At some point over the next few weeks, the New York Jets probably need to see quarterback Geno Smith in game action. Even if it's for a drive or two in a preseason game, that would give the Jets a good feel for how he's moving on the field.
Training camp is fine, and it should allow the Jets to really get a feel for how he looks, at least 99%, but game action is the most important thing in the world. There's a reason why nearly every player in the NFL at least gets some level of game action before the regular season, something the Jets ultimately have to figure out with Smith, who has been dealing with an injury.
Recently speaking to reporters about what the plan is for Smith before Week 1, and whether he has a chance to play in the preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, Glenn didn't really have a whole lot to say. He didn't give us a whole lot to work with, at least.
“Well, we will see. We will see. Every day it is a management plan for that player. I think you guys have heard me say this about all of our players: we want to make sure that we get our guys ready for Week 1. So whatever we have to do to be able to do that, that’s what we’re going to do.
“So if it’s playing in this game because he feels up to it, he’s ready to go, and he wants to be with the other guys, then let’s go. If it’s not the plan because we want to be cautious in that situation, then we will do that. It’s all about how he feels and then exactly how we see this going moving forward,” Glenn explained, H/T Heavy.
If there's one player on the Jets who probably doesn't need to play a lot of preseason games, it’s a veteran like Smith.
This isn't a guy who doesn't understand what it takes to play in this league, knows how to take care of his body, and some other things that young guys typically deal with.
Frankly, he and Garrett Wilson are probably the two guys who have no reason to be playing.
