Goodbye Sanchez, Hello Vick

Once again the Jets made headlines in the media for their recent decision to cut former 5th overall pick, quarterback, Mark Sanchez and sign free agent Mike Vick to replace his spot on the roster. New York is known for their brash decisions at the quarterback position since they traded up to draft Sanchez in 2009 and brought Tim Tebow onboard in 2011, in what turned out to be a disaster for the team. Although the recent past has been rocky for the team, bringing in a veteran quarterback, in Vick, with real skill to start in the NFL is a major thumbs up for the Jets. After a rookie campaign in which he struggled mightily, Jets' QB Geno Smith still has a lot to prove. The Jets do remain confident in Geno and hope he can eventually become a reliable starter for the team for years to come. However, Mike Vick adds much needed insurance to the position and will surely compete for the starting job.

Geno Smith's 2013 Numbers

Here is how the New York Jets would like the 2014 season to pan out.  Geno Smith, under the tutelage of backup Mike Vick, grows into a viable option at quarterback next season showing much improvement.  Geno starts week 1 and finishes the season as the starter.  Vick happily accepts his role as a backup and pushes Geno to the "next level".  The Jets make the playoffs and ride off into the sunset.  That is all well and good but the reality of next season for the Jets may very well be strikingly different from what the team envisions.

Vick and Smith will both receive a fair shot at obtaining the number 1 spot at quarterback for the New York Jets.  If Vick wins the job chances are Geno will still be needed, as an aging Vick never known for his durability, will either likely get injured allowing Smith to start or be replaced due to ineffectiveness.  The same holds true for Smith, as if he wins the starting job it is very likely Vick will be needed at some point to step in for the younger either due to poor play or injury.

There is little need to worry Jets' fans for a "Tebow-like" repeat situation, as Geno and Vick have clearly had their roles laid out for them and seem to embrace them with open arms.  Smith was even quoted after the signing of Vick as saying, "Awesome, man. Vick's my guy.  We needed to find a guy that was legitimately a guy that could come in and play. I think that's what we did.  Mission Accomplished."  Geno seems to be in good spirits, as does Vick with these comments he made after signing with the team, "I know what I came to New York to do. First and foremost, I came to compete and be there for Geno. I know he has a long way to go, but we both talked and we both agree we're going to push one another and make each other better."  All comments from both players are very good signs to thus point and seem to show a friendship forming between the veteran and youngster.  Let us hope that come December, these two players remain friends and not enemies.

"I know what I came to New York to do. First and foremost, I came to compete and be there for Geno." - QB Mike Vick's comments on the starting job for the Jets