Geno Smith signs contract, eager to compete for QB job
Jets quarterback Geno Smith throws a pass during the team's first day of rookie minicamp in Florham Park, N.J. (May 10, 2013) Credit: James Escher
Geno Smith may not have participated in "Jets West" in California earlier this month, but he'll be at Jets Cortland when training camp begins in earnest this week. The rookie quarterback signed a four-year deal worth around $5 million Monday, the day many of the Jets' first-year players began reporting to Florham Park, N.J., before heading upstate.
The Jets announced the signing, leaving them with two first-round picks still unsigned: cornerback Dee Milliner and defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. Smith was selected in the second round with the 39th overall pick in April.
Even before he inked his contract, Smith was eyeing his shot at the starting job this season. During the weekend, Smith told the Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette that he feels as if he has "a great shot" to unseat Mark Sanchez during training camp.
"I have a goal in mind and I'm really going to go after that," Smith said. "I want to be the best. It's going to take time and effort and that's what I'm willing to put in. Once I step on the field, it's about business. I'm really appreciative to have made it to this level, but there's a lot more for me out there and I'm going to try and strive for it."
Players report to Jets training camp Thursday. The Jets have declared an "open competition" at quarterback, with Sanchez and Smith expected to battle throughout camp for the job. Smith raised eyebrows when he did not attend Sanchez's unofficial annual training program in California known as "Jets West."
Smith's entire contract has a value close to $5 million, and Sanchez is fully guaranteed a base salary of $8.25 million for 2013.
Tryouts at WR, kicker
With wide receiver Santonio Holmes recovering from foot surgery and expected to miss a chunk of training camp, the Jets reportedly are looking at several veteran receivers before embarking to Cortland. Most notable among them are Austin Collie and Laurent Robinson, each of whom has a concussion history. The Jets also reportedly hosted kicker Billy Cundiff for a tryout Monday and could sign him as competition for Nick Folk during the preseason.
