Florham Park, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) - Geno Smith will remain the New York Jets' starting quarterback for at least another week, with head coach Rex Ryan declaring Monday that the struggling rookie will be under center for the team's upcoming game against the Oakland Raiders.
Ryan also gave Smith a public vote of confidence one day after benching him at halftime during Sunday's 23-3 home loss to AFC East-rival Miami. The 2013 second-round pick managed just 29 yards on 4-of-10 passing and was intercepted once before being removed in favor of Matt Simms.
"I'm going to go with Geno as our quarterback," said Ryan. "I believe in Geno. I think he has the tools to be a good quarterback in this league."
Sunday's performance was the latest in a string of subpar showings for Smith, who has failed to throw a touchdown pass in five straight starts and owns a troubling 39.2 percent completion rate over his last four outings. He's also been intercepted a league-high 19 times on the season, eight of which have come over New York's last five games.
Simms fared only marginally better in his relief effort, going 9-of-18 for 79 yards with an interception. The Jets mustered a mere 78 net passing yards for the game.
New York enters Sunday's matchup with the Raiders just one game out of a playoff spot in the AFC, but has lost three straight following a 5-4 start.
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