Mark Sanchez repeatedly has professed confidence about winning the New York Jets' starting quarterback job. We wouldn't expect him to say anything else, but perhaps some of his confidence comes from sizing up the competition.
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ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini says rookie Geno Smith has a lot to prove after a "lackluster" performance in organized team activities and minicamp. Cimini also wonders about Smith's leadership.
We've noticed a few outlets make a big deal out of Cimini writing that the Jets are considering using Smith as a "change of pace" quarterback, but this doesn't qualify as news. Rex Ryantalked at length about the issue a month ago.
"They didn't really run a whole lot of zone reads and different things (at West Virginia)," Ryan admitted. "But (Smith) has the skill set to where there's no reason he shouldn't be able to do that. ... Running for first downs and touchdowns, I think that's how the league is probably going to progress with these things."
Cimini questions Smith's leadership in his piece, which could be a tiebreaker in Sanchez's favor for now. Sanchez has a long history with many of his teammates. Wide receiver Stephen Hill told NFL Network last week at Jets West that Smith barely says a word in general, which isn't a bad way to be for a rookie. But it could take a while for Smith to make the Jets "his team."
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