FLORHAM PARK -- Jets strong safety Calvin Pryor has recently noticed a welcomed change in quarterback Geno Smith.

Pryor said Smith is doing a better job of reaching out to, and engaging with, his teammates around the team's facility.

This might seem like a small thing, compared to how a quarterback actually performs on the field. But Pryor said it is quite important.

Earlier this offseason, wide receiver Brandon Marshall said he noticed that Smith is more polished and professional than he used to be.

"I definitely agree," Pryor told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday, after an organized team activities practice. "He's always on time. He's always doing the right things. At first [in previous years], I saw that Geno really didn't talk to too many people. But now he speaks and he goes about things the right way.

"That's what you have to do when you want guys to believe in you. You have to make sure you talk with everyone. You have to have everybody's trust, everybody believing in you. Because we're only going to go as far as you're going to take us, along with this defense. Every great team, you have to see great quarterback play."

The Jets drafted Pryor in 2014, so he has overlapped with Smith for two seasons. Smith started as a rookie in 2013, and then again in 2014. He mostly struggled on the field. And off the field, he had issues with things like a missed meeting and cursing at a fan. Both of those incidents happened in 2014.

Last season, Smith backed up Ryan Fitzpatrick, after then-teammate IK Enemkpali's punch broke Smith's jaw and sidelined him during the preseason.

Fitzpatrick currently remains a free agent, so Smith is the team's starter during OTAs -- and perhaps for longer.

If the Jets go into the season with Smith as their starter, Pryor believes they can win with him.

"I do," Pryor said. "He has to believe that as well. I think he's very confident. Before the [Enemkpali] incident happened last year, I think he was having a great camp. I think he was buying guys in. In this locker room, guys were believing in him. I'm pretty sure everything happens for a reason.

"He learned from that moment. And I think he's better. Guys are confident that he can get the job done. He just has to be confident in himself, and I think he is. So far, I'm happy with the results."

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.