Team news: Seattle Seahawks | Page 40

Jets WR Eric Decker (hamstring, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week and is questionable for Week 4. Here’s what Decker said today about the chances that he’ll play: “I’m planning on getting out there. I can’t promise anything. Obviously, I’m leaning on the positive side that I’m definitely going to be out there.” This about sums up the clarity here, though the eternally optimistic Rex Ryan thinks Decker will play. Jeremy Kerley would continue to see extra targets if Decker can’t go. His absence would make it tough on QB Geno Smith.

Jets WR Eric Decker (hamstring) missed practice again Thursday. Decker looks like another game-time decision this week, though the eternally optimistic Rex Ryan thinks he’ll play. Jeremy Kerley would continue to see extra targets if Decker can’t play. His absence would make it tough on QB Geno Smith.

Jets WR Eric Decker (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Decker looks like he’ll be another game-time decision this week. Jeremy Kerley would continue to see extra targets if Decker can’t play. His absence would make it tough on QB Geno Smith.

Jets HC Rex Ryan made it clear Tuesday afternoon he still believes Geno Smith and is not thinking of replacing him with Michael Vick, despite Smith’s five turnovers through three games this season.

”I think everybody’s behind Geno,” Ryan said in a conference call with reporters. “He’s our quarterback and our football team believes in him, so that’s it.”

Smith had a terrible outing Monday night in a 27-19 loss to the Bears and has five turnovers through three games this season. Still, Ryan is sticking with his second-year signal-caller. Ryan added he believes Smith will improve and that he's seen him improve since last season. Smith shows flashes but is constantly hurt by turnovers and is a very risky option if your league gives negative points for turnovers.

This 2014 Jets receiving corps has a chance to dramatically change the script, possibly even become a strength instead of the liability the position has been. This season could represent a new beginning of sorts for their receiving corps.

That improvement has come first through subtraction and then by addition. The Jets no longer have Santonio Holmes poisoning their locker room with his selfish, sulking behavior. They, too, rid themselves of 2012 second-round draft pick Stephen Hill and his unfulfilled potential.

The Jets go forward with Eric Decker, their prized offseason free-agent acquisition ($36.25 million over five years with $15 million guaranteed), Jeremy Kerley in his fourth season with the team and dependable veteran David Nelson, who should benefit from a year in offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s system and a full offseason with the team.

From a fantasy standpoint, there isn't a ton of excitement. Decker comes into this week as a pretty solid WR2 ranked 16th in a good matchup against the Raiders. But Decker will now see team's top corners, something he probably didn't last year in Denver. It will still come down to how QB Geno Smith progresses this season and if he can keep from turning the ball over.

The Jets announced that they have waived QB Matt Simms, who spent last season as Geno Smith’s backup and relieved him during one poor performance. That leaves Michael Vick as the only other quarterback on the roster, although Simms could be back with the team on the practice squad.

On Tuesday, Jets QB David Lee held court and talked mostly about QB Geno Smith’s progress as he enters his second season. Smith’s preseason is done, after three games, because starters don’t play in the fourth and final preseason game, Thursday at the Eagles.

Smith has officially been named the starter, at least for Week 1 against Oakland. Throughout this summer, teammates have raved about the progress they see in his composure and confidence.

Lee loves all of that. But most of all, he just wanted to see Smith stop giving the ball away. He threw 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions last season, and lost four fumbles. Couple that with Mark Sanchez’s 26 turnovers in both 2011 and 2012, and the Jets’ primary quarterbacks over the past three seasons have committed 77 turnovers.

Through three preseason games, Smith threw just one interception – and it appeared to stem from a miscommunication with receiver David Nelson.

“That’s probably been the No. 1 most encouraging thing, is he’s secured the ball in the pocket,” Lee said. “He’s had two hands on the ball, he’s working with two hands on the ball as he’s escaping the pocket and (he’s) moving and sliding. Just his ball security has been a gigantic (improvement). And that’ll be the biggest turnaround thing for us, if he just takes care of the ball and doesn’t get it knocked loose. So that’s a good observation. That’s the big thing he’s improved.”

Smith didn't turn the ball over the Jets final two games last season, which were both victories. He's ranked just 28th on our list and isn't getting a lot of draft day action. The Jets will likely be a run-first team for one reason and the turnover threat is another. We still project Smith for more INTs than TDs. He may have some limited value in some certain matchups. But it appears he's making strides to fix the turnover issues from last year.