How Chan Gailey Can Help Geno Smith Reach Potential in New York

New York Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey delivered a 1,200-watt vote of confidence in quarterback Geno Smith, shocking the world by effectively ending Smith's competition with Ryan Fitzpatrick before it even began.

This news was shocking not just because of Smith's struggles through his first two years in the NFL, but also because of Gailey's deep ties to Fitzpatrick. That being said, the Jets' faith in Smith may be a bit surprising and premature, but it is not completely misplaced.

On paper, conceptually speaking, Smith's fit in Gailey's offense is a match made in X's and O's heaven, drawn on a chalkboard with pearly white chalk and surrounded by a chorus of angels.

Smith has shown flashes of potential to be a starting NFL quarterback, but he has not shown noteworthy improvement in any area since entering the league as a second-round draft choice in 2013. So, we can safely say that his scouting report is still relatively accurate to his actual skill set. With that in mind, one of his perceived weaknesses coming out of college could play right into Gailey's hands.

Smith "[ran] a spread offense almost exclusively from the shotgun," according to NFL.com, and needed "work on his footwork coming from under center."

Formation	Snaps	NFL rank
4 WR	586	1
3 WR	1,669	5
Shotgun	1,643	3
2 RB	616	24
2 TE	341	32

Lo and behold, spread sets and shotgun formations just so happen to be Gailey's weapons of choice, according to ESPN.com's Rich Cimini. 

It would make perfect sense if the Jets are considering going full-throttle with spread formations; they have stocked up on talented wide receivers over the past couple of years. With Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall, Jeremy Kerley, Devin Smith and DeVier Posey at Gailey's disposal, the Jets should have plenty of options when employing three- and four-receiver sets.

That also bodes well for Smith, who grew accustomed to going through his progressions when his first option was covered. Spreading out the field will only make it easier for him to read the defense, and it will also make for some larger windows to complete passes through. 

The Jets' extensive use of the shotgun should also play into Smith's favor thanks to his experience at West Virginia. 

Some of the Jets' shotgun formations could also be pistol formations, with a running back lined up behind Smith to force the defense to respect both the run and the pass, while also giving Smith the opportunity to play-action fake and also opening up some read-option plays where Smith could hand it off or keep it for a run of his own.

Smith will have to get under center from time to time, but Gailey's recent history suggests the Jets will allow him to operate from the shotgun more often than not. Smith's problematic footwork would be veiled a bit more discreetly behind extensive use of the shotgun; with five yards of depth in the backfield at the snap, Smith wouldn't have to take many five- to seven-step drops to get in position to make a throw. 

On the occasions when Smith is lined up behind center, the Jets would be wise to let him throw in rhythm. Slants, screens, ins and outs and other timing routes would make Smith's life easier because he could simply count the number of steps before unloading the pass the second he hits his back foot. 

In the past, the focus of Gailey's offense has been short and intermediate passes (less than 20 yards downfield) over the middle. In 2011, Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick attempted 282 of his 569 passes (49.6 percent) in that range, and he completed 202 of those passes (71.6 percent), according to Pro Football Focus.

But short passes don't have to be all Smith does. 

The Jets have a few receivers with the ability to go deep and create big, vertical plays in the passing game. Smith has had mixed results throwing deep; as a rookie, he was accurate on 46.7 percent of his throws that traveled 20 yards or more, but in 2014, his accuracy dipped to 31.1 percent (accuracy defined as completions plus drops divided by attempts).

Gailey's arrival in New York couldn't have been better news for Smith, whose strengths and weaknesses fall right in line with Gailey's offensive approach. 

Unless otherwise noted, all advanced statistics obtained via Pro Football Focus.