ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando recently released his rankings for all 32 starting quarterbacks in the NFL. These rankings were put together based on a voting panel of 35 league insiders (coaches, evaluators, GMs, etc.) and split the 32 quarterbacks into tiers (one through four). New York Jets starter Geno Smith received the unfortunate (dis)honor of being the No. 32 ranked signal-caller.
"When I watch Geno play, where are the base plays?" one coach said to Sando. "To make the quarterback successful, you do not run more exotic schemes. Geno has run an offense that is trying to win with scheme. I see a guy who has talent but he has not been coached like a quarterback. I think you have to give him a 3 based on that."
Smith, a former second-round pick, completed 59.7 percent of his passes in 14 games last year while throwing for 2,525 yards with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Entering his third season, other evaluators continue to be down on his capability as a starter in the NFL.
"Geno is a 5, and that is it," one coach told Sando. "He cannot process fast enough. He is not a natural guy, sliding in the pocket and knowing when to run it. He has some legs to run, but no, he is trying to prove he is a pocket passer. Let's do something at the position before we start limiting ourselves for image."
New Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey helped turn Ryan Fitzpatrick (who is on New York's roster, by the way) into a $54 million quarterback for a brief period of time back in Buffalo. Jets fans are surely hoping he can work a similar magic with Smith this year.
