Add New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick to the list of people who believe Geno Smith will have a breakout year in 2014. Vick told reporters he believes Smith will be a great quarterback and is already "10 times better" than season.
Smith didn't put up staggering numbers during his rookie campaign, but Vick believes that will change in 2014. Vick, 34, said Smith is on his way to becoming one of the league's top passers.
"He's going to be great," Vick said Tuesday after practice, via ESPN. "He's going to be 10 times better than where he was last year, and I'm looking forward to it."
Vick also said he sees the right kind of work ethic in Smith.
"You see guys around the league, around his age, having success and doing good things for their ballclub, and I think he wants to fall right into that echelon," said Vick.
Smith struggled with turnovers in 2013, throwing 21 interceptions and fumbling the ball seven times; he finished with 3,046 passing yards for 12 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 66.5.
Jets coach Rex Ryan has been vocal about Smith's improvement in the offseason, and he reiterated on Tuesday he believes Smith has a much better command of the huddle. Ryan's comments fall along the lines of what Smith's teammate, receiver David Nelson, said in July.
"He is taking authority over the offense and taking command over that group," Jets receiver David Nelson told FOX Sports on July 15. "When you see that, you see guys who want to play for him and you see a bunch of guys star to embrace him. You're going to see a much more cohesive unit this year because of his maturity and because of his understanding of the offense and how the NFL works as a whole."
Smith is penciled in as the starter for Thursday's preseason opener against Indianapolis. The starting quarterback job is ostensibly Smith's to lose, but the sophomore signal caller sounds confident with how much he's improved since last season.
"Physically, I'm bigger and stronger," said Smith. "The mental side of it, I'm not thinking as much, not swimming as much. I have a better grasp of the offense. ... Ultimately, it's about proving it on the field, going out there Thursday night and being sharp and having a good showing."
