Team news: Seattle Seahawks | Page 39

Jets QB Geno Smith (right shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday.

The Jets’ top two quarterbacks, Michael Vick and Geno Smith, are both dealing with aches, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll see third-stringer Matt Simms in Sunday’s home game against the Steelers.

Vick will start the game, and should be good to go, barring any setbacks this week to his lingering foot injury that had him limping after Sunday’s loss at the Chiefs – his first start with the Jets. Vick left the game for a series after banging his head on the turf, but he returned once he was cleared by the NFL’s concussion examination procedures.

“He had a foot injury that I think we’re more concerned with than the other (head injury),” Ryan said. “He passed the concussion protocol and all that. If anything, he’s got a foot that keeps getting stepped on. I think that’s the biggest concern right now.”

Jets QB Geno Smith (right shoulder, questionable) took full practice reps again Friday and is questionable for Week 9. Michael Vick will get the start and is a decent desperation play due to his upside as a runner.

Jets QB Geno Smith (right shoulder) took full practice reps Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Michael Vick will start against the Chiefs in Week 9.

Jets QB Geno Smith (right shoulder) took limited practice reps Wednesday. Michael Vick is expected to start against the Chiefs.

But whether they're willing to admit it or not, Percy Harvin really does give Geno Smith and the Jets' decision-makers a better look at whether Geno can be the guy down the road. Or whether the Jets will need to give serious consideration to spending another high draft pick -- or going out on the free agent or trade market -- for a quarterback. With less and less patience when it comes to quarterback development in the NFL, these next nine games are pivotal to Smith's future.

If he can show consistent improvement with an explosive talent like Harvin on one side, the reliable Eric Decker on the other, and Jeremy Kerley, Jace Amaro and Jeff Cumberland as his other targets, then the Jets will get a better fix on whether Smith can be the guy.

New Jets WR Percy Harvin has already met with their offensive coaches. He planned to speak more with them Monday, after his first practice with the Jets, who on Friday traded a conditional draft pick to Seattle for him. By Wednesday, he expects to have a better feel for his role in Sunday’s home game against Buffalo, and beyond.

It is safe to say, though, that Harvin wants a somewhat different role than the one he occupied in Seattle’s offense. Harvin said Monday that the way Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell used him became a source of frustration.

“It definitely was,” Harvin said. “Not that I didn’t like what I was doing. I just wanted to do a little bit more as a receiver. I wanted to get downfield just a little bit more than what I was doing. That definitely caused frustration a little bit.”

Harvin, in five games this season, had 22 catches for 133 yards (6 yards per catch) and 11 rushes for 92 yards (8.4 yards per rush), with a long run of 51 yards. The Jets are in need of a playmaker like Harvin so it could be a good fit. A healthy WR Eric Decker (hamstring) on the other side will be a big help too. A big key, however, will be QB Geno Smith getting him the ball. At this point, owners can at least be optimistic Harvin could be getting the ball in his hands more than he did in Seattle.

Geno Smith will be the starting quarterback when the New York Jets face the Patriots on Thursday, coach Rex Ryan confirmed. Some of the team’s fans have chanted for backup Michael Vick to be played when Smith has struggled.

"You can look at Mike to adding different things," Ryan said. "But I think Geno’s the way to go right now, and that’s why I’m comfortable saying he’ll be our starter."

Vick, the team’s $4 million backup, has not had much better luck when he’s been inserted into games. During a 31-0 loss in San Diego, both Smith and Vick played a half, and neither was able to get much going on offense. Early on, Vick was used in some wildcat packages without much success.

Geno Smith is having a fortnight to forget.

A week after cursing out a fan after a home loss, Smith got benched at halftime as the Jets were blanked by the Chargers in embarrassing fashion. After the disastrous performance we found out that playing time wasn't all the quarterback missed this weekend in San Diego.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported Sunday night that Smith missed team meetings on Saturday before the game.

A team spokesman confirmed Smith's absenteeism to the NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport calling it an "honest mistake" perhaps due to the 3-hour time change. The spokesman said Smith arrived 5-10 minutes after the meetings ended and caught up on info later with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. It was the first time Smith has missed a meeting, per the team. Rapaport added, per a team source, that players were surprised and frustrated he missed the meeting and didn't understand why he wasn't disciplined.

It hasn't been a good stretch for Smith. Perhaps helping his cause was Michael Vick was just as bad in the second half against the Chargers that the team is turning back to Smith in Week 6 against the Broncos.