Jets, Encouraged by Smith’s Debut, Are Hoping He Can Build on It

Barton Silverman/The New York Times

Geno Smith heading out of the pocket, pursued by the Buccaneers’ Dekoda Watson. His mobility helped the Jets win Sunday.

By BEN SHPIGEL

Published: September 9, 2013

It was not remarkable to them, of course — the victory part, at least. All along they had predicted that their defense would pester and befuddle the Buccaneers, just as they had predicted that in his first N.F.L. start Geno Smith would dazzle with his poise, his legs, his presence.

“This is what we saw,” Coach Rex Ryan said, and he meant those first two weeks of training camp, before Smith sprained his ankle, restricting his mobility and impeding his ability to generate power on his passes. Smith is at full speed now, or at least he says he is, and it would be difficult to divine otherwise from his 47 rushing yards Sunday, especially those final 10. His sprint toward the Jets’ sideline drew a late-hit penalty, facilitating a more manageable field-goal attempt for Nick Folk.