Jets' productive offseason has Geno Smith poised for breakout year in 2015

Over his first two NFL seasons, spent primarily as the New York Jets' starting quarterback, Geno Smith hasn't done much to prove that he's the club's long-awaited answer at the most important position on the field.

With a QB rating of 71.5, just 25 touchdown passes, and a dismal 34 interceptions over that span, he's actually done quite the opposite in the eyes of many around the league.

An entirely new management regime taking over this offseason meant that the Jets were no longer tied to their 2013 second-round draft selection, and the free-agent acquisition of Ryan Fitzpatrick made it at least possible that they'd seek a fresh start under center.

Even so, the Jets have stuck by their young quarterback in the transition, offering every indication that it's still his job to lose in training camp this summer.

Given both the improved situation around him and the raw ability he's demonstrated despite his well-documented struggles, Smith just may reward them with a breakout year that few see coming.

Offensive system

First, and most importantly, Smith will now be playing in an offensive scheme that better suits his abilities as a pure passer.

As Chan Gailey takes over at offensive coordinator, the Jets will transition away from the run-heavy attack of years past, and toward an offense similar to the spread system Smith excelled in at West Virginia.

Effectively using route concepts to create space for receivers in the passing game - the offense he oversaw in Buffalo being the most recent example - Gailey has a history of getting production from units with much less talent than the Jets have heading into 2015.

While Gailey's offenses have long stretched the field sideline-to-sideline, that may have been out of necessity more than principle. With a vertical passer of Smith's abilities, and finally having receivers capable of getting behind defenders downfield, the Jets can be expected to attack defenses in as many ways as possible through the air.

Smith will still need to improve his intermediate accuracy and spotty decision-making, but such a fitting scheme transition should set him up for substantial progress in those troublesome areas.

Supporting Cast

While quarterbacks can and often do elevate the play of their teammates, expecting a significant impact from young signal-callers who aren't named Andrew Luck isn't exactly realistic.

The more common pattern of progression involves quarterbacks relying on those around them as they develop early on in their pro careers. That's not something Smith has had the opportunity to do as part of some feeble Jets' offenses.

New York has bolstered its offensive talent with several key offseason additions, including Brandon Marshall and rookie Devin Smith at wideout. Now, the 24-year-old Smith will work with a receiving corps that's one of the strongest position groups on the roster.

In the four-deep unit of Marshall, Smith, Eric Decker, and Jeremy Kerley, the passing game should be far more capable of attacking all areas of the field as the offensive scheme will require, creating the kind of scoring potential Jets fans haven't enjoyed in years.

Flashes of ability

After a difficult stretch in 2014 saw him temporarily lose his starting job, Smith showed some intriguing ability in his final four games down the stretch. Most notable, of course, was the 358-yard, three-touchdown effort in a convincing Week 17 win over the division-rival Miami Dolphins.

In that standout performance, Smith seemed to recapture the proficient downfield passing ability that had him tied for the NFL's third-most accurate passer in attempts of 20 yards or more in 2013 (according to Pro Football Focus's signature stats).

While he regressed in that area for much of his sophomore campaign, putting up such production over the course of an entire season - as a rookie quarterback, no less - is anything but a fluke.

Combining his still-untapped potential as a pure passer with his raw physical tools and evolving play-making ability as a runner, Smith still has the makings of an impressive young quarterback, whether the traditional stat columns say so or not.

Smith has become an easy target for criticism throughout his first two seasons in the NFL - as any New York quarterback would after struggling with turnovers at a such an alarming rate.

Though the Jets have seemingly every built-in excuse necessary to part ways and start out in a different direction, the new regime is absolutely correct in its decision to stick with the young quarterback heading into 2015.

Sure, the Jets would have loved to land one of the top two passers in the first round of this year's draft - but giving Smith the opportunity to progress in a much-improved situation is about more than a lack of suitable options to replace him.

Looking beyond the numbers and his overall struggles thus far, the changes made under New York's new leadership should set him up in the best possible position to make the most of his ability and put together a breakout year.

Combined with a defense already on track to become one of the NFL's most dominant, that kind of improvement from Smith could see the Jets not only challenge for their first playoff spot since 2010, but emerge as a true AFC contender again in the process.