Brandon Marshall and Geno Smith are so determined to build chemistry as teammates with the New York Jets that they have decided to move in together.
According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Marshall moved into Smith’s New Jersey home about a month ago. The two have a close relationship and got together in South Florida to work out shortly after the Jets acquired Marshall from the Chicago Bears back in March.
“This is a first-year offense,” Marshall said. “If you guys are expecting me to be a [1,500]-yard receiver, that’s high expectations. If you’re expecting Geno Smith to go out there and crush it, I don’t know how possible that is. It’s a first-year offense with new guys, new faces. We’re behind the eight ball. We have to put in extra work to catch up to those guys that have been together five, six, seven years.”
Marshall said he has been impressed with Smith’s maturity level and how much he already knows about the game of football.
“I was just blown away by his maturity and how much he knows,” he said. “This kid is really smart. The sky is the limit for him.”
Smith, a former West Virginia star, is entering a pivotal third season. He appeared in 25 games for the Jets over the past two seasons and threw 25 touchdowns and a whopping 34 interceptions during that span. He needs to do a better job of protecting the football, and having a true possession receiver like Marshall should help.
The Jets drafted former Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty in the fourth round, but new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey recently said he expects Smith to be the starter.
If Marshall and Eric Decker can stay healthy, Smith could have one of the better wide receiver duos in the league. But if Smith struggles like he did last year, problems could arise quickly in New York. We saw the way Marshall’s relationship with his last quarterback ended, after all.
