Rex: Jets won't pick a starting QB for a while

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Rex Ryan was asked a long-winded question about how it's pretty much impossible for the New York Jets coach to declare a winner in the competition between Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez right now.

"Is part of (it being too early) because of the injuries?" the questioner began. "Your top two guys are coming off surgeries, you have two other receivers injured, Dustin Keller is gone, with both quarterbacks learning a new system and not having the top guys out there, is it almost unfair to make long-term decisions at this point because they're working with guys that aren't going to see the field much …"

Ryan cut off the question right there. Not because he didn't like what he heard; rather, because he loved it.

"I should've said that. As my answer, we'll just use that, because that's outstanding," Ryan said. "That's way more articulate than I can put it, which is not surprising to anybody. But really, that's fair. Both guys and all the guys are learning a new system and this is a long process.

"Once it's totally 100% clear who the guy is, then we can look at making that decision. I can make that decision. But right now, this is just the early stages of it. There's a long way to go. I think I'll feel a lot more comfortable seeing guys in a live situation."

Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg suggested in an interview with the New York Daily News the competition between Smith and Sanchez could be declared over before the team heads to training camp. But based on what Ryan said Wednesday, that's not even close to accurate.

Live games don't happen until August and neither quarterback has had the chance to throw to Santonio Holmes, who is working his way back from a foot injury. Second-year wide receiver Stephen Hill is once again out with knee issues. Hill, who reinjured himself while diving for a ball last week, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday he thought he'd be past any problems with the joint by now. He had surgery to repair ligament issues that popped up at the end of last season.

Holmes might start camp on the physically unable to perform list. Hill could be back next week, though he'll need reps this summer to come along.

So don't expect a winner to be declared between Smith or Sanchez until late August – if not later.

"For me to make the decision to say the competition is over, it's going to have to be a hundred percent clear," Ryan said. "And if it's not, we're going to keep competing all the way through. It won't just be my evaluation, but at the end of the day I guess it will be if there's a split camp or whatever, then I will make that decision."

Ryan was in a jovial mood Wednesday, so when asked if a "tie goes to the incumbent," meaning Sanchez, he fired back in a sarcastic manner.

"I don't know, we'll do what we normally do," he said. "Flip a coin."

Sanchez, meanwhile, confirmed he'll hold his annual "Jets West" camp, a gathering in California during which he runs drills with his targets. Sanchez isn't sure if Smith will be joining him to throw during the camp, which is usually held in July.

Sanchez' career is hanging by a thread and his grip on the starting job is tenuous. He's also once again learning a new offense. Still, he'll take the lead in the camp from an instructing standpoint.

"Oh, yeah, I'll be ready. I'll be ready for that," he said. "I feel good enough, even if we had to do it today, to have a study session like that."

Despite three interceptions by Sanchez in the first organized team activities session this spring, Hill and others have said Sanchez has been more accurate overall than he was last year.

"If there's a defender right here," Hill said, pointing to his right hip, "the ball is here (on the left hip)."

Ryan credited Sanchez, who had 52 total turnovers the past two seasons, with making smart decisions during red-zone drills on Wednesday by throwing the ball away when nobody was open. Those decisions came after Smith was picked off once during team drills and then had his next pass batted down by defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson.

"Not today, Geno!" Wilkerson yelled at the rookie.

The 6-foot-2 Sanchez has had plenty of passes batted away over the years, so Ryan was happy Sanchez was smarter with the football in the red zone on Wednesday.

"It's not there, you made a good move by not trying to force the issue," Ryan said he told Sanchez. "And I think he did that a few times. That is encouraging to me because an incompletion is not the worst thing that can happen to you."

Sanchez said his overall comfort level is high right now because of Mornhinweg's teaching ability.

"He can reach everybody in the room," Sanchez said. "Guys from different walks of life, guys who grew up differently, experienced different things, sometimes one analogy doesn't blanket everybody and not everybody gets it. Marty just has a way of explaining it. It comes from his experience of explaining it to thousands of players. That kind of experience he can lean on, it really helps."

Follow Mike Garafolo on Twitter @MikeGarafolo.