With Mark Sanchez, the New York Jets Get it Dead Wrong Once Again

Sep 12, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have not done a lot by Mark Sanchez through the years. No, he hasn’t played well over the last year and a half, but the Jets haven’t helped him much. Since the end of 2010, they have changed up his receiving corp, seemingly all the time. The offensive line has changed up a couple of times over that time period as well.

The team has brought in the most well-known backup quarterback in the universe to “push him”, even though he really was no competition. Finally, they bring in a second round quarterback, and then put Mark into a useless preseason game with five minutes to go, behind backup offensive linemen. Whether you are a Mark Sanchez fan or not, it is undeniable that they have not exactly set him up for success over the last couple of years.

Yesterday, the Jets set Mark Sanchez on injured reserve. But, rather than putting him on season ending injured reserve, they used the one time option of putting him on “designation to return”, meaning he can practice in six weeks, and be added to the roster in eight weeks.

Both the Jets, and Mark Sanchez, are toeing the line, saying that this is the best situation for both parties. It gives Mark Sanchez the opportunity to return to the roster this season, and it gives the Jets a chance to “take their time” with his rehab, and in the meantime, they can use the roster spot.

Again, the situation is being handled incorrectly. The best thing for all parties, would be to shut down Mark Sanchez for the rest of the season. Yes, I, of huge Mark Sanchez fandom, are saying this, flat-out. The idea of holding out the idea of bringing Mark Sanchez back in 2013 is wrong. Dead wrong.

It’s wrong for the New York Jets, and it’s wrong for Mark Sanchez.

First, on Mark Sanchez. John Idzik said it best during his portion of yesterday’s conference call when he said that Mark will likely “push” his rehab. He absolutely will push his rehab, and that is not good for Mark Sanchez. Sure, he could get back to a point where he can play, but is that the best thing for him? If he takes the rest of the season off, he can actually get the tear fixed, and he can come back in 2014 at full strength, wherever he is going to play.

Think about it. Remember the situation with Chad Pennington, when he played with a tear in his right arm. He did play quite well, as I have pointed out frequently in talking about Pennington. However, what might have been, had he allowed it to heal normally? Maybe, just maybe, Chad’s arm doesn’t get hurt a second time, and his career ends better than it did. Rushing back is not the way to go, and the Jets should be aware of it, and put the player’s best interests forward.

Aug 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik Jr. prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

If the Jets were loyal to players that have performed well in the past, they would realize that they shouldn’t put him on short-term IR either. Remember again with Chad, how they released him, so he could sign anywhere, including within the division? It, in turn, bit the Jets in the behind, as Chad led the Dolphins to the playoffs.

Same type of thing with Mark here. If they put him on regular IR, he could take his time with his rehabilitation, and come back at full strength, ready to go for any team that wants his services. Clearly, the Jets don’t want him around anymore. Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles understand this. Why not allow Mark to prepare for the next part of his career? If they cared about what he did in the past, they would put him on IR for the rest of the season, for his own good.

Instead, they are going to give him the chance to still rush back, which, in fact, is not in Mark’s best interest. Mark can now overwork, which could potentially ruin the rest of his career.

John Idzik should realize that this is not what the Jets need either. Surely, the thought is that if Mark Sanchez is around and healthy, it will push Geno Smith to work hard, play better, and keep Mark Sanchez off of the field.

Sorry John, gonna have to bring out that Price is Right sound when the contestant loses the game on that one. It’s a bad idea John.

The whole aura of having Mark Sanchez around is going to hinder Geno’s development. As opposed to Mark, who needed a “push”, the rookie quarterback needs exactly the opposite. He needs to feel that this is his team, and that can’t be taken away from him. If Mark is around, the questions will always remain. He will be questioned about the “competition”, he will be asked about how is play is going to keep the job, …etc. This will work AGAINST Geno, not in his favor.

Besides, doesn’t Idzik realize that he only gets to use one spot for the short-term IR? What happens now, if a starter sustains an injury that deserves the short-term spot? We lose them for the year, that’s what. John has to realize that, and prioritize the roster spot. Come on now.

Once again, Mark Sanchez’s career is handled dead wrong. At least he will likely get the opportunity to continue that career outside of New York.