If you listen to Jets coach Rex Ryan, quarterback Mark Sanchez will not be given any advantage in the team’s competition for starting quarterback.
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg recently said Sanchez would have a “leg up.” According to Ryan, all that means is he gets the first play of spring with the starters.
“Somebody has to take the first snap,” Ryan said yesterday at the NFL meetings. “That’s kind of how I look at it. But there is definitely competition at that spot. The first snap, he’ll be the guy running out there first. But there’s going to be competition, and clearly we have to improve at the quarterback position.”
Sanchez will be competing with newly signed David Garrard, third-year quarterback Greg McElroy and possibly another quarterback. One person who will not be in the competition is Tim Tebow, but the team still has not released him.
Ryan made it sound as if Tebow could remain with the Jets, but that likely is pure spin. Tebow’s a goner.
“What we’re talking about is competition, and he’ll get a chance to compete,” Ryan said. “We’ll see how the offseason plays out. Right now, Tim is on our roster. We’re just beginning this process.”
Ryan spoke highly of Garrard, who has not played in a regular-season game in two years.
“I believe David is healthy, yes,” Ryan said. “If we didn’t think he was healthy, we wouldn’t have signed him. We put him through an extensive workout, one I’ve never seen before. David Lee ran the workout, and it included two 80-yard sprints and throwing fades at the end of it. It was a pretty amazing workout.”
The Jets have talked about adding free agent Kevin Kolb, formerly of the Eagles and Cardinals, to the quarterback mix. Ryan was asked about Kolb.
“If we think that’ll help the competition, I’m sure it’ll be something we’ll look into,” Ryan said.
* It sounds as if top wide receiver Santonio Holmes will not be able to participate in the Jets’ offseason program or much in training camp as he recovers from foot surgery.
“The main thing is, I just hope he’s ready for opening day,” Ryan said. “That’s going to be the goal. We’ll lean on [trainer] John Mellody, and I have all the confidence in the world that he’ll get him right.”
* Ryan talked up some of the team’s young players, including linebacker DeMario Davis, who will be the team’s starting inside linebacker in the spot vacated by Bart Scott.
“It’s DeMario Davis’ turn now, and I’m excited to watch that,” Ryan said. “I love Bart Scott, no question, and Bart Scott did a great job mentoring DeMario Davis. DeMario’s ready to be a great player.”
* Ryan announced the team promoted running backs coach Anthony Lynn to assistant head coach/offense.
* New guard Willie Colon on his release from the Steelers: “They wanted to go younger. They wanted to do what they needed to do. That’s for their organization, and I have no regrets. I have no ill feelings. I do have a [big] chip on my shoulder, but it is what it is.”