With the Jets' season five days from opening, it is clear Geno Smith will be the team's quarterback when they take on the Buccaneers, even if no one around the Jets is willing to say that just yet.
Mark Sanchez did not practice again yesterday and the team signed Brady Quinn, a clear indication management does not think Sanchez will be available at all Sunday, and probably longer because of his right shoulder injury, and need a veteran to back up Smith.
Even with the picture becoming clearer every day that Smith will start, Rex Ryan refuses to reveal who his starter will be.
AP
QB MESS: Geno Smith (above), practicing yesterday, appears poised to start Sunday's opener as Mark Sanchez is left answering questions about his shoulder and journeyman Brady Quinn arrives for the start of his Jets career.
AP
Journeyman quarterback Brady Quinn arrives for the start of his Jets career yesterday.
"With the quarterback situation, obviously nothing new there," the Jets coach said.
Ryan said he will have more to say tomorrow when the team is required to issue an injury report. Smith said he has not been told he is the starter. The rookie said he's ready to play when the coaches give him the call.
"I've been preparing extremely hard and I think I've gotten a lot better," Smith said. "Like I said, this is only the beginning. I've got a lot to learn and I'm preparing for everything that comes my way. If my chance is Sunday, I'm going to go out there with the intent to lead my team to victory and that's just the way it is. I'm always going to play like that, be aggressive. I'm never going to hesitate, never going to shy away from anything and just go out there and play ball."
Smith had a limited number of snaps in the preseason because of his sprained right ankle. Jets players say they still have faith in him.
"We have the utmost trust in him," veteran linebacker Calvin Pace said. "Two reasons: One, we really don't have a choice. The second reason is we've seen him work. Obviously the talent is there or he wouldn't be here. It's just a matter of him sticking to the game plan, whatever it is for him, and take what the defense gives you. He doesn't have to win it by himself. I think he'll do a good job."
Ryan won't rule out Sanchez yet, but a source said it could be two weeks before Sanchez can resume throwing. Internally, the Jets believe he won't be ready until Week 3.
The team signed Quinn, a 2007 first-round draft pick by the Browns, as an upgrade over Graham Harrell, who was released to clear a roster spot. Despite Matt Simms' strong preseason, the Jets want a veteran quarterback to back up Smith.
The move fueled speculation the Jets could be ready to release Sanchez or put him on season-ending injured reserve. But cutting Sanchez would make no sense because of his $12.8 million salary cap figure and his $8.25 million guaranteed salary. Can you imagine if Sanchez went to another team and played well while the Jets are paying him?
As for the IR, a source said Sanchez's injury is not believed to be season-ending. However, there is uncertainty about how his shoulder will react when he tries to throw again. The doctors fear if Sanchez throws too soon and makes the injury worse, he could be lost for the year.
With Sanchez sidelined, the Jets are rallying around Smith.
"When I'm in the huddle, when I step on the practice field, when I come in this building, guys are greeting me," Smith said. "I had Antwan [Barnes] who texted me and was all happy-go-lucky and telling me how much he was excited for me and all of those things. I think the guys around here respect the fact that I just work hard. I'm never going to let anything outside of this building affect me. I don't pay attention to anything else besides my teammates and my coaches."
brian.costello@nypost.com
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