The Irony of the New York Jets Quarterback Situation

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

March 19, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan answers questions from reporters during the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

As we move closer and closer to the NFL draft, we talk more and more about draft strategy for John Idzik, Rex Ryan and company. There are a lot of needs for this team, we have discussed them at length. One situation the Jets have to deal with is the quarterback situation. It’s a tough one, as I don’t think there is more of a touchy subject with this team, other than the Darrelle Revis situation.

We all have our opinions on how desperate the quarterback situation is. It ranges from people like yours truly, that still feel that Mark Sanchez can be fixed, to the vast majority that want him off the team now. I have even heard some say that better quarterback play would have improved 2012 to a 11-12 win season. I respectfully disagree with taking it THAT far, as there were a lot more holes than just at quarterback. However, we all agree that the quarterback play needs to improve.

There has been some speculation that the Jets have warmed a bit to the possibility of drafting Geno Smith. Word is that they like what they saw, and now would include him in the conversation at number 9. At one point, I even saw some mock drafts that had the Jets taking Matt Barkley at number 9. So, the question becomes, would the Jets take a quarterback at number 9?

This year, the Jets will NOT take a quarterback at number 9. The reason I say this, amounts to the irony of the Jets quarterback situation. The reason the Jets WON’T take a quarterback at number 9, is the same reason that the Jets are THINKING about taking a quarterback at number 9. Now THAT is irony. That reason?

Dec. 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Sanchez. Both the reason the Jets are CONSIDERING a quarterback, and the reason they WON’T take a quarterback. Turn the page and I’ll tell you why.

Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

We remember how the Jets went about acquiring this guy, trading three players and two draft picks to the Browns in order to move up and take Sanchez with the 5th overall pick. For this piece, we are going to look at player profiles from NFL.com.  Keeping in mind the blockbuster trade to move up and get Mark, I want you to take a look at his profile from 2009.  Here are some notable quotes:

Undeniable tools, but isn’t yet a finished product.

Runs a bit hot and cold and has a tendency to score touchdowns in bunches.

(We are used to this one I think.)

Compares To: TRENT EDWARDS, Buffalo

He has his good points in that profile, but is that the profile of a lock? Is that the profile of a guy that the scouts are sure is going to be a top flight quarterback? For Pete’s sake, they compared him to Trent Edwards. But yet, the Jets mortgaged quite a bit to take him, and we don’t need to talk about the results of that move to date.

Now, take a look at the profiles of prominent quarterbacks that have been associated with the Jets of late. First take a look at Barkley’s profile:

Here are some of the interesting quotes:

Usually accurate when he is able to set his base and stride into his throws.

Confident enough in his pre-snap read that he’ll stare down his initial target.

(Familiar?)

Inconsistent making throws against pressure……Sails passes over his receivers’ heads when feeling pressure or in the three-step game.

Now let’s look at the profile of Geno Smith:

Here are some of the interesting noted quotes on Geno:

Has improved his accuracy greatly during his career, placing the ball very well at every level of the field.

Ball will float or sail if his feet are not set or he fails to transfer weight, either in the pocket when facing pressure or when throwing on the run.

Seemingly regressed each week, especially when locking on to one side of the field.

The point of the story is this, neither of these guys have stellar scouting reports. There is no way to read these profiles and think that either one of these guys is a lock. The Jets have gone out of their way to draft a quarterback with mixed reviews, Mark Sanchez. After the way that Mark has performed so far, the Jets are not going to go out of their way to take ANOTHER quarterback that isn’t a lock.

See? They are thinking about a quarterback because of Mark Sanchez, but won’t take one early because of Mark Sanchez. And THAT is the unfortunate irony of the Jets quarterback situation.