Geno Smith missed team meeting
SAN DIEGO -- Among other problems, the New York Jets need to work on their clock management.
Quarterback Geno Smith and a few other teammates missed team meetings Saturday night because they went to see a movie and didn't make it back in time, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Smith & Co. got "messed up" because of the three-hour difference between Eastern and Pacific time, the person said.
The Jets traveled to San Diego on Friday in an attempt to acclimate themselves before they faced the Chargerson Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. Players typically have free time before team meetings, so it's not unusual that they decided to catch a movie.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the players were reprimanded. No one was benched or appeared to have reduced playing time.
On Monday morning, a team spokesman called it an "honest mistake" and confirmed that Smith arrived 10 to 15 minutes after the meeting ended. Smith caught up afterward with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach David Lee.
It was Smith's first missed meeting, the spokesman said.
The Jets confirmed ESPN.com's reporting that said Smith was late because he got confused by the time difference. Coach Rex Ryan always keeps the team on Eastern time for West Coast trips, but Smith was thrown off because he saw the time on his cellphone, which showed Pacific time, a source said. The mix-up happens to a player on every West Coast trip, another source said.
Ryan didn't announce any discipline to the team, but some close to the team suspect the players will get fined.
Smith started Sunday's game, played poorly and was pulled at halftime in favor of Michael Vick. Ryan said he replaced Smith, who recorded a career-low 7.6 passer rating, because he was looking for a spark. The Jets trailed 21-0 then and ended up losing 31-0.
"If not then, then when?" Ryan said in explanation of his halftime change.
The coach quickly declared that Smith will return to his starting role for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.
The New York Daily News first reported that Smith missed the meeting.
For Smith, it continues a concerning pattern of behavior. Eight days ago, he cursed at a fan after the Jets' loss to the Detroit Lions. He apologized immediately but was fined $12,000 by the league.
A few days later, Smith bristled during a media session when a reporter asked him whether he thinks Vick would provide a spark off the bench.
