Eric Decker learned what life is like when he is not playing with Peyton Manning as the wide receiver had a quiet season debut with the New York Jets. Decker was the team's big free agent signing last year, but a lack of talent around him kept his numbers at bay for the season. Now Decker is looking for much better results in his second season as Brandon Marshall joins the team with an improved Geno Smith.
Decker put up 962 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games. He struggled through hamstring issues while getting double-teamed from defenses each week. His production dipped at the end of the season the performance from the offensive line and quarterback struggled. He failed to get downfield and be the deep-threat weapon Smith needed. However, all of that is expected to change.
According to the New York Post, Decker is poised for a breakout season in 2015 thanks to the arrivals of both Marshall and rookie Devin Smith. Having a quality second receiver on the team is expected to do wonders for Decker's numbers, bringing him back into single coverage and allowing him to get downfield more. Smith is expected to contend for the starting role while Jeremy Kerley and Jace Amaro work in as well.
Decker believes 2015 will be a good year mainly because of the progress of Smith. The wide receiver took time to defend his quarterback as he prepares to enter a competition in training camp.
"It's frustrating because I see him working on a daily basis,'' Decker said, via the New York Post. "If he was a guy that didn't put in the work, didn't care about getting better and doing the right thing and caring about his teammates, then I wouldn't care as much. No one really understands what goes on behind closed doors during the week and stuff -- the preparation, the work put in from everyone. So to paint somebody or to say (negative) things like that, they just don't know. I'd like to see them in his shoes or our shoes, period. Obviously, this is entertainment, people pay to see us play, people are really invested, and I respect that . . . but just understand that this guy is a normal guy who's trying to do his best. Why have such hateful thoughts?''
Smith is competing with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bryce Petty for more than just the Week 1 starting spot. Smith is on thin ice with the team as he enters his third season. The Jets are going to have to make some hard decisions about whether or not he truly is the quarterback of the future. If Smith were to struggle again with all of these weapons around him, someone like Petty could begin being groomed for the future while Fitzpatrick takes the starting spot.
