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Chris Johnson: Jets needed to start Michael Vick sooner

New York Jets running back Chris Johnson said Wednesday that the team's season "would be totally different" had Michael Vick started at quarterback earlier.
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New York Jets running back Chris Johnson said Wednesday that the team's season "would be totally different" had Michael Vick started at quarterback earlier, according to the New York Daily News.

Vick has started the last two games for the Jets, posting quarterback ratings above 100 in each. New York split the two games, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9 before beating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. Vick took over for second-year quarterback Geno Smith in the Jets' Week 8 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

“Yeah, I think so. I think if he was starting from day one it would be totally different,” Johnson told the Daily News. “He came in, and his role was to help Geno (Smith) develop and try to help him the best he can, but at the end of the day it turned out how it turned out and (we’ve) just got to live with it.”

Smith started the first eight games of the season but posted a quarterback rating of 65.6 and threw seven touchdowns to 10 interceptions. New York has zero turnovers in the last two games with Vick under center. The Jets started the season 1-7.

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Johnson has rushed for 360 yards this season, second on the team behind Chris Ivory.

The Jets are on their bye week before a Week 12 road game against the Buffalo Bills.

- Mike Fiammetta