On Monday Night Football, the Tennessee Titans defeated the New York Jets 14-10, to end their playoff hopes. Quarterback Mark Sanchez threw 4 interceptions, and fumbled away their last chance, with less than a minute remaining. The Jets needed to win their last 3 games, and get help, to have any chance at the playoffs. However, this proved too difficult, starting with the Titans, who had only 4 wins, coming into the game. Like almost the entire season, the Jets offense looked toothless at best, and pathetic at worst. The blame for this season certainly doesn’t rest only with the offensive players. Some of the moves made by the Jets management in the offseason were irrational.
First, they signed Sanchez to a new contract, after a poor 2011 season. This contract guarantees him $8.25 million next year, even if they cut him. While this seemed like a vote of confidence from management, which was undeserved, the next move they made at quarterback ripped the rug right out from beneath that vote of confidence. Then the Jets traded for former Denver Broncos’ starting quarterback Tim Tebow. Why give Sanchez this big, guaranteed contract, and then trade for Tim Tebow? So then you have to wonder who will be the starting quarterback for the 2012 season. Well, through the first 14 games, it was Sanchez. Tebow hardly played, especially at quarterback. Tuesday it was announced by the Jets, that the starter for their next game, against the San Diego Chargers, will be former 3rd string quarterback Greg McElroy. This will be the first NFL career start for McElroy.
Not only is Sanchez guaranteed $8.25 million next year, no matter what happens to him, but the Jets will endure an additional salary cap hit of $8.9 million if they cut him. Yes, that means even if they cut Sanchez, it will cost the Jets over $17 million toward their salary cap next year. Sanchez, after 14 games, is last in the NFL in passing yards per game, passing yards per attempt, completion percentage, and touchdown to interception ratio. He did lead them to the AFC Championship Game after the 2009 and 2010 seasons, but it has all been downhill since then. After the news about McElroy leapfrogging Tebow to the starting job, it’s rumored that Tebow will ask to be traded or released.
Why did the Jets ever trade for Tebow, if they had no intention of using him? Did they change their mind after he arrived? They didn’t seem too in love with Sanchez, or they wouldn’t have even considered Tebow. Tebow has had to endure a very weird season. Even though Sanchez was mostly horrible all season, Tebow never got a chance to start. Monday night was his first set of downs as quarterback this season. Tebow rejuvenated a bad Broncos team last year, and led them to a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He deserved much better treatment than he has received this year from the Jets. In typical Tebow fashion, he never complained, and even seemed to look forward to playing the personal protector in punting situations. This offseason will be very interesting for the Jets. Their 2013 team may look very different from this year, except Sanchez should be there. He’s too expensive to get rid of.
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