New York Jets Draft Geno Smith - Is the End Near For Sanchez Or Tebow?

Well, it's now official. The circus that has become known in recent years as the New York Jets will open yet another chapter in training camp with the arrival of West Virginia University quarterback Geno Smith. Last season's hands-down winner of the Heisman Trophy in the early running faded badly in the later part of the season to fall from consideration for the prestigious award, but still managed to show pro scouts enough ability to be drafted by the Jets with the 7th pick of the 2nd round (39th overall).

What this all means to Jets fans is that one of the two quarterbacks on the current roster are at the least to be relegated to greatly diminished roles in the Jets offense next season - and at the worst possibly released or trade quickly if Smith is able to make any kind of an impact.

Jets starting quarterback Marc Sanchez was selected by New York out of USC as the 5th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and has since fallen from favor with Jets fans due to poor play and a lack of consistency and leadership. In four full seasons Sanchez has completed only 55 percent of his passes and thrown for 68 touchdowns along with 69 interceptions. With Sanchez under center New York has a won/lost record of 33-29 a mediocre display at best.

When the Jets traded in 2012 to get quarterback Tim Tebow from the Denver Broncos they hoped to acquire someone that could either motivate Sanchez or perform in well in the wildcat formation and they received neither. Tebow has been a bust in New York, throwing only 8 passes all of last season and rushing for only 102 yard on 32 carries - a pathetic 3.2 yards per carry average.

What the Jets have obtained in Geno Smith is a quarterback with the speed, athleticism and arm strength that Sanchez and Tebow lack. With the proper mentoring and work ethic Smith could very easily make one or both of the Jets current quarterbacks slide far down on the depth chart and if he has a good preseason it is quite possible that Smith could take over the starting role. While this may sound like a lot of "if's" consider that Jets head coach Rex Ryan has just about worn out his welcome in the big apple and if he can't put a winner on the field soon may find himself in the unemployment line.

From any perspective it should be interesting to see how Geno Smith handles the pressures of the NFL and the scrutiny of the New York sports media. It's a big jump from life in West Virginia to the never-sleep lifestyle of New York City. For Geno Smith's sake let's hope he has the support system in place to take full advantage of a wonderful opportunity.