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It remains to be seen how the Jets’ new brass is going to do, but based on some of their recent statements, Jets fans should feel a little better about the direction and mindset of the new football chiefs . . .
When asked about the quarterback position at the combine, the respective answers of Jets GM Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles were salient.
The days of handing people jobs, based on pedigree, seem to be over.
Maccagnan was asked for his views of Geno Smith and the quarterback position, and he said, “We’re actively looking at pro free agency and college. We would like to increase the competition at that position.”
Hear, hear.
No question Smith should be able to compete for the job.
While he was wildly inconsistent his first two years, what did people expect? He was a project rushed into action by the previous regime.
Perhaps that trial-by-fire his first two years will serve him well in Year Three. Bill Parcells always felt the third year was the “put up or shut up” year for young prospects.
So there is nothing wrong with him competing for the job.
But the Jets need to sign a veteran (maybe Brian Hoyer or Tyler Thigpen) and draft a quarterback, and have a legitimate competition. Not a window-dressing competition like last year, with the powers-that-be redefining what the word “competition” means, but real competition.
To this day, I don’t understand what happened to John Idzik from his time in Seattle to his time with the Jets. There might not be another organization in football that stresses roster competition more than the Seahawks. No coach-GM tandem has turned over their roster as much as Pete Carroll and John Schneider over the time they have lorded over the Seahawks. Every day in practice is a big-time competition.
Idzik came to the Jets from an organization steeped in competition, and talked about the importance of the concept, but didn’t see it through.
Reading the tea leaves, I honestly believe this brass is going to see it through.
Todd Bowles was asked a trap question (common on this beat) at the combine – “If you had to guess, would Geno be your starting quarterback heading into training camp?”
Bowles: “I don’t have to guess.”
Good for him. Shut down this nonsense from the get-go.
Last year, a writer asked Rex Ryan, during a rough patch of the season for Smith, “will Geno Smith finish the (next) game?”
Childish.
Why answer this kind of stuff?
As for the question about whether Geno will be the starting quarterback entering camp, how can you answer that when you don’t even know who is going to be competing with Smith for the job yet?
Todd, keep your guard up. Trap questions are aplenty on this beat from certain writers (not all).
I know it’s early, but I respect where these guys are coming from so far.
It looks like real competition has finally arrived in Florham Park.
March 2, 2015
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