With all of the controversy and build-up in the Jets quarterback competition, it appears the starting job may be won by default.
The team held rookie quarterback Geno Smith out of the final preseason game Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles since there’s a strong possibility he could start Week 1, according to ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini citing sources.
Veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez is still suffering from the shoulder injury he suffered last week and, according to one source, has not resumed throwing the football.
Cimini reports Jets head coach Ryan did not answer directly when asked why Smith did not play any of the final preseason game. However, the 22-year old gave the reason most expected.
"Obviously, you've got to prepare for the regular season, and with Mark being down, you just can't take any risks," Smith said. "So I think that was pretty much the reason for it.
Sanchez’s injury came in the Jets Week 3 game against the New York Giants. He hadn’t played most of the game but Ryan put him in to get some reps in the fourth quarter. The decision was deemed controversial because Sanchez was playing with the 2nd String protection which many believe led him to get hit and injure his shoulder.
Although Smith is likely to start Week 1, that won’t signal the end of the quarterback competition for Gang Green. Neither Smith nor Sanchez turned in outstanding performances during the preseason and on other NFL teams both would probably be backups.
If Smith does start in the Jets’ Week 1 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and turns in a good performance, he could lock up the job. However, if his Week 1 performance is anything like the three-interception game he had against the Giants in Week 3 of the preseason, Mark Sanchez could step back into the starting role once he’s healthy.
