QUARTERBACK-UP: Third-string QB Greg McElroy will try to be the first to lead the Jets to an offensive TD this preseason when he starts tonight vs. the Eagles. (Christopher Pasatieri)
Maybe the Jets’ backups can find the end zone quicker than their starters.
The Jets will rest most of their first-teamers (and Tim Tebow) in tonight’s preseason finale with the Eagles. Greg McElroy will start at quarterback instead of Mark Sanchez or Tebow, the two most talked about quarterbacks in football.
The Jets coaching staff will be focused less on the results of the game and more on evaluating the bottom of its roster. The team has 74 players on its roster entering tonight’s game. Rosters must be down to 53 players by 9 p.m. tomorrow.
“There are still some spots out there that when you get into the last game you have an idea of where it’s going to be,” coach Rex Ryan said, “but eventually you always do what’s in the best interest of your team. But some guys, it seems like, will step up and actually earn a spot.”
Plenty of players on the roster will have their hopes dashed tomorrow. Tonight is their last shot at proving they deserve to be on the team or at least the practice squad.
Here are the positions where the Jets face the toughest decisions:
Linebacker
The Jets are loaded at this position. Behind starters David Harris, Bart Scott, Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas, they have Aaron Maybin and rookie Demario Davis on the bench. Then, there is an interesting group behind them.
Josh Mauga and Nick Bellore proved last year they could be useful backups and solid special-teams contributors. Special-teams coordinator Mike Westhoff felt Bellore should have been a Pro Bowler. Garrett McIntyre is another player who saw some playing time last year and has been impressive in training camp.
But how many linebackers can the Jets keep?
“We’re stacked pretty good at linebacker,” Ryan said. “You try to keep the best football players. If that means you have five inside linebackers or whatever it is, then so be it. You usually don’t go wrong if you keep the best players.”
Ricky Sapp, the former Eagle, had a strong spring but has not played in any preseason games after suffering a high ankle sprain on Aug. 4. He will not play tonight. His lack of playing time likely will cost him a real shot at a roster spot.
Cornerback
Ryan loves cornerbacks. He likes to have depth at the position where he can use multiple corners in games, especially division games when the Jets face passing attacks that spread the field. The Jets are top-heavy at this position with probably the best starting duo in football with Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Kyle Wilson is the team’s nickel corner, but after that there are some questions.
Ellis Lankster had a firm grasp on the No. 4 corner spot in the spring but suffered a quad injury in camp and has missed a lot of time. Isaiah Trufant is a special-teams ace whom Westhoff surely will fight to hold on to. Julian Posey will be fighting for that last spot, too, if he can impress the coaches tonight.
Wide receiver
How many receivers does a “Ground and Pound” team need? Chaz Schilens has not played since the first preseason game, casting some doubt on his roster spot. Patrick Turner has played well and rookie Jordan White has shown flashes. It is likely the Jets keep five, leaving White on the practice squad.
Defensive end
Jay Richardson has made an interesting case that he belongs on the roster. The guy has made plays all preseason, but he could be a victim of the numbers game. The Jets already have Muhammad Wilkerson, Quinton Coples and Mike DeVito at the position, but if the Jets truly keep the best 53, Richardson belongs.