Geno Smith is waiting. The New York Jets quarterback entered the season as the undisputed starter, but a broken jaw knocked him out of the lineup. Now the quarterback is quickly trying to work towards his return as he participates in team drills before getting cleared for full contact. Smith's return is coming sooner rather than later which begs the question of how long the Jets will remain committed to Ryan Fitzpatrick.
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, the Jets are committed to Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback until they give him a reason not to be. So far, the veteran quarterback has done everything asked of him through two games. The Jets are clearly the best fit for Fitzpatrick after being with four teams in four years. His experience in offensive coordinator Chan Gailey's system is showing while he works with an upgraded supporting cast. It is Fitzpatrick regardless of what Smith's condition is.
CBSSports.com reports that Smith was back at practice, but not activated for Monday's game. It is unlikely he will activated in Week 4. Cimini writes that he would not be surprised if the Jets hold the quarterback out until Week 6. The Jets have a tough schedule over the next few days, but Fitzpatrick appears to be enough to get the job done.
Smith wants to start. The quarterback made it clear that he intends to fight for his spot back on the depth chart. Smith showed maturity when he told the media that right now the Jets' are Fitzpatrick's team, but he intends to compete to get it back.
"You know what? I'm on the team. The guys look at me as a leader. Whether it's my team or not, it's Woody's team. It's coach Bowles' team. And it's a trickle-down effect," said Smith via the New York Daily News. "You want to say, OK, it's Fitz's team? But that's kind of pinning me and him against each other. We're all in this thing together. It's a collective bond, and it was that way when I was projected the starter and when I got hurt it was that way. And right now it's the same way."
Fitzpatrick has the support of a Jets offense that is only getting better. However, an injury could hurt that. Eric Decker went down in Monday Night Football clutching his knee. According to Cimini Decker should be ok. The team believes it is a knee sprain, but will have the receiver undergo an MRI just to be safe. Decker told the mediat that he is not worried.
"I'm going to be smart about it this time," said Decker, via ESPN.com. "I'm not going to rush myself. Obviously, I want to be out there as soon as possible, but we're going to take the proper steps."
