Rex Ryan has told the media time and again that naming a starting quarterback will be his decision alone. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News points out the Jets coach has "been abundantly clear about that."
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Not clear enough.
Jets general manager John Idzik told reporters Saturday that he plans to play a part in picking between incumbent Mark Sanchez and rookie Geno Smith.
"My role, well, I have a pretty big role in that," Idzik said. "I think we're going to discuss that, much like we do anything. It's going to be a collective opinion. We're going to hash it out, and it's not limited to quarterbacks. I know that's front stage and center, but it's every position, everything that we do. It could be discussing schemes, different approaches to training camp. I think you've noticed that we've changed our schedule around a little bit. We'll discuss everything."
Asked if Ryan will own final say over naming his passer, Idzik said: "It's not like someone is going to drop the gavel and do something that is counter to what the Jets want to do. We're all pulling the same direction."
When a reporter asked that question again, Idzik was more clear.
"It's a collaborative effort, guys," Idzik said. "It's not how it seems, where you wake up one morning and everyone's waiting out with bated breath on someone with the scroll and will say here's the -- that's not it. Especially this decision, there's so much that goes into it. There's not going to be a surprise to anyone in the room."
Fair enough, but this isn't the draft process. A coach typically picks his quarterback, although nothing is typical at the moment for Gang Green.
Ryan, no matter what he says, is on thin ice. He must win out of the gate and will view the quarterback decision through that lens. Idzik picked Smith as part of his long-term plan, which threatens to confuse the process for the Jets.
Best-case scenario: One of these quarterbacks rises up to put a quick end to the competition sooner than later. Likely to happen? Not a chance.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
