Geno: 'I've Shown Flashes Of Being A Pro Bowl-Caliber Quarterback'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Really?
While most of Jets nation is demanding the team make a decisive move for a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft, its current starter is talking like everything with his game is all sunshine and rainbows.
Indeed. Geno Smith, he of the two years of constant turnovers and very little development, told Newsday earlier this week that the Jets need not look any further than their own locker room for a starter next season.
"I've shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback," he said.
But his statistics scream something else entirely. Smith has committed 39 turnovers, including 33 interceptions, in 27 games during his two seasons in the NFL. There have been only six games in which he's played that he hasn't thrown a pick.
When told of Smith comments on Wednesday during his meeting with the media, Jets head coach Rex Ryan tempered his quarterback's enthusiasm a bit before ultimately offering support.
Smith's career quarterback rating is an abysmal 67.1 and he's averaging just 178.1 yards passing per game in a league that lives and dies by the passing game.
Still, Smith said all he needs to do is throw a lot more touchdowns, far fewer interceptions, complete more throws and amass more yards, and do all of that more often.
"The best teams have consistent quarterback play, and I realize that and that's truly what I want to show to the fans and everyone outside the building," Smith said.
Smith went 18-of-29 for 254 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Jets' 30-24 overtime loss to the Vikings in Minnesota last Sunday, which dropped them to 2-11.
If Smith is serious about being the starting quarterback next season he might want to help put a dent in the Jets' draft position the rest of the way. He will start Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, who have the same record as the Jets and are thought to also be interested in drafting a quarterback during the offseason.
The two college quarterbacks receiving the most attention this season have been Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota of Oregon and reigning Heisman winner Jameis Winston of Florida State.
Stay tuned.
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