that's not Cimini taking a shot at Mehta again, I'm not sure what is.  Usually he doesn't point out something negative about the media unless it's about Mehta.

[JoeC36]

I'm on my phone so I can't post the article from NJ.com but it was similar to ciminis

[Powpow]

Gotta defend geno on this one. What if someone came into your job ad asked how you would feel if they brought in the new guy to replace you on a big proposal to "provide a spark?" He is 23, dealing with media will come to him. Kid is feeling the New York lights now. Benching might relieve some pressure--not crack his confidence--especially if Vick sucks as much of this board believes.

Sorry jgb. But you got the wrong handle on this one.  Smith's rant is squarely reflective of his lack of humility.  He has none. Zippo.  If he's a team player, which he should be, he would answer, 'No problem with that. Mike Vick has come here to mentor me and has been a huge help. I'm struggling - its obvious. If its coach's decision to make a move to Mike, then I understand'. See the difference? One is stubborn denial that he sucks mixed in with a nasty attitude, the other humility with class.  Smith is falling apart sat the seams. Hopefully, it wont be a repeat of waiting 5 years to pull the plug like they did with Sanchez.    

[GenoandtheJets]

He obviously cant handle being the starter in the metropolitan area. The pressure is too much for him probably. He's an overrated quarterback. Vick needs to start.

[KSJets]

Sorry jgb. But you got the wrong handle on this one.  Smith's rant is squarely reflective of his lack of humility.  He has none. Zippo.  If he's a team player, which he should be, he would answer, 'No problem with that. Mike Vick has come here to mentor me and has been a huge help. I'm struggling - its obvious. If its coach's decision to make a move to Mike, then I understand'. See the difference? One is stubborn denial that he sucks mixed in with a nasty attitude, the other humility with class.  Smith is falling apart sat the seams. Hopefully, it wont be a repeat of waiting 5 years to pull the plug like they did with Sanchez.    

 

Brady couldn't even bring himself to give Garrapolo a high-five or congratulate him when he threw a TD on Monday.  I don't see anything wrong with what Geno said, especially with it probably being Mehta or his girlfriend Gary Myers who instigated Geno.

[KSJets]

I'm on my phone so I can't post the article from NJ.com but it was similar to ciminis

 

Here it is:

 

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/10/geno_smith_getting_testy_with_a_reporter_tells_us_nothing_about_geno_smith.html

 

I can't seem to get it to format right here though.

[kelticwizard]

The reporter's question was of the "When did you start beating your wife?" variety and Geno gave it all the respect it deserved.

[Powpow]

Anyone else notice Geno's body language at the post game presser?  He was hunched over, hanging on to the podium the whole time.  This was the first time he showed this and moped his way through his interview.  Big contrast to the first two games. He has wilted in more ways than one.

I gave this a negative but meant to give it a positive - my bad. 

[Powpow]

This kid has totally lost me this week. I didn't like the tone of his interview earlier this week and now he continues to show he has no respect for his opportunity here. Now I'm rooting for him to crash and burn. Can't wait until he's ringing up my order at Shoprite in 2 years. Eff him!

More like Wamart.

[RutgersJetFan]

True. 

 

Also, in the same spirit you wanted to see how he responds to a benching, I think it's highly interesting to see how he responds to getting grilled by the media.

 

I don't mean seeing him get sh*tty with them either, I mean how he responds on Sunday, after they grill him all week.

 

Would love it if he just came out of the funk, and never looked back. It would shut a lot of people up about a lot of bullsh*t.

 

I hope so, but I dunno, he looks like a dude who is caught between trying to keep sh*t bottled up and seriously blowing a gasket. This is a tough town to play in, you have to let this kind of stuff roll off you. Watching him on Sunday and in these interviews, it's pretty clear he's irked about all the noise that comes with playing here. Of course it's all completely unfair, the questions are stupid and the NY media will grind you to a pulp if they smell blood, but it is what it is. If you want to play here it comes with the territory. Maybe a west coast trip is exactly what he needs this week, and it would be awesome to see him rebound, but this is going to be a long season for the Jets and this isn't going to get any easier. Lame duck coach, losing record, Pats not looking good...etc., these media sessions are only going to get worse.

 

Ugh. This season. sh*t.

[jack48]

the media are whores.

[Smashmouth]

True. 

 

Also, in the same spirit you wanted to see how he responds to a benching, I think it's highly interesting to see how he responds to getting grilled by the media.

 

I don't mean seeing him get sh*tty with them either, I mean how he responds on Sunday, after they grill him all week.

 

Would love it if he just came out of the funk, and never looked back. It would shut a lot of people up about a lot of bullsh*t.

yeah but deep down you know its not bullsh*t and you know Geno sucks ..so...

[Miss Lonelyhearts]

It's kind of sad that he's keeping with this act. You'd think that the Jets PR would have done a crash course with him in how to come out of this. Nope.

Geno may very well get his sh*t together some day. I don't know, but it doesn't look like it will be here. There are just some guys out there who can't handle playing in NY.

 

Chad Pennington and Mark Sanchez couldn't handle playing in New York either, but they were a whole hell of a lot better at conning retards.