Bayern Trupp » versatility should help if Gomez

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Rex Ryan is sticking with Geno Smith. The struggling rookie will remain the New York Jets starting quarterback for the teams game Sunday against the AFC East-rival Miami Dolphins. While the Jets are on the verge of a full-blown quarterback controversy as their playoff chances have taken a hit, Ryan isnt ready to make a change under centre just yet. "Right now," the coach said Monday, "I would feel he gives us the best chance to win." Smith hadnt been told of any decision while speaking in the locker room about an hour before Ryans news conference, but anticipated getting the start at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. "I fully intend to go about my week as I always do and have confidence in myself to be the starter and the leader of this offence," Smith said. "I will continue to study and work diligently as Ive always done." Ryan was noncommittal to starting Smith after the Jets 19-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, saying he wanted to watch the tape of the game before making any decisions. Smith was 9 of 22 for 127 yards and was intercepted twice and sacked three times. Over his last six games, Smith has thrown 10 interceptions and one touchdown pass. Against Baltimore, the Jets were 1 of 12 on third downs and finished with just 220 total yards. "The mistakes we made, theyre not on one person," Ryan said. "Offensively, as it always does, it seems like we talk about Geno all the time and that stats are out there for the public awareness, I guess. Here are the facts: He was 9 for 22, but it doesnt paint the whole picture. "Its certainly not on one guy." But some fans and media have called for inexperienced backup Matt Simms to start for the Jets (5-6), who have lost two in a row and gone from controlling their playoff destiny to being way back in a pack of teams on the outside. "With Geno, sure, we have to get more production out of the quarterback position, I understand that," Ryan said. "Some of it, hes making the throws." Ryan explained the theory of a defence trying to force a quarterback into having to "throw out of a well," meaning that the pocket collapses so significantly that he has to just heave it straight up rather than being able to aim at targets consistently. That, Ryan said, has helped contribute to some of the poor play lately by Smith. "We have to protect better," right guard Willie Colon said. "Hes forced to make some throws and a lot of things are coming at him. Up front, weve got to help him out, but were not." Ryan also pointed to receivers not running the right routes or dropping passes, and the defence not making plays to help out the offence. Still, there have been questionable decisions made by Smith throughout the season, befitting a rookie who is learning on the job. His 18 interceptions lead the NFL and his 62.1 quarterback rating is last among current starting quarterbacks. "I dont like to call them growing pains," said Smith, who acknowledged that this is his toughest stretch statistically at any level. "I dont make any excuses for anything. I fully expect myself, rookie or not, to go out there and perform. Theyre just mistakes that Ive got to correct." But is he running out of time -- and the team running out of patience? "I completely shut it out," Smith said of the calls for him to be benched. "One, you have to. And two, I always will because I know what it takes to win and what it takes to be a good quarterback, and it doesnt have anything to do with anything outside of this building. It takes preparation and hard work, so thats something Ill continue to do." Ryan insisted the Jets are closer than many people might think, but also implored his players to not listen to any of the negative comments being said or written about them outside the facility. "Weve got to stay together," defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson said of Ryans message to the team. "People are going to try to break the team apart, try to point their fingers, but weve got to try to stay the course here and win these five games." NOTES: LB Troy Davis stayed overnight at a hospital in Baltimore after suffering a chest injury on a hit by the Ravens Courtney Upshaw. Ryan hinted that he was unhappy about it being a hit on a "defenceless player." ... WR David Nelson on whether the game against Miami feels like a must win: "Without being too dramatic, I definitely think so," he said. Wholesale Custom Jerseys . -- Stacy Lewis shot 7-under 65 to lead the LPGA Tour team to the championship of the 3Tour Challenge on Tuesday. Custom Jerseys Nike . The Redblacks host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-9) Friday night in their last home game of the year and as of Thursday afternoon, the team was anticipating a ninth consecutive sellout. You can watch all the action on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, and TSN5 beginning at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. https://www.cheapcustomjerseysonline.com/. "I dont know where we would be without him," McClendon said. "Hes done a tremendous job for us and (Wednesday) was no different." Logan Morrison drove in two runs in Seattles big sixth inning, Young pitched seven strong innings and the Mariners beat the Houston Astros 5-2 to complete a three-game sweep. Authentic Custom Jerseys . Prado stuck his glove down with Colorados Charlie Blackmon sliding into the bag, and quickly jumped back in pain after applying the tag. Prado held his left wrist as trainers came out of the Diamondbacks dugout to check him. Custom Jerseys .3 million qualifying offer to outfielder Michael Cuddyer on Monday. MILWAUKEE -- One slugger back, one slugger down for the Milwaukee Brewers. Outfielder Ryan Braun has been activated from the 15-day disabled list after being sidelined with a right oblique strain. He started Tuesday nights game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez was placed on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. He got hurt fielding a bouncer in Saturday nights 5-4 win over the Yankees. The battered Brewers lost another key player when outfielder Carlos Gomez left the Pirates game after the bottom of the fifth with lower back tightness. He was considered day-to-day. Braun was hitting .318 with six homers and 18 RBIs when he got hurt. Seeing Ramirez go down didnt add any extra urgency, Braun said. The Brewers had discussed possibly sending Braun to the minors for a rehab game Monday but weather and travel issues curtailed that plan. Instead, the slugger was back his customary No. 3 position in the batting order Tuesday. "I think hes going to be good. Hes a guy that when he sat in the past hes been pretty good rright off, so Im hoping thats what happens," manager Ron Roenicke said.dddddddddddd Neither Roenicke nor Ramirez knew how long it might take for the veteran third baseman to get over his pulled hamstring, the first such injury of Ramirezs 16-year career. Milwaukee on Tuesday also optioned outfielder Caleb Gindl back to Triple-A Nashville and recalled utility man Elian Herrera, who was batting .359 in the minors. Herreras versatility should help if Gomez has to begin a suspension this week for his role in a benches-clearing scrum against the Pirates in April. Milwaukee expected to hear soon from the National League about Gomezs appeal. It has been a tough few days for Gomez. Milwaukees leadoff hitter was hit in the left forearm by a pitch Sunday against the Yankees; he was hit on the arm again Tuesday on a changeup by Pirates starter Gerrit Cole. For the Pirates, Starling Marte was out of the starting lineup again with a sore back, though manager Clint Hurdle said it was possible the outfielder might be available off the bench. ' ' '