NFL

Rex: My future with Jets not tied to Sanchez decision

Jets coach Rex Ryan disagrees with the idea his future is linked to quarterback Mark Sanchez’s success or failure.

Ryan named Sanchez his starting quarterback on Wednesday and said, “I obviously have to get this decision right.” Ryan said he was not referring to his job security.

“Obviously we need to win,” Ryan said Thursday. “This is a big decision, and [a major factor] in determining wins and losses is the play of your quarterback a lot of times. But no, I don’t feel that my future’s tied in with how we do things [at quarterback].”

Ryan is sticking with Sanchez as his starter Sunday against the Jaguars after benching him in last Sunday’s 7-6 win over the Cardinals. Ryan has talked about being the Jets coach for 10 years. This season is the first one in which people have questioned whether he should be fired. The Jets are 5-7 and on the verge of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.

“Obviously, this is a win business and I know that,” Ryan said. “As Brian Billick told me the other day, there’s been 111 head coaches that have come and gone over the last 10 years. So it’s probably not the most job-secure thing. But one thing I can [do to] affect the job security is by winning. That’s what everybody wants. Our fans want [that]. That’s what Woody [Johnson, team owner] wants. That’s what we all want. Obviously, that’s what I want.”

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It looks like the Jets will be without tight end Dustin Keller against the Jaguars on Sunday.

Keller, who sprained his ankle in last week’s win over the Cardinals, missed his second straight day of practice yesterday.

Quarterback Tim Tebow was limited in practice as he recovers from broken ribs. Ryan said Tebow was able to do more in practice but still was not sure if he would be active Sunday. Ryan has said if Tebow is healthy he will be the backup quarterback over Greg McElroy.

WR Clyde Gates (concussion) and S LaRon Landry (scheduled rest day) also did not practice. … The Jets signed safety Antonio Allen from the practice squad to the active roster.

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Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff did not want to discuss his planned retirement after this season. He did say the way this season has gone could affect whether he sticks to his retirement plans. The Jets have had several special teams breakdowns this season.

“I’m not sure of that,” he said when asked if the season’s results could affect his decision. “I know I’m a competitor. I’ve had to fight through everything. I didn’t come up getting much. I fought through it. That may affect how I see things. At the end we’ll talk when it’s about me. To be honest with you, right now it’s not. It’s about Jacksonville.”