Bowles was on Mike & Mike this am and McCag was on Boomer and Carton. First of all, I didn’t hear their presser earlier in the week but I have to say—BOTH of these guys IMHO came off extremely well in the interviews. Bowles this am and on the Michael Kay show yesterday—he sounds like an extremely down to earth, honest and open, articulate (with a bit of a twang), intelligent, serious no nonsense whatsoever guy. No bluster, very self-deprecating and respectful. McCag also was very articulate, quick witted, a TRUE football guy who I think will be an extremely serious GM who knows the league and his stuff (unlike his predecessor). Both guys actually answered questions in what seemed to be an honest and sincere manner—not a lot of hot air. I'm liking both of these guys. On to the brief comments about Geno—both were very complimentary of Geno about his talent level but both also said every position including QB will be looked at anew and that they can’t make any judgments until they look at tape and meet with him and the other coaches. When asked point blank by Greenie if Geno was the starter or whether the QB was a clean slate, Bowles said “It’s a clean slate” and didn’t expound too much. When Carton asked McCag if Geno was the starter going into the offseason, McGag said they were neither anointing him as the starter nor dismissing him as the starter” but he expounded a little bit and was much more complimentary of Geno and thought he was only in his second year and had the potential to be a good player. Neither guy went into any more depth than that. _
The one thing I realy love about McCag, is that he's a football guy through and through (along with having a great eye for talent, looking at his time with Texans). Now, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a great GM, but I have high hopes for him. When it came to John Idzik (even though I still maintain he got a raw deal here), he was known as a cap guy, but not a football/personnel guy (my hope in him was mostly cause he came from Seattle).
Sounds like the perfect way to approach it. No more fake "competition". Best man at each position starts.
Both guys have said all the right things so far. Im so split on Geno because I think in the right system he can still be a decent starter. But Im not sure if he has the drive/smarts to be one. It would make sense if Mac and Bowles want to bring in someone that isnt left over from the last regime. I wouldn't be opposed to that considering an actual football guy would be making the choice. Either way its clear that someone with potential needs to be brought in to offer some competition. And whoever is better in TC and preseason will be starting Week 1. No fake competitions like we had during the Sanchez era and last year with Vick.
I was surprised with John Idzik regarding this. You figure with him coming from Seattle, he'd have taken the competition mantra more seriously.
I caught his interview on the Stephanie A. Smith show (i know.. he's a d-bag) on Sirius like a half hour ago and it was basically the same thing from Bowles. Said he needs to evaluate but it will definitely be a competition. The best guy no matter who it is will play. He did however want to set the record straight in his presser when he said Geno Smith was a great college QB he didn't mean he was good there but sucks in the NFL, just that he only scouted closely him from college. Being in different conferences he acknowledged he hasn't seen much game tape on Geno's pro game. But that's what the coming weeks will bring.
All I got out of this fellas is Geno will be on the team in 2015...They will see during training camp if Geno is the QB per Gailey's advice and their own...However, do not be fooled...These guys will get a QB they want if he is available.
I can't wait to hear Bowles tell it like it is...No more sugarcoating it. He is known for this... Geno: "Coach, why am I not starting?" Bowles: "Because you lack the talent in a couple of areas to be a regular starting quarterback for my team. Please improve and sit down on the bench Geno."
In what way? By not going to Vick earlier in the season? Or by being forced to start Darrin Walls, Marcus Williams and Antonio Allen for most of the season?
Speaking specifically about the QB position - he should've started the season with Vick like a real HC would've... and switched to Geno Smith if Vick fell apart. Vick was better at moving the chains in preseason/at camp. Rex botched the QB situation/competitions his entire time here. I can't name one year where I thought he did a good job managing the position. Even in 2011 after Sanchez' most successful year, even though it was obvious Sanchez would be the starter he did a horrible job by not at least keeping him fresh/motivated and challenging him. Instead he went out of his way to baby the kid that was at an important year in his development. Luckily he's gone and this thread is about the next guy who hopefully will oversee the position wiser. Rooting for Bowles to get things right here
They have said the correct things. Geno should come to this training camp having to win this job not just by having great training camp outings but to show it in the preseason too and to step up as a leader, not as just another player. Geno needs to carry a chip on his shoulder to see what has gone wrong in the 1st 2 years and to improve. Even if it has to be tough love from Bowles and Gailey. It will be good if Bowles gets into Geno's face for a turnover or for not getting a correct blitz assignment in preparation. Geno needs to treat that football like it's his life on the field and to make sure nobody else takes that ball away from him.
hopefully he shoots even straighter than that "You are not starting because you make more turnovers than my local bakery in the morning. How am I supposed to win when you give away the ball multiple times a game?"
That doesnt sound like something Bowles would say...Although I hear he has alot of sarcasm...Imagine him being sarcastic during a Geno benching. "Geno you throw like a girl, please don't ask me stupid questions again"
All true. To me, it actually started when they brought Brunnel on board as Mark's competition. MB had nothing left, therefore he was no real threat to Sanchez, no matter how reckless he was with the football. Then they bring in a washed-up, broken down D Garrard, which was another joke. Bottom line, Mark was given the job, he didn't earn it because there never was any true competition. Silver lining, with neither this GM or this coach having any ties to Geno, we'll know sooner than later whether he's the long-term solution at QB...
Between the answers by Maccagnan on free agency and Bowles answer about Geno being on a clean slate through evaluation gives me hope that looking for a QB is a definite possibility. No 'He's our guy' rhetoric. Could make for surprising dismissals at other positions as well.
It is an interesting year for Geno Smith. Normally I would say he just sucks and who cares but a constant in the RR era was QBs making turnovers. Rex had to have something to do with that... maybe not I guess, but that's why I want to see how Geno Smith looks in a completely new system. Since he's already under contract and its favorable- - no harm in finding out.
I acknowledge if Bowles and Mac had said they were totally on board with Smith, or were ready to toss him over the side already, both would have been stories. But this fits very much with not only letting them both assess him, but also the reality that there is no clear path to an alternative. Until, I guess I should say unless and until, the Jets have some Qb competition on board, we probably won't hear much more of substance on this subject. Noting different, anyway.
They're both right. Geno should not be dismissed, it would be incredibly stupid to get rid of a second round pick 2 years in when you can keep him on your roster no matter what. Let him compete, if he gets beat out then he sits the bench, if you think the backup is also better than him, then you discuss cutting him. But there is no reason to cut him just for sake of cutting him.
The bolded is only half true. I read tweets on training camp all last offseason and Geno was routinely credited with making better short and intermediate throws. In training Vick was better at throwing down field and running. The latter probably moves the chains better, but the game today is played from the pocket and Geno was better than Vick in this regard. Last season Geno's problem wasn't necessarily moving the team down the field, it was finishing in the red zone. If each game if we scored on one or two more of our attempts in the red zone, we would went 8-8 or better.
