Rex Can't Be Afraid to Bench Smith

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Rex can’t be afraid to bench Smith for Simms

By George Willis

October 1, 2013 | 12:28am

 

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Geno Smith loses the football during Sunday's loss to the Titans.

Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

 

Here’s where the great divide could begin: the place where a coach who needs to win now bumps heads with a general manager whose eye is on building a team for the future.

 

Less than 24 hours after Geno Smith’s four turnovers cost the Jets any chance of beating the Titans Sunday in Nashville, Tenn., Rex Ryan reaffirmed the rookie will remain the starting quarterback for Monday night’s game at Atlanta. Though insisting Smith must “do a much better job,” Ryan gave no indication he’s thinking of benching Smith should the second-round draft pick duplicate Sunday’s disaster, when his two interceptions and two fumbles handed the Titans 28 points in their 38-13 victory over the Jets.

 

No doubt, Smith will be told over and over again this week to protect the football. But the message hasn’t gotten through thus far. He is responsible for 11 of the Jets 12 turnovers with eight interceptions and three lost fumbles. If he starts to give the ball away again against the Falcons, Ryan can’t be afraid to bench Smith and give Matt Simms a shot to provide a spark and try to win a game.

 

The switch doesn’t have to be permanent, and Geno Smith isn’t so fragile or entitled that he can’t be benched.

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Rex Ryan is sticking with his rookie quarterback.

But here’s where the great divide comes in.

At 2-2, the Jets still have a season, still have a chance to finish 8-8 or better and maybe salvage Ryan’s job for another season. But that might mean making a switch at quarterback if Smith’s turnovers continue. Ryan needs to win games now — not necessarily develop a quarterback that can be good in 2014 or 2015.

 

But that thinking could conflict with general manager John Idzik who likely prefers to keep Smith as the starting quarterback to work though his problems and gain the kind of experience that only comes from being on the field.

 

Idzik’s thinking might serve the long-term interests of Smith and the Jets. But that may not help Ryan keep his job in the short-term if Smith’s turnovers produce a 7-9 or 6-10 finish. Many more games like the one Smith had in Nashville, and Ryan might as well get his resume ready.

 

Four games into the season and the quarterback situation is still a headache for Ryan. First, it became clear he didn’t have full say on who the starting quarterback would be when Smith and Mark Sanchez were initially competing for the job during training camp.

 

Then, Ryan took the blame for getting Sanchez injured by putting him behind an inexperienced offensive line in the fourth quarter of a meaningless preseason game against the Giants. Sanchez, a fifth-year veteran who might have given the Jets the best chance to win this season, is now on injured reserve and contemplating shoulder surgery.

 

Smith, meanwhile, won the job by default but might be too much of a liability to keep on the field. At this rate, it won’t be long before the defense starts pointing fingers at the offense.

 

Ryan said on Monday benching Smith is “not a thought at this point right now.” But it should be if things go bad early against the Falcons. If Smith keeps turning over the ball, Ryan should give Simms a shot.

 

His fiery attitude might create the kind of spark the Jets need. He’s a streaky player who learned to have thick skin from the taunts he took growing up the son of Giants quarterback Phil Simms.

“Those experiences have made me a stronger man,” Matt Simms said on Monday. “I learned a lot of lessons the hard way from him.”

 

Sanchez, who like Smith became a starter as a rookie, wasn’t threatened with being benched until his confidence was shattered late last season. He was coddled and entitled. He never faced tough love until it was too late. The Jets shouldn’t make the same mistake with Smith. Players are benched all the time for poor performance. It should apply to the quarterback as well.

 

[MexiRoll6]

Rex can’t be afraid to bench Smith for Simms

By George Willis

October 1, 2013 | 12:28am

 

Modal Trigger

 

 

Geno Smith loses the football during Sunday's loss to the Titans.

Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

 

Here’s where the great divide could begin: the place where a coach who needs to win now bumps heads with a general manager whose eye is on building a team for the future.

 

Less than 24 hours after Geno Smith’s four turnovers cost the Jets any chance of beating the Titans Sunday in Nashville, Tenn., Rex Ryan reaffirmed the rookie will remain the starting quarterback for Monday night’s game at Atlanta. Though insisting Smith must “do a much better job,” Ryan gave no indication he’s thinking of benching Smith should the second-round draft pick duplicate Sunday’s disaster, when his two interceptions and two fumbles handed the Titans 28 points in their 38-13 victory over the Jets.

 

No doubt, Smith will be told over and over again this week to protect the football. But the message hasn’t gotten through thus far. He is responsible for 11 of the Jets 12 turnovers with eight interceptions and three lost fumbles. If he starts to give the ball away again against the Falcons, Ryan can’t be afraid to bench Smith and give Matt Simms a shot to provide a spark and try to win a game.

 

The switch doesn’t have to be permanent, and Geno Smith isn’t so fragile or entitled that he can’t be benched.

Modal Trigger

Rex Ryan is sticking with his rookie quarterback.

But here’s where the great divide comes in.

At 2-2, the Jets still have a season, still have a chance to finish 8-8 or better and maybe salvage Ryan’s job for another season. But that might mean making a switch at quarterback if Smith’s turnovers continue. Ryan needs to win games now — not necessarily develop a quarterback that can be good in 2014 or 2015.

 

But that thinking could conflict with general manager John Idzik who likely prefers to keep Smith as the starting quarterback to work though his problems and gain the kind of experience that only comes from being on the field.

 

Idzik’s thinking might serve the long-term interests of Smith and the Jets. But that may not help Ryan keep his job in the short-term if Smith’s turnovers produce a 7-9 or 6-10 finish. Many more games like the one Smith had in Nashville, and Ryan might as well get his resume ready.

 

Four games into the season and the quarterback situation is still a headache for Ryan. First, it became clear he didn’t have full say on who the starting quarterback would be when Smith and Mark Sanchez were initially competing for the job during training camp.

 

Then, Ryan took the blame for getting Sanchez injured by putting him behind an inexperienced offensive line in the fourth quarter of a meaningless preseason game against the Giants. Sanchez, a fifth-year veteran who might have given the Jets the best chance to win this season, is now on injured reserve and contemplating shoulder surgery.

 

Smith, meanwhile, won the job by default but might be too much of a liability to keep on the field. At this rate, it won’t be long before the defense starts pointing fingers at the offense.

 

Ryan said on Monday benching Smith is “not a thought at this point right now.” But it should be if things go bad early against the Falcons. If Smith keeps turning over the ball, Ryan should give Simms a shot.

 

His fiery attitude might create the kind of spark the Jets need. He’s a streaky player who learned to have thick skin from the taunts he took growing up the son of Giants quarterback Phil Simms.

“Those experiences have made me a stronger man,” Matt Simms said on Monday. “I learned a lot of lessons the hard way from him.”

 

Sanchez, who like Smith became a starter as a rookie, wasn’t threatened with being benched until his confidence was shattered late last season. He was coddled and entitled. He never faced tough love until it was too late. The Jets shouldn’t make the same mistake with Smith. Players are benched all the time for poor performance. It should apply to the quarterback as well.

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All well and good George but this is the Rex Ryan Jets we are talking about here and personally I could give a rats a$$ if Rex keeps his job. I thought Rex should have pulled Smith after his around the butt fumble. This guy Geno is a fumble machine as surely as Mark Sanchez tossed ints to d-linemen and doesn't seem to have learned very much since. If I were Rex (Thank God I'm not, I would hate to suck toes) I would bench him the first turnover he creates. He can always go back to him later, but I think Jets fans had better get used to seeing the ball on the ground as Geno will not be taken out until at least week 12.

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Will Geno Smith Be Forced Into A Shootout With Matt Ryan?

 

 

October 1, 2013 8:00 AM

 

 

 

By Tyson Rauch

 

 

On Monday night the New York Jets (2-2) go on the road to take on the Atlanta Falcons (1-3) at the Georgia Dome. The Jets are coming off of an embarrassing loss to the Tennessee Titans while the Falcons late-game heroics were not enough against the Patriots. This is clearly going to be a hotly contested game between two teams that are desperate to get back to their winning ways.

 

 

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on September 22, 2013 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Falcons 27-23. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

 

Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons (Credit, Marc Serota/Getty Images)

 

 

Air Ryan

 

 

The Atlanta Falcons offense has developed into a dynamic passing attack engineered by quarterback Matt Ryan. The Atlanta signal caller is averaging 316 yards a game passing, ranked fourth in the NFL. Ryan is surrounded by several talented playmakers including Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, and Harry Douglas.

 

 

In order to disrupt the Falcons explosive passing attack the Jets must generate a consistent, aggressive pass rush. The unit’s goal will be to move Ryan around the pocket to prevent the quarterback from making big plays down the field. One of the biggest keys for the Jets will be to contain tight end Tony Gonzalez who has emerged as a reliable safety valve for Matt Ryan. Gang Green’s linebackers and safeties must remain physical with Gonzalez and eliminate the yards after the catch. Keep an eye on the match-up between Julio Jones (33 catches, 481 receiving yards, 2 tds) and Antonio Cromartie as it features two of the fastest players on the field. Cromartie is off to a slow start for Gang Green and will be quickly exposed if he remains soft in coverage.

 

 

Running game grounded

 

 

The Falcons rushing attack has struggled (ranked 24th in the NFL) with Steven Jackson missing time due to an injury. Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling have been filling in for Jackson with mixed results. On paper the New York Jets fifth-ranked rush defense, which only yields 82 yards a game, should be able to shut down the Atlanta ground game.

 

 

 

 

Spotlight on Geno

 

 

The Atlanta Falcons defense has been very good against the run, limiting opponents to an average of 92 yards a game, which ranks sixth in the NFL. This is bad news for the Jets, a team that is hoping to establish a ground attack in order to take some pressure off of rookie quarterback Geno Smith.

 

 

Running back Bilal Powell has been excellent for New York as he is tied for first in the AFC with 292 rushing yards. Mike Goodson who is scheduled to return from suspension on Sunday will support Powell. Goodson could be the explosive playmaker out of the backfield that the Jets are desperately looking for.

 

 

If Gang Green is unable to get the rushing game going they could then look to take advantage of a suspect Falcon pass defense which is ranked 26th in the National Football League. Of course this approach comes with some risk as the Jets could be without receivers Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill on Sunday due to injuries.

 

 

Tough Spot for the Jets?

 

 

The New York Jets are going into a hostile environment to play against a team that is fighting to save their season. There is going to be a ton of pressure on Geno Smith to make plays in the passing game and that has to be a concern following a four-turnover performance against Tennessee. The Jets have to find a way to put together time-consuming drives that will keep the Falcon offense off of the field and take the crowd out of the game. If the rookie quarterback struggles or continues to be reckless with the football, this could be a very long night for Gang Green.

 

 

For more Jets news and updates, visit Jets Central.

 

 

Tyson Rauch is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

[BroadwayJoe12]

In Atlanta, they're desperate coming off a big loss, on national television, playing for their season, Holmes and Hill most likely out; this isn't the best recipe for a bounce back game.  Obviously I'm rooting for a win, but I'll take a loss where more positives are had than negatives.