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JETS, No. 9
Remarkably, the Bills may not have the worst quarterback situation in the AFC East. The Jets, at least financially, remain committed for at least one more season to Mark Sanchez, who lost his form and his confidence during a miserable 2012 campaign.
Sanchez, the fifth overall pick of the 2009 draft, guided the team to AFC championship games in each of his first two seasons. He regressed during each of his next two seasons, however, committing an NFL-high 52 turnovers over that stretch.
The Mark Sanchez (L) and Tim Tebow experiment did not pan out. (Getty)Thanks to a contract extension negotiated by former general manager Mike Tannenbaum — the former part of that sentence is not a coincidence — Sanchez's $8.25 million base salary for 2013 is guaranteed. Whether he'll earn that money as a starter, or even make the final roster, remains to be seen, as confused owner Woody Johnson, newly hired general manager John Idzik, embattled coach Rex Ryan and new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg (replacing the ruinous Tony Sparano) try to make sense of a tough situation.
"What Sparano did to that kid set him back," said one AFC personnel executive familiar with the Jets' situation. "They set him up to fail. The system gave him no chance. It was like a grab bag. Every play was recess. He's not near that bad. But I don't know if they can save him.
"Marty Mornhinweg's system will be more controlled, with some short to intermediate passes. I guess that should help him. I don't know what their long-range plan is. Rex has to win right now. So where are they going? It's a circus."
Throw in the fact that the Jets lack offensive weapons, have a shaky line and are shopping their best player, cornerback Darrelle Revis, and it seems like a splendid short-term situation. What could possibly go wrong?
The Jets, who are expected to cut Tebow, are looking at several veterans as options to compete with Sanchez and Greg McElroy. Former Jags starter David Garrard, 35, worked out for the team last week and may be on the verge of signing. Former Browns, Broncos and Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn may also be a target, as Jets quarterbacks coach David Lee has spoken highly of him previously. And with the ninth pick of the first round and seventh pick of the second round, the Jets are in prime position to draft a young quarterback as Sanchez's successor.
It's also possible that Idzik, who spent the past six seasons as the Seahawks' vice president of football administration, would be tempted to make a run at trading for Matt Flynn, Seattle's highly paid backup.
Flynn, who shone in limited action as Aaron Rodgers' backup in Green Bay and was regarded as a prized free agent prospect a year ago, landed a three-year, $19.5-million deal with the Seahawks. However, he didn't have any other serious suitors. The Miami Dolphins — whose first-year coach, Joe Philbin, had been Flynn's offensive coordinator with the Packers — didn't make an aggressive contract offer.
Matt Flynn's role as a backup continued last season even after switching teams. (AP)Then Flynn, somewhat stunningly, got beaten out by Wilson, a third-round pick, and was a forgotten man during the Seahawks' playoff run. Because Wilson's salary is relatively low, keeping Flynn as a high-priced backup isn't an odious prospect for Seattle — but the Hawks would surely listen to a trade offer and might consider swinging a deal for as little as a fourth-round pick.
If New York, or any other franchise, has a compelling desire to land Flynn, it would be somewhat of a surprise given the lack of interest he received on the open market last March.
"The thing about Matt Flynn, who no else wanted him last year?" said the same AFC personnel executive. "Philbin didn't want him; that told the whole story. Especially now, after Kolb and Cassel have failed. It confirms people's worst fears: that he's undersized, that the game's too big for him. Most teams viewed him as a really quality backup last year, and I doubt that's changed."
Then again, a lot can change in 12 months. Just ask Alex Smith — and the team that gave up a pair of premium picks to acquire him.
Remarkably, the Bills may not have the worst quarterback situation in the AFC East. The Jets, at least financially, remain committed for at least one more season to Mark Sanchez, who lost his form and his confidence during a miserable 2012 campaign.
Sanchez, the fifth overall pick of the 2009 draft, guided the team to AFC championship games in each of his first two seasons. He regressed during each of his next two seasons, however, committing an NFL-high 52 turnovers over that stretch.
The Mark Sanchez (L) and Tim Tebow experiment did not pan out. (Getty)Thanks to a contract extension negotiated by former general manager Mike Tannenbaum — the former part of that sentence is not a coincidence — Sanchez's $8.25 million base salary for 2013 is guaranteed. Whether he'll earn that money as a starter, or even make the final roster, remains to be seen, as confused owner Woody Johnson, newly hired general manager John Idzik, embattled coach Rex Ryan and new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg (replacing the ruinous Tony Sparano) try to make sense of a tough situation.
"What Sparano did to that kid set him back," said one AFC personnel executive familiar with the Jets' situation. "They set him up to fail. The system gave him no chance. It was like a grab bag. Every play was recess. He's not near that bad. But I don't know if they can save him.
"Marty Mornhinweg's system will be more controlled, with some short to intermediate passes. I guess that should help him. I don't know what their long-range plan is. Rex has to win right now. So where are they going? It's a circus."
Throw in the fact that the Jets lack offensive weapons, have a shaky line and are shopping their best player, cornerback Darrelle Revis, and it seems like a splendid short-term situation. What could possibly go wrong?
The Jets, who are expected to cut Tebow, are looking at several veterans as options to compete with Sanchez and Greg McElroy. Former Jags starter David Garrard, 35, worked out for the team last week and may be on the verge of signing. Former Browns, Broncos and Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn may also be a target, as Jets quarterbacks coach David Lee has spoken highly of him previously. And with the ninth pick of the first round and seventh pick of the second round, the Jets are in prime position to draft a young quarterback as Sanchez's successor.
It's also possible that Idzik, who spent the past six seasons as the Seahawks' vice president of football administration, would be tempted to make a run at trading for Matt Flynn, Seattle's highly paid backup.
Flynn, who shone in limited action as Aaron Rodgers' backup in Green Bay and was regarded as a prized free agent prospect a year ago, landed a three-year, $19.5-million deal with the Seahawks. However, he didn't have any other serious suitors. The Miami Dolphins — whose first-year coach, Joe Philbin, had been Flynn's offensive coordinator with the Packers — didn't make an aggressive contract offer.
Matt Flynn's role as a backup continued last season even after switching teams. (AP)Then Flynn, somewhat stunningly, got beaten out by Wilson, a third-round pick, and was a forgotten man during the Seahawks' playoff run. Because Wilson's salary is relatively low, keeping Flynn as a high-priced backup isn't an odious prospect for Seattle — but the Hawks would surely listen to a trade offer and might consider swinging a deal for as little as a fourth-round pick.
If New York, or any other franchise, has a compelling desire to land Flynn, it would be somewhat of a surprise given the lack of interest he received on the open market last March.
"The thing about Matt Flynn, who no else wanted him last year?" said the same AFC personnel executive. "Philbin didn't want him; that told the whole story. Especially now, after Kolb and Cassel have failed. It confirms people's worst fears: that he's undersized, that the game's too big for him. Most teams viewed him as a really quality backup last year, and I doubt that's changed."
Then again, a lot can change in 12 months. Just ask Alex Smith — and the team that gave up a pair of premium picks to acquire him.
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