Bryce Petty reportedly “looked rough in rookie minicamp,” according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports, who specifically cites Petty’s deep ball accuracy.
This might be seen as a daunting early sign had this of been a particularly strong top-to-bottom rookie quarterback class (like the 2012 group), but Petty was the fifth signal-caller taken in a draft that saw the fewest QBs (seven) drafted in 60 years.
The New York Jets’ fourth round pick (No. 103 overall) is also unanimously seen as a developmental prospect who will take a year or two to adjust from a one-read shotgun offense to NFL defenses.
“He’s got a lot to learn,” Jets new head coach Todd Bowles said earlier this month, via NJ.com. “We’re not looking for him to be a starter right now.”
So even though it’s easy for some to think he has a shot to take over the Jets’ starting job as a rookie due to his impressive size, arm, athleticism, college production and NFL potential, in addition to his shaky competition (Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick), he simply needs time to develop.
The only way Petty would start as a rookie is if Smith and Fiztpatrick are both injured.
Robinson also notes the quarterback competition for the starting job will be “a battle that will start from Day One” of training camp, if not during OTAs.
“And Smith should be worried,” Robinson writes. “There’s a new coaching staff and front office in place. The regime that drafted Smith (No. 39 overall in 2013) isn’t there to give him second and third chances.
“Smith will be learning a new offense/verbiage under Chan Gailey, who was ushered in as offensive coordinator in January. And the height of Fitzpatrick’s career occurred under Gailey, who was Fitzpatrick’s head coach from 2010-12 with the Buffalo Bills.”
Smith should open the season as the Jets’ starting signal-caller, but he obviously doesn’t have a long leash. He finished last year strong and has been focused on improving this offseason. The additions of Brandon Marshall and second round pick Devin Smith will also be a big help.
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