Mark Sanchez Survives, Again
Added on Dec 05, 2012 by Scott in
No Comments
The anticipated quarterback change in New York has been put on hold. Jets head coach Rex Ryan has decided to stick with maligned Mark Sanchez rather than look toward his bench. Despite a 5-7 record and Sanchez’s dreadfully inconsistent play, fans who have been shouting for either Greg McElroy or Tim Tebow to take the reins under center will have to wait a little while longer.
Owner Woody Johnson is rumored to be in McElroy’s camp, while a good portion of the fanbase still believe Quarterback Jesus is the answer. But as long as Ryan is employed he’ll be the one making the decisions. And for better or worse, Sanchez is still his guy.
At this point, the team is probably wise to see what McElroy can do. It seems highly unlikely that Sanchez is considered a franchise signal-caller by upper management. That’s not to say McElroy is some sort of savior. After all, he was a 7th round pick and did nothing on Sunday versus Arizona to suggest he’s the second coming of Tom Brady. That said, with the Jets heading nowhere and Sanchez’s confidence in the gutter, a four-game audition for the ex ‘Bama quarterback sounds prudent.
How bad is Sanchez? Well, he’s not Blaine Gabbert bad, but 64 interceptions against 67 touchdowns in three plus years is unacceptable. He’s failed to complete more than 57% of his throws in any season and has lost 13 fumbles in his last 28 starts. Certainly the loss of Santonio Holmes to a knee injury, and Dustin Keller being in and out of the lineup, hasn’t helped Sanchez, but it’s clear he doesn’t have the look of a guy capable of leading a team to the Super Bowl.
Once the Jets defense declined due to age, injury and free agent exits, Sanchez’s weaknesses were magnified. Subpar talent at the skill positions is only partly to blame for his and the offense’s woes. McElroy probably isn’t the long-term solution, but it’s obvious Sanchez isn’t either.
