Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez may think that the current quarterback competition is “awesome,” but that doesn’t mean he’s looking to compete any more than he has to.
Sanchez soon will be conducting his annual Jets West players-only pre-training camp workout camp, and it appears that quarterback Geno Smith won’t be there.
Specifically, Smith said to reporters on Wednesday “no comment” as to whether he’ll attend. Last week, Sanchez said he has “no idea” whether Smith will be present.
There’s no reason for Sanchez to invite Smith. As Sanchez explained after Tim Tebow was cut, friendship yields to competition.
“You’re just professional, and you’re cool and if the guy has a flat tire on the side of the road, I’m going to stop, I’m not just going to blow by him, but at the same time, I’m not sending him gifts on his birthday or anything,” Sanchez said of Tebow.
“I don’t see why it would be any different,” Sanchez said at the same time regarding Smith. “I will help [Smith] out as much as I can, but when we have to compete, we have to compete, that’s the way it goes.”
Since they’ll be competing at training camp, Sanchez has nothing to gain by giving the receivers a chance to improve their timing and familiarity with Smith. The extra reps are aimed at helping the players and, ultimately, Sanchez when the time comes to practice and eventually play. If the goal is to win the competition, Sanchez should have no desire to give Smith a chance to do the same.
Of course, Smith could always organize his own workout session, perhaps in the place where he played college football. We’ll even supply the Jets West Virginia T-shirts.
UPDATE 4:27 p.m. ET: Sanchez separately said on Wednesday the “everyone” is invited to his party in California. It’s hardly an engraved invitation for Smith. And it makes the rookie’s “no comment” response any less odd.