The New York Jets have not won a football game since Sept. 7. Every time Geno Smith seemingly takes a step forward with a half-decent game, he follows it up with a dud. Such was the case with his pathetic performance in a 43-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Smith didn’t last very long, as Rex Ryan benched him following three first-quarter interceptions. That’s right, three — in one quarter. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Smith’s latest disaster may have cost him what few supporters he had left on his team.
Some of Geno Smith's biggest supporters have jumped ship. He's lost the locker room #nyj
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) October 27, 2014
Mehta added that several Jets players have been unhappy with Smith since he missed a team meeting before New York’s game against the San Diego Chargers a few weeks ago.
Smith recently tried to blame the media for blowing stories out of proportion, but there was nothing he could say about a three-interception performance after he showed positive signs in a loss to the New England Patriots last week.
“It was just atrocious the way that I started out,” he said Sunday, via the NY Daily News. “I never expected to start a game out like that.”
Similar to the last time Smith was benched, Michael Vick wasn’t much better. He threw an interception of his own and lost two fumbles. But unlike last time, Smith reportedly will not be getting his job back next week unless the Jets’ front office forces Ryan to start him.
When discussing the potential of Smith starting next week against the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson didn’t exactly throw his support behind the former West Virginia star.
“Three turnovers in the first quarter?” Richardson said. “You know you can’t do that. If he’s the starter next week he’s the starter. If not, he’s not.”
What more can you say about a quarterback who has thrown 31 interceptions in 24 career games?
At this point, you have to wonder if the Jets would be better off starting someone not named Smith or Vick. It probably won’t matter at Arrowhead Stadium. With his team 1-7 and no improvement in sight, it’s looking like there’s very little Ryan can do to save his job.
