Sanchez, McElroy Or Tebow — Who Should Jets Start Against Jaguars?
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Stumbling through yet another miserable game, Mark Sanchez was pulled Sunday by Jets coach Rex Ryan.
With backup Tim Tebow inactive, in went third-stringer Greg McElroy, who led New York to a 7-6 victory over Arizona at MetLife Stadium. As if things weren't chaotic enough in Florham Park, now there's a third player in the Jets' quarterback controversy.
"It was like football's version of euthanasia, you know?" WFAN co-host Boomer Esiason said of the Sanchez benching. "It's like, take him out, put him out of his misery."
At his press conference Monday, Ryan said he'd need more time to determine a starter for the team's matchup against the lowly Jaguars. Should Sanchez get one more shot, has McElroy earned the start, or will Tebow time finally come -- assuming he's healthy enough to play -- in his Jacksonville homecoming?
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"It's a big decision, so I wanna make sure I get all the facts," said Ryan, adding that he'll consult with his coaches. "It's an open discussion."
Esiason and co-host Craig Carton, unimpressed with Tebow's game and done with Sanchez, want to see more McElroy.
"Let's see what happens with this kid," said Esiason. "Let's see if he can take it to another level on the road, and see if he can win a game against a crappy team in the Jacksonville Jaguars."
Jets fans made it clear they wanted Sanchez (10 of 21 for 97 yards and three interceptions) out of the game. Ryan made the switch late in the third quarter to McElroy, who finished 5 of 7 for 29 yards and a touchdown.
"My job is to win games, and I'm going to focus on what gives us the best chance to beat Jacksonville," Ryan said.
New York's running game came alive in the third-stringer's poised scoring drive. Ryan praised the game management of McElroy, who won a national championship in Alabama.
"I really like the way he controlled the clock," Ryan said after Sunday's game. "It's no surprise. He comes from a great program."
Despite being pulled, Sanchez said he'd prepare his "butt off" for the Jaguars.
"Whatever Rex decides to do, we'll go with that," Sanchez said.
McElroy said Ryan's decision wasn't "worth speculating about."
"We're football players. What we do, nothing is ever guaranteed, nothing is ever for sure," he said. "We just go out every week and we try to learn and we try to get better. I know that's Tim's approach, I know that's Mark's approach, I know that's my approach. There's no need to stress about the uncertain. We're just letting it unfold the way it happens."
Who should get the start in Jacksonville? Make your case in the comments below!
