December 2 vs. Cardinals (7-6)




Bad Luck Tebow

Poor Tim Tebow. Sitting on the bench all season, obviously hoping (but never admitting) for a chance to finally start, watching the team struggle game after game. After game. And then something happened that changed everything. Something I had resigned myself to believe would just never happen this season. Mark Sanchez got benched.
So here comes his replacement, none other than...third-string Greg McElroy? Yes indeed, because Tebow was inactive with a lingering rib injury. Instead, McElroy suited up, excited and ready to roll.

Rex Ryan's decision is not one I took with ease, I should clarify. Ultimately, I want the Jets to win above all else. However, remember that the 2009 and 2010 seasons are what made me a fan of the team in the first place. I have never rooted for any quarterback besides Sanchez. This is the same guy I stood with during our back-to-back runs to championship games not too long ago. So I've tried to stand by him as long as possible in these bad times. I've made plenty of excuses in the past to defend him, and I don't take them back now.

But I've also said time and time again this year that the status quo for this team is not working. We're a loss away from this whole season getting thrown in the trash. So will Sanchez ever rise to the level of elite? I don't know and perhaps now we'll never know. Changing the person at quarterback, the leader of the team, results in a change in chemistry and enthusiasm. And at this point, in the situation we're in now, any change really can't hurt. It certainly didn't yesterday.

The game had been in a dreadfully boring stalement all the way into the third quarter. Sanchez threw three interceptions in the first quarter alone, and almost had a couple more. Nick Folk missed a field goal for the first and second time this season (they were 50 yards each, so it was understandable) and both defenses played perfectly. With six minutes left in the third, the score was 0-3. After yet another three-and-out, McElroy was seen putting on his helmet and taking practice throws on the sideline. Then the whole dynamic of the game changed. The crowd cheered for the first time. And the offense played with new enthusiasm. Most importantly, on his first drive of his NFL debut, McElroy threw his first career touchdown.

The game was a much needed win for the now 5-7 Jets. But will he start next week? It couldn't hurt. He mostly just handed off the ball to Bilal Powell and Shonn Greene, but he had a few good completions, especially when they really mattered. Welcome to the first ever three-way quarterback controversy, served up fresh by the New York Jets. Who will win? We'll just have to wait and see.