National Football League

Jets' Mornhinweg: QB competition isn't '50-50'

Published May. 29, 2014 5:24 p.m. ET

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NEW YORK (AP) Rex Ryan is right about the New York Jets' quarterback competition. And, so is Michael Vick.

Yes, both Vick and Geno Smith will compete for the starting job - as Ryan has said all offseason. And, yes, Smith enters with a slight advantage - as Vick has insisted since he signed in March.

Open or closed competition? Whatever. The Jets have two quarterbacks vying to be the starter. Just ask offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

''It may not be quite like the competition we had last year, where everything was 50-50 (between Smith and Mark Sanchez),'' Mornhinweg said during a conference call with season ticket holders Thursday. ''Mike has all that experienced banked. We're trying to continue the progress with Geno and then have Mike ready to go.

''It's just that simple, and Mike knows exactly what expectations and roles he has.''

Mornhinweg recently said the team's goal is to make sure Smith progresses, indicating then that Smith had perhaps a slight edge over Vick entering the competition. He reiterated that with his comments Thursday, a day after the Jets' quarterback situation became a bit murky because of perceived mixed signals.

Vick has said that it's ''not an open competition'' and Smith is the starter, while Ryan has insisted both quarterbacks will compete for the job.

''Mike is here to compete, to push and to help Geno become his very best,'' Mornhinweg said. ''When Mike is called upon, Mike expects, and we expect him, to play at a high level.''

So, to recap: There will be a quarterback competition this summer; Smith might have an edge; and Vick could still come out on top.

Got it? Controversy averted. For now.

NOTES: RB Willie Colon had arthroscopic knee surgery Thursday, and Mornhinweg was optimistic about his return. ''He should be back very quickly,'' Mornhinweg said, ''certainly before training camp.'' A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Colon would be out about six weeks, but would ''definitely'' be back in time for camp. ... Mornhinweg said G William Campbell, a sixth-rounder last year, had ''minor surgery'' and should return ''pretty quick.'' ... With the additions of Vick, WR Eric Decker, RB Chris Johnson and TE Jace Amaro, Mornhinweg has high hopes for an offense that finished 25th overall last season. ''Offensively, it feels like we're just light years ahead of where we were last year,'' he said. ''But we can't let that trick us into thinking that we're any better at all yet.''

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