Rex May Be Wrong, But He May Be Right

Nov 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) fumbles under pressure from Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-US PRESSWIRE

Billy Joel wrote a song many years ago, “You May Be Right”. The final line of the chorus reads, “You may be wrong, for all I know, but you may be right”. I begin with this quote, because it, to me, is appropriate when talking about the Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez/Tim Tebow love triangle. Rex certainly may be wrong with how he is handling it, but he may be right. Let me explain.

First of all let me give this disclaimer, this is not reflecting my views on the situation, this is talking strictly about Rex Ryan’s public view on the matter. I am not injecting my views on Mark vs. Tim, you all know them. Let’s talk about how Rex Ryan is handling the situation.

Following Sunday’s game, Rex was asked the question, and rightly so, if whether or not they are going to make the move to Tim Tebow. Rex, true to form, announced that they were going to stay with Mark Sanchez. When asked why, here is what he had to say:

I believe we can win with Mark. And I believe we can win with (Tim) Tebow, but I’m not going to let you or anybody else convince me out of it, OK? Because this is how I feel. He gives us the best opportunity to win games, and that’s the only reason I make any move.

Is Rex making the wrong choice? Possibly. Heck, you could argue that he should have made a different choice weeks ago. Mark Sanchez has not put in a performance that justifies him staying in the lineup, that’s for sure. The offense has been uninspired, lackluster, and just downright terrible to watch. If the Jets were to make a change at quarterback, you certainly couldn’t say this is a terrible idea. We all know that something has to change. But look deeper at the decision, and you come to the key issue.

“I believe we can win with Mark…..I’m not going to let you or anybody else convince me out of it…” Listen to those words, and you have the key. If Rex truly believes, in his heart of hearts, that Mark gives them the best chance to win, then he CAN’T make the move. Yes, I said can’t. The reason is in the language of what he said. Rex HAS to do what HE feels is best for the team. Rex cannot lead the team by outside reactions. If he makes moves based on the fact that the outside influences want him to make the move, he won’t be coaching with HIS heart. A leader has to do what he believes, not what I believe, or what you believe. If his heart isn’t in his decision, no matter what that decision is, it won’t work. If this is how he feels, he is absolutely right.

Nov 11, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan after the Seattle Seahawks scored a touchdown during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated New York 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

But, on the other hand, if Rex is convincing himself that Mark is the right guy, he is DEAD WRONG. Rex has to look inside himself, and figure out if he really believes what he is saying. If he is keeping Mark in there because he is afraid to make a change, he is NOT doing what is best for the team, and he HAS to make the move to Tim Tebow. He CANNOT stay with Mark simply because he likes the guy. Yes, he drafted him, and moved up to do so. But if he is just living and dying by the guy for the sake of doing so, he is wrong. He has to make the change if he really doesn’t believe it anymore. A leader has to believe what he is saying. If he doesn’t, he has to make the change.

Rex has to figure out if he believes what he is saying, truly. If he does, he has to leave Mark in there. If he doesn’t, he has to put Tim in the game and make the move.

As a footnote, take a look at the other portion of what Rex says, and has been saying. He refers to the fact that “if it were just one guy, it would be an easy move to make…”. Thinkg about that for a second. What is he actually saying? Rex is saying that the entire side of the football has to get better. Who can argue with that? Does even the biggest Tebow supporter really believe that this team is a playoff team if Tim Tebow is inserted into the starting lineup?

Maybe Rex is looking at the big picture. Maybe Rex just knows what we all know, if we are honest, that this roster just isn’t that good. He knows that making a change at QB is not going to change the results. If the roster is bad, and they are performing badly, changing the QB is not going to change anything. His heart, his leadership not withstanding, Tim Tebow still needs players around him to succeed. Does he have them around him here in New York? Does he? I’m not so sure.

But the point is, Rex has to do what HE feels is right, not what we feel is right. If it’s Mark, it’s Mark. If it’s Tim, it’s Tim. But Rex is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT for doing what he feels is best for the team.

He may be wrong, for all I know, but he may be right. Think about it.