Geno Smith expects to be a top-5 quarterback soon, compares himself to Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith is nothing if not confident in his own abilities.
Smith recently declared his belief that he'll be a top-five NFL quarterback in a year or two, and he followed up that assertion by telling ESPN.com that he compares himself to Green Bay Packers star and former NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
"I liken myself to him," Smith told ESPN.com. "He throws a great ball and he's very accurate in the pocket, but he's also skilled enough to run around. He's got enough speed to score when it's there. I think I'm pretty fast -- I think I can run pretty good -- but I also want to be one of those guys that can play from the pocket."
Rodgers threw for over 4,000 yards with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his first full season as Packers starter. Smith, on the other hand, passed for nearly 1,000 fewer yards, 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in his rookie season with the Jets.
It's worth noting that Rodgers had the benefit of sitting behind Brett Favre for three seasons, but those numbers make it clear that Smith has a long way to go before he deserves to be discussed in Rodgers' company.
But you have to set goals, and you might as well set lofty ones.