The New York Jets head into training camp with the possibility of quarterback Geno Smith filling the role once intended for Tim Tebow last season. Meanwhile, incumbent starting quarterback Mark Sanchez has learned another lesson from butts and is confident he'll remain the Jets' starting quarterback.
Although Smith is considered to be a pocket passer, the rookie's athleticism makes him a possibility for gadget-type plays in Marty Mornhinweg's offense, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.
"The coaches are toying with the idea of turning Smith into what Tebow was supposed to be last season -- a change-of-pace quarterback (assuming he doesn't win the starting job)," Cimini wrote on Monday. "Smith would have a package of plays, mainly read-option runs that could exploit his speed.
"The upside: It would give him some game experience, albeit in a gadget role, and add a wrinkle to the offense. The downside: He wasn't very productive when West Virginia called designed runs, which wasn't often.
"Smith, who considers himself a pocket passer, gives the impress he wouldn't be thrilled in that role."
Smith's competition for the starting gig, meanwhile, insists he learned a lesson from a recent video that shows him shaking his bare bottom in front of a camera.
"Obviously the video is a little embarrassing," Sanchez said, according to NFL.com. "... You got to be smart (about) who you're with. You got to protect yourself at all times."
Another butt made Sanchez the laughing stock last season after his infamous "butt-fumble" into his own teammate. Despite the embarrassments, Sanchez believes he will win the starting quarterback job in the upcoming training camp.
Sanchez told the NFL Network last week that he would "absolutely" win the job and remain the Jets' starting quarterback.
As for the rest of the locker room, his teammates appear to agree.
Training camp begins July 25.
