Geno Smith wasn’t concerned about his fitness level, despite criticism from an NFL Network analyst.
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Jets head coach Rex Ryan teased the media that rookie quarterback Geno Smith isn’t ready to run a marathon, but questions about conditioning are a very serious matter to Smith.
The NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger reported on Monday that Smith appeared out of shape after running sprints following the morning practice session. In the report, Baldinger said, “Geno Smith looked like he had done no conditioning,” and called his performance in the gassers, which included the other three quarterbacks on the roster, “embarrassing.”
Smith shrugged off the questions about his conditioning when asked his opinion on Baldinger’s report.
“I have none, that’s his opinion,” Smith said. “My coaches are the ones who evaluate me so I haven’t heard that from them so I don’t have anything to say to that.”
Ryan had no issues with his quarterback’s fitness.
“It sounds like we’re training for the Olympics or he’s going to run … the marathon. [Then] we might be in trouble,” Ryan joked. “I haven’t seen that in him, he seems fine to me.”
Ryan cited Smith’s 80-yard run in the team session on Monday as proof of his fitness.
As for his conditioning, Smith sounded his usual confident self. He said that physically he’s where he should be.
“I feel great, I feel strong. My wind is there,” Smith said. “I’ve been running good in practice, getting back to the huddle, spitting the plays out, getting on and off the field. I feel pretty good.”
And he said he’s hanging with the other quarterbacks in terms of conditioning.
“I’m right there,” Smith said. “I’m pretty good with it.”
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer for updates from training camp.
