Jets' Sheldon Richardson to fans booing Geno Smith: 'Shut up'
The relationship between New York Jets players and the team's fans is not at its high point after a 24-17 drubbing at the hands of the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Quarterback Geno Smith cursed at a fan, prompting an apology from the second-year signalcaller. And Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson also had a simple message for fans chanting for Michael Vick to replace Smith: "Shut up." And he told fans that if they don't like Smith as quarterback, they should produce a child to get to that level instead.
"Shut up," Richardson said, according to NJ.com. "If that's the case, produce a child to make it to the NFL and then let's see what he got. Other than that, just shut up. We've got coaches to do that."
Smith reportedly told a fan, "F— you," after the game, during which he completed 17 of 33 passes for 209 yards. He threw one touchdown and one interception, and also lost a fumble. But despite the fans' chants of, "We want Vick!" Jets head coach Rex Ryan said he's not considering a quarterback change.
"I'm not going to replace him," Ryan said. "I feel good about Geno, and again, I think he's gonna get it turned. He's a tough, resilient young man, and I think we're going to win."
The loss dropped the Jets to 1-3 ahead of next week's contest against the 3-1 Chargers.
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-Brett LoGiurato