The New York Jets are just loving the 2013 season. After a drama-filled offseason and an injury to Mark Sanchez, things continue to get worse. The Jets continue to face questions at the quarterback position as Geno Smith shows rookie struggles on the field, leaving Rex Ryan to downplay anymore potential drama building around the team.
Last Sunday was not kind to Smith. A week after he led the Jets to a late-game win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had a meltdown in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots. The rookie threw three interceptions to have the Jets their first loss. While Smith no longer has to compete with Sanchez for the starting job, Ryan has yet to give the quarterback his full vote of confidence. Many questioned whether or not Matt Simms could see time as a starter. Ryan is once again staying vague.
"I think there's a lot of guys that like Simms. I don't think there's any doubt," Ryan said, via New York Dailey News. "But to say as our starting quarterback? I don't see that. But again, I'm obviously not saying that that couldn't happen, or whatever, but we see Geno as our starting quarterback now and that's how we see it."
When pressed more by the media about the chances of Simms starting if Smith continues to struggle, Ryan simply said that he did not want to get into that right now. He does not want to put that idea in Smith's head going into a game. While Ryan did not say Smith would be the starter for the rest of the season, he at least showed a little more support for the rookie than normal.
While Smith is excited to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, the rookie would appreciate a kind word or two from his head coach towards the media. Ryan continues to address the right now instead of the future, leaving the quarterback to wonder just how much his job is secure.
"But in this situation, you gotta play the cards that you're dealt. In my own personal time here, I think I've been treated fairly well, and I think I've been given a great chance, a great opportunity. And I got an opportunity this week once again to prove myself," Smith said, via ESPNNewYork.com.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report that if Smith struggled, the Jets would not hesitate to replace him. Simms has looked strong in practice for the Jets despite not ever playing in a regular season game. Smith understands that the reporters are doing their job, but he continues to try and stay focused on his play instead of the rumors.
