Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Analyst Rodney Harrison, ex-Patriot, slams Geno Smith, Jets

NBC studio analyst Rodney Harrison doesn't think much of the New York Jets' headline-making offseason. He believes they're doomed to a five-win or six-win season as long as Geno Smith is the quarterback.

Co-hosting NBC's "Under Center" radio show on Friday, Harrison unloaded on the Jets and their third-year quarterback. He might not be the most objective guy in the room, considering he played for the Patriots, but his comments are so strong, they're worth a mention.

“You can say whatever you want about Darrelle Revis -- and I do believe he’s the best cornerback in the league -- but Darrelle Revis has not thrown a touchdown pass," Harrison said. "He’s not your quarterback. Yes, he can shut down a No. 1 receiver, but they need a quarterback. The Jets are, all of a sudden, on a high, thinking they’re going to win a championship. You’re not going to win a championship -- you’re not even going to make the playoffs -- because you don’t have a quarterback.

"If you go into the season and you’re expecting Geno Smith to improve, it’s not going to happen," he added. "He might get a little better, but when times get tough, when adversity hits, guess what he’s going to do? He’s going to fold just like the last couple years. I don’t believe in Geno Smith. I think this is a huge mistake. Hopefully in this draft, they try to address this quarterback situation, because if they go into the season with Geno Smith, they might win five or six games.”

You get the impression he doesn't like the Jets?

Not surprisingly, Harrison supported the Patriots' decision not to re-sign Revis, saying, "Bill [Belichick], he’s not going to sell the farm for Darrelle Revis, because as good as Darrelle is, you know in a year or two maybe Darrelle is not going to be quite the same player he was this past season for the New England Patriots. So I believe that was the right move to make.”

For Harrison's full commentary on the state of the AFC East, check out Mike Reiss at ESPNBoston.com.

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