BY NICK ST. DENIS
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith is the Week 1 starter, barring injury or any catastrophic situation.
Head coach Rex Ryan isn't willing to admit it yet, but his players have moved on from that charade. At least wide receiver David Nelson has.
"When the coaches say, 'First-group offense,' we know who's walking in the huddle," Nelson said Tuesday, via ESPN New York. "It's not something that needs to be said.
"He's the guy and we're moving forward."
Ryan wouldn't submit Tuesday that Smith has the No. 1 signal-caller job in hand, despite the fact that we all know it's a fact. Heck, even Michael Vick handed Smith the keys (or at least turned them down) the day he signed with Gang Green.
"When we think it's the right time, we'll tell you," Ryan said.
Rex is clearly just having some fun with the media. That shouldn't be a shock to anyone. And when Smith lines up behind center on opening day, that won't be a shock, either.
The second-year West Virginia product has taken all but one of the starter series' this preseason and is slated to start Friday against the New York Giants.
