New York Jets QB Geno Smith to get most of the first-team reps in practices

When the New York Jets went out this NFL offseason and grabbed Michael Vick off the open market and signed him to a one-year, $4 million contract, it brought upon a lot of questions about the future of their second-round draft pick from last year, Geno Smith. Not long after his signing, though, Vick mentioned to the media that he had spoken to that it was Smith’s team still and he was just here to compete and help him out.

In an interview with ESPN New York, Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg reiterated this sentiment by not only mentioning that Vick is here to help, but also by praising how far Smith has come along in his progress since the end of last season.

“We’re going to structure it a certain way,” Mornhinweg told ESPN. “One thing I want to make sure of is that nothing impedes the young quarterback’s progression. I’m talking about Geno. He progressed beautifully, and I’m talking the last quarter of the season. He played at a high level. ”

Touching even further on that progress, Mornhinweg also stated how big of a part that Vick will play in that process.

“I think this thing will work beautifully,” Mornhinweg said Tuesday, speaking to reporters for the first time since Vick signed last month. “I expect Geno to progress at a high rate with Mike’s help. It’s just that simple.”

The report from ESPN also went on to point out that Smith will receive much of the first-team reps under center when training starts in a few weeks, hopefully showing the team a huge jump in his overall game from last season where he finished up with just 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in his rookie year.

But for now, there is no controversy in the Big Apple, but that could change if Rex Ryan, Mornhinweg and the rest of the coaching staff don’t see some significant change, while at the same time seeing that Vick’s veteran presence may actually provide the more suitable option under center.