Geno Smith - Looking Good In The Zone

A lot has been made of the deficiencies the Jets experienced in the Red Zone last year and for good reason. How many times did we see Tebow stall the drive inside the 20, and according to Rich Cimini, ESPN stats confirm that Mark Sanchez threw four interceptions and held just a 54.1% passer rating within the opposition’s 20 yard line. That is a one way ticket to losing football games, turning the football over at any point during the game is a recipe for disaster, coming away with three points when you are in the opposition 20 is a disappointment, turning the ball over and coming away with nothing? Well that is unbearable and pretty close to unacceptable.

2. Flying colors in the red zone: In the first red zone-heavy practice of camp, Geno Smith stood out with his ability to throw on the run and rifle passes into the end zone. He hit Jeremy Kerley on the run for an 11-yard TD and he found Stephen Hill in the back of the end zone with a seeing-eye laser. That opened plenty of eyes. A year ago, the Jets were awful inside the 20. Mark Sanchez threw four interceptions and compiled a 54.1 passer rating, according to ESPN Stats & Information. You can't win with those kind of numbers. It was only one practice, but Smith made an impression.

So it was great news for Jets fans yesterday, in the first red-zone heavy practise, Geno Smith looked comfortable, composed and made all the right decisions. He found both Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill in the end zone for scores and according to most reports, he looked good doing it. Plenty of times you will see quarterbacks flushed from the pocket, so being able to throw on the run is important, especially when you consider we’ll be breaking in two new starters on the offensive line this year. It’s not time to herald a new quarterback era but you have to be impressed with the news coming out of camp regarding Geno Smith.

Positive thoughts, that’s what we need.