Should the Jets Already Be Worried About Geno Smith in New York?

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith is going about it all wrong. 

I can't image the overwhelming feeling of being thrust into the most unrelenting media market in the world, at the most scrutinized position for a franchise that's grown to be a publicity magnet after stunningly dropping out of the first round with millions watching.

However, Gang Green's second-round pick has allowed those irrepressible emotions to get the best of him. 

In New York, letting your emotions get the best of you typically doesn't end well. 

On April 30, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported that Smith "fired his agents due to his displeasure over his draft position, according to sources."

The "diva" narrative was born. 

"

Geno Smith not already showing diva tendencies whatsoever. Nope. None at all.

— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) April 30, 2013"

Oh boy. 

Any slight misstep and Smith was bound to earn the "diva" label. 

When he failed to go in the first round, ESPN reported Smith was planning to leave New York City altogether only to change his mind before Day 2. 

Snubbing Radio City Music Hall and the second round would've been a bad move for Smith. The fans and media certainly would have been vicious in their criticism.

Moments after finally being drafted, in a live interview that aired on the NFL Network, Smith said, "We're going to the playoffs next year."

While he was likely caught up in the moment, essentially making guarantees is not the most astute practice in the Big Apple.

Just ask Rex Ryan.

Heck, I actually liked the confidence of Geno's statement.

Others didn't.

The media has and will continue to have its fun with Smith's questionable comments and behavior after the Round 1, but right now, he's done nothing out of the ordinary.

NFL players fire their agents all the time. 

Seriously. 

And it's usually no more than a blip on the football news sonar. 

After all, the NFL is a business. 

Patrick Southern, who covers West Virginia sports for the Blue and Gold News, sent out two tweets dispelling any myths about why Smith fired his agent:

"

Source tells me Geno Smith DID NOT expect to be No. 1 overall. But agent didn't prepare Geno for possibility of falling out of Round 1.

— Patrick Southern (@patricksouthern) May 1, 2013"

"

On Geno Smith's decision to fire his agent: source tells me agent left Geno in NYC for Day 2 of draft, went to Houston for other clients.

— Patrick Southern (@patricksouthern) May 1, 2013"

Logical enough, right?

Smith wasn't happy with the job his agent did, so he canned him. 

As an agent, that possibility comes with the territory. 

Making what's deemed to be an outlandishly confident statement has become a staple of professional athletes.

No big deal.  

And frankly, many great quarterbacks are divas. It's just more psychologically taxing to be one as the quarterback in New York.

Hopefully things settle down in Smith's world for a while. They will. He needs some serenity in his life after the whirlwind weekend he'll never forget. 

Need not worry, Gang Green faithful.

I think Geno Smith is an assertive, strong-willed player who was simply ticked off that he went from a possible No. 1 overall pick to a second-round selection. Would you be happy? To me, his competitive fire has hurt his public perception of late.

So, if he doesn't take a more subdued and politically correct approach to playing for the rebuilding Jets, and, you know, develop a thicker skin—New York will eat him alive.

Follow @ChrisTrapasso