OFFENSE ON DEFENSIVE: Mark Sanchez is sacked by the Giants’ Dave Tollefson in Saturday’s loss, the second straight poor performance by the quarterback and coordinator Brian Schottenheimer’s Jets offense, prompting Rex Ryan to declare his confidence in the two yesterday. (
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Jets fans may be getting tired of the inconsistency of quarterback Mark Sanchez, but head coach Rex Ryan made it clear he is not.
Ryan backed his quarterback in a strong way in a radio interview, a few hours after saying he remains confident in offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Sanchez and Schottenheimer have taken the brunt of the criticism since Saturday’s 29-14 loss to the Giants, and their futures with the team have become hot topics.
Ryan responded to a report by the website Pro Football Talk that the Jets are questioning whether Sanchez is the answer at quarterback for their future.
“There’s no way we’re looking to replace Mark Sanchez,” Ryan said on 1050 ESPN radio. “It’s just not true. I’ve said repeatedly this is my guy.”
Ryan even responded to the suggestions by fans and media members the team should pursue Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in the offseason if he is on the trading block.
“Do I think it’s even a consideration for us? No, I don’t,” he said.
Sanchez completed 30 of 59 passes for 258 yards in the loss to the Giants. He had two interceptions and a fumble in the fourth quarter, and failed to lead his team to the win.
That the Jets called 68 passing plays (59 attempts, five sacks, four scrambles) has brought a ton of heat on Schottenheimer, in his sixth season as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Ryan said his faith has not been shaken in Sanchez or Schottenehimer.
“I have a huge amount of confidence in both guys, there is no doubt,” Ryan said on a conference call. “I have stated it over and over, my feelings about Mark Sanchez.
“It wasn’t Mark’s best day by any stretch of the imagination. But we know he’s done it, and he’s been doing it. We have great confidence in him, and I have great confidence in him.
“And as far as Brian Schottenheimer is concerned, shoot, we’ll just keep working side by side, shoulder to shoulder, and we’re trying to find a way to beat Miami. So I have confidence in him. I have confidence in all our coaches. It’s just we have to find a way to get it done.”
The Jets face the Dolphins on Sunday with their playoff hopes on the line. They need to win in Miami and then get losses from the Titans, Bengals and either the Broncos and Raiders to slip into the playoffs.
The Jets rank 27th in total offense after entering the season with lofty expectations. The additions of wideouts Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason were supposed to give Sanchez more weapons and make the Jets a tough offense. Instead, they have struggled to find an identity all year.
Ryan said everyone will be evaluated after the season is over. He said the statistics could be misleading, and praised Schottenheimer’s work ethic.
“I can say this, I don’t know if anybody works as hard as Brian Schottenheimer, and really everybody on that staff, on our offensive staff,” Ryan said. “They do about as good a job as I’ve ever seen, they work about as hard as anybody. But sometimes the results are there numbers-wise, sometimes they are not.”
Jets tight end Dustin Keller said the criticism of Sanchez and Schottenheimer is off base.
“I don’t agree with those things,” Keller said. “I’ve always been happy with both of them. I think Schotty’s done a great job. Any time things go wrong it’s going to fall on the shoulders of the quarterback and offensive coordinator. I’ve always been happy with his play-calling, and I think he’s a great offensive coordinator.”
On 1050 ESPN radio, Ryan said it is unfair to evaluate Sanchez after just three seasons.
“I think Mark’s going to be a great quarterback, but it will take time,” he said.