Geno Smith Gets his Spotlight, Faces Backlash

Tags: geno smith

Geno Smith is finally attracting all the attention he seems to crave--- but for all the wrong reasons. One week after sliding into the second round of the NFL Draft, Smith remains the center of attention as questions regarding his maturity and diva like attitude abound.

"He's going to have a tough time in New York," an NFC scout speaking on the condition of anonymity told ESPN of Smith who ultimately slid to the Jets and the 39th pick. "Right now, he's coming off as a spoiled, pampered brat."

After falling out of the first round, which is estimated to have cost him at least $3 million a year, Smith threatened to leave the draft and go home. Upon his slippage, he fired his agent and openly blamed them for his tumble.

All that was preceded by rumors Smith was preoccupied with his cell phone during pre-draft visits, consumed with texting friends and checking Twitter instead of earnestly communicating with team executives and coaches.

Even the Jets had their doubts, only ultimately deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt after again meeting with him on the eve of his pro-day workout and summing his initial failure up to interview fatigue. Based on where he was selected, Smith will now sign roughly a $5 million, four-year-deal which, according to EsPN, could have  easily topped $20 million had if only he had reached the heights that were first projected for him. Perhaps, even Smith has started to take note of all the changing variables.  

“My character and play speaks for itself,” he told ESPN. “The people who’ve known me my entire life, and who have coached me, have all come to my defense. As far as that goes, I’m just looking towards the future.”   https://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/9239609/geno-smith-new-york-jets-remains-spotlight-all-wrong-reasons

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