New York Jets general manager compares quarterback competition to Seattle Seahawks last year
By Mike Dyce
The New York Jets aren’t ready to decide on a starting quarterback. Rookie Geno Smith will get his first preseason start this Saturday against their cross town rivals, the New York Giants.
“I don’t know if it’s scientific, where you can map it out and say, ‘OK, by Week X, we’re going to pull the switch,’ ” Idzik said yesterday on WFAN’s Boomer and Carton show. “I think it’s a feel, from the organization standpoint, when the young guy is ready.”
Idzik was working for the Seattle Seahawks when they decided to go with rookie Russell Wilson over the more veteran Matt Flynn.
“They’re complete different players,” Idzik said. “The similarities are in the situation. Russell came into a wide-open competition.”
“We’re doing the same thing here. We’ll see how they react. Obviously, Russell reacted very well and very quickly. It was an open competition and I think it was pretty evident when the switch was made, and I think the same will be true here.”
Smith on the other hand continues to say the right things.
“I think we have a team here that has an opportunity to do some really good things this year,” Smith said, “and I just want to be a part of it.”
He has an opportunity to show case his abilities and make a case for the starting job this weekend.
“I don’t think one game completely defines who I am, but it is important to go out there and get a good showing,” Smith said.
The importance of this game isn’t adding extra pressure to Smith.
“I never put pressure on myself,” Smith said. “It’s the game I love to do. I’ll just go out there and play football and have fun. I think if you put your mind in other places, it can distract you. That’s something that I refuse to do.”