http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5916380 FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- A day after he considered benching Mark Sanchez, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan gave his struggling second-year quarterback a vote of confidence -- with a caveat. Ryan said on Monday that he's committed to using Sanchez as his starter, but made it clear that Sanchez needs to clean up his act in the pocket. Ryan considered benching Sanchez in the third quarter of the Jets' 10-6 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday. He talked to Sanchez about improving his footwork and overall play on Monday at the team facility. Jets blog Jets Looking for more on the green and white? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. Blog Jets Center "I told him that he's got to get better," the coach said. "[There were] quite a few problems with his footwork and he wasn't accurate with the football on several of his throws. You can't throw the ball if you're not set ready to throw out of football position." Sanchez has completed 34 of 77 passes in the past two games, both Jets' losses. He's thrown four interceptions over that span and has been sacked seven times. He also hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in the last two games. Against Miami, Sanchez had one of his worst games of the season, the latest in a streak of three straight sub-par outings. Sanchez finished 17-of-44 with one interception against the Dolphins. He was sacked three times and fumbled four times (one lost). Jets receivers didn't help Sanchez's cause with five drops, three of which came in the fourth quarter. Sanchez finished the night with a quarterback rating of 45.3, his third-lowest mark of the season. He lowest (27.8) was last week against New England. His quarterback rating has been below 88 in eight of his last nine starts. "The young man's got plenty of ability but you've got to play with more fundamentals," said Ryan, who critiqued Sanchez's footwork in the pocket. On Monday morning, Sanchez spoke to the entire offense after its walkthrough in the Jets' fieldhouse. "He said we have to lean on each other this week. He's going to look to improve, just like he's going to look to me to improve. I think it's really that simple," Brandon Moore said. "That was his speech." Moore said players understood and "bought in" to Sanchez's message, but actions speak louder than words at this point in the season. "It's time to move past the talking. No knock on him; he was just trying to bring us together and get everybody on the same page and reinforce what [offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer] Schotty said in his meeting," Moore said. "Guys understand that." Ryan said that the considered benching Sanchez in the third quarter on Sunday to give the team "a shot in the arm." But he decided against it because, he said, Sanchez had led the Jets to three fourth-quarter comebacks in 2010. Ryan also reiterated on Monday that his suddenly-struggling Jets, who play at Pittsburgh on Sunday, will sink or swim with Sanchez. "Mark is our quarterback and he's my quarterback. He'll always be our starting quarterback, even if I did yank him for whatever reason," Ryan said. "He is our quarterback and we're going to go as far as he takes us."
The whole "considered benching him" thing is dumb to begin with. Are people really shocked that at some point in that debacle that it crossed his mind to take Sanchez out? I admire his honesty but I think it might be too much for others to handle.
I agree, and here's the thing - Ryan could have lied and said he had not considered it, but no one would have thought that credible, including Mark. Or he could have said no comment - would that really have been any better? Or could say what he did say, which to me is BFD.
I remember back when I was in college, I had this old crappy Subaru. That thing chugged its heart out for me. I'd hit a steep hill and punch the pedal to the floor. It would hack and cough and strain, but eventually I made it. I gave it a vote of confidence every time I turned the key. But then, what other choice?
Only in NY do you have to give your 9-4, 24 year old QB who started the AFCCG last year a vote of confidence. Unreal. I agree, people are making a mountain out a mole hill about the whole 'thought about benching ' thing.
You got it right. It the NY media. Its the vulture cunts that want to make everything a big deal. I actually like the way the Giants handle the media in this market. They never let it affect them and are Teflon-esque when it comes to these fans with a journalism degree. Sports journalists are two things - shitty wannabe athletes/fans who want to be around the game, and they aren't great writers to begin with. That's why I love coaches who shit all over them.
It's crazy considering in the very same stadium there is a Blue Veteran QB who is leading the league in turnovers. Eli is lucky, he's flying under the radar right now.
Agreed. As soon as he said that, I knew that he was just being honest..but that it never REALISTICALLY crossed his mind. ...and I knew it'd be way too much for people to handle, taking it so literally.
He's got a defense to bail him out. I think Sanchez will respond positively from all the scrutiny. Look at last year's play. My fear is that the team will start to doubt him. Thank the lord there's no one behind him. The last thing this team needs is a quarterback controversy.
