Geno Smith-Michael Vick QB Controversy Could Swallow Jets Season Whole

The New York Jets were in a no-win situation. A win over the Detroit Lions would not have solidified the Jets as a contender, but a 24-17 loss may have solidified them as a pretender.

It's a long season, and with 12 games to go, there's plenty of time for the Jets to turn things around. But if things don't change fast, the Jets will be left searching for answers after another disappointing season.

One of the questions they may be asking themselves: Is Geno Smith our long-term quarterback? 

Truth be told, they may not wait until the end of the season to find out. With Michael Vick on the bench, the controversy was always looming and waiting for a slump from Smith.

On paper, there's not much that separates these two quarterbacks. Smith has a 56.8 career completion percentage; Vick's is 56.2. Vick's 128-85 touchdown-to-interception ratio is much healthier than Smith's 16-26, but factor in Vick's 36 career rushing touchdowns and 38 career fumbles next to Smith's seven rushing touchdowns and four fumbles, and the scales tip ever so slightly.

There's a risk no matter what the Jets do. Move on from Smith too late, and they may be in a hole that they can't dig their way out of. Move on too soon, and they run the risk that Vick is no better—and if that happens, the Jets will look foolish if they turn back to Smith.

For now, it appears, Jets head coach Rex Ryan will stand by his man.

Opp	Result	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	Y/A	TD	Int	Rate
OAK	W 19-14	23	28	82.14%	221	7.89	1	1	96.6
GNB	L 24-31	16	32	50.00%	176	5.5	1	1	64.1
CHI	L 19-27	26	43	60.47%	316	7.35	1	2	71.5
DET	L 17-24	17	33	51.52%	209	6.33	1	1	68.9

"If Geno is healthy, then Geno Smith will start," said Ryan. "I'm not going to replace him. I feel good about Geno. I think he will get it turned (around). He's a tough, resilient young man. I think we're going to win. We'll win soon."

But what if they don't? The questions will only mount as to Smith's long-term viability as the starter. 

"If it was just (Smith) making mistakes, we might have a different solution," said Ryan, "but I don't believe it's on just one man."

This is the same line we heard from Rex for months on former quarterback Mark Sanchez during his struggles from 2011-2012. It took a change in general manager—not to mention a season-ending shoulder injury to Sanchez—for Ryan to finally pull the plug.

He's right. Jets receivers have dropped nine passes this season, tied for sixth-most in the NFL through four games, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That being said, even when adjusting for dropped passes, Smith's accuracy percentage—solved as (completions + drops) / attempts—sits at 72.8, which is better than only 10 other qualifying quarterbacks this season.

The coaches should turn a finger on themselves, too. The Jets have only just begun to distribute the carries between running backs Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson in a wiser fashion. Ivory had 17 carries on Sunday to Johnson's six. Johnson may have the better career numbers, but Ivory is the better runner right now. Before Sunday, Johnson had 35 carries compared to 33 for Ivory this season.

Ryan's tact is admirable—it's certainly better to be supportive of the young quarterback than to be inconsistent about who should be the starter. And to be fair, Ryan isn't the only one supporting Smith.

The Jets may be giving the second-year quarterback some public endorsement, but according to current Lions and former Jets safety James Ihedigbo, the Jets offense is limiting Smith's options.

"He is a one-look guy," Ihedigbo said, via Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com. "But that's kind of how the offense is designed, to make the easy read and get the ball out of his hand quick." 

But how long will the coach's outward support last with Smith playing at his current level? The Jets starter has earned a passer rating of lower than 72 in three games this season, the most such games for any quarterback this year (minimum five pass attempts in a game), according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Smith also had a league-leading nine such games last season.

The consistent struggles are beginning to frustrate Jets fans who thought he could take the next step this season. 

"I have mixed emotions about ['We want Vick' chants]," Vick said. "I've been through that. I know what it's like. It's so unfair. You can ruin quarterbacks that way."

Smith's frustration is starting to boil over as well, manifested in a brief outburst—an expletive directed at fans who were calling for Vick to replace him.

The controversy will only swell if Smith doesn't improve dramatically—and fast. 

The Jets would obviously rather stick with Smith. He is far younger than Vick with more room to grow. Ryan stands to benefit from winning with the man whom GM John Idzik drafted in the second round in 2013. That being said, he may stand to benefit more from simply winning, period.

One could hardly blame Ryan if his patience were wearing thin, but the Jets head coach had a valid point when he said that the struggles of the team do not fall squarely on the shoulders of one man. With that in mind, is it fair or safe to assume that Vick can turn the team around on his own? 

Short answer: no.

If the Jets' season is going to take a turn for the better, it's going to take a team effort. Coaches must do a better job of coaching, receivers must do a better job of receiving, and the quarterback—whoever it is—must do a better job of quarterbacking.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained via team news release and all stats obtained via Pro-Football-Reference.com.

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