Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum revealed some insight on the team’s planned breakdown of quarterback playing time this year.
Tannenbaum, speaking on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike program yesterday, said Mark Sanchez’s “playing time will be 80-90 percent over the 16 games” and reiterated Sanchez would “be on the field for the lion’s share [of plays].”
Coach Rex Ryan, though, declined to confirm Tannenbaum’s 80-90 percent estimate, preferring secrecy.
“I don’t know. We’ll see,” Ryan said. “The beauty of it is, because you don’t know. And the opponent doesn’t know. And that’s kind of the way I like it.”
* Ryan initially said defensive tackle Sione Po’uha (back) would be out for tomorrow’s opener against the Bills, but the Jets later clarified that, saying the coach erred: Po’uha is actually questionable for the game. It’s still likely, however, that he won’t play.
“He really is close. He’s begging us to play, but I think we’re just going to be smart,” Ryan said before the team’s clarification. “Make sure, give him a little time because this is really the first week he practiced and he was limited in the first couple days but he was out there [yesterday]. But we’ll see. I feel better about him going next week.”
Ryan said the same about safety Eric Smith (knee/hip).
“I feel good about him playing next week also,” Ryan said.
* Tight end Dustin Keller (hamstring) was limited in practice and is listed as questionable, but Ryan said he believes he’s set to play. Nevertheless, the coach said the hamstring might hamper Keller during the game.
“We’ll see how much it’ll limit him,” Ryan said.
* Rookie safety Josh Bush, a sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest, should get a chance to be the third safety tomorrow because Smith is out. Fellow safety Yeremiah Bell praised Bush for his football intelligence, and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine also had kudos for the rookie.
“He’s picked up the system very well,” Pettine said. “That’s a big part of it, is having guys out there that you trust [and] they know what to do. He’s been very un-rookie-like in that way. He’s had very few mental errors.”
* Defensive end Mike DeVito said he is enthusiastic about his sixth Jets season.
“This is the best defensive line I’ve been around,” DeVito said. “This defense is the best unit I’ve been around.”
DeVito (calf) is listed as questionable, but said he’s fine.