Pirate Galaxy » meeting Friday morning in The Ham

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Geno Smith went from starting quarterback to backup -- again -- the moment Ryan Fitzpatrick walked through the door -- finally -- with a new deal.For the last several months, Smith was in the awkward position of technically being the starter while Fitzpatrick and the Jets were locked in a contract stalemate. On Wednesday night, Fitzpatrick changed all that by agreeing to a one-year, $12 million deal and reclaiming his job.I mean, Im not disappointed, Smith said after the Jets first training camp practice on Thursday. Im kind of pissed off, but its not a detrimental thing. Its not something where Im pissed off at anyone because we all want to be out there.Instead, Smith will again be relegated to a backup role behind Fitzpatrick.That just adds fuel to the fire, Smith said, but not in a negative way. I dont want that to become a headline or something like that because its not what Im trying to say. Its more as a competitor, as a quarterback, knowing what Im capable of and really believing in myself, knowing the work that Ive put in over the offseason, you know, you want to be out there.But youve just got to kind of play the cards that youre dealt, control what you can control and continue to get better.Simply, Smith is motivated and humbled.A year ago, he was preparing to be the starter with Fitzpatrick as his backup. A punch from then-teammate Ikemefuna Enemkpali broke Smiths jaw in the locker room last August, putting Fitzpatrick in position to claim the job.Fitzpatrick galvanized the locker room, set the franchise record with 31 touchdown passes and got New York within a victory of the playoffs. Smith, meanwhile, was left as a spectator with an uncertain future.As the contract situation with Fitzpatrick dragged on this offseason, Smith moved closer to being the starter again. He immediately slipped a spot on the depth chart when the Jets re-signed Fitzpatrick, making the deal official shortly before practice Thursday.I kind of always knew that was a possibility, Smith said. So, it was not like one of those shocking things. We always knew that was going on.Smith is in the last year of his rookie deal after being drafted in the second round out of West Virginia in 2013. That means he could be a free agent next offseason if the Jets choose to not re-sign him.Im auditioning for this team and 31 other teams in the NFL, he said. The way that you handle all of this says something about yourself and your character. Ive got little kids back home watching to see how I react and everyones going to see how I react. Im not going to allow this situation -- because its not the worst situation Ive been in -- to deter me from my ultimate goal.He started as a rookie after Mark Sanchez was injured in the preseason and also held that role in 2014. Smith was inconsistent throughout, showing flashes of being a playmaker mixed with shortcomings consistent with a young quarterback.In three seasons, Smith has thrown 27 touchdown passes and 35 interceptions. He has looked increasingly more comfortable working in Chan Gaileys offense, and some have wondered if Smith would be able to thrive, as Fitzpatrick did, if he were the starter.I really dont want to talk about how much better I am, Smith said. Id rather go out there and prove it on the field. Nothing that I can say to the media, to you guys in front of cameras, that can be written will show that. I have to go out there and play when the time comes and its got to show between the white lines.Brandon Marshall has been supportive of Smith since they spent time together as roommates last offseason. While Marshall set team records with 109 catches and 1,502 yards receiving with Fitzpatrick throwing to him last season, the veteran receiver has been impressed with how Smith has handled himself.Genos done an amazing job developing as a man off the field, a leader and a teammate, Marshall said. Like Ive said before, when this kid gets his opportunity, hes not going to look back.Until that day, Smith will continue to look forward, preparing as if hell be a starting quarterback again.If didnt do that, I would be doing myself a great disservice, Smith said. I know how far along Ive come since the time I walked into this building for the first time. But like I said, that remains to be seen.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFLAuthentic NFL Jerseys . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. Cheap NHL Jerseys . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. https://www.cheapnfljerseysjustwholesale.com/cheap-college-jerseys . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Cheap Jerseys . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. NFL Jerseys Sale . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach.Kevin Durant?will meet Thursday with the Oklahoma City Thunder?before flying to New York to meet with the other five teams on his free-agent short list over the weekend at an undisclosed location in The Hamptons, according to league sources.NBA rules preclude any team -- even the incumbent Thunder -- from discussing contract specifics with Durant or any free agent before 12:01 a.m. ET Friday. ?Thursdays discussions with the Thunder, however, are more likely to be focused on team direction and broader topics to meet league guidelines.Durant, who was in Los Angeles filming a TV commercial, was expected to fly to Oklahoma City with agent Rich Kleiman on Wednesday night, sources said.Durants first meeting Friday morning in The Hamptons on Long Island will be with the Golden State Warriors before meeting with the LA Clippers later in thhe day.dddddddddddd On Saturday, he will meet with the San Antonio Spurs?and later the Boston Celtics.He will conclude his weekend meetings Sunday with the Miami Heat.Durant, 27, has spent his entire nine-year career with the Thunder franchise. He averaged 28.2 points per game last season and led the Thunder to within one victory of the NBA Finals.Free agents cant sign a new contract until July 7.The New York Knicks are still being considered for a possible meeting, in large part because of the strong relationships between Durant and Carmelo Anthony?and Kleiman and Knicks general manager Steve Mills.The Los Angeles Lakers, who also are hoping to meet with Durant, will not get a meeting, one source said. ' ' '