About a month ago when Michael Vick acknowledged that Geno Smith was the Jets' starting quarterback, it was easy to write it off as being polite and a team player.

But maybe he was actually telling the truth.

Speaking to NJ.com, Vick once again mentioned that the starting quarterback job is "not an open competition," and that Smith is the No. 1 guy. He also admitted that being a backup isn't the easiest thing in the world to deal with at this stage of his career.

"It's still tough right now -- I won't lie," Vick said. "Deep down, you always want to be a starter, you always feel like you're a starter, and that's just the competitive nature in me. Hopefully, that opportunity will come again one day. I've just got to keep working for it."

It's still hard to assume that Vick won't win the job when everything plays out this preseason. He has a proven track record and was playing at a high level in Philadelphia before injuries began setting in.

But for now, it's Smith's job. Vick will have to prove he's better when the pads come on later this summer.

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