With the Denver Broncos, Eric Decker caught eight touchdown passes from quarterback Tim Tebow. According to the New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, if Decker can do that then he can do anything. Putting aside the low-blow shot Ryan took at his former quarterback, the head coach is trying to downplay the recent questioning of Decker's ability to be a No. 1 wide receiver for a team. Geno Smith and Michael Vick are no Peyton Manning, but Ryan is confident his star free agent quiets the doubts.
"Clearly, he is going to be a go-to guy," Ryan said, via Newsday. "We know what we're getting. This is going to be a guy that you can get him the ball in critical situations. He did catch eight touchdown passes when [Tim] Tebow was the quarterback. Hey, that's pretty impressive."
Decker signed a five-year, $36.25 million contract to be the leading receiver after a standout season with the Denver Broncos. Thanks to a lack of talent in the wide receiver corps, all of the attention will be on Decker and the Jets are hoping he can step up to the challenge. He did put up 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, but many believe those stats were inflated since Manning was throwing him the 87 passes. Can he repeat things with two quarterbacks that are not exactly league MVPs?
"I think Decker has been great," said Vick, who also signed a free-agent deal this offseason. "He's had an opportunity to work with the 'ones.' Him and Geno have had a lot of reps and work with him in the one-on-ones. He's doing a great job. He's everything as advertised."
Vick is hoping he can contribute to that success. The quarterback signed to the Jets under the impression that the quarterback competition was wide open and he would have a chance to get under center at some point this season. However, Vick is starting to see the writing on the wall and realizing that he is the second-team quarterback while Smith remains the first. Ryan continues to stress that there is a quarterback competition, but Vick does not see it that way.
"Nah, it's not an open competition," Vick said, via ESPNNewYork.com.
Smith is staying far away from the discussion of starting quarterbacks. He is saying all the right things to the media and not feeding into the hype. According to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, Smith has not been available for interviews since OTAs began because he does not want to be asked about the battle with Vick. No matter what, it is the New York Jets and a quarterback competition appears to be their favorite thing so Smith will not be able to avoid the discussion forever.
