Jets' Todd Bowles on Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, trading with Eagles – NJ.com
PHOENIX — The Jets have used free agency to fill many (though certainly not all) of the holes in their roster this offseason. But there’s still the matter of what they’re going to do at quarterback, which remains an anything-goes proposition heading into the draft.
At the NFL’s annual meeting at the Arizona Biltmore on Tuesday, head coach Todd Bowles said Geno Smith would be the starting quarterback heading into training camp, though that’s mainly by default: Ryan Fitzpatrick, whom the Jets recently traded for, is likely out until the start of camp as he recovers from a broken leg.
The Jets have the No. 6 pick in the draft’s first round. They have a private workout with Oregon’s Marcus Mariota scheduled for March 28 in Eugene, Ore., and they’ll have personnel at Jameis Winston’s pro day at Florida State three days later. No one should expect any Jets decision-makers to divulge the team’s draft strategy, but what follows are Bowles’ answers to draft-related quarterback questions, plus the possibility of the Jets even trading their pick with the Eagles, who are said to be rather fond of Mariota.
Herewith:
How much time is being spent evaluating quarterbacks in this draft?
“We’re spending a lot of time on it, and we’ve still got to work the two guys out. We’re going to do our homework on those guys at the top of the draft, but then we’re going to do our diligence on all the guys that could possibly go at [No.] 6. It’s not just the quarterbacks, it’s all of them. But, yes, we are going to look at [Mariota and Winston].”
Will offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and quarterbacks coach Kevin Patullo be at the Mariota workout next week?
“Yes.”
Same group that will also work out Winston?
“Yes.”
Did trading for Ryan Fitzpatrick affect the approach to possibly drafting a quarterback?
“No, it doesn’t. We’re still looking at quarterbacks just the same at [the No. 6] pick. We’re just going to pick the best player [available].”
What is most exciting about what Mariota might be able to do for an offense?
“That’s for us to find out when we go see him. He had a great career. He can throw it, he can run it. He’s a very athletic guy.”
Scary thought for other defensive coordinators to maybe line up against Mariota?
“We line up against Peyton [Manning] and [Tom] Brady. All those guys are scary, so one more scary guy’s not going to hurt.”
How open are the Jets to trading their draft pick for more draft picks?
“Yeah, it’s easier said than done. Everybody wants to trade and get a slew of picks like “Draft Day,” but that doesn’t normally happen. You get the best player. I think that’s the way you help your team.”
So you wouldn’t trade with the Eagles at No. 20 to get several more picks? (sarcastically)
“I don’t know if I’ll trade with [No.] 20. I’ll trade with anybody that’s going to give me a ton of first-round picks.” [laughter]
Are quarterbacks who played in a spread in college behind the NFL learning curve, as Cardinals coach Bruce Arians recently said?
“I don’t know. It depends on the quarterback. Until you sit them guys down, mentally, and go through the process with them on the chalkboard talks and see what they see and kind of understand what they see and go through the footwork process, I think I have to reserve that comment.”
How do you judge Mariota’s football IQ?
“Right now, I’ve only been with him in the combine interview, so I haven’t been with him much. I’m going to see him in a short while. I’m seeing him very soon and gong to sit down with him. I’ll be able to tell you that then.”
Dom Cosentino may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @domcosentino. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
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