Second-round pick claims he's hard at work studying the Jets' playbook Geno Smith has yet to take a snap for the New York Jets, yet the former West Virginia quarterback has already taken plenty of shots.
Thin-skinned diva? Immature? Spoiled and aloof?
Those descriptions, and more, were aimed at Smith for firing his agents, Erik Burkhardt and Jeff Nalley, last week after Smith slid to the second round of the NFL draft.
Smith finally responded Monday.
"I don't worry about what people say — my skin is pretty thick," Smith told USA TODAY Sports. "I've never been in trouble."
THE MALIGNED SEVEN: Which rookie QB has best chance to start?
Smith denied a Yahoo Sports report that said one team was turned off when Smith seemed more pre-occupied with checking Twitter and texting than speaking with coaches during a pre-draft visit.
"That's not true," said Smith flatly. "I got strong remarks from all the teams I visited with. ... I couldn't care less what's coming out in the media because I know what's true."
Smith regrets taking his agents' advice to skip the Senior Bowl in January. EJ Manuel, selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 16th pick, was the only QB chosen in first-round. Manuel was the Senior Bowl MVP.
"It was a decision I ultimately made," Smith said. "My first instinct is always to go out and compete. I'm a competitor. It's one of those things where I trusted those guys. They advised me that it may have been best for me not to go."
Smith, who hasn't decided on his new representation, insists his tumble out of the first round wasn't the reason for firing his agents.
"No, that's not why I let them go."
But then he hinted otherwise.
"Parts of the draft experience were tough, but not all of it, Smith said. With that entire process, you can see where some things went wrong. ... "Choosing to leave those guys was the best decision for me at the time. That's what I went with."I think I'm pretty good with my decision making. So I trust myself."
Smith also disputed an ESPN report that he planned to skip second night of the draft.
"Coming back on Day 2 was never not an option for me," Smith said.
"My goal was to go up on that stage and shake Mr. Goodell's hand. And that's what we did."
Looking forward, Smith said he's eager to get to work — and work with both Mark Sanchez and David Garrard.
He received congratulatory text from each after his selection by the team.
"Mark is a great guy,'' Smith said. "I have the utmost respect for him and I look forward to competing with him."
"David sent me a text the day after I was drafted. I expressed how much I was looking forward to learning from him, competing with him and allowing him to mentor me and to help me get better. I'm going to do the same for him.''
Smith grabbed a Jets playbook the night he was drafted and has been focused every day since on learning the terminology as he preps for the team's rookie minicamp, which begins Friday. He's been in constant communication with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach David Lee.
"The first goal for me is to get in that playbook, learn the terminology and learn it like the back of my hand as much as I can do to stay ahead of the curve,'' Smith said.
As for the open, five-man QB competition and his confidence about his chance to win the starting job?
"What more can you ask for?'' Smith said. "As of right now, my role as a rookie quarterback is to be a sponge.
"I have a goal in mind. I'm going to work hard towards it. And I'm just going to do all the things I think are necessary for me to eventually be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.''
GALLERY: BIGGEST DRAFT BUSTS 
1. JaMarcus Russell, QB, Raiders (No. 1, 2007): Oakland paid $39 million for seven wins, 18 TD passes and 300 pounds of "passer." Worse, Russell came at the cost of picking Hall of Fame-caliber talents Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis and Darrelle Revis.
Ezra Shaw, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![2. Ryan Leaf, QB, Chargers (No. 2, 1998): Who's better – Leaf or Peyton Manning? That was the talk leading up to the 1998 draft. San Diego actually preferred Manning but was left with Leaf. After winning his first two starts, Leaf's career quickly went down the drain. Players drafted afterward include Charles Woodson, Randy Moss, Alan Faneca, Fred Taylor, Matt Hasselbeck and Hines Ward.]()
2. Ryan Leaf, QB, Chargers (No. 2, 1998): Who's better – Leaf or Peyton Manning? That was the talk leading up to the 1998 draft. San Diego actually preferred Manning but was left with Leaf. After winning his first two starts, Leaf's career quickly went down the drain. Players drafted afterward include Charles Woodson, Randy Moss, Alan Faneca, Fred Taylor, Matt Hasselbeck and Hines Ward.
David Zalubowski, AP Related story Fullscreen ![3. Tony Mandarich, OT, Packers (No. 2, 1989): The man Sports Illustrated deemed "The Incredible Bulk" quickly morphed into "The Incredible Bust." Green Bay's miscalculation is only accentuated by the fact that the four other players in that draft's top five now have Hall of Fame busts: Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders.]()
3. Tony Mandarich, OT, Packers (No. 2, 1989): The man Sports Illustrated deemed "The Incredible Bulk" quickly morphed into "The Incredible Bust." Green Bay's miscalculation is only accentuated by the fact that the four other players in that draft's top five now have Hall of Fame busts: Troy Aikman, Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas and Deion Sanders.
Mike Powell, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![4. Art Schlichter, QB, Colts (No. 4, 1982): Here today, banned tomorrow and not very good in between. Schlichter, infamous for his gambling issues, lost all six of his career starts, throwing three TDs vs. 11 picks. Alternatives that year included Jim McMahon, Mike Munchak, Marcus Allen and Andre Tippett.]()
4. Art Schlichter, QB, Colts (No. 4, 1982): Here today, banned tomorrow and not very good in between. Schlichter, infamous for his gambling issues, lost all six of his career starts, throwing three TDs vs. 11 picks. Alternatives that year included Jim McMahon, Mike Munchak, Marcus Allen and Andre Tippett.
AP Related story Fullscreen ![5. Charles Rogers, WR, Lions (No. 2, 2003): It seemed like when he wasn't hurt, he was getting arrested. Rogers managed just 36 catches in three seasons as the worst of Detroit's dubious run of first-round receivers pre-Megatron. The guy taken right after Rogers? Andre Johnson.]()
5. Charles Rogers, WR, Lions (No. 2, 2003): It seemed like when he wasn't hurt, he was getting arrested. Rogers managed just 36 catches in three seasons as the worst of Detroit's dubious run of first-round receivers pre-Megatron. The guy taken right after Rogers? Andre Johnson.
Julian H. Gonzalez, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![6. Lawrence Phillips, RB, Rams (No. 6, 1996): St. Louis knew of Phillips' history of off-field issues but rolled the dice anyway while opting to trade Jerome Bettis to the Steelers. Eddie George, Marvin Harrison, Ray Lewis and Terrell Owens were all drafted after Phillips, who now sits in a California jail cell.]()
6. Lawrence Phillips, RB, Rams (No. 6, 1996): St. Louis knew of Phillips' history of off-field issues but rolled the dice anyway while opting to trade Jerome Bettis to the Steelers. Eddie George, Marvin Harrison, Ray Lewis and Terrell Owens were all drafted after Phillips, who now sits in a California jail cell.
James A. Finley, AP Related story Fullscreen ![7. Vernon Gholston, OLB, Jets (No. 6, 2008): In 45 games with New York, Gholston produced exactly zero sacks. Who could the Jets have had instead? Joe Flacco, Chris Johnson and Ryan Clady highlight the list of players who surely would've fared better for Gang Green.]()
7. Vernon Gholston, OLB, Jets (No. 6, 2008): In 45 games with New York, Gholston produced exactly zero sacks. Who could the Jets have had instead? Joe Flacco, Chris Johnson and Ryan Clady highlight the list of players who surely would've fared better for Gang Green.
Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![8. 1991 QBs: Brett Favre was a second-round selection in '91. The guys who went in Round 1 instead? Dan McGwire (No. 16) and Todd Marinovich (No. 24), who combined for 2,090 career passing yards … or about half a season for Favre.]()
8. 1991 QBs: Brett Favre was a second-round selection in '91. The guys who went in Round 1 instead? Dan McGwire (No. 16) and Todd Marinovich (No. 24), who combined for 2,090 career passing yards … or about half a season for Favre.
Reed Saxon, AP Related story Fullscreen ![9. Russell Erxleben, P, Saints (No. 11, 1979): If you're going to take a punter in the first round, he better be Ray Guy. Erxleben wasn't. Little wonder the Saints, who passed on Kellen Winslow (not to mention Joe Montana), were a laughingstock for decades.]()
9. Russell Erxleben, P, Saints (No. 11, 1979): If you're going to take a punter in the first round, he better be Ray Guy. Erxleben wasn't. Little wonder the Saints, who passed on Kellen Winslow (not to mention Joe Montana), were a laughingstock for decades.
Michael Zagaris, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![10. Aundray Bruce, OLB, Falcons (No. 1, 1988): Atlanta thought it was getting the next Lawrence Taylor. Instead, the Falcons got 16 sacks in four seasons before Bruce floundered with the Raiders (who tried converting him to tight end) for seven more. Among the 10 guys taken after Bruce were Neil Smith, Tim Brown, Sterling Sharpe and Michael Irvin.]()
10. Aundray Bruce, OLB, Falcons (No. 1, 1988): Atlanta thought it was getting the next Lawrence Taylor. Instead, the Falcons got 16 sacks in four seasons before Bruce floundered with the Raiders (who tried converting him to tight end) for seven more. Among the 10 guys taken after Bruce were Neil Smith, Tim Brown, Sterling Sharpe and Michael Irvin.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![11. Andre Ware, QB, Lions (No. 7, 1990): A far more spectacular failure than even Joey Harrington or Chuck Long were in Detroit.]()
11. Andre Ware, QB, Lions (No. 7, 1990): A far more spectacular failure than even Joey Harrington or Chuck Long were in Detroit.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![12. Johnny "Lam" Jones, WR, Jets (No. 2, 1980): New York traded two first-round picks to get the Texas sprinter. He averaged fewer than 30 catches and 500 yards during his five NFL seasons. Elsewhere, Anthony Munoz, taken one spot after Jones, became arguably the league's best all-time tackle while Art Monk had a record-setting career for the Redskins.]()
12. Johnny "Lam" Jones, WR, Jets (No. 2, 1980): New York traded two first-round picks to get the Texas sprinter. He averaged fewer than 30 catches and 500 yards during his five NFL seasons. Elsewhere, Anthony Munoz, taken one spot after Jones, became arguably the league's best all-time tackle while Art Monk had a record-setting career for the Redskins.
Joe Giza, AP Related story Fullscreen ![13. Matt Leinart, QB, Cardinals (No. 10, 2006): Party on.]()
13. Matt Leinart, QB, Cardinals (No. 10, 2006): Party on.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![14. Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Bengals (No. 1, 1995): Ripped up his knee in his first preseason NFL game and never recovered. He barely cracked 1,000 career rushing yards in eight NFL seasons.]()
14. Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Bengals (No. 1, 1995): Ripped up his knee in his first preseason NFL game and never recovered. He barely cracked 1,000 career rushing yards in eight NFL seasons.
Porter Binks, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![15. Top of 2009 draft: Matthew Stafford went No. 1 – a fine choice – but was followed by Jason Smith, Tyson Jackson and Aaron Curry. Meanwhile, Clay Matthews barely snuck into the first round that year, Mike Wallace went in the third and Arian Foster didn't get picked at all.]()
15. Top of 2009 draft: Matthew Stafford went No. 1 – a fine choice – but was followed by Jason Smith, Tyson Jackson and Aaron Curry. Meanwhile, Clay Matthews barely snuck into the first round that year, Mike Wallace went in the third and Arian Foster didn't get picked at all.
John Froschauer, AP Related story Fullscreen ![16. Desmond Howard, WR, Redskins (No. 4, 1992): If only the 'Skins had known the Heisman Trophy winner was nothing more than an exceptional return man.]()
16. Desmond Howard, WR, Redskins (No. 4, 1992): If only the 'Skins had known the Heisman Trophy winner was nothing more than an exceptional return man.
Porter Binks, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![17. 1999 quarterbacks: At the time, they were expected to compete with the vaunted 1983 QB crop. Didn't happen. Donovan McNabb (picked No. 2) had a solid career and Daunte Culpepper (11th) was on his way before ripping up a knee. But Tim Couch (No. 1), Akili Smith (3rd) and Cade McNown (12th) have long resided in the NFL's dust bin.]()
17. 1999 quarterbacks: At the time, they were expected to compete with the vaunted 1983 QB crop. Didn't happen. Donovan McNabb (picked No. 2) had a solid career and Daunte Culpepper (11th) was on his way before ripping up a knee. But Tim Couch (No. 1), Akili Smith (3rd) and Cade McNown (12th) have long resided in the NFL's dust bin.
Mark Duncan, AP Related story Fullscreen ![18. Courtney Brown, DE, Browns (No. 1, 2000): The 2000 draft receives far more recognition for the guy who went in the sixth round at pick 199 (Tom Brady) than the injury plagued player taken at the top.]()
18. Courtney Brown, DE, Browns (No. 1, 2000): The 2000 draft receives far more recognition for the guy who went in the sixth round at pick 199 (Tom Brady) than the injury plagued player taken at the top.
Paul Sancya, AP Related story Fullscreen ![19. 1990s Bears: Among the team's Round 1 choices that decade were the inimitable Stan Thomas, Alonzo Spellman, John Thierry, Rashaan Salaam, Curtis Enis and McNown. Duuuumb Bears.]()
19. 1990s Bears: Among the team's Round 1 choices that decade were the inimitable Stan Thomas, Alonzo Spellman, John Thierry, Rashaan Salaam, Curtis Enis and McNown. Duuuumb Bears.
Bill Sikes, AP Related story Fullscreen ![20. Heath Shuler, QB, Redskins (No. 3, 1994): Has done far more on Capitol Hill than he did for the capital city's beloved team.]()
20. Heath Shuler, QB, Redskins (No. 3, 1994): Has done far more on Capitol Hill than he did for the capital city's beloved team.
H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![21. Blair Thomas, RB, Jets (No. 2, 1990): Noticing a pattern for the Jets? Thomas rushed for 2,009 yards in four seasons with New York. Emmitt Smith, who came off the board 15 spots later, did a bit better. Cortez Kennedy and Junior Seau were among the Jets' other options at No. 2.]()
21. Blair Thomas, RB, Jets (No. 2, 1990): Noticing a pattern for the Jets? Thomas rushed for 2,009 yards in four seasons with New York. Emmitt Smith, who came off the board 15 spots later, did a bit better. Cortez Kennedy and Junior Seau were among the Jets' other options at No. 2.
David Scarborough, AP Related story Fullscreen ![22. Mike Mamula, DE, Eagles (No. 7, 1995): Perhaps the most cautionary tale of a combine warrior, Mamula gave Philadelphia 31.5 sacks in six seasons. In that same first round, the Buccaneers landed both Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks after Mamula's name was called.]()
22. Mike Mamula, DE, Eagles (No. 7, 1995): Perhaps the most cautionary tale of a combine warrior, Mamula gave Philadelphia 31.5 sacks in six seasons. In that same first round, the Buccaneers landed both Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks after Mamula's name was called.
Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![23. Mike Williams: Whether you're referring to the Bills tackle (No. 4, 2002) or Lions receiver (No. 10, 2005), you've found a bona fide bust.]()
23. Mike Williams: Whether you're referring to the Bills tackle (No. 4, 2002) or Lions receiver (No. 10, 2005), you've found a bona fide bust.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![24. Steve Little, P/K, Cardinals (No. 15, 1978): Who? Exactly. The St. Louis Cardinals selected the combo specialist – who wasn't particularly good at placekicking or punting as it turned out – when they could have had Doug Williams or Ozzie Newsome. Tragically, Little was paralyzed in a car accident following his brief career.]()
24. Steve Little, P/K, Cardinals (No. 15, 1978): Who? Exactly. The St. Louis Cardinals selected the combo specialist – who wasn't particularly good at placekicking or punting as it turned out – when they could have had Doug Williams or Ozzie Newsome. Tragically, Little was paralyzed in a car accident following his brief career.
AP Related story Fullscreen ![25. Rick Mirer, QB, Seahawks (No. 2, 1993): For a hot minute he outplayed Drew Bledsoe, who went No. 1 that year, before fading into oblivion.]()
25. Rick Mirer, QB, Seahawks (No. 2, 1993): For a hot minute he outplayed Drew Bledsoe, who went No. 1 that year, before fading into oblivion.
H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![26. Bengals QBs: Carson Palmer was pretty good for nearly a decade but very much contrasted with the other quarterbacks Cincinnati reached for in the first round: Jack Thompson (1979), David Klingler (1992) and Akili Smith (1999). Greg Cook (1969) might've been the best of the bunch had his career not been ruined by a shoulder injury in his rookie season.]()
26. Bengals QBs: Carson Palmer was pretty good for nearly a decade but very much contrasted with the other quarterbacks Cincinnati reached for in the first round: Jack Thompson (1979), David Klingler (1992) and Akili Smith (1999). Greg Cook (1969) might've been the best of the bunch had his career not been ruined by a shoulder injury in his rookie season.
Tom Uhlman, AP Related story Fullscreen ![29. Steve Spurrier, QB, 49ers (No. 3, 1967): Before failing as an NFL head coach, the 1966 Heisman Trophy winner floundered as a player for San Francisco and, later, the expansion Buccaneers. Spurrier finished with 40 TD passes and 60 INTs in 10 seasons. The No. 4 pick in 1967 was Hall of Fame QB Bob Griese, who was followed two spots later by Canton RB Floyd Little.]()
29. Steve Spurrier, QB, 49ers (No. 3, 1967): Before failing as an NFL head coach, the 1966 Heisman Trophy winner floundered as a player for San Francisco and, later, the expansion Buccaneers. Spurrier finished with 40 TD passes and 60 INTs in 10 seasons. The No. 4 pick in 1967 was Hall of Fame QB Bob Griese, who was followed two spots later by Canton RB Floyd Little.
RD, AP
