[Hammock Parties]

Geno Smith preparing for opener as if he'll be the starter

http://www.newsday.com/sports/footba...rter-1.5983597

With each passing day, it seems more and more unlikely that Mark Sanchez will be healthy enough to start Week 1.

The Jets have said nothing more about the fifth-year quarterback other than he's day-to-day with a bruised right shoulder joint. But while a cloud of uncertainty continues to hang over Sanchez, Geno Smith already has begun preparing as if the starting job against the Bucs will be his.

"Yessir," the rookie quarterback said Thursday night when asked if he's approaching the upcoming week of practice as if he'll be starting against the Bucs. "Business as usual. That's something that I always do, and whether or not I am or am not, I will always approach it the same way.

"So I'm going to continue to study hard. I've watched a ton of film on the Buccaneers so far, so I'm just going to work extremely hard and prepare my mind and body for this upcoming game."

Though his sprained right ankle still isn't 100 percent, he said it's "getting better day by day . . . Hopefully by the time the games come around, I'll be 100 percent."

Smith said he hasn't been told when the Jets will name their Week 1 starter. When asked if he feels comfortable after only two preseason appearances (22-for-37, 246 yards, three interceptions), the rookie didn't hesitate.

"Well, I felt comfortable when I first played," he said. "I felt comfortable last week. I think that's kind of just my demeanor. Whether or not I've played enough, who's to say? It's very hypothetical.

"I've definitely gained a lot of experience in my time in the games, and whether or not I'm ready, we'll find out on game day. And I think I'll be ready for it."