Jordan’s Serial: Geno Smith trying to climb out of the hole he created
There was a time when Geno Smith was tipped to be the number one pick in this season draft. That time was short lived.
At the very least he was expected to be the first quarterback picked. This also proved to be wrong.
The Kansas City Chiefs who had the pick, saw a better, more worthwhile and less of a gamble choice by persuading the disillusioned Alex Smith away from the San Francisco 49ers. Therefore scuppering the quarterbacks dream of a big payday. Others it seemed had more important places and spaces to fill in the next few rounds, then the next few, and well, you get the picture.
Coming out of a successful college career at West Virginia, he was hailed the vest of the QB bunch that entered the draft, the problem was the talent at the position this year was very thin – although we were spoiled somewhat twelve months ago – so when everyone had made their first round selection and Smiths name wasn’t on the list of those chosen he was a little upset to say the least.
Reportedly storming away from Radio City Hall in New York where the draft was being held, he then proceeded to fire his agent for letting him down in terms of making him a top selection. “I don’t really know why he fired his guys, to this day,” his “advisor John Thornton said.”I’ve talked to them, I’ve talked to him. He felt like he needed a change. They didn’t feel like they did anything wrong, (but) I know how players are.”
We all know that the NFL Draft can be unpredictable, all it seems Geno Smith. The firing of his agent was called by some as an act of immaturity, some called it aloofness. It was the sign of someone who knows what he wants and if he doesn’t achieve that goal will be prone to throw his toys around. This doesn’t bode well considering where he ended up when he eventually was picked with the 39th overall choice.
The New York Jets have imploded over the past few short seasons and are currently in a complete state of disarray. Mark Sanchez once had the NFL audience in the palm of his hand and promised great things, his confidence now is shot to pieces, having Tim Tebow as back up last year was no help at all as the media circus that followed him just made matters worse. Smith’s arrival into the mix meant something had to give. Tebow was the obvious choice and he is now sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring.
My thoughts are that Geno Smith has now got what he wanted. The media’s attention. From long-shot number one pick, to being in the spotlight of one of the toughest places to earn respect. Temperament is something that he will struggle with over the coming months as the hounds in New York will be scrutinizing his every move.
“I don’t worry about what people say — my skin is pretty thick,” Smith told Jim Corbett of USA Today. “I’ve never been in trouble.”
You just get the feeling that he will invite trouble though. The thickness of his skin will be tested to its fullest.