Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News
Jets coach Rex Ryan announced the team decision on Monday afternoon that Michael Vick will start Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, instead of their usual Geno Smith. Ryan feels that right now this is the right move, and it is all about the immediate future and finding a way to win, not about the long term.
Smith’s benching is due to his three interceptions on Sunday in a span of six plays during the first quarter. He can’t say it isn’t fair though. He has gone 9-15 as a starter with 19 touchdowns, 31 interceptions, a 55.9 percent completion rating and a 66.2 percent passer rating. In half of his starts he has had at least two turnovers. Vick replaced Smith during the game to provide a temporary spark, but it didn’t last long when the Jets suffered a home loss to the Buffalo Bills. The vet finished with three turnovers of his own, and according to the Elias Sports Bureau, this past game was the first time a team since the 1991 Cardinals had two quarterbacks with three or more turnovers in a single game.
Though Smith is going to be benched for the next game, it would be a surprise if he didn’t get another start this season because his team has been so adamant about giving the young passer every opportunity to prove that he is one of them, he is their guy.
The team has faced seven losses in a row, including Sundays game with a final score of 42-23, a win for the Buffalo Bills.
