Sheldon Richardson To Jets Fans Chanting For Michael Vick: 'Shut Up'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- It was an ugly day for Geno Smith, in more ways than one.
The quarterback lost his cool after the game, and was caught by a CBS 2 camera yelling an expletive at a heckler in the stands as he walked off the MetLife Stadium field.
The second-year player was 17-of-33 for 209 yards, but had two more turnovers — an interception and a fumble — as chants of "We Want Vick!" echoed throughout the stadium at times, perhaps none louder than after he was intercepted by Darius Slay in the fourth quarter. Jets coach Rex Ryan, however, insisted that Smith will start next Sunday at San Diego.
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"I believe in him," Ryan said.
If Smith struggles again against the Chargers, the Jets could have a full-blown quarterback controversy. Asked what he thought when he heard the fans chanting for Vick, defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was blunt.
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"Shut up," Richardson said. "If that's the case, produce a child who can come and make it to the NFL and let's see what he's got. Other than that, just shut up. We've got coaches to do that."
Wide receiver Eric Decker came to the defense of his starting quarterback, as well.
"That stuff, to me, is B.S.," Decker said of the chants.
Michael Vick didn't get into the game, but he heard the calls for him to take over for Smith.
"I have mixed emotions about it," the backup quarterback said, "because I've been through that, too."
Smith knew he made a mistake, and he owned up to it following Gang Green's 24-17 loss to the Lions.
"First of all, I want to apologize if any kids saw me saying any negative remarks walking off the field," Smith said to open his postgame news conference. "I kind of let my temper get the best of me in that situation, and it's a part of my learning process."
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