July 29, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh (left) and quarterback Tim Tebow (15) talk during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

This was another move that makes me crave accountability as we talked about this morning.

We all knew that Matt Cavanaugh needed to be fired. We were looking for it at the end of the 2011 season. We wanted it again as the 2012 season went along. The quarterback is not getting better, it seems logical enough to get rid of the position coach, no? But nothing.

Then comes the big end of the season staff meeting. The season had just ended, Woody Johnson was at the facility earlier than expected in the week, there to join in Rex Ryan’s staff meeting. We all said that by the end of the day, Matt Cavanaugh, along with possibly Tony Sparano, will be fired by the end of the day. That didn’t happen either. We all wondered why, but when we found out that the press conference was postponed until today, we thought that the general manager is what we are waiting for. Once a GM is in place, coaching moves will be made, right?

No, yesterday, Matt Cavanaugh was relieved of his duties. Not that anyone was upset about this, that’s not the point. The point is, we are still waiting for a GM. So, what is different yesterday, that wasn’t before the team and staff took one week off? Were they really indifferent about whether they were firing Matt or not, and only came to the realization yesterday? It seems highly doubtful. You would think that at season’s end, they knew that they would ultimately fire Cavanaugh?

Same thing with Tony Sparano.  Everyone with  a pulse that watches Jets games knows that the coordinator needed to go.  Why didn’t they do it last week?  What was gained by waiting?

In the long run, waiting didn’t really make a difference.  The candidates that were out there last week, are still out there this week.  The wait didn’t make a difference.  It just seemed odd, as nothing really changed in that week, these coaches performances are what they are.  It’s just strange to make them twist in the wind for a week, wondering about their job statuses.

Aug 15, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) and quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh look on during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

A move that some say is two years too late has likely finally come true.

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News is reporting that Matt Cavanaugh has been informed that he will not be returning in 2013 as the Jets quarterback coach. We have been waiting for this move for some time now, as the regression of Mark Sanchez under Cavanaugh’s coaching has been obvious, and stunning. It’s not often that we see a quarterback go from having potential to appearing to have none as fast as Mark Sanchez. Per Mehta, Cavanaugh was informed upon arrival at the Jets facilities this morning that he had been relieved of his duties.

Unfortunately, it may just be two years too late for Mark Sanchez, as it’s going to take a lot for whomever comes in here to fix him. His footwork and habits have deteriorated so badly, that he is worse than he was coming out of college. If Mark is here next year, good luck to the new QB coach.

Well, better late than never, I guess.

July 29, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) prepares to throw a pass while quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh (left) hits Sanchez with a pad during a quarterback drill at training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE

A lot of criticism comes to the Jets quarterback play, and rightfully so. No matter what your opinion is of Mark Sanchez, it is undeniable that his play is nowhere near what we are looking for on a team with Super Bowl aspirations. The NFL is a quarterback league, and the play needs to be better.

But who is to blame? A lot of people are quick to blame the player. Mark Sanchez has been here for four years, why is he not taking the steps necessary to improve? He definitely still does make similar mistakes to ones he made as a rookie. His decision making is still suspect at times. Certainly not unfair to assess some blame there. What about the front office? They change his weapons every season. How is he supposed to get chemistry with receivers if they are never the same? Where is the depth? God forbid someone gets hurt, who is Mark supposed to throw to? He can only do so much. There is that valid argument as well.

The Jets have put a lot of blame on others, most of all Brian Schottenheimer. The offense was supposed to take off with Brian gone, now that hasn’t happened. Now what? There is one guy that has seemed to be made of Kevlar, and it isn’t fair. He has been Mark Sanchez’s position coach since he was drafted, and has been here through Mark’s progression, or as some would say, regression. That guy is Matt Cavanaugh.

Why is he still employed?

What are his qualifications to be a quarterbacks coach? Yes, he did play the position from 1978-1991, but, how well? For his career as a journeyman quarterback for four teams, he recorded 28 TDs, 30 INTS, and a 71.7 passer rating. Do these numbers sound familiar at all? I know the saying “Those who can do, those who can’t, teach.”, but does that mean we need a coach that is going to teach his pupil to be as bad as him. That is not going to work.

But yet, he was hired in the NFL. Not sure why, but OK. He first was an offensive coach with the Cardinals from 1994-1995. That offense ranked 27th in the league in both years! He moved on to the 49ers in 1996, and that offense did rank 3rd, but it had Jerry Rice and Steve Young. Sorry, not a testament to the brilliant coaching mind of Matt Cavanaugh.

He moved up in the world to Offensive Coordinator of the Chicago Bears for the 1997-1998 seasons. Those offenses ranked 28th, and 25th. So goes the glowing resume of offensive mastermind Matt Cavanaugh. He moved on to the Ravens as their coordinator from 1999-2004, which includes the Super Bowl title in 2000. The rankings were: 14th, 14th, 18th, 23rd, 8th, and 20th. In the Super Bowl year they ranked 14th. Two good years out of 11 in the NFL on offense? This is the guy that can teach our quarterback to get it done? Seriously.

It’s a joke, and it’s finally time for Matt Cavanaugh to get the blame, and get out.