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New Jersey – This isn’t Michael Vick’s first rodeo. He’s been around the NFL block many times. He knows exactly what he’s signing up for, and in his mind, it’s a good thing . . .
I was interviewed by a news website about Michael Vick signing with the Jets.
And this is what I said . . .
“He signed with the Jets because he sees a vulnerable starter he can beat out, so I’m not buying the mentoring stuff. He’s coming in because he thinks he will beat out Geno. Vick is very comfortable with the Jets offensive playbook, because he played under their current coordinator Marty Mornhinweg in Philadelphia. But the big question is can he stay healthy. He’s not a big guy, and he’s been banged up a lot in recent years. Durability is a big concern with Vick, who is now 33.”
We are going to hear a lot of happy talk over the next few months about Geno “being tough to beat out,” and this being “Geno’s team.”
But make no mistake about it, Vick came to Florham Park to start.
“I feel like I’m a legitimate starting quarterback in this league,” Vick said on SNY on Tuesday. “I feel like I can compete with the best of them. I feel like I can win football games. Yes, I’m not saying it out of arrogance, just with some mojo. I’m confident in my abilities and I could lead a football team.”
Rich Cimini wrote on the ESPN New York website today, “The organization (mainly Idzik) wants Smith to be the opening-day starter.”
That is bizarre to me.
I’m not talking about Cimini’s information, but the concept that some would want Smith to be the opening day starter.
How about wanting the guy who gives the them the best chance to win being the starter?
How about trying on that concept for size?
I’ve never understood this ego nonsense in the NFL where people put being right about draft picks, ahead of playing best players.
How does that make any sense in a sport that you are judged by wins and losses?
The Jets need to win this year after missing the playoffs three years in a row.
They need to start the player who gives them the best chance to win.
Nothing else matters.
And this brings me to DeSean Jackson.
Cimini wrote an interesting editorial for ESPN New York on the subject. Here is the beginning of that piece . . .
“It’s Week 3, and Geno Smith is struggling at quarterback. The New York Jets‘ revamped passing attack isn’t clicking, and the inevitable clamor for Michael Vick is getting louder. Moody wide receiver DeSean Jackson isn’t happy because he’s not getting enough balls, and he goes public with his preference for Vick, a close friend from their years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Match, meet Kerosene.
“KA-BOOM!
“As they mull the possibility of pursuing Jackson, whom the Eagles reportedly are willing to trade, the Jets need to take a hard look at the big picture, studying the potential impact on team chemistry.”
Do they?
Perhaps they should stay away from Jackson because of occasional attitude issues and his constant contract disputes, but Geno Smith’s feelings should not be a factor in their decision.
Jackson is an explosive player, and if they think he can help their offense, which needs more explosion, they should make a trade (if the price is right).
Since Vick is clearly a better quarterback than Smith at this point in time, so Jackson should not be considered a wedge issue.
And honestly, if Jackson became a Jet, and he was unhappy with Vick being a backup to Smith, it would probably be a salient viewpoint.
March 27, 2014
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