By Mike McCarthy
The New York Jets will be starting a different quarterback to start the season after an altercation in the locker room. Jets starter Geno Smith was sucker punched by teammate IK Enemkpali over a $600 plane ticket, breaking his jaw. Smith had agreed to appear at Enemkpali’s football camp in Pflugerville, TX, but had to back out after a death in the family. Enemkpali had demanded that Smith reimburse him for the ticket, which Smith said that he would, but had not as of Tuesday morning.
Enemkpali was immediately released after the fight had occurred and will most likely be investigated by the league under the personal conduct rules. Coach Todd Bowles had this to say about the fight, “It had nothing to do with football. … I thought it was childish either way and it was stupid. He got cold-cocked … sucker punched, whatever you want to call it, in the jaw. He’s got a broken jaw, a fractured jaw.”
Smith was potentially going to be the game one starter, but now after missing at least three games, it may be tough to get that spot back. Ryan Fitzpatrick has now taken Smith’s first spot on the depth chart with rookie Bryce Petty as the backup. We shall see what happens with Smith and the Jets come week one.
Jared Zero