Geno Smith On Jets: 'I Believe This Is My Team'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As far as Geno Smith is concerned, it's going to take a lot more than a few draft rumors and a veteran coming off a major injury to take his job away.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the second day of a three-day voluntary minicamp at the Jets' facility in Florham Park, New Jersey, Smith said talk of Marcus Mariota is just that, talk. Smith plans to be the team's starting quarterback come Week 1 against Cleveland.
"You have to expect anything [with the draft], but going out there, I believe this is my team," Smith said. "I'm not going to sit here and talk about it. I want to lead this team the right way, and I want to continue to get better as a player. I really hate to talk about myself, because it's more about this team and the way that we're going."
As it stands, Smith, now in his third year, figures to have a slight edge over veteran newcomer Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is coming off a broken leg that forced him to miss the Houston Texans' final four games last season.
But if Mariota, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, somehow ends up a Jet it could mark a transitional phase at quarterback for the franchise. New general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles have no allegiance to Smith, a former second round pick of GM John Idzik who turned the ball over 41 times during his first two seasons playing for Rex Ryan.
If nothing else, Smith sounds more mature than the player who compounded his struggles on the field last season by cursing at a fan during a home game and later missing a team meeting prior to a game at San Diego.
"For me, I never change my approach. I'm always going to compete, no matter who is out there," Smith said. "I just try and stay focused and keep the same mentality throughout. There's always other guys. That's the nature of the business. There's always other guys, and there's always going to be competition. I've always welcomed it, and I still do."
At this point, the odds of the Jets drafting Mariota seem more slim than they were earlier in the offseason. Depending on which reports you believe, it appears Maccagnan would have to trade up from No. 6 to get the former star at Oregon. That's a far cry from several weeks ago when most draft experts had Mariota falling to the Jets at No. 6.
Assuming his words weren't part of a smokescreen, owner Woody Johnson hinted Tuesday night that the Jets were ready to make due with Smith this season and use the draft to put more weapons around him.
Smith said his focus remains on the field.
"I don't listen to the outside noise," Smith said. "I don't think it's important at all. I don't think it motivates me. I'm motivated by the fact that we need to win."
