Geno Smith’s 13 Passing Touchdowns in 2014

3rd and 6 at MIN 35 (7:41) (Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to P.Harvin for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. (Kick formation) N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Purdum, Holder-R.Quigley.

Jets are in a 1×2 shotgun set with two RBs in the backfield. The Vikings’ are showing a cover-2 shell with man coverage at the pre-snap with both inside linebackers showing an A-gap blitz. They back off before the snap, and the defense turns into a Cover-4 zone.

Geno Smith drops back with his eyes down the middle, showing a pump fake to the deep-in going across the middle of the field. Seeing that neither safety has helped either of the outside CBs, he knows he has a one on one deep shot he can take. He takes the shot at Percy Harvin, presumably because he’s aware that Josh Robinson is the corner on him and just like in the previous play, he catches him sleeping. Robinson’s head isn’t turned and despite throwing an under-thrown ball, Harvin’s able to adjust and make an easy catch for a touchdown. Another time where Geno should have thrown it further back into the endzone but throws it short. The cause of this under-throw is likely linked to his inability to set before throwing again, as his feet are way too wide apart when he enters his throwing motion. Seems like a case of getting too excited.

4th and 1 at TEN 9 (4:41) (Shotgun) G.Smith pass short right to J.Conner for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Purdum, Holder-R.Quigley.

Jets are in a 1×1 pistol set. The Titans’ are showing a cover-1 shell with man coverage.

Another designed play, Geno fakes a play action and rolls out to his right where FB John Conner is in the flat. There’s only one target and one read to make, and Geno makes that easily. Ball comes out comfortably into the body of the FB, and Conner takes it up the field for a touchdown. Easy play.

2nd and 8 at NE 20 (6:03) G.Smith pass deep right to J.Cumberland for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Purdum, Holder-R.Quigley.

Jets are in a 2×0 single back set. The Patriots are showing a cover-1 man shell, with Devin McCourty heavily shading to the two receiver side.

Geno Smith does a poor playaction, not extending his arm all the way out, not getting the ball into the chest of the RB and also pulling it away far too early. Still, Hightower comes down and so does Patrick Chung, who has man duties on Cumberland. It looks like Chung might be reading Breno Giacomini’s step outside as a tell for an outside run by Chris Johnson and if that’s the case, he’s obviously wrong here. Geno has to be aware here that Chung is in the box lined up over Cumberland before the snap, because after he turns around he’s immediately looking for Cumberland and ready to throw. It’s an easy pitch and catch here.

2nd and 6 at MIA 8 (6:50) (Shotgun) G.Smith pass short right to C.Ivory for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Purdum, Holder-R.Quigley.

Jets are in a 2×2 shotgun set. Dolphins are showing a cover-1 man at the pre-snap.

At the pre-snap, Geno Smith motions Chris Ivory across the formation. The lack of movement from either Dolphins inside linebackers and defensive alignment of the safety and cornerback gives him a clue that Ivory might be completely uncovered. He’s right, after the snap no one follows Ivory outside and as Geno drops back, looking towards the right hash, he then brings his attention to the outside and throws an easy ball into the stomach of Ivory.

3rd and 4 at NYJ 26 (11:46) (Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep left to E.Decker for 74 yards, TOUCHDOWN. N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Purdum, Holder-R.Quigley.

Jets are in a 1×2 shotgun set that turns into a 2×2 empty shotgun set. The Dolphins show Cover-0 man after the movement, with six players up at the line. They’re all going to blitz.

The 6 man blitz is more than the amount of blockers Geno Smith has, so that sixth man becomes his. He’s got to get this ball out before that man gets to him, and the decision of where to throw it becomes very easy after the safety leaves his deep spot. Geno begins backing up at an angle in order to stretch out the amount of time he has before the free rusher gets to him and throws a perfectly placed ball despite an off-platform back-foot throw. Eric Decker doesn’t even have to slow down for this, it’s right on him and it’s an easy touchdown. This is the second perfectly placed lofted ball that Geno throws to Decker for a touchdown in 2014, and both are between 20-30 yards of distance.

1st and 10 at MIA 23 (3:28) (Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to J.Cumberland for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. N.Folk extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Purdum, Holder-R.Quigley.

Jets are in a 1×1 pistol set with two backs in the backfield. The Dolphins are showing a cover-2 that is brought close to the line of scrimmage with six players at the line, showing a potential for a big blitz.

Geno Smith’s presnap read is telling him that he might have a cover-0 again, due to the six players at the line and both safeties coming up very close. When John Conner is put in motion and the safety adjusts, the man coverage becomes clear and it is indeed another cover-0. The combination of Jeremy Kerley’s post route with Jeff Cumberland’s corner route (referred to often as a Scissors concept) creates a rub on Cumberlands defender and with no safety over the top, Cumberland runs free. Geno takes the snap and begins rolling out to his right to escape the blitz, as well as create a better throwing angle for himself to hit Cumberland on the corner- since he recognizes immediately upon turning that Kerley’s about to pick off his defender. He creates his passing lane, unfortunately doesn’t take the time to set himself, but still delivers an easy on target throw from an off-platform throwing angle. You’d really like to see him stop and set before throwing this one though, but with a wide open player like that, it’s easy for a young quarterback like Geno to get overexcited.

Geno Smith grew substantially in his second year, showing improvement in his mechanics, decision making and accuracy. However, he’s still a work in progress and a player who requires more substantial work in order to become the kind of quarterback teams feel comfortable starting and relying on for 16 games a year. Geno still needs to learn to get set before taking his throws. He has to learn to take advantage of the open spaces that defenses give him over the top, instead of trying to line drive balls past defenders. Hopefully, more time will allow these skills and habits to develop as Smith will be only 25 during his 3rd season in the NFL but time is a resource NFL teams and fans are most unwilling to give.