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As CBSSports.com's Marty Gitlin reminded readers, Vick started three games and managed a quarterback rating of 83.1. His lone dud was a 7-for-19 effort in a bad loss to Buffalo on Monday night. The team would like more time to judge Smith to determine his potential as a franchise quarterback. Vick claims to understand that.
"I know what I signed up for," he told the Newark Star-Ledger. "I came here to get better, to help Geno get better, and help this team win football games. I wish I could have won three. But I felt like I did everything I could. ... Things didn't play out the way I wanted them to.
"I'm going to support Geno. ... That's my little brother. I want him to do well. I want him to succeed and excel. It's great to see him get another opportunity. He had a sour taste in his mouth, so now he gets a chance to go out and make it right."
But does anybody really expect that to be how it plays out.
Again, Smith is 1-7 as a starter in 2014 with just seven touchdown passes. He completed fewer than 60 percent of his throws and was picked off 10 times in nine games.
Expecting a sudden turnaround is a huge reach.
In fact, ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reports the prevailing reaction to the change was "shock."
Based on a small sampling of players, the sense is that Vick still should be the starting quarterback, not Smith.
"He got a raw deal," one player, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Cimini. "This isn't right."
Cimini went on to suggest it will be fascinating to see how the Jets respond to Smith when they face the Dolphins on Monday night at MetLife Stadium. Smith will need a fast start to regain the trust of his teammates. He did well in the loss to Buffalo, but that was mop-up duty.
The Dolphins are good enough on defense to turn it into another blowout loss for the Jets.
Also of interest. ... Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson and tight end Jace Amaro could both miss the team's game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night with injuries, the Associated Press reports.
Both players were injured in the loss to the Bills.
Wilkerson has a toe injury that Ryan says is similar to turf toe and had him in a walking boot Wednesday. Ryan says it "doesn't look good" for Wilkerson's chances to play. Cimini reports Wilkerson could miss at least a week or two. Linebacker Quinton Coples could see increased snaps on the defensive line if Wilkerson can't go.
Amaro, who leads NFL rookie tight ends with 34 catches and 291 yards receiving, is still going through the NFL's concussion protocol, but Cimini advised readers he is unlikely to play. The Jets already are planning for the possibility of signing tight end Chris Pantale from the practice squad.
I'll be following up in coming days.