Jets in no Rush to Add Back Up QB

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Jets in no rush to add depth at quarterback
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Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer

The New York Jets are in no rush to acquire a veteran quarterback to play behind Ryan Fitzpatrick, and that's the smart play.

They have reached out to veterans, but the free-agent market is lean. One possibility is Tyler Thigpen, who has some background with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. Thigpen played under Gailey with the Buffalo Bills in 2011 and 2012. Thigpen's record as a starter is 1-11. The Jets reportedly had a conversation with Michael Vick, but they agreed to pass on a reunion, according to NFL.com.

The Jets will re-evaluate the situation after Thursday night's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. Fitzpatrick will start for the injured Geno Smith (broken jaw), but he won't play much. Rookie Bryce Petty will get a lot of work, with undrafted rookie Jake Heaps perhaps seeing some mop-up duty.

There's no point in rushing into a decision because it's not like they're missing out on anybody. They could wait a couple of weeks to see who shakes free when rosters are cut to 75. One name to watch is former Jets QB Matt Simms, currently fourth on the Bills' depth chart. Personnel people around the league expect the Bills to cut one and maybe two quarterbacks, which means Matt Cassel or EJ Manuel also could be in trouble.

Simms requested his release from the Jets in the offseason and landed with the Bills, reuniting with Rex Ryan. Could he return? Stranger things have happened. See: IK Enemkpali claimed on waivers by Ryan one day after punching out Smith. Simms had two months of exposure to Gailey's offense before he was cut.

"The guys on the street aren't good options," one AFC personnel executive said. "I'd just ride with Petty. He might not be ready, but you're not winning games with any of those other guys on the couch, either."

 

[Green Jets & Ham]

"The guys on the street aren't good options," one AFC personnel executive said. "I'd just ride with Petty. He might not be ready, but you're not winning games with any of those other guys on the couch, either."

Exactly, don't just sign someone to bring in a body, if there's nobody out there worth signing, stick with what you have for now and hope that at some point (first cuts or final cutdowns) something better cuts loose.

The Thigpen's and Grossman's of the world are a waste of time.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

Exactly, don't just sign someone to bring in a body, if there's nobody out there worth signing, stick with what you have for now and how that at some point (first cuts or final cutdowns) something better cuts loose.

The Thigpen's and Grossman's of the world are a waste of time.

And those guys will be available anytime you need them. Not one team in the NFL will sign either of them. I say try to talk Kyle Orton out of retirement since Marshall said he was the best QB he ever played with. That would be checkmate to the Bills for signing IK.

 

[Green Jets & Ham]

And those guys will be available anytime you need them. Not one team in the NFL will sign either of them.

Good Point, there's no rush, better to sit back and see if something better comes available. Worse case scenario the guys who are out there now will still be out there in weeks or months.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

I think it's dangerous going into the season with Fitz as your only viable starter. We've got to sign a veteran off the street, hopefully within a few weeks. We cannot wait until around week one to sort this all out. Petty needs a few years, as evidenced by his performance in camp so far. Heaps is a third stringer.

I agree that we shouldn't just sign someone because he's available. Hopefully it's someone who's got familiarity with a Gailey-style offense.

 

[Mainejet]

I'm with you. Throwing the season is a complete cop out on the fans. The Jets need to battle and make every attempt to win at all times.

How about Matt Flynn? Why not take a flyer on the guy? Get him some reps in training camp and see if he can give decent competition to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

I'm with you. Throwing the season is a complete cop out on the fans. The Jets need to battle and make every attempt to win at all times.

How about Matt Flynn? Why not take a flyer on the guy? Get him some reps in training camp and see if he can give decent competition to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

I believe the Pats cut him because he was hurt.

 

[sg3]

There will be a half dozen or more veteran insurance policy/clipboard holders available after preseason week 3 and 4....most of them better than Thigpen, Flynn or Grossman

 

[maxmet]

You get Petty more reps now - as an investment in 2016 - and you wait for a higher quality backup to become available. Waiting is good.

 

[jets82]

Jets need to give Petty and Heaps as much time as possible on the field and see if one if them can be a solid #2 . Being yet the starter. No need in taking that pre-season time from them for another body. They should wait at least two games to see how Fitz, Petty and Heaps looks and decide then. Start move IMO.

 

[Pattycakes]

I believe the Pats cut him because he was hurt.

last i heard it was unclear why the pats cut him. he did not pass his physical but that was the only detail i heard.

if we have to rely on petty or heaps we're going to be in a world of hurt. the safe play is to bring someone else in and hope to god fitz doesn't go down.

 

[Elias]

last i heard it was unclear why the pats cut him. he did not pass his physical but that was the only detail i heard.

if we have to rely on petty or heaps we're going to be in a world of hurt. the safe play is to bring someone else in and hope to god fitz doesn't go down.

Team isn't very high on heaps. He didn't even play in the first preseason game.