Thoughts on the Jets Quarterback Situation

Dec 2, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy (14) is congratulated by teammates Mark Sanchez (6) and Tim Tebow (right) after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Most JET Press readers know how big a fan I am of Mark Sanchez. Therefore, I thought I should, following the benching on Sunday, give my two cents worth on the situation.

This was the move that HAD to be made. Mark Sanchez had to come out on Sunday, there was no choice. If there ever was a time to pull him out, Sunday was the time. The defense was playing a near-perfect football game, and the offense was doing nothing. The offense was becoming more and more lifeless by the play, and the crowd was getting pretty restless. No matter what the reasons, mitigating factors, etc., a change had to be made. You cannot take out an entire team, so when the offense is going this poorly, the quarterback has to come out.

The next answer may surprise all of you, but this also should be the end of the Mark Sanchez era. You might ask why? “Starters come back in after being benched all the time.” True. But in this situation, it is so volatile, and Mark has been so beaten down, there is no way to go back to him. If you saw the picture of him with coach Ryan in the locker room, and saw his demeanor during his post game press conference, you see it. It is written all over his face that it is over. Clearly, Mark Sanchez is a beaten man. The poor play, the scrutiny, the fan reactions, have all gotten to him. There is no way he can come back now, as the Jets starter, and be effective. Hopefully they can figure out something regarding the money he is owed in 2013 because other than as a backup, he doesn’t have a place in NY anymore.

Rex Ryan should just go ahead and announce that Greg McElroy is the starter this week, and for the rest of the way. Why? Because of the feeling that was generated in the game when he came in. Brandon Moore said that the huddle felt “tighter”. The crowd came alive, and the team came alive, on both sides of the ball. Heck, minutes after McElroy started warming up on the sidelines, Bart Scott was in on a sack. Old man Scott! The team was motivated again. It wasn’t perfect, but the team had life. The team has to capitalize on that life.

But, it shouldn’t be Tim Tebow. Not because of any indictment on Tim, just because of the perception the coaching staff has of him. If they didn’t feel he was ready to come in for Sanchez when he was healthy, there isn’t any way he showed them anything to change their minds after injuring his ribs. Bringing Tebow in to start now would solely be a PR move, and Greg McElroy earned the right to play again.

Just my opinion, thanks for reading.