Now playing quarterback for the New York Jets in 2015 … who knows?
The Jets are in a familiar spot, as they enter 2015 searching for a franchise quarterback. From Richard Todd to Ken O'Brien to Browning Nagle to Chad Pennington and on to Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith, the search for someone to fill Joe Namath's shoes has been an ongoing theme of this franchise.
Get ready for the next link in that chain.
The Smith experiment is over. After a brutal start to his second season with the Jets, the team benched him, then brought him back Monday night only to neuter him, as the coaches let him throw just eight times in the first 58 minutes.
The only good news from this disastrous 2-10 season is the Jets should have a good draft pick. Can they finally pick the right guy? There are a lot of hurdles to clear between now and next spring.
FEELING THE DRAFT
Most draft experts agree there are just two quarterbacks expected to be in this draft worth a first-round pick — Marcus Mariota of Oregon and Jameis Winston of Florida State. Mariota is viewed as the safer pick because of character concerns with Winston.
Currently, the Jets would have the No. 5 pick in next April's draft. Even at 2-10, they have some losing to do to move up, and they need help. The Raiders, Buccaneers, Jaguars and Titans all are ahead of them. Oakland is 1-11 and looks like it is a lock for the top pick. The good news for Jets fans is the Raiders may not be in the market for a quarterback. They just drafted Derek Carr, who has played well enough that the decision-makers in Oakland may decide he deserves a longer look and they can fill another hole with the top pick or trade it to one of the quarterback-needy teams.
Oregon's Marcus Mariota is seen as the safest quarterback pick in the upcoming draft.Photo: Getty Images
The Buccaneers, Jaguars, Titans and Jets are tied at 2-10, but the Jets "lose" the tiebreaker with those teams because they have played a tougher schedule. Strength of schedule is the first tiebreaker, with the team that has played the weakest schedule getting the better pick.
The Jaguars and Titans play each other and the Jets face the Titans in two weeks. So, the best-case scenario for the Jets is to lose out and hope the Jaguars beat the Titans in Week 16. That would give the Titans three wins (with the one over the Jets) and the Jaguars three wins. If the Buccaneers beat the Panthers, the Jets could slide up to the No. 2 pick.
If the Jets can't get that high, they may have to trade up if they really want Mariota. Jacksonville the only team of the 2-10 group that doesn't need a quarterback, after taking Blake Bortles with the third pick this year. Tampa Bay and Tennessee are the chief competition for the Jets, with the Redskins lurking at 3-9.
THE HARBAUGH FACTOR
It feels like the entire 2015 offseason in the NFL is going to be dictated by one thing — where does Jim Harbaugh go? The 49ers coach is not expected to return to the team after battling with ownership and his general manager. The Raiders and the Jets are seen as the favorites to make a run at Harbaugh, but this won't be simple.
Current 49ers' head coach Jim Harbaugh could be on the Jets' radar.Photo: Getty Images
San Francisco is expected to seek a trade for Harbaugh instead of just firing him. Harbaugh looks like a strong candidate for the Jets, who need someone with both credibility and experience developing quarterbacks.
If Harbaugh does come, how does that affect the quarterback decision? Maybe he thinks he can control Winston or maybe he loves Mariota — who is seen as a better version of Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers' current quarterback.
It is a certainty Jets coach Rex Ryan will be fired. It appears probable now general manager John Idzik will also be let go as Woody Johnson cleans house. Johnson needs to have the quarterback position in mind when he picks the man or men who will be choosing and coaching the new quarterback.
OTHER OPTIONS
The draft is the best way to find a franchise quarterback. Look at the best quarterbacks in football — only Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tony Romo were not drafted by their teams.
But if the Jets finish out of the Mariota sweepstakes and deem Winston too big of a risk, what are the options in free agency? Underwhelming.
Sanchez appears to be the best free-agent quarterback available if the Eagles don't re-sign him. Forget a reunion with the Jets, though. That's not happening.
Then you have a group of Brian Hoyer, Jake Locker and the possibility of bringing Michael Vick back for another year. None of those options are very good ones.
Robert Griffin IIIPhoto: Getty Images
It looks like Robert Griffin III might be done in Washington, but he is no sure thing with the injuries and other issues he has had with the Redskins.
Unless you're the Colts, it never seems like it's a good thing if you're looking for a quarterback in the NFL. The Jets have been here before and have not found the answer. They are about to get another crack at it. Will they blow it or finally find the next Namath?
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