The right fist of linebacker IK Enemkpali has changed the fortunes of the 2015 season for Gang Green. After an argument over $600 that quarterback Geno Smith owed the linebacker for a plane ticket to a charity event he wasn't able to attend because of a family emergency, IK did something I wish I could've done at certain parts of last season. cold-cocking the third year QB in the locker room. As a result of the punch, Smith needed surgery to repair a broken jaw and could miss the first month of the season. Enemkpali was subsequently released by the Jets and signed by our old friend Rex Ryan in Buffalo the next day.
Geno Smith, entering his make or break year in New York, was reportedly impressing the new coaching staff in the early stages of training camp before the incident. Now, backup Ryan Fitzpatrick will take the reigns of the Jets offense, a playbook he should be familiar with, playing with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey for 3 seasons in Buffalo.
Geno made headlines a week earlier for practicing to boos by the Green and White faithful during a practice at Metlife Stadium. Now, most Jets fans gets their wish by seeing what kind of Fitz-magic the bearded QB can bring to our loaded offense. I for one was curious what Geno could do this year under a new system. After nine seasons in the league we already know what Fitzpatrick's ceiling is, only breaking the 3,000 yard marker three times in his career (along with a 123/101 TD/INT ratio in 96 games). Smith has had his ups and downs as Jets quarterback, and with the addition of Brandon Marshall along with a second season with Eric Decker, the expectations haven't been higher.
Looking at the bright side of things, the Jets have some winnable games in the first quarter of their season, facing the Browns, Colts, Eagles, and Dolphins, with a bye week after their Week 4 trip to London. If Fitzpatrick can at least split those first four games then Gang Green could still recover from this road bump, and have the extra week to decide of Fitzy has impressed them enough to keep the starting QB job. Matt Flynn was brought in on Wednesday to give Coach Bowles a second veteran option to go along with fourth round pick Bryce Petty, until Geno can come back.
How Geno Smith rebounds from this will be very telling of his future in New York. Smith's lack of maturity has gotten him in trouble before, and he has said the right thing following this. However, the fact that he was wearing eye black while throwing a ball in his backyard shows that the kid just doesn't get it. Getting fired by the Jets might be the best thing that ever happened to Rex Ryan, since the perception of the Green Tent Circus now keeps Todd Bowles awake at nights.
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