Source: Michael Vick will start against Dolphins

Michael Vick may not be the long-term answer for the Jets, but Rex Ryan views him as the better option for at least another week.

The 34-year-old quarterback will start Monday night's game against the Dolphins at MetLife Stadium, a source told Newsday Tuesday.

Ryan, however, said on a conference call that he preferred to wait until after he informs Vick and Geno Smith Wednesday before he announces his decision. But it was made in his mind shortly after the Jets' 38-3 loss to the Bills in Detroit Monday night.

"It's just as simple as we'll do what's best for the team,'' Ryan said Tuesday when asked about making the quarterback call.

Vick and the offense looked out of sync from the start against Buffalo. Vick completed 7 of 19 passes for 79 yards and an interception before he was replaced by Smith late in the third quarter after suffering a calf injury.

Vick, who was sacked five times, downplayed the injury after the game. Ryan also pointed out postgame that Vick could have returned to action. On Tuesday, Ryan said Vick is dealing with ankle and wrist soreness, adding he "got beat up a little bit.'' But if Vick is healthy enough to play against the Dolphins, he will start, according to the source.

Smith completed 10 of 12 passes for 89 yards in relief of Vick and was sacked twice. It was his first action since Oct. 26, when he threw three interceptions in his first six snaps before being replaced by Vick in a 43-23 loss to the Bills.

"I thought Geno came in and did pretty decent. Obviously, that sack at the end there, that wasn't pretty,'' Ryan said, referring to the last play of the game, when Smith was sacked for a loss of 4 yards as he tried to run out of bounds.

"He was under duress as well,'' Ryan added. "But I thought he came in and showed some poise. I thought at times he did some good things.''

With presumably five games left in his tenure with the Jets (2-9), Ryan likely wants to go out on his own terms, and with the quarterback of his choosing. But it really doesn't matter who starts the rest of the way.

The Jets were eliminated from playoff contention after their meltdown against a Bills team that had been snowed in for several days because of a lake-effect storm that swept across western New York.

Even though the Jets had a full week of practice coming off their Week 11 bye, it was Doug Marrone's team that showed up ready to play.

"It's kind of hard to believe that we got outplayed the way we did and everything,'' Ryan said. "I thought going into the game that we had a great game plan in all phases, and then we don't execute. The other thing is, it was such a poor performance that it is hard to watch.''

If the Jets can't improve their level of execution and overall play, the next five weeks could be miserable for them and their coach.

"We know we clearly have to get a lot better and we have to get better in a hurry,'' Ryan said. "We're running out of tomorrows.''