Mark Sanchez (Reuters)
Tebow Time? Not yet.
Jets coach Rex Ryan said yesterday he is sticking with Mark Sanchez as his starting quarterback, but the coaching staff will spend part of this bye week searching for better ways to use Tim Tebow in the offense.
In the wake of the Jets’ embarrassing 30-9 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, Ryan is searching for answers on how to right his 3-5 team. Benching Sanchez is not one of them.
“If it was one guy, that’s easy to say we’d make that change,” Ryan said. “But I think Mark gives us the best chance to win. That’s how I feel. Can Tim be successful? Absolutely, and we need to look at that as well. In my opinion, Mark as the starting quarterback gives my team the best chance to win.”
Sanchez had another rough day in Sunday’s loss. His final stat line was deceiving because the Jets spent the second half throwing the ball after falling behind early, but he had two more turnovers and missed open receivers.
The MetLife Stadium crowd showered Sanchez with boos in the second half and chanted for Tebow.
Tebow played just five snaps, getting one carry. Only one player on offense got less playing time than him — tight end Hayden Smith, who was signed off the practice squad on Saturday.
Perhaps sensing Tebow’s growing frustration with his limited role, Ryan promised to examine how the Jets have used their $2.1 million backup quarterback who was supposed to be a weapon for the team.
“I definitely think that’s a fair statement,” Ryan said. “I think we’ll take a hard look at how we’re using him, what we’re asking him to do. Is there other things we can do with him? I think you’re absolutely right. We will definitely look at that.”
Tebow has played just 55 snaps on offense through eight games. Ryan said he “wouldn’t be shocked at all” if Tebow were frustrated.
The NFL extended the trading deadline until Thursday because of Hurricane Sandy. There has been speculation the Jets should trade Tebow, but the team is going to hold on to him.
There has been potential for a quarterback controversy since the Jets acquired Tebow from the Broncos on March 21. It blew up Sunday when the chants for Tebow began. Sanchez is 30th in the NFL in quarterback rating (72.8) and has failed to improve this year in his fourth pro season.
It would make sense if the Jets were going to make a change to Tebow to do it during the bye week when they have time to revamp their offense. But Ryan said Sanchez will be the starter when the Jets’ season resumes Nov. 11 in Seattle.
“I think Mark’s our guy, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that,” Ryan said. “I’m confident in Mark. We just have to look as a whole at what we can do. Are there things we can do to help?”
Jets players continue to back Sanchez publicly, but there were hints of frustration with him Sunday, particularly on the part of defensive players.
“I think it’s kind of difficult, especially when you’re dealing with an offense that hasn’t been doing much at any position,” center Nick Mangold said. “You can’t just plug somebody in and all of a sudden it’s going to be a magic formula and everything is going to be right.”
Mangold has lived through quarterback controversies before.
“It’s tough,” Mangold said. “I was here for Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens [in 2007] and that whole business. [It] kind of comes with the territory. New York fans are very passionate and expect the best. When you put out a performance like we did yesterday, you kind of expect that a little bit.”
The Jets players have the week off, but Ryan and his coaches will spend the week attemping to figure out what is wrong with the last-place team.
“We have to be all in,” Ryan said. “The only chance we have is if we are 100 percent all in and let’s put it out there. We have no wiggle room. We need to start playing a ton better. Obviously, our players know that. That’s the only thing we can hang our hat on. If we don’t play better, you can forget about anything.”