New York Jets Name Michael Vick Starter For Week 9 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick (1) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Jets’ change that many people saw coming after a disastrous game against the Buffalo Bills came to fruition Monday afternoon, as head coach Rex Ryan announced that Michael Vick will be starting over Geno Smith. Vick will be the starter under center against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium Week 9.
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This was a move that the Jets needed to make, after Smith had a game that can be argued as the worst in the history of the NFL. His play has plummeted and that is the main factor in him being benched. Against the Bills on Sunday, Smith completed 2-8 passes for five yards and three interceptions. That is not a typo; Smith actually completed more passes to Bills’ defenders than his own Jet receivers.
On the season Smith has been up and down, which is a big reason the Jets are sitting with a 1-7 record and currently riding a seven-game losing streak. If not for a cupcake against the Oakland Raiders and rookie Derek Carr in Week 1, this team would be winless.
Smith currently is one of the worst quarterbacks statistically, ranking 27th in passing yards, 33rd in passing percentage which is last among qualified quarterbacks, 33rd in yards per attempt, second in interceptions and first in overall turnovers. An injured shoulder can also be part of the reason for Smith’s benching, but those stats speak volumes and are more than enough reason to have him sit on the sidelines.
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Vick was not much better against the Bills, throwing one interception of his own and fumbling four times, two of which were not recovered by the Jets. It was the first time since 1991 that two quarterbacks on the same team turned the ball over at least three times each. Unlike Smith though, Vick was able to get his team in position to score, as the Jets put up 23 points with Vick calling the shots.
Vick hasn’t performed much better than Smith in spot duty this season, but he gives the Jets their best chance to win. His ability to run with the football was on full display against the Bills, bringing an added dimension to the Jets’ offense that makes it harder to game plan against them.
This season is in the gutter for the Jets, but Vick does give them the best chance to win right now, which honestly may not even be in the best interest for the future of the team.