NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

April 22, 2014

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Jets' Ryan: 'It's time to deliver' (Dennis Waszak) ...................................................................................................... 2

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 3

Geno Smith expects to be the Jets' starting quarterback (Kimberley Martin) .......................................................... 3

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Geno Smith still expects to win Jets' starting quarterback job (J.P. Pelzman) .......................................................... 4

STAR-LEDGER ......................................................................................................................................................... 5

Jets hope to find cohesion among young returning players, older newcomers during offseason workouts (Darryl Slater) ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Jets cornerback Dee Milliner should benefit from experiencing full offseason workout program (Darryl Slater) ... 7

Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson 'most definitely' confident he will improve sack total (Darryl Slater) .... 8

As Jets begin offseason workouts, Rex Ryan says, 'It’s time to deliver. We need to deliver' (Darryl Slater) ............ 9

Jets offered Sidney Rice more money, but he still decided to return to Seahawks, he says in radio interview (Darryl Slater) .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 11

Geno Smith has no doubt he’ll be Jets starter over Vick (Brian Costello) ............................................................... 11

Rex Ryan won’t commit to set role for Chris Johnson (Brian Costello) ................................................................... 12

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 13

Geno Smith confident he will be NY Jets QB despite addition of Mike Vick (Seth Walder) .................................... 13

NEW YORK TIMES ................................................................................................................................................ 14

As Jets Start Workouts, They Hope to Build on a Positive Ending (Ben Shpigel) .................................................... 14

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 15

Geno Smith expects to start at QB (Rich Cimini) ..................................................................................................... 15

Richardson: The best is yet to come (Rich Cimini) .................................................................................................. 16

Rex: Johnson's role still to be determined (Rich Cimini) ......................................................................................... 17

Revis trade, one year later: Winners, losers (Rich Cimini) ...................................................................................... 18

METRO NEW YORK .............................................................................................................................................. 19

Geno Smith expects to beat out Michael Vick (Kristian Dyer) ................................................................................ 19

NJ.COM ................................................................................................................................................................ 20

Rex Ryan doesn't rule out ground-and-pound running attack with addition of Chris Johnson (A.J. Perez) ........... 20

Geno Smith expects to remain Jets starting QB, welcomes competition with Michael Vick (A.J. Perez) ............... 21

MONDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS .................................................................................................................... 22

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets' Ryan: 'It's time to deliver' (Dennis Waszak) Associated Press April 21, 2014

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-ryan-its-time-deliver

NEW YORK (AP) — Rex Ryan stays away from bold guarantees and eye-popping predictions these days.

It's just not his style. Well, at least anymore.

The New York Jets coach is still plenty confident in his team, and he let them know that Monday when his players gathered at the team's facility in Florham Park, N.J., for their first set of voluntary workouts.

"I talked to our team about how I feel, about what our fans expect," Ryan said of his opening message. "To me, it's time to deliver. We need to deliver.

"I'm not going to get into the specifics about what we're delivering, but I know what our fans expect, and they're going to get everything we have."

Every coach's goal is to get to the Super Bowl, of course, and Ryan has made that clear since he got the job with the Jets in 2009. But after an 8-8 finish that saved Ryan's job despite the team missing out on the postseason for the third straight season, there's a clear sense of optimism around the franchise.

"Obviously, you can't start from where you left off, but we knew we were a team that was ascending," Ryan said during a conference call. "I think that is important to us."

Some of the "buzz," as Ryan described it, can be attributed to high-profile free-agent signings such as quarterback Michael Vick, running back Chris Johnson and wide receiver Eric Decker this offseason. All three were considered arguably the best available players at their positions in free agency, and provide significant improvements.

While general manager John Idzik has been deliberate this offseason, he has also been thrifty. The Jets are still about $26 million under the salary cap, a figure that places them among teams with the most space to work with. And, they've also got a whopping 12 draft picks.

"I think we have a great nucleus of a team," Ryan said. "We've laid that foundation last year and I think we're just going to build to it this year."

Part of the late-season success last year in which the Jets won three of their last four was the result of Geno Smith becoming more efficient as a rookie. Still, he headed into the offseason uncertain as to whether the Jets considered him the quarterback of the future, or even the present — a situation that became murkier when they signed Vick.

But the second-year quarterback has praised the addition, and reiterated that he's looking forward to competing with a player of Vick's experience. Smith also isn't afraid to make guarantees. When asked Monday if he still think he'll win the starting job, Smith responded with a simple, yet confident, "Yes."

Smith explained that he's more comfortable in Marty Mornhinweg's offense, and he'll be able to also lean on Vick, who played under the coordinator when the two were in Philadelphia. Even Vick said he's coming to the Jets with the thinking that the starting job is Smith's — for now.

"I respect what Mike said, but I understand there's a competition," Smith said. "It comes down to what we do on the field."

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Ryan doesn't think Vick's presence will be a deterrent to Smith's progress. In fact, the coach believes just the opposite.

"I think his physical skills are going to push Geno," Ryan said of Vick. "It's not like you don't have a great quarterback sitting right there, pushing you, because that's what he'll do. He'll push you. He's a tremendous player, a very talented guy. It will be great for Geno."

The Jets finished 29th in overall offense, a ranking that should drastically improve with the additions of Johnson and Decker. Despite the lack of true playmakers last season, Smith refused to point the blame anywhere but to himself.

"If I had done a lot of things better, we'd have done better as an offense," he said. "It showed throughout the year, but that has come and gone."

Ryan said the Jets haven't promised a certain number of carries for Johnson, who adds some blazing speed to a running game that finished sixth in the NFL behind Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. The former Tennessee Titans 2,000-yard rusher gives the offense a dimension out of the backfield it hasn't seen in years.

"He's a highlight reel waiting to happen," defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said.

Added Smith: "As long as everyone competes and gets better at every single spot, it can do wonders for us all."

NOTES: As expected, the Jets picked up their fifth-year option on DE Muhammad Wilkerson last week, paying him $6.96 million in 2015 after making $1.2 million this upcoming season. ... Richardson, the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, was asked if he thinks he'll be able to improve on his 3 ½ sacks from last season. "Mosssst definitely," Richardson said, using one of his favorite phrases. "That's not even close to what I have as far as standards for myself."

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NEWSDAY

Geno Smith expects to be the Jets' starting quarterback (Kimberley Martin) Newsday April 21, 2014

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/geno-smith-expects-to-be-the-jets-starting-quarterback-1.7781935

The Jets' signing of free agent Michael Vick has done little to sway Geno Smith's confidence.

Asked on a conference call Monday if he still believes he'll be the team's starting quarterback, Smith offered a one-word reply: "Yes."

Smith, 23, downplayed the assumption that the Jets signed the 33-year-old Vick because they had lost confidence in him.

Asked why he remains so self-assured, Smith said: "My belief in myself, knowing that I'm going to take every action possible to get better and to come into this season a better player . . .

"I just believe with the experience that I've gained, and with the direction that we were heading in as an offense, and where I see myself as a second-year player, I just believe that I'm more than capable of being a starter."

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On the first day of their offseason program, players returned to Florham Park eager to build on the "flashes" they showed at the end of 2013, center Nick Mangold said. Rex Ryan -- who made it clear to his players that "it's time to deliver" -- said he could feel a palpable "buzz" inside the building.

Smith said he intends to build on his roller-coaster rookie season.

In January, he told Newsday that "as long as there's a season next year, I'll be starting." And he still feels that way -- even with Vick's arrival last month.

Smith stressed that on-field production will be the determining factor in their quarterback competition. So although he's confident in his abilities, he's also eager to learn from and compete with his friend Vick.

"I think it'll make our team better, so I'm all for competition," Smith said of adding Vick, who spent four seasons in Philadelphia in Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's West Coast system.

"As I told you guys, I'm going to compete no matter who comes in. And I think we've got a good guy in Mike, who brings something extra to the table as far as veteran leadership into our quarterback room. As well as a guy with tremendous capabilities."

Johnson's role up in air. Ryan said Chris Johnson wasn't promised a certain amount of carries before he signed a two-year free-agent deal last week. Johnson, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards for six consecutive seasons with the Titans, is expected to compete primarily with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell.

"When you look at our stable of backs, it's pretty good. It kind of reminds me of my first year here," said Ryan, who in 2009 had Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Shonn Greene. But that doesn't mean the Jets will return to a ground-and-pound, run-oriented attack, he said.

Regardless of how Johnson is used, his new teammates are eager to see what he can do.

Said defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson: "He's a highlight reel waiting to happen."

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THE RECORD

Geno Smith still expects to win Jets' starting quarterback job (J.P. Pelzman) The Record April 21, 2014

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/geno-smith-still-expects-to-win-jets-starting-quarterback-job-1.1000200

Geno Smith showed Monday he has read the Jets’ organizational playbook, using such words as “competition,” “compete” and “competing” during a conference call with reporters.

He also made clear his opinion of the upcoming quarterback battle. Bring it on.

Smith was asked if he expects to be the starter this season, even with the presence of veteran Michael Vick, signed last month.

The second-year quarterback replied, “Yes.” When asked to elaborate on why, he cited, “My belief in myself, knowing that I’m going to take every action possible to get better and to come into this season as a better player.

“We all believe that competition,” he added, “is what’s going to make every single player better and collectively make us all better as a team.”

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Smith, who had 12 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions in his rookie season, admitted he needs to play better in 2014.

“My main priority,” he said, “is to take care of the ball, but also to put the ball in the right places against the right coverages.”

When asked about the perceived lack of offensive weapons last season, he said, “The guys we had last year were more than viable options. I think it all came down to me, honestly.”

Smith said of Vick, “I’ve met him several times and he’s a good guy. I’m looking forward to working with him and I look forward to competing with him as well.”

On who will start, Smith said, “Obviously, it’s going to come down to production on the field. … I just believe I’m more than capable of being the starter.”

Coach Rex Ryan also sounded confident Monday, speaking on the first day of the team’s voluntary off-season conditioning program.

“It’s time to deliver,” he said. “We need to deliver.

“I’m not going to get into the specifics about what we’re delivering,” he added, “but I know what our fans expect, and they’re going to get everything we have.”

The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, the last year they had a winning record. They were 8-8 last year despite being outscored by 97 points. Ryan is buoyed by the team’s 3-1 finish to the 2013 campaign.

“Obviously, you can’t start from where you left off,” he said, “but we knew we were a team that was ascending.”

BRIEFS: Ryan indicated he is excited about the addition of RB Chris Johnson, but declined to say what he expects his role to be. “Nothing was ever promised [to him] that you’re going to get ‘X’ amount of carries,” Ryan said. “No role has definitely been determined for really almost anybody on this football team.” … DT Sheldon Richardson, the 2013 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, was asked if he thinks he’ll get more than the 3½ sacks he had last season. “Most definitely,” he said. “That’s not even close to what I have as far as standards for myself.”

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STAR-LEDGER

Jets hope to find cohesion among young returning players, older newcomers during offseason workouts (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger April 21, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/04/jets_hope_to_find_cohesion_among_young_returning_players_older_newcomers_during_offseason_workouts.html

The last time the Jets gathered as a team, on Dec. 30, they still buzzed with the energy of what had happened a day earlier.

After their win over the Dolphins to conclude the season, the players not only celebrated their first back-to-back victories of the year, but also nearly blew the doors off Miami’s visiting locker room, after owner Woody Johnson announced coach Rex Ryan would return.

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Nearly four months later, the Jets reconvened yesterday at their facility in Florham Park, well-aware that a strong finish to another playoff-less season will not cut it in 2014. Ryan liked the excitement he saw from his returning players, as well as several high-profile newcomers. But optimistic feelings alone will not get the Jets back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

“I talked to our team about how I feel, about what our fans expect,” Ryan said during a conference call, as he recounted his opening message to his players. “To me, it’s time to deliver. We need to deliver.”

That mission started yesterday, with the beginning of the offseason workout program. The first two weeks consist primarily of meetings, and strength and conditioning training. But as the Jets try to break their playoff appearance drought — a must for Ryan if he wants to stick around much longer — this is still an important starting point for the Jets’ young returning players and older newcomers.

Three valuable, second-year Jets are participating fully in an NFL offseason program for the first time: cornerback Dee Milliner, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and quarterback Geno Smith.

Milliner’s shoulder surgery sidelined him for all of last offseason until training camp. His absence limited his development and it showed during the season, when he was benched twice. Milliner closed strong, though. He was the AFC’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for December, as he had three interceptions in the final two games. With the Jets still lacking an obvious No. 1 cornerback, Milliner must make significant progress this season if the Jets are to improve their passing defense, which ranked 22nd last year.

“I think it’ll be big for him,” to be around all offseason, Ryan said.

Richardson was picked 13th overall last year, four spots behind Milliner. He did not disappoint, as he won the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. But he said his 3½ sacks last year are “not even close to what I have, as far as standards for myself.”

No Jets sophomore will be watched more closely this offseason than Smith, who is competing with newly acquired veteran Michael Vick for the starting job. Smith threw 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions last year. He spent part of the offseason reviewing his turnovers — “over and over and over again, as painful as it is,“ he said. One conclusion that he reached: He has what it takes to start in the NFL.

When asked if he expects to be the Jets’ starter this year, Smith said, “yes.” He attributed his confidence to “my belief in myself,” but acknowledged he knows “that I want to take every action possible to get better coming into the season.”

While Vick is familiar with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s West Coast system, from their four seasons together in Philadelphia (2009-12), two other offensive free-agent acquisitions who definitely will see major action — wide receiver Eric Decker and running back Chris Johnson — aren’t as savvy with the scheme. The meeting time during offseason workouts will be particularly valuable for them.

Even though West Coast offenses have tended to rely more on passing, the Jets employed a balanced attack last year — 480 passes, 493 runs. In 2012, they ran exactly one more time than they passed.

With the addition of Johnson, Ryan did not rule out — nor did he endorse — a return to the run-focused offense the Jets used in his first season, 2009, when they made the first of two straight AFC title game trips. That year, they ran 607 times and passed 393 times.

With Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, the Jets seem to have the potential to run frequently, especially as the quarterback situation sorts itself out and Decker learns Mornhinweg’s offense.

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“The thing that it does give us,” Ryan said of his running back depth, “is an opportunity to play that style of football if we decide that that's best for our team.”

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Jets cornerback Dee Milliner should benefit from experiencing full offseason workout program (Darryl Slater) The Star-Ledger April 21, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/04/jets_cornerback_dee_milliner_should_benefit_from_experiencing_full_offseason_workout_program.html

Last season, the Jets experienced the challenges of starting a rookie cornerback. They drafted Dee Milliner out of Alabama with their first pick, ninth overall, and coach Rex Ryan ended up having to bench Milliner twice during the season.

But Ryan stood by Milliner through his struggles, well aware that there were mitigating factors. Milliner was sidelined for offseason workouts because of shoulder surgery, which set back his development. Then he was limited in training camp because of a calf injury.

He still ended up starting opposite Antonio Cromartie, but things were not very pretty at times for Milliner. A hamstring injury caused him to miss the fourth, fifth and sixth games of the season. By the time he returned for the seventh game, it was Oct. 20, and he had precious little NFL experience.

Milliner wound up being rated by Pro Football Focus as the 66th-best corner (out of 110) in the NFL. In coverage grading, he was 86th. (Cromartie was 103rd and 109th in those categories, respectively.)

Milliner helped his rating by closing strong. He had an interception in the season’s penultimate game, against the Browns, and picked off two passes in the season finale at Miami. He was named the AFC’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for December.

Now, Milliner is scheduled to experience a full offseason program with the Jets. The team began offseason workouts Monday, and Ryan spoke hopefully about what this could mean for Milliner’s development.

“I think any time you get in there and get in the weight room, I think that’s the big thing, conditioning and all that stuff,” Ryan said. “I think that’s important, that he has a good offseason. Obviously, he really couldn’t train his body the way you would want to, almost for the entire season. I think it’ll be big for him, just to get confidence, to make sure that he’s physically well. I think that’ll really help. It would help any player, but I think in his case, being here for the (organized team activities next month), for all that kind of stuff will be great.”

Milliner finds himself in an interesting situation. The Jets cut Cromartie to save salary cap space, and then saw Cromartie sign with the Cardinals. The Jets also failed to land any elite cornerbacks during free agency. So they could end up drafting a cornerback with the 18th pick, though they still have a glaring need at wide receiver.

In the second round, the Jets have the 49th overall pick, so they could draft a receiver in Round 1 and hope a capable corner is around in Round 2.

Besides Milliner, the Jets’ other corners are Kyle Wilson (their slot corner last year), Darrin Walls, Ellis Lankster, Ras-I Dowling, Dimitri Patterson and Johnny Patrick.

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Patterson, who turns 31 in June, is the most experienced of that bunch. He has started 20 games in his career, including four of the six he played last year with Miami. But he has been prone to injuries. None of the Jets’ other corners have come close to proving themselves as quality, starting-caliber players.

At this point, Patterson would presumably start opposite Milliner. Even if the Jets draft a corner, Milliner could find himself in an intriguing role in 2014, with the spotlight on him more than ever. Milliner unquestionably needs to make strides this season, regardless of who plays opposite him.

If the Jets do draft a corner, Ryan hopes he has a more productive offseason experience than Milliner had last year while rehabbing his shoulder.

“Adding a rookie corner or whatever it is, the big thing is to mentally get guys up to speed as fast as possible,” Ryan said. “But being able to physically get on the field and work against NFL players I think is a big thing. With Dee, it’s not surprising that when he missed those opportunities, you talk about having to throw a guy into the fire, that’s what we did.

“We saw when he was healthy and he got used to the kind of player that he was up against, that kind of speed and everything else, his confidence rose, and when that did, that’s when he started really playing well for us.

“Obviously, his situation isn’t the preferred way to go. The preferred way is for the guy (to be) healthy, and you’re able to get him through all your OTAs and your mini camps and all that kind of stuff, and training camp, so he’ll be ready for a season. But I’m happy we’ve got Dee right now. I can tell you that much.”

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Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson 'most definitely' confident he will improve sack total (Darryl Slater) The Star-Ledger April 21, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/04/jets_defensive_tackle_sheldon_richardson_most_definitely_confident_he_will_improve_sack_total.html

Sheldon Richardson, the Jets’ brash defensive tackle who won last season’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and also ran for two touchdowns on goal-line plays, returned to the team’s complex Monday for the start of the offseason workout program, more confident than ever that he won’t fall into a sophomore slump.

Richardson, speaking to reporters via conference call, said he expects to improve on his statistics from last season, when he had 3½ sacks, forced one fumble and recovered none.

Richardson was behind the line of scrimmage a lot. He had 11 tackles for loss and 32 quarterback hurries. But he did not make as many game-changing plays – such as sacks and forced turnovers – as he would have liked.

Richardson did not hesitate Monday when asked where he could most improve from last year.

“Causing more turnovers on defense,” he said. “I had a lot of plays around the ball last year, but I felt like I could’ve made a lot more turnovers than what I did. We all felt that way, though.”

Indeed, the Jets were an overall effective defense last season. They ranked 11th in yards allowed. But they struggled to force turnovers. They had 13 interceptions and two fumble recoveries. They ranked second-to-last in the NFL in turnovers gained. Houston had 11.

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Richardson also said he sees himself being more productive in the sack department than he was last year, with 3½ sacks.

“Mooooost definitely,” he said, stretching out a phrase he uses often. “Most definitely. That’s not even close to what I have, as far as standards for myself.”

To improve his sack total, Richardson said he will “just focus on my technique, because last year, I kind of relied on my athletic ability more so than my technique.”

Though the Jets cannot conduct team practices at this point in the offseason program – that portion of the program does not really get going until next month’s organized team activities – Richardson said he is doing all he can now to improve his technique.

“It’s a focus for me right now,” he said. “I’m not waiting for OTAs. I feel like you haven’t seen the best Sheldon Richardson can play.”

He said he is watching film of himself from last year, as well as the offenses he will face in 2014.

“Just trying to be a little bit ahead of the curve as much as possible,” he said.

This is Richardson’s first full offseason with the Jets. And it unfolded quite differently than last offseason did for him. His offseason workout routine, between the end of December and now, reflected that.

“I was training to be a track star last offseason, to run a 40(-yard dash) for the combine and pro day,” he said. “(This offseason), I pretty much rejuvenated my body and recovered from last season. It was kind of stressful.”

And since Richardson is generally very candid with his assessments of, well, pretty much anything, here is what he had to say about the Jets’ newest running back, Chris Johnson: “He’s going to be a highlight reel waiting to happen.”

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As Jets begin offseason workouts, Rex Ryan says, 'It’s time to deliver. We need to deliver' (Darryl Slater) Star-Ledger April 21, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/04/as_jets_begin_offseason_workouts_rex_ryan_says_its_time_to_deliver_we_need_to_deliver.html

It didn’t take long Monday, the first day of the Jets’ offseason workout program, for coach Rex Ryan to use one of his favorite buzz words from late last season.

The Jets, by most measures, exceeded expectations last season, even though they failed to make the playoffs for the third straight year and finished 8-8 for the second time in three years, with a 6-10 stinker sandwiched in between, in 2012.

Especially given the fact that they had a turnover-prone rookie quarterback, Geno Smith, the Jets were expected to be one of the NFL’s worst teams in 2013. As it turned out, they weren’t. They started 5-4 and were in the playoff hunt, until three straight losses coming out of their bye week doomed them.

With two games left in the season, at 6-8, they were eliminated from playoff contention. But they rallied and won their final two games – their first back-to-back wins of the season, and just the second time they had won consecutive games since they won three straight from Weeks 12-14 in 2011.

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Jets owner Woody Johnson decided to bring Ryan back for a sixth season. Even before that decision was announced, following the season finale at Miami, Ryan began using the word “ascending” to describe his team.

On Monday, shortly after Ryan met with his players at the Jets’ facility in Florham Park, he conducted a conference call with reporters, during which he recounted his opening message to the team, on what he considers to be the official first day of the 2014 season.

“Obviously, I feel kind of a buzz and just a little pep in everybody’s step as they’re walking in,” Ryan said. “I think this entire football team is excited about this season and getting together with each other and have at it. I think that’s kind of where we are. My point for the team is that obviously you can’t start from where you left off, but we knew we were a team that was ascending. I think that is important to us.

“I talked to our team about how I feel, about what our fans expect. To me, it’s time to deliver. We need to deliver. I’m not going to get into the specifics about what we’re delivering, but I know what our fans expect, and they’re going to get everything we have.

“We’re building this team. We have 12 picks in this coming up draft. I think we are a great nucleus of a team. We’ve laid that foundation last year and I think we’re just going to build to it this year. Those are some of the things that we talked about.”

Ryan then mentioned how, in this first phase of the offseason program, he thinks the classroom time the players can spend with the coaches will be valuable. Actual team practice activities can’t start just yet.

But for a team with two new, important players on offense (wide receiver Eric Decker and running back Chris Johnson) who aren’t familiar with coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s system, this first phase of the offseason workout program will be valuable.

Improve the offense with Decker and Johnson, cut down on Smith’s turnovers (if he beats Michael Vick in the Jets’ latest quarterback competition), and the Jets might just make a serious push for a playoff spot in 2014. That could go a long way toward keeping Ryan in Florham Park, delivering opening day messages for a while longer.

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Jets offered Sidney Rice more money, but he still decided to return to Seahawks, he says in radio interview (Darryl Slater) The Star-Ledger April 21, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/04/jets_offered_sidney_rice_more_money_but_he_still_decided_to_return_to_seahawks_he_says_in_radio_inte.html

NFL teams have now transitioned from the heart of the free agency season into the beginning of offseason workouts – the Jets started Monday – and teams are also closing in fast on the draft, which is May 8-10 this year.

The Jets, who desperately needed wide receivers, emerged from the first month and a half of free agency with two of them: a potential (but not definite) No. 1 receiver in Eric Decker, who was considered the top receiver on the free agent market this offseason, and a complementary player in Jacoby Ford.

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This does not mean, of course, that the Jets are done pursuing receivers. They could pick one with the 18th selection in the draft. They are widely expected to do so – unless, that is, they select a cornerback, because they have a significant need there, as well.

But nobody would be surprised if the Jets wind up with Oregon State receiver Brandin Cooks or LSU receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on their roster after the draft.

Last week, they had a courtship with a familiar player: Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice, a free agent who visited the Jets but decided to re-sign with Seattle. The total value of Rice’s one-year contract with Seattle is $1.4 million.

The Jets’ general manager, John Idzik, knows Rice well because Idzik worked in Seattle’s front office before taking the Jets’ GM job last offseason.

But the Jets not landing Rice apparently was not for lacking of trying …

Bob Condotta @bcondotta

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice says on @710ESPNSeattle he got offered more money by Jets but wanted to stay in Seattle.

2:34 PM - 21 Apr 2014

During the radio interview, Rice said, “I had opportunities to make more money in New York. But just being back here around the guys I know and love and care for me not only as a teammate but as a person, that played a big factor.”

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NEW YORK POST

Geno Smith has no doubt he’ll be Jets starter over Vick (Brian Costello) New York Post April 21, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/04/21/geno-smith-has-no-doubt-hell-be-jets-starter-over-vick/

There is no question in Geno Smith’s mind who the Jets starting quarterback will be. The second-year signal caller said Monday he expects to beat Michael Vick out in the team’s latest edition of a quarterback competition.

Smith simply said, “Yes,” when asked if he still expects to be the team’s starter. He then gave his explanation why.

“My belief in myself,” Smith said. “Knowing that I’m going to take every action possible to get better and to come into this season a better player; having a second year in [offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s] system and with [quarterbacks] coach David Lee and with Rex [Ryan] as the head coach is going to do wonders for not just myself but everyone on the offense.

“A lot of it is going to come down to production on the field. I just believe with the experience I’ve gained and the direction we were heading in as an offense and where I see myself as a second-year player, I just believe I’m more than capable of being the starter.”

The Jets began their voluntary offseason program Monday in Florham Park. It is the first time the team has been assembled since the end of last season. There are plenty of new faces, highlighted by Vick, running back Chris Johnson and wide receiver Eric Decker.

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The spotlight, as it usually is, will be on the quarterbacks. For the third straight season, the Jets have an intriguing storyline at quarterback. Smith was terrible at times as a rookie, but played better down the stretch. Still, he finished the season as the worst-rated passer in the NFL.

Vick, who turns 34 this summer, comes to the Jets as the grizzled veteran. Everyone knows what Vick can do when he is healthy. The problem for him in recent years with the Eagles was staying upright. The Jets are selling Vick’s arrival as something that can benefit Smith. But quarterback competitions sometimes become quarterback controversies once the season starts.

“He’s been in this system with Marty, so I think that’s going to be a big help,” Ryan said of Vick. “I think his physical skills also are going to push Geno. … Hey, look, it’s not like you don’t have a great quarterback sitting right there pushing you. That’s what he’ll do. He’ll push you. He’s a tremendous football player, a very talented guy. I think it’s going to be great for Geno. I think the biggest thing that Mike is going to help Geno with is probably his experience, and his experience in this system I think will really help Geno as well.”

Smith, speaking to local reporters for the first time since Vick signed a one-year deal last month, repeated general manager John Idzik’s “competition” mantra. Smith said he has studied the film of last season and vows to improve. Given a chance to use last year’s lack of quality skill players as an excuse, Smith put the blame for last year’s 8-8 season on himself.

“The guys that we had last year were more than viable options,” he said. “I think it all came down to me, honestly. If I had done a lot of things better, I think we would have done better as an offense and it showed later on in the year.”

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Rex Ryan won’t commit to set role for Chris Johnson (Brian Costello) New York Post April 21, 2014

http://nypost.com/2014/04/21/rex-ryan-wont-commit-to-set-role-for-chris-johnson/

Jets coach Rex Ryan said no promises were made to running back Chris Johnson about how much he will carry the ball this season.

“Nothing was ever promised, you know, that you’re going to get X amount of carries and all that kind of stuff,” Ryan said on a conference call Monday. “I think he’s just coming here … Chris is happy to be part of this football team. We’re going to have to compete for roles. No role has definitely been determined for really almost anybody on this football team.”

The Jets signed Johnson to a two-year deal last week. During his career, Johnson has averaged 290 carries per season. The Jets see Johnson being part of a running-back rotation with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, so that number should drop dramatically.

Ryan spoke excitedly about having a number of quality backs. He’s hoping they can recapture the success of 2009, when the Jets led the league in rushing.

“When you look at our stable of backs, it’s pretty good,” he said. “It kind of reminds me of my first year here when we had Leon Washington, we had Thomas Jones, we draft big Shonn [Greene]. We just had a great stable of backs. That’s what we have here.”

Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said he was happy the team added Johnson.

“He’s a highlight reel waiting to happen,” he said.

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As for Mike Goodson, who could be the odd man out with Johnson’s arrival, Ryan said the team remains hopeful he can return from the knee injury that ended his season last year, but Ryan said he does not anticipate Goodson being able to do anything soon.

Ryan reiterated his message from last month’s league meetings about his expectations for this team.

“It’s time to deliver. We need to deliver,” Ryan said. “I’m not going to get into the specifics of what we’re delivering and things, but I know what our fans expect. They’re going to get everything we have.”

Richardson said his goal this year is to create more turnovers. He also is hoping to register more than the 3 ½ sacks he had as a rookie.

“I feel like you have yet to see the best Sheldon Richardson can play,” the reigning defensive rookie of the year said.

Seahawks WR Sidney Rice told ESPN Radio the Jets offered him more money than Seattle, but he still decided to return to the Seahawks.

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NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Geno Smith confident he will be NY Jets QB despite addition of Mike Vick (Seth Walder) New York Daily News April 21, 2014

http://nydn.us/1tuM5kk

It will be months before the Jets’ quarterback competition is decided, but Geno Smith already believes he knows who the victor will be. Asked Monday, when the team’s offseason program began, if he still thought he would be the Jets’ starting quarterback this coming season even after the addition of Michael Vick, the second-year quarterback didn’t beat around the bush. “Yes,” he said.

Smith said he thought he would be the starter because of his “belief in myself.

“Knowing that I’m going to take every action possible to get better and to come into this season a better player,” Smith added. “Having a second year under Marty (Mornhinweg)’s system and with coach David Lee and with Rex (Ryan) as the head coach, it’s going to do wonders not just for myself but everyone on the offense.”

The quarterback didn’t sound the least bit bothered about the presence of Vick, and channeled his inner John Idzik by promoting the virtues of competition.

“We all believe that competition is what’s going to make every single player and collectively make us all better as a team,” Smith said.

“I think (Vick’s) physical skills also are going to push Geno,” Ryan said. “It’s not like you don’t have a great quarterback sitting right there pushing you, because that’s what he’ll do, he’ll push you. He’s a tremendous football player, a very talented guy, and I think it’s going to be great for Geno.”

Smith also felt he could learn from his new teammate.

“He’s a veteran with tons of experience, playoff experience,” Smith said. “He’s played in many big games, he’s also played in this system at times.”

There will be plenty of pressure on Smith to show development and prove that he deserves to be the starter, but the pressure will extend to Ryan this season as well. The head coach once again finds himself

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on the hot seat after the Jets have failed to have a winning season since 2010. “It’s time to deliver,” said Ryan. “We need to deliver.”

RUSH HOUR

It remains to be seen how the Jets will divide up carries considering the team now boasts Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell in the backfield. After signing with the Jets, Johnson emphasized winning, but he’s been known to worry about the number of times he gets to run the rock in the past. Ryan said Monday that Johnson wasn’t assured any specific amount of the workload.

“Nothing was ever promised that you’re going to get X amount of carries or all that kind of stuff,” Ryan said. “No role has definitely been determined for really almost anybody on this football team.”

Ryan was complimentary of the depth at running back, comparing it to 2009 when the team had Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Shonn Greene. Mike Goodson is also on the roster, though he’s likely the odd man out given his injury and legal woes.

SHEL GAME: One of the Jets’ other second-year players, Sheldon Richardson, never will have his confidence questioned. Richardson, last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, said there’s room for improvement in his game.

“You’ve yet to see the best of Sheldon Richardson,” the young defensive lineman said, adding that he “most definitely” expects to have more than the 3.5 sacks he earned last year.

OPEN SEASON: The Jets’ first preseason game will be played at home against the Colts on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. The setting of that date means the Jets can open training camp, at the earliest, on July 23.

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NEW YORK TIMES

As Jets Start Workouts, They Hope to Build on a Positive Ending (Ben Shpigel) New York Times April 21, 2014

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/22/sports/football/as-jets-start-workouts-they-hope-to-build-on-a-positive-ending.html?ref=football&_r=0

The Jets had last assembled the day after their season ended at Miami, where they toasted the present and the future — the victory that evened their record at 8-8 and the news that their beloved coach, Rex Ryan, had been retained. They filed into their New Jersey practice complex on Monday, nearly four months later, with a comparable level of excitement, to hear what could be construed as a continuation of Ryan’s post-mortem speech from December.

“It’s time to deliver,” Ryan told his players.

That message Ryan recounted during a teleconference in which he wryly mentioned that he would not discuss what, exactly, his team would be delivering in the coming season. It is not difficult to deduce, though. The Jets have not finished with a winning record or reached the postseason for three seasons running, and there is no overstating how much that failure weighs on the organization, on Ryan, on the players. Their quest to return — to deliver — began Monday, on the first day of off-season voluntary workouts.

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“The mentality is much better,” center Nick Mangold said. “I feel as we’re coming in here, we saw some flashes last year, especially with the way we ended. That was a good sign. And guys want to carry that through. They want to take that momentum into the season.”

Gone are Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and Mark Sanchez, among the team’s most recognizable players — and personalities — the last few seasons. Enter Chris Johnson and Eric Decker and Michael Vick, who will engage with Geno Smith in what is shaping up as a rite of spring (and summer) at 1 Jets Drive in Florham Park: a quarterback competition.

Smith said he welcomed Vick’s signing, viewing it as an opportunity to learn from a veteran with experience in Marty Mornhinweg’s offense and not, for instance, as a sign that the Jets have lost faith in him. Not surprisingly, Smith, who committed 25 turnovers last year but displayed improvement during the 3-1 stretch that closed the season, said that he expected to start the season opener.

“It really comes down to what we do on the field,” Smith said, speaking to reporters who regularly cover the team, something he had not done since Vick’s arrival last month. “That’s really what I look forward to. I look forward to competing with a guy like Mike.”

The winner of that competition will operate an offense that gained a proven receiver in Decker, the Jets’ marquee free-agent signing, and an established, durable veteran in Johnson, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of six N.F.L. seasons. Upon signing Johnson last week, Ryan said, the Jets offered no promises — no minimum carries, no starting guarantees — and, really, there was no reason to.

Without a true No. 1 running back, the Jets prefer to spread their rushing attempts: Their leading rushers last season, Chris Ivory (182 attempts) and Bilal Powell (176), received almost an equal number. Johnson figures to serve an important if complementary role, capable of adding a pass-catching dimension that the Jets missed from their backs after Mike Goodson tore a knee ligament in Week 6.

Calling the depth at running back “unbelievable,” Ryan said this group reminded him of the 2009 bunch, with Thomas Jones, Shonn Greene and Leon Washington, that led the league in rushing. The comparison might have been a bit bold, but such are expectations, even in April, for this team, for this coach.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Geno Smith expects to start at QB (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York April 21, 2014

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/10817501/geno-smith-new-york-jets-confident-starting-qb

New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith needed only one word Monday to describe his confidence level as he prepares to take on Michael Vick. Asked if he expects to be the starting quarterback, Smith replied succinctly: "Yes."

And so it begins.

The Smith-Vick quarterback competition was the hot issue as the Jets opened their offseason program, and it will continue to burn for the next four months. The Jets signed Vick to "push" Smith, a diplomatic way of saying they're not completely sold on the second-year quarterback.

Smith, speaking to the New York media for the first time since the Vick-for-Mark Sanchez shakeup, said he doesn't perceive the organization's decision to sign Vick as a lack of faith in him. Asked to elaborate

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on why he's so confident, considering he committed 25 turnovers as a rookie, Smith said last year "does wonders for me" in terms of experience.

"[It's] my belief in myself, knowing I'm going to take every action possible to get better and come into the season a better player," he said, adding:

"It's going to come down to production on the field. I just believe that, with the experience I've gained, and with the direction we were heading in as an offense and where I see myself as a second-year player ... I just feel I'm more than capable of being a starter."

Smith started every game last season, helping the Jets to a surprising 8-8 record, but he was wildly inconsistent over the first 12 games. The Jets cut Sanchez and signed Vick to a one-year, $4 million contract this offseason. Vick refers to Smith as the starting quarterback, but the coaching staff hasn't made any pronouncements.

"I respect what Mike said, but I understand there's a competition," Smith said. "It comes down to what we do on the field. ... I look forward to competing against a guy like Mike because he himself has been a starter and is still capable at the age he is [33]. He still runs fast. He stills throws accurately, with great velocity. And he's a very, very smart quarterback, in my opinion."

Vick has four years of background in Marty Mornhinweg's offense -- their time together with the Philadelphia Eagles -- so that could give him an edge in the competition. Smith's advantage is that he's younger, has more upside and still could be the team's long-term answer.

"I think his physical skills are going to push Geno," Rex Ryan said. "It's not like you don't have a great quarterback sitting right there, pushing you, because that's what he'll do. He'll push you. He's a tremendous player, a very talented guy. It will be great for Geno."

Center Nick Mangold said Vick "has that veteran experience, and you can't discount that." Vick also has experienced durability and turnover issues in recent years, so he's hardly a sure thing.

The front office has made an attempt to improve the supporting cast, signing running back Chris Johnson and wide receiver Eric Decker. Ryan said Johnson gives them "unbelievable depth" at tailback, saying the former 2,000-yard rusher will be used with Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and, possibly, Mike Goodson, who is recovering from major knee surgery.

Johnson underwent recent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus and will be limited in the offseason. Ryan declined to spell out Johnson's role, saying, "Nothing was ever promised like, 'You're going to see X number of carries.' "

If healthy, Johnson adds a breakaway threat in the backfield, a "highlight reel waiting to happen," defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said. Smith called him a "home-run hitter."

The Jets didn't hit many home runs last season, finishing 29th in scoring offense. Smith didn't have many weapons, but he refused to use that as an alibi for his subpar performance.

"It all came to me honestly," said Smith, who went six straight games without a touchdown pass. "If I had done a lot of things better, we'd have done better as an offense. It showed throughout the year, but that has come and gone."

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Richardson: The best is yet to come (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York April 21, 2014

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http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/37960/richardson-the-best-is-yet-to-come

Sophomore jinx? Not in Sheldon Richardson's world.

On the first day of the New York Jets' offseason program, the outspoken second-year defensive tackle declared, "I feel like you haven't seen the best Sheldon Richardson can play."

Mind you, Richardson was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, although he didn't make a lot of impact plays -- only 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. On offense, he scored two rushing touchdowns. Nevertheless, he understands that he needs to produce more game-changing plays on defense.

“Causing more turnovers on defense,” he said, explaining his second-year goal. “I had a lot of plays around the ball last year, but I felt like I could’ve made a lot more turnovers than what I did. We all felt that way, though.”

Asked if he sees himself as more than a 3.5-sack defensive tackle, Richardson responded with his favorite expression.

"Most deeeefinitely," he said, holding the 'e' longer for emphasis. "Most definitely. That’s not even close to what I have, as far as standards for myself.”

Stand and deliver: Reiterating what he said last month at the NFL meetings in Orlando, Fla., Rex Ryan dropped the "D" word.

"Like I said, it’s time to deliver. We need to deliver," he said. "I'm not going to get into the specifics about what we're delivering, but I know what our fans expect and they're going to get everything we have." He said the Jets have a "great nucleus," adding that he expects to build on the foundation that was set last year.

Dee's time: This is a huge offseason for cornerback Dee Milliner. First of all, as a second-year player, it's his first full offseason in the NFL. It also will be a healthy offseason, something that wasn't the case last year. A pre-draft shoulder surgery caused him to miss the two minicamps and spring practice sessions, putting him way behind. It showed, as Milliner struggled through most of the season. This year, he's being counted on to be the No. 1 corner.

“I think that’s important, that he has a good offseason," Ryan said. "Obviously, he really couldn’t train his body the way you would want to, almost for the entire season. I think it’ll be big for him, just to get confidence, to make sure that he’s physically well. I think that’ll really help. It would help any player, but I think in his case, being here for the [OTAs], for all that kind of stuff will be great.”

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Rex: Johnson's role still to be determined (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York April 21, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/37947/rex-johnsons-role-still-to-be-determined

As far as Rex Ryan is concerned, it's 2009 all over again.

He can only hope.

On Monday, Ryan referenced 2009 when discussing his vision for the New York Jets' backfield, which now includes Chris Johnson. With Johnson, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and, possibly, Mike Goodson, the Jets have an "unbelievable amount of depth" at tailback, according to Ryan. He said it reminds him of '09, the heyday of the Ground-and-Pound era, when they began the season with Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Shonn Greene.

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Ryan refused to be pinned down in terms of his plans for Johnson, insisting his role has yet to be determined. This much appears certain: Johnson won't get 18 carries per game, his career average. Coming off arthroscopic surgery, and approaching his 29th birthday, the former Tennessee Titans star figures to be a complementary back.

"Nothing was ever promised that, 'You’re going to get X amount of carries,'" Ryan claimed. "We're going to have to compete for roles. No role has been determiened for anybody on this football team."

Johnson's surgically repaired knee (torn meniscus) could go a long way toward determining his workload. He has some arthritis in his right knee, according to an ESPN report, but it obviously didn't cause him to flunk the team's physical. Ryan said Johnson will be among several players limited in the offseason program.

Another player is Goodson, whose roster spot could be in jeopardy. Ryan said he hopes to have Goodson, but he didn't sound confident. Aside from the knee injury, he's dealing with pending legal charges (and a possible suspension) stemming from his arrest last May.

"If Goodson comes back, we’ll see what he can provide," said Ryan, adding: "I don’t anticipate anything in the near future that he’ll be able to do, but we’ll see how he progresses."

Goodson was supposed to be the breakaway back last season, but that never materialized. Now it falls to Johnson, who ran a sub-4.3 time in the 40 when he came out of college in 2008. Some of Johnson's new teammates sounded excited about having him.

"He's a highlight reel waiting to happen," defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said.

Quarterback Geno Smith said "the first thing that comes to mind is speed and home-run hitter. I don't know how many times he's broken runs for 50, 60 yards, but it seems like he does almost every week. He brings another explosive dimension into our running-back room."

Johnson doesn't break as many long runs as he used to, but anything is an improvement for the Jets.

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Revis trade, one year later: Winners, losers (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York April 21, 2014

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jets/post/_/id/37891/revis-trade-one-year-later-winners-losers

Good morning, New York Jets fans. One year ago, your favorite team traded its best player.

Yes, April 21 is the first anniversary of the Darrelle Revis trade, a highly controversial move in which John Idzik -- in his first significant decision as the general manager -- sent the then-injured cornerback to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because owner Woody Johnson refused to meet the player's asking price on a new contract, $16 million per year.

After months of speculation, fans awoke on a Sunday morning to the news that Revis was en route to Tampa to take a physical. Within a couple of hours, it was a done deal, one that will be debated for years. One year later, our take on the winners and losers from the trade:

Winner -- The Jets. Philosophically, it was the right move because no cornerback is worth $16 million a year, but the right move doesn't always work out. In this case, it did. They used the 2013 draft-pick compensation (13th overall) to select defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. They also landed a fourth-round choice in the upcoming draft. To grade the trade mainly on Richardson's performance, however, isn't fair. If the Jets had kept Revis, they wouldn't have needed a

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cornerback, so they probably would've picked Richardson with their own choice (ninth overall) instead of Dee Milliner. So, when evaluating the trade, Milliner has to be included -- and he was shaky as a rookie.

Loser -- The Bucs. You can bet they're not celebrating the anniversary in Tampa. It was an ill-advised trade when they made it, and it turned into an all-time bust. The Bucs, under new leadership, decided to cut Revis after only one season. After all the hype, he was just a one-year rental. In the end, the trade cost them a mid-first-round pick and $16 million, and the result was a 4-12 record and pink slips for coach Greg Schiano and GM Mark Dominik.

Wealthy loser -- Revis. Financially, he made out nicely, making $10 million more from the Bucs than he would've received from the Jets in 2013 -- not a bad raise for a guy coming off ACL surgery. His unexpected trip to free agency allowed him to make another score, landing $12 million from the New England Patriots. Despite a two-year, $29 million haul (including a $1 million roster bonus from the Jets before the trade), Revis has become a hired gun, a well-to-do journeyman who probably will spend the rest of his career going year to year and team to team. It's too bad because he could've gone down as one of the best and most beloved players in Jets history.

Winners -- The quarterbacks and pass-catchers who faced the Jets. Even though the Jets will benefit from the trade over the long haul, they suffered in the short term, missing Revis' presence in the secondary. The Jets allowed a staggering 3,947 passing yards, a 900-yard increase from the previous year and the most allowed by the franchise since 1986. It was a stain on Rex Ryan's sterling record as a defensive mastermind.

Loser -- Antonio Cromartie. Without Revis, Cromartie became the No. 1 cornerback and was often responsible for covering the opponents' top wideout. He was torched on a fairly regular basis, contributing to his release at the end of the season. He had to settle for a one-year, $3.5 million contract from the Arizona Cardinals.

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METRO NEW YORK

Geno Smith expects to beat out Michael Vick (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York April 21, 2014

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nfl/2014/04/21/geno-smith-expects-beat-michael-vick/

Geno Smith will be the Jets starting quarterback this year, so says the second-year product out of West Virginia.

When asked if he will start in 2014, despite the team signing veteran quarterback Michael Vick this past offseason to a two-year contract, Smith answered, “Yes.” Smith, a second-round pick last season, struggled for much of his rookie season but rebounded over the final four games to finish three wins.

“Overall, I think it will make our team better. I’m all for competition,” Smith said. “As I told you guys, I am going to compete no matter who [they bring] in. I think we got a good guy in Mike, who brings something extra to the table as far as veteran leadership into our quarterback room, as well as a guy with tremendous capabilities that we all — him, myself and Matt Simms — can compete with one another as well as learn from one another. It should be fun in our quarterback room.”

Smith’s status now that Vick is here is anyone’s guess.

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Earlier this month, Metro reported the Jets would open up the quarterback competition and let Vick compete for the starting job. With the competition to start now open, Smith will surely have to improve over last year’s performance, which was sub par on several occasions.

Before he pulled his hamstring early last season, Vick was the starting quarterback for the Eagles, having beaten out Nick Foles. Vick made it clear in his introductory conference call with the media that he plans to compete and he hasn’t come in just to be a mentor.

Smith got the message that just because he started last year doesn’t mean he’s locked in at No. 1 this season.

“Well, it is a competition between all of us and like I’ve said, the starter will be named at the end of camp and the beginning of the season,” Smith said. “I respect what Michael said, but I understand that there’s a competition and honestly, it comes down to what we do on the field. In these interviews [it's talk], but it really comes down to what we do on the field and that’s really what I look forward to. I look forward to competing with a guy like Mike because I know he has been a starter in this league and is capable at the age that he is. He still runs fast, he still throws it accurately and with great velocity. He is a very smart quarterback in my opinion and as long as we continue to get better, it’s going to make our team better.”

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NJ.COM

Rex Ryan doesn't rule out ground-and-pound running attack with addition of Chris Johnson (A.J. Perez) NJ.com April 21, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/04/rex_ryan_doesnt_rule_out_ground-and-pound_running_attack_with_addition_of_chris_johnson.html

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said the signing of running back Chis Johnson doesn't necessarily mean the club will return to their run-first, pass-as-needed days.

But Ryan told reporters on a conference call on Monday he likes to have the option.

"We're not going to be saying that we're absolutely going back to that ground and pound and run it three out of four plays," Ryan said "That's not it. Only unless we choose to. But the thing that it does give us is an opportunity to play that style of football if we decide that that's best for our team. But I will say this: (offensive coordinator) Marty (Mornhinweg) is really creative. He knows how to get guys the football."

And Johnson, a former 2,000-yard rusher with the Tennessee Titans likely will want the ball. A lot. He said after he was signed last week that he wants "to prove everybody wrong."

Ryan said he didn't make any guarantees to Johnson before his signing when it came to workload.

"Nothing was every promised as far as ‘You’re going to get X amount of carries' or that kind of stuff," Ryan said. "Chris is happy to be part of this football team. We are going to have to compete for roles. No role has definitely been determined for anybody on this football team.

"He understands we feel great about him. I feel great about Chis Ivory. I feel great about Bilal Powell as well. I know Chris Johnson is a guy who is very confident in his abilities. I think he likes the makeup of this football and team he’s excited to be a Jet. I know one thing, we’re excited to have him here.”

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Johnson had his knee scoped in January and the Titans reportedly were worried about arthritis in his knee, something that Jets are aware of. Johnson denied he has any knee issues, although Ryan said the team will keep an eye on Johnson.

"We’ll always do what’s in the best interest of our players," Ryan said. "We’ll see where all of our guys are at physically. But could we limit him? Absolutely. We’re going to limit probably quite a few guys coming off of injuries. You don’t rush guys in until we feel that they’re ready. Chris Johnson will not be an exception to that also."

Quarterback Geno Smith applauded the signing of Johnson earlier Monday.

"The first thing that comes to mind is his speed and he’s a home run hitter," Smith said. "I don’t know how many times he’s broken runs for 50 or 60 yards, but he seems like he does it every week. He ran for 2,000 yards and he brings another explosive dimension to our running back room with Chris (Ivory), Bilal (Powell) and Tommy (Bohanon). He will do wonders for us all."

The status of running back Mike Goodson, who tore his ACL in a game last October, remains a question mark. He's not only coming off knee surgery, but Goodson was also indicted on weapons charges; he pleaded not guilty in a Morristown courtroom earlier this year.

“We’ll lean on the trainers for that," Ryan said when asked about Goodson's injury. "I think that’s kind of where we’re at. I don’t anticipate anything in the near future that he’ll be able to do. But we’ll see as he progresses. We’ll evaluate it then.”

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Geno Smith expects to remain Jets starting QB, welcomes competition with Michael Vick (A.J. Perez) NJ.com April 21, 2014

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/04/geno_smith_expects_to_remain_jets_starting_qb_welcomes_competition_with_michael_vick.html

Geno Smith gave a concise answer when asked flat out if he expects to be the New York Jets starting quarterback come Week 1.

"Yes."

Smith, who is coming off a shaky rookie season, told reporters on a conference call Monday that he welcomes competing for the job with Michael Vick, the former Philadelphia Eagles QB signed to a free-agent deal last month.

“I think it will make our team better," Smith said. "I’m all for competition. I want to compete, no matter who comes in. I think we have a good guy in Mike, who brings something extra to the table as far as veteran leadership into our quarterback room.

"The starter will be named at the end of the training camp, before the start of the season. I understand there's a competition. Honestly, it comes down to what we do on the field and that's what I really look forward to."

Jets coach Rex Ryan said later Monday he expects Vick, who played under Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg in Philly, to be an asset to Smith.

"He's been in the system with Marty," Ryan said of Vick. "That's going to be a big help. His physical skills also are going to push Geno. It's not like you don't have a great quarterback sitting right there pushing you. That's what he'll do. He'll push you. He's a tremendous football player and a talented guy. I think

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it's going to be great for Geno, but I think the biggest thing Mike will help Geno with is probably experience and experience in this system."

Smith had the lowest quarterback rating in the league (66.5) last season, making him the worst QB of 2013, according to one smartphone. He threw the fourth-most interceptions (21) and thew the fewest TD passes among quarterbacks with 10 or more games played.

Smith -- who was tapped as the starter last offseason by default after the since-waived Mark Sanchez was injured -- said as horrid as 2013 was, he's grown from starting each game.

"I expect it to be a lot different as far as my knowledge of the system and ... and playing 16 games," Smith said. "That experience does wonders for me knowing that I’ve seen all the coverages there are to throw at me. So, now, I have the experience and prior knowledge I can (refer) back to. I see on film I have to improve on. There are a number of things. When it comes to experience, the games I played in (are) vital to my progress coming into this season."

Smith said reviewing the game tape in recent weeks hasn't been easy.

"Just watching film and studying over and over and over again, as painful as it is," Smith said when asked what he's done to progress this offseason. "It makes me realize that, quite honestly, up until this point in my career, I didn't have a problem with turnovers. Protecting the ball is vital to any quarterback at any level. Experience is the best teacher."

Beyond Vick, the Jets also added former Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson and former Denver Broncos receiver Eric Decker through free agency. Smith said the Jets' receiving corps last season gave him "more than viable options," but Decker brings "another dimension."

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MONDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

The Sports Network April 21, 2014

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=news/news/fates-fortunes.htm

BASEBALL Cleveland Indians - Activated designated hitter Jason Giambi from the 15-day disabled list; optioned pitcher Blake Wood to Columbus (IL). Colorado Rockies - Placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 18; recalled infielder Charlie Culberson from Colorado Springs (PCL). Detroit Tigers - Placed pitcher Luke Putkonen on the 15-day disabled list; purchased the contract of outfielder J.D. Martinez from Toledo (IL); transferred Andy Dirks from the 60-day disabled list. Houston Astros - Placed pitcher Scott Feldman on the 15-day disabled list. Kansas City Royals - Activated outfielder Jarrod Dyson from the bereavement list; optioned pitcher Justin Marks to Omaha (PCL). Los Angeles Dodgers - Recalled pitcher Jose Dominguez from Albuquerque (PCL); optioned infielder Chone Figgins to Albuquerque. Milwaukee Brewers - Optioned pitcher Rob Wooten to Nashville (PCL); recalled pitcher Alfredo Figaro from Nashville. New York Mets - Selected the contract of outfielder Bobby Abreu from Las Vegas (PCL); optioned outfielder Andrew Brown to Las Vegas.

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New York Yankees - Optioned pitcher Matt Daley to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL). Oakland Athletics - Claimed infielder Andy Parrino off waivers from the Texas Rangers and optioned him to Sacramento (PCL). Pittsburgh Pirates - Recalled pitcher Jared Hughes from Indianapolis (IL); placed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list. St. Louis Cardinals - Recalled pitcher Tyler Lyons from Memphis (PCL); optioned pitcher Jorge Rondon to Memphis. BASKETBALL Houston Rockets - Assigned forward Robert Covington and guard Isaiah Canaan to Rio Grande Valley (NBADL). Minnesota Timberwolves - Announced the retirement of head coach Rick Adelman. New York Knicks - Fired head coach Mike Woodson. Utah Jazz - Announced that the team elected not to offer head coach Tyrone Corbin a new contract. FOOTBALL Chicago Bears - Signed wide receiver Josh Morgan to a one-year contract. Detroit Lions - Signed cornerbacks Aaron Hester and Nate Ness; named Kevin Bastin head athletic trainer. Indianapolis Colts - Placed center Phil Costa on the reserve/retired list; agreed to terms with safety Colt Anderson; announced that cornerback Josh Gordy has signed his qualifying offer. Kansas City Chiefs - Signed wide receiver Kyle Williams. New York Giants - Signed quarterback Josh Freeman. Oakland Raiders - Traded quarterback Terrelle Pryor to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a seventh-round selection in the 2014 NFL Draft. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) - Signed defensive back Stephon Morris and wide receiver Jason Barnes. HOCKEY Edmonton Oilers - Named Bill Scott assistant general manager. Florida Panthers - Signed forward Connor Brickley to an entry-level contract. Pittsburgh Penguins - Recalled forward Chris Conner from his conditioning assignment with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). COLLEGE Hofstra - Named Ariel Pesante assistant director of athletics for NCAA education and compliance services. Houston - Named Ronald Hughey head women's basketball coach. Northern Iowa - Named Frank Verducci tight ends coach. Tennessee State - Named Dana Ford head men's basketball coach.

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