Former Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson said he believes coach Rex Ryan made a mistake selecting Mark Sanchez as his starting quarterback over Greg McElroy.
“This is unbelievable to me that Greg McElroy comes in, does his job, leads the team down the field on a scoring drive to basically win the game and already, before the first day of practice you name Mark Sanchez the starter?” Tomlinson said on SiriusXM NFL Radio yesterday. “Without even giving Greg McElroy first-team reps? Unbelievable.”
* Before Tim Tebow was a Jet, there was a strong belief that Chad Henne might be signed to be Sanchez’s backup.
Henne, who was a free agent, is now the starting quarterback for the Jaguars and will face the Jets on Sunday. His familiarity with offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, whom he played for in Miami, was a reason people thought he could sign with the Jets in the offseason.
Henne addressed that in a conference call with New York reporters.
“Well, Tony called me as soon as free agency opened,” Henne said. “And obviously, Mark signed his contract, I think, the week before that. But they still were interested and wanted to get me in to visit, but I had two visits already lined up, [one] here at Jacksonville and then also in Seattle, so New York kind of would’ve been my third opportunity.
“But it just didn’t work out, and it was more of Coach Sparano and his offense feeling comfortable with me and running that more than anything. So whether it worked out or not, it is what it is.”
Henne might have been a viable option to back Sanchez up and also push him for the job. Ultimately, the Jets signed Drew Stanton before trading for Tebow.
* A day after former Jets receiver Braylon Edwards defended him and blasted the Jets front office, Sanchez said Edwards overreacted.
“I love Braylon,” Sanchez said. “I love the guy. I loved playing with him. We have a lot of experience together. I think it was kind of an emotional thing. I saw his apology, too. I know he loved being here. He loved the guys in this locker room. He loved the [front office]. It was more that’s my guy and I’m sticking up for him kind of thing.
“I appreciate his support, but he might have went a little overboard there.”
* Jets WR Stephen Hill (knee) missed practice.
A source said the Jets don’t believe the injury is that serious, and he is expected to practice today.
* TE Dustin Keller (ankle) and WR Clyde Gates (concussion) also did not practice. … RB Maurice Jones-Drew (foot), RB Rashad Jennings (concussion) and WR Cecil Shorts (concussion) did not practice for the Jaguars.