It was at the end of the Jets' offseason conditioning program when Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg told the New York Daily News that rookie quarterback Geno Smith was "way ahead of the pace of a normal rookie." Smith had mixed reviews during the offseason practices and worked out on his own away from teammates after minicamps wrapped.
"I think Geno's close," he said. "I don't think he's there yet. But he's close to being able to get into a game and function at a high level. So our whole challenge — and his challenge — is that first preseason game. Now let's get to a point where you can function at a high level."
Smith will battle Mark Sanchez for the starting job in training camp.