Jets QB coach David Lee on Geno Smith: “We’re not playing yet, we’re not in the stadium yet, people aren’t in the stands, but Geno, he’s a strongly improved player at this point.”
“It goes all the way back with him to last winter,” Lee explained. “He was down in Florida sending me text pictures of himself running up and down hills with a parachute behind him. He’s just faster. He’s faster than he was. His body’s stronger….He’s been in that weight room, so physically he’s gotten faster, he’s gotten stronger, he’s lost body fat. When you do all that your mind (is) right and his mind’s been right.
"He’s taught a lot of football, he’s worked hard on pass protection. We looked at all the things that were negative last year from sacks, to interceptions, to fumbles and how can we improve them. I’ve been really pleased with his progress.”
Smith finished as the #20 QB in his rookie season, but his per game production (12.5 PPG) left something to be desired. He got off to a good start, posting #14 QB numbers through the first five games, but he was just the #24 QB the rest of the way. He showed a better-than-expected ability to run around the goal line, resulting in six rushing TDs. The arrival of WR Eric Decker and TE Jace Amaro should help, though he now has Michael Vick breathing down his neck.