How well New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith does this season likely hinges on receiver Santonio Holmes. Sunday's win over the Buffalo Bills showed just how crucial Holmes is to the rookie's success, the New York Daily News reports.
Smith enjoyed the best game of his young NFL career on Sunday. Smith completed 16-of-29 passes for 331 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions; he also scored his first rushing touchdown. It wasn't the prettiest game, but the Jets moved to 2-1 on the season with a 27-20 win over Buffalo.
Much of Smith's career-best day was due to Holmes, who caught five passes for a career-high 154 yards, including the 69-yard deciding touchdown. Holmes, seemingly close to 100 percent healthy, provided the rookie with a play-making weapon on offense and accounted for a team-high 10 targets, a third of Smith's targets on drop-back passes.
"(Holmes) might not be 100%, but he's pretty darn good," Jets coach Rex Ryan said after the game, via The Daily News. "He's a great receiver. We all know - every Jet fan knows - what kind of player he is when he's healthy. We're starting to see that. Obviously (he had) a huge day today . . . and it might have been the difference in the game."
Beyond the game, Holmes could be the difference in whether Smith starts the whole season. If Smith struggles through the year, there's a chance Ryan sits the rookie and tries to save his coaching job by going with Matt Simms or, upon his return, Mark Sanchez.
If Holmes remains healthy and gives Smith a reliable weapon on offense, Smith could have a less bumpy road as he matures and adapts to the NFL. Manish Mehta of The Daily News likened Holmes to what Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne was last season to then-rookie quarterback Andrew Luck: a safety blanket.
Having a go-to receiver would not only make Smith's maturation less rocky, it'd likely result in more wins for the team and make Smith a lock for starting quarterback.
As for Holmes, he sounds confident about Smith's potential.
"With Geno's poise," Holmes told reporters, "he can be as great as he wants to be."
(Smith's Career-Bests: Yards (331), Passing TDs (2), Rushing TDs (1))
