New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is holding his annual Jets West camp and rookie quarterback Geno Smith is not in attendance. Yesterday, there was a bit of confusion as to whether or not Smith was invited and chose not to go or was not invited at all. Friday, Sanchez helped clear up the situation, according to NFL.com.
The USC product appeared on the NFL Network’s “NFL Total Access” Friday night in an interview with Michelle Beisner.
"Everyone was invited," Sanchez said during the interview. "I sent out an email to everybody, some guys got back quicker than the others, but everybody was invited. It's not a big deal that he is not here." If what Sanchez says is true, Smith chose not to go to Jets West.
Sanchez also said he is “absolutely” the team’s starting quarterback and plans to stay the starting quarterback.
Currently, Sanchez may have a leg up on Smith in the popularity department. Included in those who attended Sanchez’s camp are WR Stephen Hill, WR Jeremy Kerley, TE Kellen Winslow Jr., RB Chris Ivory and TE Jeff Cumberland. This may not bode well for Smith, since Kerley and Hill are the Jets’ two best receivers—after former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes of course—and Winslow is one of Sanchez’s favorite targets.
When asked about attending the camp in June the West Virginia University product said “no comment.”
However he clarified the next day.
“Sure, sure,” Smith said alluding to a possible attendance at Sanchez’s camp. “We haven’t talked about it, but from my understanding it’s something that’s done annually and all the guys go out there and it’s been a great experience. Mark hasn’t officially extended the hand to me but I’m pretty sure there’s no problem there. I’m more than willing to go there.”
It seems smith is taking this competition with Sanchez seriously, something the Jets hope will force Sanchez to put up his best stuff this season.
