In 2008, the Falcons wrote the playbook on how to win with a rookie quarterback.
The formula: Run the ball and let the rookie pass against simple, single-high-safety looks as much as possible.
The New York Jets have seen some good and some bad out of rookie quarterback Geno Smith, who was drafted in the second round of the 2013 draft. He’ll be the X-factor in Monday night’s game.
While he has led the Jets to two fourth-quarter comebacks, he also has 11 turnovers, including eight interceptions. He’s shown a tendency to stare down his intended receiver.
“He marched our team and got us in position to win those games,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “That was real positive.”
Smith has completed 78 of 136 passes for 1,090 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has a passer rating of 68.6.
“He does a good job in the pocket,” Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. “He wants to be in the pocket. He has a very strong arm. He can make all of the throws.”
As the Falcons did with Ryan, the Jets will try to run with running back Bilal Powell to keep Smith out of a lot of obvious passing situations.
Smith also is a running threat out of the read-option attack. He has 16 rushes for 85 yards and one touchdown.
“He’s effective with it because he can run real well, but I don’t think that’s his ticket,” Nolan said. “I think his ticket is going to be as a pocket quarterback.”
The Falcons struggled at times against read-option quarterbacks last season.
“I don’t view him in the same light as (San Francisco quarterback Colin) Kaepernick, (Seattle quarterback Russell) Wilson or (Carolina quarterback) Cam (Newton) because he wants to be in the pocket,” Nolan said. “I do see him as having a very good arm.”
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