We may not know what number Michael Vick’s going to wear, but we know that for now, he’s No. 2.
Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg told reporters Tuesday that second-year quarterback Geno Smith would open as the starter, with Vick expected to compete.
“We’re going to structure it in a certain way,” Mornhinweg said, via Brian Costello of the New York Post. “One thing I want to make sure of is nothing impedes the young quarterback’s progression. I’m talking about Geno. He progressed beautifully, . . . I’m talking the last quarter of the season.”
The presence of Vick makes it far from a given that Smith keeps the job, and Mornhinweg was careful to leave the door ajar. The two have background together from Philadelphia, but it was clear the idea is to push Smith to something more.
“We’ve got a plan,” Mornhinweg said. “Geno is in the middle of a progression. He’s a fine, young quarterback. You know I think highly about him. We brought Michael Vick in for a purpose. He’s going to compete, he’s going to push, he’s going to make Geno the very best. If he’s called upon to play and when he’s called upon to play, I expect Mike Vick to play at a real high level.”
That’s fine, but in admitting Smith will get the first snaps, and the most snaps, it’s clear the Jets are pointing to him as the favorite for the job.
Unless, of course, they’re pointing at someone else.