Jets owner backs Geno Smith

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets owner Woody Johnson scolded Geno Smith for cursing at a heckling fan, calling it "unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable," but he said the organization still thinks the embattled quarterback will develop into an elite player.

"I think Geno can be a franchise quarterback, I really do," Johnson told reporters Thursday before practice. "I see traits in him -- we all see traits in him -- that are extremely positive. There's room for a lot of optimism."

Johnson, speaking to the media for the first time since June, is presiding over a 1-3 team with an escalating quarterback controversy. The disappointing start has raised questions about the future of Smith and coach Rex Ryan and the frugal spending of general manager John Idzik.

Never one to issue ultimatums, Johnson said this isn't a playoffs-or-bust season for Ryan, who hasn't made the postseason since 2010. Asked if Ryan has to make the playoffs to save his job, the owner said, "We don't look at it that way."

Johnson said a full evaluation will be made at the end of the season -- his standard response to in-season questions about his coach. He gave a less-than-effusive evaluation of Ryan's performance this season.

"I think the team and the coaches, they've fallen short, that's for sure, but they've been in every game," Johnson said. "It's either glass half-full or glass half-empty. You can see signs of being a good team and a winning team, except for the one or two mistakes we make in each game. If we eliminate those, I think we'll be good."

In typical fashion, Ryan invoked self-deprecating humor when informed that Johnson didn't give him a traditional vote of confidence.

"Hey, shoot, I'm not expecting a new salary at 1-3," Ryan said. "Believe me, I'm just glad he didn't say those other two words he could've said."

Ryan's contract was extended after last season's encouraging 8-8 finish, but it's fully guaranteed through only 2015, so Ryan is on the hot seat. The Jets have dropped three straight for the eighth time in the Ryan era, and they travel to the San Diego Chargers (3-1) this weekend.

With quarterback Michael Vick on the roster, Smith's status is a major issue. Since the start of 2013, he has 32 turnovers, the second-highest total in the NFL. He made headlines for the wrong reason on Sunday, yelling at a fan, "F--- you!"

"I don't think it's something he should ever do," Johnson said. "I try not to [curse]. I have to remind myself not to do it occasionally. You can't react to those kinds of things. He is one of the leaders on the team. Generally, I don't think any of us should respond to things like that."

Smith's outburst fueled questions about his ability to handle the New York pressure cooker.

"I think he's a very young man," Johnson said of Smith, 23. "If I look at myself at that age, I may have made the same thing, for sure. ... He's made the mistake now. I guarantee -- well, no, I don't guarantee -- but I'd be surprised if he ever did something like this again."

Johnson's general manager has come under fire for a series of questionable personnel decisions, mainly his failure to address the cornerback need in the offseason. The Jets have the lowest payroll in the league and have $21 million in cap space, angering the fan base.

Johnson said he hasn't imposed any financial restrictions on Idzik, whom he hired after the 2012 season. Idzik has been criticized for being too deliberate in free agency, but that's fine with Johnson.

"That's one of the reasons I hired him, because he is deliberate, he does look at these decisions in a holistic way in terms of how they're going to affect the team's long-term success," Johnson said. "I think he's very good at that."

Still, it seems curious that the Jets -- a major-market team -- have the lowest cash payroll at $94 million.

"We're trying to build through the draft," Johnson said. "We'll do an occasional free agent, but the free-agent market isn't a panacea. We're trying to make wise investments to build a team through the draft."

Ryan said he has no problems with the long-term approach.

"We've got enough talent on this team that I believe we're going to win," Ryan said. "And I believe we'll win this year, so I don't have to worry about (my job). I believe in my heart that I'll be part of the long-term future."

Separately, Johnson was noncommittal on the future of practice squad wide receiver Quincy Enunwa, who is facing domestic violence charges.

"What we're doing with Quincy is we're going to let this thing play out ... and see what happens," Johnson said. "And then we'll act accordingly."

Speaking of domestic violence cases in general, the owner wouldn't say whether he'd cut a player who was found guilty of the charge.

"That depends," he said.