Late in last night’s annual Jets vs. Giants preseason matchup, Rex Ryan may have made a crucial mistake. After starting Geno Smith at quarterback, who went 16-for-30 with 199 yards passing, 3 interceptions and 1 touchdown, Ryan opted to put in Mark Sanchez with the 2nd and 3rd stringers instead of playing Matt Simms at quarterback. Sanchez went 5-for6 before taking a crushing hit to his shoulder by Giants defensive lineman Marvin Austin.
With Smith clearly flunking his opportunity to steal the starting role at QB, the whole world was surprised when Rex opted to put in Sanchez (presumably the Jets opening day starter). It is easy to second guess after the fact, but lets take a look at why Rex put in Sanchez, instead of beating him up for his decision.
The first reason I believe that Rex felt like he had to get Sanchez into the game is because of the pressure the Jets front office is applying to Rex. It is clear that new GM John Idzik is favoring Smith over Sanchez. Smith is Idzik’s draft choice, and Smith will be there after Rex and Sanchez are gone (assuming they miss the playoffs this year). Smith is also the cheaper option in the immediate future, and seems to have more upside than Sanchez. However, with all this pressure coming from the front office, maybe just maybe Rex sent Sanchez in there to silence Idzik, and show him that Sanchez is his guy. Rex drafted Sanchez with the 6th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and has already accomplished things that other teams and coaches will never accomplish; like back-to-back AFC Championship games.
My second reason is that Ryan clearly feels more comfortable with Sanchez over Smith. Sanchez has been there since day 1 for Ryan, and it seems like Ryan is very reluctant to play a rookie quarterback that he did not want to draft. Rightfully so, as Rex’s coaching job is on the line this year. Rex feels more comfortable with Sanchez back there, and Smith has shown us nothing to believe that he is the almighty savior that will lead the Jets back to the promised land.Rex Post Game
So when Rex was pissed off during the post-game press conference, who is really to blame. Yes, he will certainly take some heat for putting Sanchez in a position to get hurt, but is it really his fault? Was Rex trying to prove a point to GM Idzik saying this is my team, my quarterback; now shut up and let me coach? Had Sanchez not of gotten hurt and continued to play well in the 4th quarter, would everyone be saying how smart a move it was for Rex to put in Sanchez after a ‘brutal’ performance by Smith? Unfortunately, Sanchez got hurt (the extent it unknown at this point) and now Rex has to take the blame, when maybe it is really the front office who should take the blame. Yes, Ryan does make the decisions on the field, but after weeks and weeks of pounding from his superiors, maybe he was just trying to send a fastball high and inside to back them off the plate.
Justin Lerner: PureSportsNY