Bowles likes what he's seen of Geno thus far
The New York Jets' Geno Smith throws a pass at NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 30, 2015, in Florham Park, N.J. Credit: AP / Frank Franklin II
So far, so good for Geno Smith.
It's only been eight training camp practices for the Jets quarterback, but Todd Bowles said he's sees growth in the third-year signal-caller.
"I think he's night and day from the spring and from OTAs," the Jets coach said Friday of Smith. "Just the confidence he has with the offense, and the no hesitation thing. For the most part, I thought he's done a good job so far."
Of course, that all sounds nice. But Smith's first real test comes Thursday night, when the Jets play the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
And while it may only be the Jets' first exhibition game, it also will be the first glimpse of Smith in Chan Gailey's system.
Smith, who committed 41 turnovers (including 34 interceptions) the past two seasons, hasn't thrown an interception thus far in camp. He looked good during team drills on Friday. One of the highlights was his deep-ball completion to Saalim Hakim, who beat Antonio Cromartie. But it's far too early to tell if Smith can, and will, take that much-needed next step forward in 2015.
Nevertheless, praise from Bowles, a man of few words and, is a good sign.
"He's working hard," receiver Brandon Marshall said of Smith, who is expected to be the Jets' Week 1 starter. "I think everyone's noticing that he's really taking a hold of this whole deal, the huddle and the offense. I'm happy to be in the huddle with him.''
