Geno Smith era to start as New York Jets lose faith in, move on from Mark Sanchez

It apparently now is a consensus: The New York Jets are set to name Geno Smith their starting quarterback, according to New York Daily News' Manish Mehta.

After reports surfaced that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg preferred Smith to Mark Sanchez, now comes word that head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik — who has some say in the quarterback decision — also are on board.

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Did Ryan relent to internal or external pressure? It was believed that he preferred Sanchez, even though he has an injured shoulder. But Ryan reportedly has become convinced that Smith is the guy and that he'll be under center when the Jets open the season at home against the Buccaneers on Sept. 8.

Both Smith and Sanchez have had their moments in training camp and in the preseason games, but there have been a share of ugly points, too. But Smith, who started hot, finished with an ankle injury and a brutal performance against the Giants in the third preseason game: three interceptions and a safety taken.

Sanchez has been steadier, but the coaching staff apparently has lost faith in him, with repeated red-zone mistakes the biggest irritation.

Can Smith thrive in the role with the pressure increased? Will Sanchez be a distraction as an $8 million backup? You know we'll be tuning into what almost everyone is predicting to be another circus.

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