NEW YORK -- Geno Smith will stay in New York after all.
One day after saying he'd head home to West Virginia after not being a first-round pick, Smith will remain in town and attend the second day of the 2013 NFL Draft, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Friday.
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The Smith family planned to leave Friday after Geno was drafted, so there was some uncertainty after Thursday night's first round. Family members had to change their flights and extend their hotel stays, which they did. Rapoport on Thursday night spoke to Smith's camp, who said the quarterback was "all good" and "understands this is all part of it." Smith fell out of the first round after being projected as an early pick.
We're not sure what to say about the development because this is a ridiculous topic to have a strong opinion about. People who criticized Smith for deciding to go home are just as silly as anyone who applauds him like a hero for staying. It's his experience. It's his realization of a lifelong dream, even if Thursday didn't go as he hoped. Smith can do what he wants, how he wants. It certainly isn't going to tell us anything about him as a man, much less his ability to play quarterback in the NFL.
I'll be there Friday night watching, and I don't expect Smith to remain on the board for long. Whether it's the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the New York Jets, Smith should hear his name called pretty early in the evening. The New York crowd isn't always friendly, but we suspect they will make Smith feel welcome.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.