Written by Lorenzo Reyes at USAToday.com
Different quarterback, but the problems still prevail.
One, it’s too little, too late for the New York Jets.
The other – and more pressing – issue is that starting Geno Smith over Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn’t solve a leaky defense that opposing defenses have embarrassed.
New York is 1-5. The playoffs are almost a near impossibility. Only two teams since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger have clinched a postseason berth after starting 1-5.
New York’s secondary ranks 28th in the NFL with 290.3 passing yards allowed per game. The defensive line, which entered the season hyped as one of the best units in the NFL, has been average, sacking quarterbacks just 12 times – tied for 16th in the league.
Smith won’t fix those problems.
But back to the mess at QB.
ESPN reported Wednesday morning that Smith would become the team’s starter.
Fitzpatrick has completed 57% of his passes for 1,441 yards and just five touchdowns against 11 interceptions this season. He was benched late in Monday night’s 28-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Jets coach Todd Bowles backed Fitzpatrick immediately after the game, saying, “Fitz will be back next week.” He added: “It definitely wasn’t Fitz’s fault. He barely had any time to throw.”
Bowles backtracked Tuesday afternoon in a conference call with reporters.
“They’re backups for a reason, and if they get a chance to play, they better prove themselves to be worthy of playing,” Bowles said, “regardless of who the person is.”
So what changed? Perhaps the Jets realized – with the postseason almost impossible – that it was time to look to the future.
This is the worst-case, egg-in-the-face scenario for the Jets.
A long, drawn-out negotiation between the Jets and Fitzpatrick this offseason placed high expectations on the veteran after he threw for Jets franchise records in yards (3,905) and touchdowns (31) in 2015. Eventually, the two sides agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract.
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