Cimini: Open Competition to be Jets QB? Not Really

[flgreen]

Open competition to be Jets QB? Not really

 

 

August, 31, 2013

 

Aug 31

 

 

11:30

 

 

PM ET

 

 

By Rich Cimini | ESPN.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Day 1, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan called it a "fair and open" quarterback competition. Sounded good, right? It also echoed the philosophy of his new boss, general manager John Idzik, so Ryan decided to roll with that all summer.

 

 

Except the "fair and open" concept rarely exists in the NFL's job wars. Mark Sanchez, of all people, should know this, because he benefited from a rigged competition as a rookie in 2009.

 

 

That year, Ryan anointed Sanchez the starter after only two preseason games, 33 snaps and six completions. That last completion was a touchdown, and that's all Ryan felt he needed to validate his pre-conceived selection.

 

 

The same thing is happening now with Sanchez and rookie Geno Smith, who has yet to provide a "that's our guy" moment. Why do you think Ryan has extended this so-called competition into the regular season? It's because they're waiting for something -- anything -- to substantiate their misguided belief that Smith can step in from Day 1 and be a productive starter.

 

 

 

 

[+] EnlargeMark Sanchez

 

John Munson/The Star-Ledger/USA TODAY SportsHave the Jets run out of patience with Mark Sanchez? Sure -- but that doesn't mean a healthy Sanchez shouldn't start ahead of a rookie.

 

Ryan would lose credibility in his own locker room if he gave the job to Smith after his nightmarish performance against the New York Giants last Saturday. On a night in which he could've locked up the starting job by being average, Smith was brutal, to use a Rex word. He threw three interceptions and took a safety, giving no indication he's ready to take over an NFL offense.

 

 

Because of Sanchez's shoulder injury, the Jets are planning to start Smith in the Sept. 8 season opener, according to sources, hoping he can do something positive so they can publicly end the charade and make him the permanent starter.

 

 

Now there's a report that says the Jets are all in with Smith, and how they're so done with Sanchez. News flash: They were done with him last season; his $8.25 million guarantee is the only reason he's still here. The past few weeks have been all about the exit strategy. To spread the notion now, with Sanchez injured, is transparent and self-serving.

 

 

If Sanchez hadn't been hurt against the Giants, it's highly likely he'd be starting the opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, sources said. But it wouldn't have been a no-brainer, and that alone should tell us how badly the Jets want to replace Sanchez.

 

 

That was evident against the Giants. If Ryan truly considered Sanchez the presumptive starter, he wouldn't have put him in harm's way in the fourth quarter.

 

 

Isn't it interesting how the Jets hide behind injuries when they make major decisions? Instead of coming clean, they said Darrelle Revis' knee injury was a factor in the decision to trade him. But it was all about the money.

 

 

Now they get their wish with Smith, but the Jets should ask themselves this question: Are we motivated by our desire for change or do we really believe Smith gives us the best chance to win?

 

 

Smith outplayed Sanchez in the first two weeks of training camp, but it was practice. He isn't ready. He has no background in an NFL-style offense and he played only 69 snaps in the preseason. Look, we all know about Sanchez's shortcomings, but his experience would've helped them through the inevitable growing pains in Marty Mornhinweg's offense. You know what they say about the devil you know.

 

 

 

 

[+] EnlargeRex Ryan

 

Leon Halip/Getty ImagesThe season opener looms large, yet Rex Ryan still hasn't publicly named a starting quarterback.

 

Because they've mismanaged the quarterback situation, it's hard to believe the Jets will successfully navigate a rebuilding year. Ryan provided a rare moment of candor late Thursday night after the preseason finale. He was asked about the prospects this season, and the man who once guaranteed Super Bowls responded this way:

 

 

"You want your whole to be greater than the sum of its parts, and I think that our team is. We're going to need to be. We recognize that."

 

 

Translation: My new general manager stripped down my roster, and I'm gonna have to coach my butt off to compensate for the lack of talent.

 

 

My, how times have changed. Ryan was asked the same question a year ago and he created a headline, saying it had the potential to be his best team. It was a fairly bold statement, considering he coached the AFC runners-up in 2009 and 2010.

 

 

Ryan probably should stay out of the predictions business, although he was dead-on with his assessment of the current situation. It will take collective overachievement for the Jets to matter this season. Historically, they do better when expectations are low -- but how can you trust a team that sabotaged itself at quarterback?

 

 

The tumult and uncertainty have created a bad vibe about this team, although guard Willie Colon insisted there's no concern.

 

 

"We have everything we need to get it done, whoever the quarterback is," said Colon, already emerging as a team leader in his first summer with the Jets. "He's just going to join the wave and, hopefully, lead us. But we have enough experience and firepower that we can win games."

 

 

But there are other issues as well.

 

 

Wide receiver Santonio Holmes is a question mark because of his foot. Running back Chris Ivory, lagging behind because of a hamstring injury, got only 14 carries in the preseason. Linebacker Quinton Coples, one of the keys to a revamped defense, will be sidelined a few weeks with a fractured ankle. Rookie cornerback Dee Milliner, projected as a starter, hasn't played in two weeks.

 

 

Expectations haven't been this low since 2006, when Eric Mangini inherited a 4-12 team from Herm Edwards. Led by a revitalized Chad Pennington, the Jets went 10-6 and made the playoffs. That team truly was greater than the sum of its parts, sneaking past some quality opponents.

 

 

"The worst thing a team can do is use that expression, 'sneak up on people,'" Colon said. "We have to believe. One fight, one mission. If we're able to do that, the naysayers will shut up."

 

 

Doubtful.

[T0mShane]

***SPARKNOTES VERSION***

Mark Sanchez stinks and everybody knows it and he would have been justifiably cut if it weren't for the cap hit, but OMG THE STUPID JETS ARE MOTIVATED TO REPLACE MARK SANCHEZ AND GIVE HIS JOB TO SOMEONE ELSE EXVEPT THEY WOULD HAVE STARTED MARK SANCHEZ IN THE OPENER SO IT'S ALL SO CONFUSING.

[jack48]

the mistake was using the word "competition" in the first place.  We all love the word, and we know that guys compete every summer for jobs but Sanchez had a record of failure and should have been pushed to the side.  The best strategy is to start Geno, see if he has possibilities.  If not, draft a QB next year and keep Geno as a backup.

[Larz]

subjective translations to fit your narrative when you don't have any real quotes and the mcelrat is gone

 

typical garbage

 

sad thing is this will be what you hear on sports radio for the next few days

 

I'm almost looking forward to the circus moving onto holmes not playing because he doesn't feel like it

[JoeWillie]

Duhhhh ... if it were truly an open competition, Matt Simms would be starting on September 8th. 

[flgreen]

Source: Jets were leaning toward Mark before injury

 

By BRIAN COSTELLO

 

Last Updated: 2:11 AM, September 1, 2013

 

Posted:  1:29 AM, September 1, 2013

 

Jets Blog

 

 

     

 

The Jets expect Geno Smith to start next week against the Buccaneers and are now adjusting their mind-sets he will be their starter going forward.

 

 

According to a source, the Jets’ brass was leaning toward Mark Sanchez before he injured his shoulder, but now believe they must go forward with Smith unless he is a total failure early in the season.

 

 

There have been multiple reports about Jets decision-makers preferring Smith regardless of the injury, but a source said those reports are “totally made up.”

 

 

The competition between Sanchez and Smith was close all summer, according to a person familiar with the Jets’ thinking. Smith came on strong early in training camp, but the Jets still started Sanchez in the first preseason game, an indication they were not ready to name Smith the starter. Smith injured his ankle in that game against the Lions and then regressed while dealing with the injury.

 

 

 

TOP GUN: Geno Smith will be the Jets’ starting quarterback, according to a source who said the team had wanted to keep Mark Sanchez in that role, but circumstances changed after the incumbent’s shoulder injury.

 

Neil Miller

 

 

TOP GUN: Geno Smith will be the Jets’ starting quarterback, according to a source who said the team had wanted to keep Mark Sanchez in that role, but circumstances changed after the incumbent’s shoulder injury.

 

 

Against the Giants last week, Sanchez appeared to have won the job until he injured his shoulder in the fourth quarter when Rex Ryan inexplicably put him in the game behind the second-team offensive line.

 

 

It has become clear in the last week Sanchez is highly unlikely to play next week against the Buccaneers, according to a source. He has not been cleared to throw yet and there is a chance that clearance won’t come until next week or the week after, meaning Sanchez would not be ready to play until Week 3 against the Bills.

 

 

Inside the Jets’ sanctum, they know they cannot start Smith for one or two games and then switch to Sanchez unless the rookie is a total disaster. Therefore, the Jets’ staff is figuring Smith is going to be its long-term quarterback. But sources say that decision was brought on by Sanchez’s injury, not because the staff had a preference for Smith. Those internal conversations on who won the quarterback competition never occurred because Sanchez’s injury decided it.

 

 

If Smith is able to hold onto the job, Sanchez may have played his last game as a Jet. The team is expected to release him after this season. Sanchez will make $8.25 million — a huge sum of money to pay a backup — a number that makes him virtually untradeable.

 

 

The Jets kept Sanchez this season largely because he had such a big guaranteed salary. They signed veteran David Garrard and drafted Smith in the second round of April’s draft to compete for the starting job with Sanchez. Garrard retired in May before the competition even began.

 

 

Sanchez and Smith have gone back and forth all summer without much separation until Smith threw three interceptions in the first half against the Giants. His poor showing seemed to give Sanchez the job, but Ryan put Sanchez into the meaningless game behind a line made up of bottom-of-the-roster players. Giants defensive tackle Marvin Austin delivered a crushing hit on Sanchez, who suffered a deep shoulder bruise as well as some other damage that has not been disclosed.

 

 

brian.costello@nypost.com

[Larz]

"There have been multiple reports about Jets decision-makers preferring Smith regardless of the injury, but a source said those reports are “totally made up.”

 

 

 

but you should like totally believe the reports I write.....lol

 

 

hey manish, take that !!!!!

 

[flgreen]

OK

 

So who's source is lying, Mehta's Cimini's or Costello's?   

 

Any one else think that McElroy is having some fun and telling them all something different on his way out of town?

[T0mShane]

If Mark was going to start Week One before the injury, then how bad was this "fix"?

[SayNoToDMC]

***SPARKNOTES VERSION***

Mark Sanchez stinks and everybody knows it and he would have been justifiably cut if it weren't for the cap hit, but OMG THE STUPID JETS ARE MOTIVATED TO REPLACE MARK SANCHEZ AND GIVE HIS JOB TO SOMEONE ELSE EXVEPT THEY WOULD HAVE STARTED MARK SANCHEZ IN THE OPENER SO IT'S ALL SO CONFUSING.

Can you do this for all Manish and Cimini articles? I can never get very far into them before I quit

[T0mShane]

Can you do this for all Manish and Cimini articles? I can never get very far into them before I quit

I'll do my best

[Larz]

If Mark was going to start Week One before the injury, then how bad was this "fix"?

 

evil accountant idzik was manipulating sanchez' emotions to improve his play for his own selfish  purposes against his HC's wishes and LIED to the fans.

 

he's a jerk

 

oh wait, it's all made up nonsense, carry on

[faba]

Geez

Start anybody at QB and start the season-I am sick of all these speculative nonsense- we know Mark is not our future with certainty

[CTM]

"There have been multiple reports about Jets decision-makers preferring Smith regardless of the injury, but a source said those reports are “totally made up.”

 

 

 

 

Of course they are fake, screw the sources... what makes the most sense given what we know. They were planning on starting Geno since early in camp came out yesterday...  but gave Mark the first preseason start and then had him with the ones for the next few practices after that game? Nonsense  This was Consuela's job and the injury has changed that, it's the only thing that make sense. 

[HessStation]

subjective translations to fit your narrative when you don't have any real quotes and the mcelrat is gone

typical garbage

sad thing is this will be what you hear on sports radio for the next few days

I'm almost looking forward to the circus moving onto holmes not playing because he doesn't feel like it

This.

[kelticwizard]

Source: Jets were leaning toward Mark before injury

 

By BRIAN COSTELLO

 

Inside the Jets’ sanctum, they know they cannot start Smith for one or two games and then switch to Sanchez unless the rookie is a total disaster. Therefore, the Jets’ staff is figuring Smith is going to be its long-term quarterback. But sources say that decision was brought on by Sanchez’s injury, not because the staff had a preference for Smith. Those internal conversations on who won the quarterback competition never occurred because Sanchez’s injury decided it.

 

Pretty obvious that's what happened.

 

There was no increase in support for Geno by anybody.  Probably just a realization that once the change is made, it is risky to the rookie's confidence to pull him out.

[MexiRoll6]

Guys, Rex Ryan has messed up the Jets QB situation since the day the team drafted Sanchez. Mike Lupica had a great column on Eli Manning where he compares situations. Eli had a classy organization and solid coaching behind him, with a team that drafted and picked up weapons for him while Sanchez had Rex - he of the all knowing defensive mind and the know nothing offensive mind. Three OC's later and Sanchez is out. Rex has got to go after this season. Rex boasted and bragged and shot off his mouff like a drunken lout for three years and produced nothing and allowed his "franchise QB" to slide into an abyss of turnovers because of sh*t WR's and linemen who couldn't block my grandmother. What is making me even more pi$$ed is that Rex's defense STILL can't stop the freakin run despite first round picks GALORE on a three man line. Pitiful.

[JoeWillie]

Guys, Rex Ryan has messed up the Jets QB situation since the day the team drafted Sanchez. Mike Lupica had a great column on Eli Manning where he compares situations. Eli had a classy organization and solid coaching behind him, with a team that drafted and picked up weapons for him while Sanchez had Rex - he of the all knowing defensive mind and the know nothing offensive mind. Three OC's later and Sanchez is out. Rex has got to go after this season. Rex boasted and bragged and shot off his mouff like a drunken lout for three years and produced nothing and allowed his "franchise QB" to slide into an abyss of turnovers because of sh*t WR's and linemen who couldn't block my grandmother. What is making me even more pi$$ed is that Rex's defense STILL can't stop the freakin run despite first round picks GALORE on a three man line. Pitiful.

100% spot on.

 

This organization is a joke.

[slats]

Of course they are fake, screw the sources... what makes the most sense given what we know. They were planning on starting Geno since early in camp came out yesterday...  but gave Mark the first preseason start and then had him with the ones for the next few practices after that game? Nonsense  This was Consuela's job and the injury has changed that, it's the only thing that make sense.

The only reason Sanchez was with the ones after that game was because Geno got hurt. The competition was close, so giving the incumbent the first preseason start is the expected thing to do. The plan all along (according to many reports) was to have Geno start the second the game and for the team to make a decision from there. Geno's rolled ankle twisted that plan.

Could be that Rex was hoping Geno would start and play decently against Jax so he could name him the starter. That's plausible. Once that didn't happen, though, they should've abandoned the competition altogether. Give the job (temporarily) to Sanchez, give him the tune up against the jints. Give Geno the third quarter of that game and half the Eagle game, just to get him some reps and the staff some looks. Instead, they cluster****ed the whole thing up by extending a competition that should've been over, and getting Sanchez hurt in a hard to defend fashion.

[flgreen]

Pretty obvious that's what happened.

 

There was no increase in support for Geno by anybody.  Probably just a realization that once the change is made, it is risky to the rookie's confidence to pull him out.

  Yeah I agree

 

Think we'll see Sanchez again before it's over though.  If Idzik is really down on Sanchez maybe Simms.  Simms won't happen though until the season is lost

[JohnnyLV]

The only reason Sanchez was with the ones after that game was because Geno got hurt. The competition was close, so giving the incumbent the first preseason start is the expected thing to do. The plan all along (according to many reports) was to have Geno start the second the game and for the team to make a decision from there. Geno's rolled ankle twisted that plan.

Could be that Rex was hoping Geno would start and play decently against Jax so he could name him the starter. That's plausible. Once that didn't happen, though, they should've abandoned the competition altogether. Give the job (temporarily) to Sanchez, give him the tune up against the jints. Give Geno the third quarter of that game and half the Eagle game, just to get him some reps and the staff some looks. Instead, they cluster****ed the whole thing up by extending a competition that should've been over, and getting Sanchez hurt in a hard to defend fashion.

 

 

No scenario should have given the job to Sanchez. The Jets likely did the right thing, but even though he played well and better than Sanchez, his three interceptions make his performance "bad" and the Jets look bad "giving" the job to Geno. Reality is that Geno should have been names starter on Day 1 of TC. "Competition" at the QB position is idiotic. You need to be all in on a QB, until he proves he is not the guy and then you move on. No yo-yo ing back and forth.

[Thor99]

Guys, Rex Ryan has messed up the Jets QB situation since the day the team drafted Sanchez. Mike Lupica had a great column on Eli Manning where he compares situations. Eli had a classy organization and solid coaching behind him, with a team that drafted and picked up weapons for him while Sanchez had Rex - he of the all knowing defensive mind and the know nothing offensive mind. Three OC's later and Sanchez is out. Rex has got to go after this season. Rex boasted and bragged and shot off his mouff like a drunken lout for three years and produced nothing and allowed his "franchise QB" to slide into an abyss of turnovers because of sh*t WR's and linemen who couldn't block my grandmother. What is making me even more pi$$ed is that Rex's defense STILL can't stop the freakin run despite first round picks GALORE on a three man line. Pitiful.

 

 

50 turnovers are totally Rex's fault.  I'm with you..

[Lupz27]

Pretty obvious that's what happened.

There was no increase in support for Geno by anybody. Probably just a realization that once the change is made, it is risky to the rookie's confidence to pull him out.

I'm so sick of this sh*t, can't pull this guy, or start this guy over him because you don't want to shake this guys confidence blah blah blah, **** that if your a pussy who can't handle a cold smack of reality, or have the unshakeable confidence to have the attitude of they think this guy is better than me, **** them that's BS I'm gonna work 10x's harder to show them I'm the man for the job, then get the **** out, you don't belong as a starting QB in the toughest sport in America not just physically, but mentally also plain, and simple.

I know we all hate Brady, but how come he didn't have is confidence rattled every time he got taken out for D Henson undeservedly, instead using it as fuel to prove everyone wrong, and work that much harder, just like D Marino when he was ******* livid as he watched 5 guys who he knew couldn't hold his jock strap get drafted before him, how come he didn't grow a vagina, and suck, instead he had that fire grow in his stomach, and worked even harder to prove everyone wrong. This is what the greats do, even the above average, if Geno, or anyone else isn't willing to work harder to prove he should be QB1 no matter the circumstances whether losing the QB comp, or getting pulled week 3 then good riddance, and draft a QB until you find that QB with IT!

[dbatesman]

its not fair

[kelticwizard]

I'm so sick of this sh*t, can't pull this guy, or start this guy over him because you don't want to shake this guys confidence blah blah blah, **** that if your a pussy who can't handle a cold smack of reality, or have the unshakeable confidence to have the attitude of they think this guy is better than me, **** them that's BS I'm gonna work 10x's harder to show them I'm the man for the job, then get the **** out, you don't belong as a starting QB in the toughest sport in America not just physically, but mentally also plain, and simple.

 

 

Playing QB is a developmental process, and growing confidence is part of that process.  The quarterback must believe in himself, then the team must believe in him.  There is no other position like it.

 

Eli sucked his first few years and could easily have been pulled, but the Giants stuck with him and got two Super Bowls out of it.

 

You get into a situation where one QB starts a few games, sucks, then a second QB starts a few games, also sucks, then a third QB comes in then you know it's time to fire the coach, general manager and entire organization and replace them with competent people who understand how to build a team.