FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — It is the eve of the Jets’ third preseason game, and according to the quarterbacks coach David Lee, they are not “near ready” to announce a starter. That sentence is presented without comment or judgment, merely a declaration of fact, but it is fair to consider Lee’s choice of words.
Not being “near ready” has a different connotation than “close to” or “on the verge of” or “we’ve been evaluating and grading and discussing Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith for nearly four months and, finally, we’re almost there.” That seemed Lee’s point.
“There’s no hurry,” Lee said. “I mean, there is to y’all, obviously. But there’s not to us.” He added: “The only good reason to name one quick is he obviously would get more reps prior to the first game. But it’s been too close to call.”
That very notion — that this competition has been, if Lee is to be believed, too close to call — must be somewhat discouraging to the Jets. Sanchez, in his fifth year, has yet to distinguish himself from a rookie. He generally performs well at practice, and did for stretches during the first two preseason games, but he continues to make the sort of mistakes that can cost the Jets a game — and have, in the past — and him a job. Smith excelled Thursday, but he endured struggles late in training camp and has been slowed by a sprained ankle that sidelined him for last week’s game against Jacksonville.
Some days, Lee thinks that Sanchez has earned the right to start. The next, he feels the same about Smith.
“You come off the field, and you’re frowning at one and you’re attaboying the other one,” Lee said, adding, “It’s kind of been an emotional up-and-down deal. Who’s the best one today? Maybe that’s our guy.”
by By BEN SHPIGEL
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