Geno 'ready to compete for a starting job' with Jets

BY DAN BEGNOCHE & NICK ST. DENIS

The first day of the 2013 NFL Draft was uneventful for Geno Smith. Day 2 made up for it.

After going defense twice in the first round, the New York Jets flipped the switch with their early second-round pick in nabbing the West Virginia quarterback.

As Smith took the stage following New York's incredibly surprising move, he wasted no time giving the New York media material.

"I'm ready to compete. I'm ready to compete for a starting job," Smith said on stage at Radio City Music Hall after his selection was announced. He'll certainly have his chance, entering camp with the much-maligned Mark Sanchez and a rusty David Garrard donning red jerseys alongside him.

Smith had nearly 100 passing touchdowns in his stint with West Virginia, 42 of those in 2012. He threw for 11,662 yards in his four years as a Mountaineer, tallying a 67 percent completion rating in the process.

Most mock drafts had Smith going in the first round to either the Oakland Raiders or Jacksonville Jaguars. Though Smith has plenty of potential, his accuracy (mostly downfield) will need some work. Smith had a tendency to overthrow wide-open receivers in the middle of the field at times.

Later in Day 2, the Jets beefed up their offensive line by grabbing Kent State guard Brian Winters in the third round.

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