T0mShane 143,923 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) NY Jets are eying Bears QB Josh McCown By Manish Mehta INDIANAPOLIS – The Jets may be cautiously optimistic that Geno Smith will make strides in his second season with an upgrade of skill-position talent around him, but the organization is preparing to have a solid contingency plan in place if he falters. The Daily News has learned that the Jets are eying Bears quarterback Josh McCown in free agency to provide a viable alternative in case Smith regresses. McCown, coming off an impressive season that included five starts in relief of an injured Jay Cutler, is expected to draw a fair amount of interest when free agency begins on March 11. The Jets, who are expected to release Mark Sanchez next month, believe McCown would be a quality backup. The Jets’ brain trust never truly viewed David Garrard as a viable option when Smith struggled midway through last season. Matt Simms, the No. 2 signal-caller on the depth chart, was even less experienced than Smith. Sanchez’s impending departure has fueled speculation about possible replacements. The News has learned that a reunion between Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who worked together for four seasons in Philadelphia, is unlikely. Texans signal-caller Matt Schaub, who is expected to be released, would be a quality option, but sources told The News that he isn’t interested in being Smith’s backup. McCown, who will turn 35 this summer, boosted his stock with a 109.0 passer rating, 13 touchdown passes and only one interception in 2013. He went 3-2 while Cutler was out with a groin injury. The 6-4, 213-pound veteran has 38 career starts for five teams in 11 seasons. McCown is expected to draw serious interest from a handful of teams. McCown, in many ways, makes sense for a team bent on giving Smith every chance to be the Week 1 starter in 2014. With Ryan coaching for his job (given his de facto one-year contract extension last month), the Jets will not hesitate to pull the plug on Smith during the season if the team’s decision-makers believe he isn’t the guy to lead them into the future. Smith’s improved ball security late in the season – he committed only three of his 25 turnovers in the final five games – has given the organization reason for optimism. The consensus among the team’s decision-makers is that Smith has the ability to take the next step with an improved cast around him on offense. To that end, the Jets will make a push to improve the skill positions in free agency and the draft. Geno Smith’s improved ball security late in the season has given the Jets reason for optimism. However, they’re going to make sure they have a legitimate veteran quarterback that can be a short-term solution if Smith regresses. On the surface, Sanchez may actually be the Jets’ best option, but people in the organization don’t believe that general manager John Idzik wants any part of Round 2 of Sanchez vs. Smith. By any objective measure, Sanchez beat out Smith in the preseason competition last summer before the fifth-year quarterback suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the second half of the third preseason game. People in the organization believe that Idzik has little to gain and plenty to lose if Sanchez, who was drafted by Idzik’s predecessor, Mike Tannenbaum, outshines his own second-round pick in the preseason again. “John can’t have Sanchez succeed (as a member of the Jets),” said a team insider. Sanchez is expected to be released before his $2 million roster bonus is due in late March. The Sanchez camp met with the Jets on Friday at the NFL scouting combine, but the team hasn’t conveyed concrete plans for his future, according to people familiar with the meeting. Sanchez, four months removed from shoulder surgery, is throwing with “good velocity” during his rehab in Southern California, according to a source. He is scheduled to return to the Jets facility this week to be examined by team trainers. The organization would like to secure a veteran free agent quarterback before cutting ties with Sanchez, according to sources. The Jets will have more than $35 million of salary cap space after Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes are released. Idzik and Co. could draft a quarterback who needs to develop, but adding a proven veteran to protect them in case Smith isn’t the answer will be pivotal. @MMehtaNYDN Edited February 23, 2014 by T0mShane Quote Link to post Share on other sites
T0mShane 143,923 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 http://m.nydailynews.com/1.1698894 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LAD_Brooklyn 1,225 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Manish Mehta makes blank predictions I tell you. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Integrity28 78,210 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Seems fairly logical that the Jets would want to bring back Smith, bring in a veteran insurance plan, and potentially draft another QB to develop (in case Smith isn't the future). That said, logical personnel strategy and the Jets aren't usually closely associated with each other. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
New York Mick 95,867 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 There's no way they'll do that, there would be a real QB competition and why the hell would a QB want to come here? It's a death sentence unless they improve the line and get receivers and TEs that can get open and catch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joewillie78 25 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Great article. Sanchez : ADIOS McCown QBR: 109 Smith QBR: 65 Hmmm........ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
T0mShane 143,923 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 There's no way they'll do that, there would be a real QB competition and why the hell would a QB want to come here? It's a death sentence unless they improve the line and get receivers and TEs that can get open and catch. A QB like McCown would come here because he knows 1. He'll get paid and 2. He can start. There aren't a lot of other franchises out there that have such a vulnerable incumbent and a coach that plays to win games 17-13. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
New York Mick 95,867 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 (edited) A QB like McCown would come here because he knows 1. He'll get paid and 2. He can start. There aren't a lot of other franchises out there that have such a vulnerable incumbent and a coach that plays to win games 17-13. But it would help the team if he came here so I'm being negative that way I don't get let down when he signs with Jacksonville or Minnesota or Cleveland or Houston or an arena team. Edited February 23, 2014 by New York Mick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
T0mShane 143,923 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 But it would help the team if he came here so I'm being negative that way I don't get let down when he signs with Jacksonville or Minnesota Haha. If it's any consolation, signing McCown is bad for the Jets long-term. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joewillie78 25 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 But it would help the team if he came here so I'm being negative that way I don't get let down when he signs with Jacksonville or Minnesota or Cleveland or Houston or an arena team. We can still get MIKE. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyCarl40 53,356 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Unfortunately for McCown, the Jets don't have Forte, Marshall or Jeffrey. Also, unfortunate that he's not good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
faba 118,346 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 “John can’t have Sanchez succeed (as a member of the Jets),” said a team insider. No problem with that Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gastineau Lives 10,086 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 We can still get MIKE. The New York Daily News reports the Jets are "unlikely" to sign free agent Michael Vick. In the event Matt Schaub is released by the Texans, he's not expected to be interested in signing with the Jets as Geno Smith's backup. Vick has a history with Jets OC Marty Mornhinweg, as the two worked together in Philadelphia for four seasons. Vick is easily the top free-agent quarterback on the market and should find a team willing to give him a legitimate shot at a starting job Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Larz 73,459 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 no way ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joewillie78 25 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 The New York Daily News reports the Jets are "unlikely" to sign free agent Michael Vick. In the event Matt Schaub is released by the Texans, he's not expected to be interested in signing with the Jets as Geno Smith's backup. Vick has a history with Jets OC Marty Mornhinweg, as the two worked together in Philadelphia for four seasons. Vick is easily the top free-agent quarterback on the market and should find a team willing to give him a legitimate shot at a starting job If McCown and Schaub spurn the Jets, Idzik will definitely turn to Mike or Kolb, 2 QB's familiar with Marty's system. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jetfanincanada 18 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 “John can’t have Sanchez succeed (as a member of the Jets),” said a team insider. No problem with that I don't think Sanchez can possibly succeed anywhere. That said, it would be 1000X worse for Idzik and the Jets if Sanchez went somewhere else and succeeded than if he stayed here and succeeded. If the Jets are thinking like this, they have poopie for their brains. There decision should only be on whether or not Sanchez can succeed, and if he has any value for the Jets at a price he would be willing to play for. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jetsjetsjetss 110 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 mehhh mccown is to old Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thor99 410,332 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Eyeing=go after hard. Got it. You've become the channel you hate. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
T0mShane 143,923 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Eyeing=go after hard. Got it. You've become the channel you hate. I'm Lifetime? 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joewilly12 28,130 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 mehhh mccown is to old This is what the Jets due they sign old retreads and hope they somehow someway can help win games. Geno Smith is the QB he needs WRs and a decent TE to improve. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Larz 73,459 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 just end the sanchise Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thor99 410,332 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I'm Lifetime? Seems like it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slats 112,627 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 I'm Lifetime? He clearly wasn't referring to Logo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LurkerKing 144 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 “John can’t have Sanchez succeed (as a member of the Jets),” said a team insider. No problem with that This was the dumbest thing in the article. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dbatesman 49,786 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Unfortunately for McCown, the Jets don't have Forte, Marshall or Jeffrey. Also, unfortunate that he's not good. +1 I don't trust Mehta as far as I can throw him, though, so. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt39 43,932 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 2 year deal Open competition Boom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joewillie78 25 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Unfortunately for McCown, the Jets don't have Forte, Marshall or Jeffrey. Also, unfortunate that he's not good. Why can't we use the same reasoning for when McCown or any other QB that gets here, concerning our weapons, or lack there-of, that we have been using with Geno ad-nauseum? That is, that we will see a "better" Geno, because we have 12 draft picks and 50 million in cap space, and will surely surround him with better weapons than he most recently had. If this is the case, Then MCown, will have weapons similar to what he had in Chicago, or Vick similar to what he has in Philly etc. Or is it possible given our recent offensive football history, and the coaching of it, that these new weapons wont succeed in this offense, with this staff in place? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kelticwizard 10,130 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 This is the kind of BS that drives me crazy. If you want to get rid of Sanchez because you've seen enough of him and don't think he's any good-fine. Get rid of him and bring in somebody else. But getting rid of somebody because he MIGHT work out to be better than you thought and somehow that makes you look bad in some politics game? We have front office people who get upset if our players play better than they think they will? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Larz 73,459 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 This is the kind of BS that drives me crazy. If you want to get rid of Sanchez because you've seen enough of him and don't think he's any good-fine. Get rid of him and bring in somebody else. But getting rid of somebody because he MIGHT work out to be better than you thought and somehow that makes you look bad in some politics game? We have front office people who get upset if our players play better than they think they will? meh, un named "insiders" could be a ball boy , or with Mehta, just pure fabrication Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Smashmouth 14,577 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 A QB like McCown would come here because he knows 1. He'll get paid and 2. He can start. There aren't a lot of other franchises out there that have such a vulnerable incumbent and a coach that plays to win games 17-13. McCown will come here and the Jets will suddenly realize 1. He does not have Brandon Marshall 2. He does not have Alshon Jefferies and 3. He does not have Matt Forte as a check down. So what does this mean ? Forget the 109 QB rating and we're back to the 11 years 5 team scenario. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Greenseed4 6,603 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Texans signal-caller Matt Schaub, who is expected to be released, would be a quality option, but sources told The News that he isn’t interested in being Smith’s backup. What is wrong with Schaub's confidence that he doesn't feel he can beat out Geno? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joewillie78 25 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 What is wrong with Schaub's confidence that he doesn't feel he can beat out Geno? He would beat out Geno the minute he gets fitted for a Jets jersey. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NCJETSFAN 0 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 This is the kind of BS that drives me crazy. If you want to get rid of Sanchez because you've seen enough of him and don't think he's any good-fine. Get rid of him and bring in somebody else. But getting rid of somebody because he MIGHT work out to be better than you thought and somehow that makes you look bad in some politics game? We have front office people who get upset if our players play better than they think they will? I couldn't agree more !!! Your the GM make a decision that's what u get paid to do! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joewillie78 25 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 +1 I don't trust Mehta as far as I can throw him, though, so. I heard your pretty strong. How much does Mehta weigh? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
New York Mick 95,867 Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 Haha. If it's any consolation, signing McCown is bad for the Jets long-term. We've been bad for 40 plus years. I don't mind trying a new approach Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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