LOS ANGELES By Ross Jones and Sid Saraf, FOXSports.com Ever since Geno Smith was drafted by the New York Jets, he has been under the microscope. I guess you could say it’s the New York spotlight that shines so bright. Smith, who was drafted No. 39 overall by the Jets in last month’s draft, has recognized his celeb status increase and he has had to deal with it appropriately. “I thought I was kind of a celebrity in Morgantown,” Smith told a pool of reporters at an NFLPA rookie premiere event. “When I used to walk around campus I would get ‘hello, how you doing’ and wishing me well, but now it’s different. Now, when I walk in the grocery store, the airport or wherever I go, people know me and they recognize my face. “I don’t think it’s difficult, but that was the most telling part about being in the NFL was that everyone knows who you are.” Smith is entrenched in a quarterback competition with Mark Sanchez, Greg McElroy and Matt Simms, but believes David Garrard was the guy he could’ve learned the most from. “David was a guy I got to know once I got drafted,” Smith said. I’ve always followed his career and he’s always handled himself like a professional. That’s something I want to do as well. “I just look forward to learning from him even though he’ll be away from the team, but I’m going to call him if I need any advice and he expressed he’s going to be there if I need anything.” Garrard decided to retire on Wednesday as he continues to deal with a lingering knee injury.
