Geno Smith's Future as Jets Starter Hinges on Quick Rapport with Percy Harvin

The clock is ticking for New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith. His development as a legitimate starting NFL quarterback has been a slow process, partly due to the team's average receiving corps. Acquiring Eric Decker via free agency was a step in the right direction, and New York made headlines on Friday after giving Smith yet another weapon in the versatile Percy Harvin.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports tweeted the news:

If Smith is to keep his status as the Jets starter, instant rapport with Harvin will be necessary.

A second-round selection in 2013, Smith was named the team's starting quarterback almost immediately and quickly found himself under plenty of scrutiny from the metropolitan area's media due to some dismal performances. His numbers speak volumes:

GP	CMP%	YDS	TD	INT	RAT
16	55.8	3,046	12	21	66.5

He entered his second season on thin ice. Head coach Rex Ryan was certainly feeling the pressure, leading to the offseason addition of Michael Vick as Smith's backup and insurance policy. While there has been signs of improvement through seven games, it hasn't been significant enough.

Smith continues to display the ability to make plays with his legs, but his accuracy and decision-making under center remain questionable.

Following a Thursday Night Football loss to division rival New England Patriots, Smith is completing just 57.3 percent of his passes with seven passing touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season. That's good enough to rank 38th (dead last) in the league in Pro Football Focus' (subscription required) quarterback efficiency ratings.

Even Smith was down on his own performance, via Ian O'Connor of ESPNNewYork.com, "Not good enough. Spotty at times. I had opportunities there but just didn't get the job done."

Although, Jeff Darlington of NFL Network tweeted an interesting thought:

Would the receiver's presence have been enough to generate a win?

With Harvin now in the fold, Smith will go even further under the microscope. The wide receiver is known to be one of the league's most heralded playmakers, and a wide receiving duo of Harvin and Decker would make plenty of quarterbacks salivate.

General manager John Idzik is quite happy to have Harvin in the fold, via Around the NFL:

That only applies more pressure on Smith to perform, and it's safe to say the quarterback is completely out of excuses.

He has an effective wide receiver corps, a talented rookie tight end in Jace Amaro, a viable running game and an offensive line that's been performing well enough to afford the quarterback enough time to go through his progressions.

The Jets are currently 1-6, their only victory coming in Week 1 against the hapless (and winless) Oakland Raiders. If Smith can't get on the same page with Harvin quickly and generate enough offense to start compiling wins, expect this team to look in a different direction before next season.

After all, if Smith can't produce with a bevy of weapons around him, there's no reason for New York to stick with the struggling quarterback, bypassing such incoming talent at the quarterback position like Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston and others.

A big-market team like the Jets simply won't be afforded the privilege of waiting on Smith for another year. The addition of Harvin gives Smith the opportunity to show what he can really do with an NFL offense. If the production still isn't there by Week 17, expect to see a new face under center in New York next season.