News & Info/Headlines

Following up on a previous item. ... As New York Daily News staffer Manish Mehta framed it this morning, "Rex Ryan has been marginalized in the twilight of a six-year run that began with a bang and will end with a whimper."

Although the coach proclaimed Wednesday that “everybody’s on board” with the decision to bench Michael Vick for Geno Smith for the upcoming Monday night game against the Dolphins, that simply isn’t the case.

Sources told Mehta that offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was among the majority of people in the organization, including players, who wanted to stick with Vick. Ryan also preferred the veteran, but placated his superiors to avoid conflict on his way out.

Ryan isn’t interested in sabotaging GM John Idzik or owner Woody Johnson during his final few weeks. He wants to take the high road before looking for his next gig, sources told Mehta.

The switch back to Smith doesn't make a ton of sense.

The second-year man, 1-7 as a starter this season, was a train wreck before he was benched. He committed a turnover in seven games, including multiple turnovers in four. He was terrible in nearly every statistical category, including quarterback rating (67.4).

Smith has committed a turnover in 19 of 24 career starts, including multiple turnovers in half of them. Vick, 34, obviously isn’t the future, but be had more games with a 100-plus QB rating (two) in three starts than Smith had in 24 (one).

Worth noting, Smith realizes where he stands.

“I’m definitely going to be playing like everything’s on the line,” Smith said Wednesday. “Because it is.”