The competition between New York Jets quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith will be one of the hottest position battles to watch in training camp. Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters on Wednesday that he isn't close to deciding who will start under center for Week 1, and he indicated that receiver Santonio Holmes might start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Speculation started that the Jets could name a starter by the end of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) after offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg suggested he wanted to see a front-runner emerge early this summer. Ryan, however, plans to let the competition play out into training camp, according to the Associated Press.
"I don't think we're close to that right now," Ryan told reporters on Wednesday after the team's final open-media OTA.
"Obviously, the process is, I don't have to make that move," he added. "Until we feel 100 percent comfortable with that decision, then we'll just leave it to the competition."
Neither player has separated himself from the competition.
"It's way too early to say," Ryan said. "Some days, this guy looks good, some days this guy looks good.
"... For me to make the decision, to say the competition is over, it's going to have to be 100 percent clear to me. And if it's not, then we're going to keep competing until whenever."
Sanchez, the 26-year-old incumbent starter, is trying to salvage his career. His inconsistent play and routine turnovers earned him a game on the bench last season and the speculation that this might be his last year in New York. One rumor suggested the Jets might cut Sanchez in June to avoid the $17 million salary cap hit he carries.
New York might have drafted the future of their franchise in 2013 second-round pick Smith. Critics think Smith, an accurate passer with a big arm, could replace Sanchez by the start of the season.
Despite all the criticism and rumors floating around the league, Sanchez remains confident he'll start. The competition doesn't faze him, either.
"It's nothing big or scary," Sanchez told reporters. "I'm just being myself and doing my very best - and that'll be good enough."
He also added that he's having his best offseason and is thriving in Mornhinweg's new system.
"I feel like this is the kind of coordinator and system that puts you in a good spot," Sanchez said.
Whichever quarterback starts Week 1 might be without star receiver Holmes. Ryan indicated Holmes, who has been out since last September with a Lisfranc foot injury, might start training camp on the PUP list. There's no timetable yet on his return.
Other notable injuries: Receivers Stephen Hill (Knee), Jeremy Kerley (Heel), Clyde Gates (hamstring).
