Ex-Jets QB gets shot at former team
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Playing the New York Jets is going to be special for Geno Smith.
Not only is it a chance for the 26-year-old to nail down the Giants’ backup quarterback job in the annual preseason game Saturday against the Jets, but it’s a shot for the former Jets’ second-round pick in 2013 to show his old team they made a mistake waiving him earlier this year after an up and mostly down four-year stint.
Smith, a former West Virginia star, is trying to resurrect his career after signing with the Giants as a free agent. He has shown flashes of being a capable quarterback in training camp and the preseason, and perplexing moments of bad decisions that have resulted in turnovers.
With a little more than two weeks to go before the season opener against Dallas, Smith seems to be a little ahead of veteran Josh Johnson in the fight to be Eli Manning’s backup. Rookie third-round draft pick Davis Webb seemingly will be the redshirt third stringer.
Smith laughed Thursday when asked about playing the Jets. It was the first question he was asked and he knew it was coming.
“You always want to go out there and prove yourself,” Smith said. “But, nothing extra added toward them, though. I have a lot of great respect for a lot of people in that organization and I appreciated my time there, but now it’s just focusing on what we have to focus on, which is going out there and executing on game day.”
Smith said he realized that he would be facing the Jets as soon as he signed with the Giants, but he also said he has to play well.
“If you don’t produce, you’re probably not going to have a job in this league,” said Smith, who has completed 21 of 33 passes for 193 yards and two interceptions.
“So, it’s not really about the Jets. It’s more about me going out there and just continuing to get better and continuing to showcase my ability, but also be productive. I think I’ve shown that I can make plays, but I need to be more productive and finish drives.”
Giants coach Ben McAdoo did not discuss his plans for his quarterbacks Thursday. Manning probably will play at least the first half and maybe into the third quarter.
Either Johnson or Smith probably will follow him. Smith got the majority of the snaps after replacing Manning on Monday night in Cleveland and Johnson did not get as much. That might flip-flop on Saturday.