Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Rex Ryan holds off on QB decision, but leaning toward Michael Vick

From all indications, the New York Jets will stick with a banged-up Michael Vick at quarterback, but that decision won't be announced until Wednesday.

Another delay penalty on the Jets.

Rex Ryan said Tuesday he will wait the extra day because he wants to sit down with Vick and Geno Smith before going public with his decision. The players had a day off after the embarrassing 38-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Detroit. The Jets don't play again until Monday night against the Miami Dolphins.

At 2-9, the Jets' quarterback situation isn't exactly high drama. Ryan is leaning toward Vick as long as he's healthy, according to a source -- and Vick appears to be fine.

Vick got "beat up a little bit" in the game, suffering minor wrist and ankle injuries, but his condition isn't serious enough to impact the decision, according to Ryan.

"No, I don’t think that will be the final thing we talk about," Ryan said. "I’ll address it tomorrow and we’ll go from there."

The Jets were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with the loss, so you could make the case for starting Smith and using the last five games as a final evaluation. Ryan acknowledged he's planning to give more playing time to some of the younger players, but he indicated those would be subtle moves, not outright changes in the starting lineup.

The one variable is general manager John Idzik. If he decides he wants Smith 2.0, it'll be Smith returning to the lineup. He was benched after a three-interception debacle in Week 8, which dropped the Jets to 1-7. Smith replaced Vick late in the third quarter on Monday night, completing 10 of 12 passes for 89 yards -- his first action since the benching.

Ryan offered only a lukewarm assessment of Smith's performance, saying he was "pretty decent." He criticized Smith for a late sack and for not sliding on a scramble. In short, Ryan didn't sound like he was eager to get him back in the starting lineup.

Vick was solid in his first two starts, but he struggled against the Bills. Under heavy pressure, he completed only 7 of 19 passes for 76 yards and an interception. He was sacked five times. His worst moment was overthrowing a wide-open Eric Decker on what should've been a 69-yard touchdown pass.

What about third-stringer Matt Simms? Ryan, on his weekly spot on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN New York 98.7, had a curious response when asked if Simms is a consideration to start. Ryan laughed and said simply, "No."

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