Rex Ryan needs to start the countdown on Mark Sanchez: Give him the next four games to stop being one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL or it’s Tebow Time.
The Jets are 2-2 and tied for first place in the AFC East, but it
doesn’t feel that way. If feels like this is a 2-2 team on the way to a
4-12 or 5-11 season.
Is it all Sanchez’s fault? Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum surrounded him
with such a poor collection of skill players it almost seems like they
were setting him him up to fail. It’s inconceivable the brain trust
thought there was enough firepower on this team, even before the
injuries to Santonio Holmes, Stephen Hill and Dustin Keller, none of
whom put any kind of scare into a defense anyhow.
At the same time, after what appeared to be a breakout game for Sanchez
in the season opener against Buffalo, he has reverted to making the
same dumb mistakes he made in his first three years and has played three
awful games in a row. Sanchez needs to go to rehab for ball protection.
He’s completing a league-low 49.2% of his passes and his quarterback
rating is above only rookies Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden and
erratic Bears veteran Jay Cutler.
Tebow's game is ugly, but he provides intangibles like enthusiasm, leadership and motivational skills.
As the Jets begin to lose a grip on their season and with a game
against the Texans, the most complete team in the league, up next on
Monday night, I asked Ryan what it will take for him to bench Sanchez
and start Tebow.
“I don’t want to get into the what-ifs of this, that or whatever,” he
said. “I just know that in my heart, right now, that this is not the
time. I think Tim is an outstanding player. I think Mark is. Right now, I
think Mark gives us our best opportunity to win.”
Sanchez may be a stand-up guy but he sings the same sorry song after
every game: It’s on me, it starts with me, I can’t do that, I’ve got to
be smarter with the ball.
Exactly when does that start? 2016?
Ryan has to be careful because as soon as he benches Sanchez, he risks
losing him mentally, even if he finds out Tebow can’t get it done.
Financially, the Jets have an issue with Sanchez being due $8.25 million
guaranteed in 2013.
The one reason you cling to the idea that Sanchez eventually will get
it figured out this year: On the Sunday after Thanksgiving in his fourth
season, Eli Manning threw four interceptions against the Vikings and
had three returned for touchdowns. Two months later, he won the Super
Bowl.
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