New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) is brought down by Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) in the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 14-10. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) is brought down by Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) in the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 14-10. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)
FILE - In this Aug. 10, 2012, file photo, New York Jets quarterbacks, from left, Greg McElroy, Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow watch from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati. Jets coach Rex Ryan gathered his three quarterbacks Wednesday morning and told them he had made up his mind. It will be Sanchez and not McElroy orTebow on Sunday when the Jets take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville.(AP Photo/Tom Uhlman, File)
NEW YORK (AP) ? Mark Sanchez blew the second chance Rex Ryan gave him. Now, it's Greg McElroy's chance to be the New York Jets' starting quarterback.
And, Tim Tebow? Well, he was leapfrogged by the third-stringer, fueling speculation that the team has little confidence in him as a quarterback.
Ryan decided to bench Sanchez on Tuesday after the fourth-year quarterback had another miserable performance. Sanchez threw four interceptions Monday night and wasn't able to handle a low snap with the game on the line as the Jets (6-8) were eliminated from playoff contention with a 14-10 loss at Tennessee.
Things got worse after the game for Sanchez, who received a series of death threats on Twitter. League spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFL is aware of the threats and is working with the Jets to assist on the matter.
Ryan said after the loss that he wasn't ready to decide who would start against the Chargers, but chose McElroy over Sanchez and Tebow after talking with his staff and others in the organization Tuesday.
McElroy, a seventh-round pick last year out of Alabama, helped lead the Jets to a 7-6 win over Arizona on Dec. 2 when Ryan pulled Sanchez from that game late in the third quarter. McElroy had modest numbers ? 5 of 7 for 29 yards ? but threw for the only touchdown of the game, and nearly led another scoring drive as the Jets ran out the clock.
Ryan decided to stick with Sanchez after that game, saying that the one-time face of the franchise gave the Jets their best chance at winning as they remained in the playoff hunt.
But Sanchez struggled in a 17-10 win over Jacksonville and again even more in the loss to Tennessee. McElroy, who gave the Jets a huge spark in his first NFL action, was inactive for both games. That hurt New York on Monday night when Ryan was unable to turn to McElroy since he was not in uniform for the game. Instead, Ryan went to Tebow for one series ? which had been part of the game plan ? but it was unproductive and Sanchez came back in for the next offensive possession.
Sanchez leads the league with 24 turnovers, including 17 interceptions, and has turned the ball over 50 times since the start of last season. His future with the team is uncertain because he signed a contract extension with New York in March that included $8.25 million in guaranteed money for next season.
Sanchez was regularly booed during home games this season, falling out of favor with the fans who were excited when the Jets traded up to take him with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft. There were some good moments for the former Southern California star, particularly in helping lead New York to the AFC championship game in each of his first two seasons, but he failed to take the next step in his development.
While his frequent mistakes in reading defenses and miscalculating throws are a huge reason for his struggles, Sanchez also wasn't helped by a constantly changing cast around him. Several of the team's top offensive players ? Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Jerricho Cotchery, Brad Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson, Plaxico Burress, Alan Faneca and Damien Woody ? have all been released, traded or allowed to become free agents since Sanchez's rookie season. He is also working with his second offensive coordinator in Tony Sparano after an up-and-down three seasons with Brian Schottenheimer.
Tebow, acquired from Denver in March, has had a minor role in the offense after being expected to play a major part. He is recovering from two broken ribs that sidelined him for three games, but he returned Monday night and had little impact. It would seem unlikely that Tebow, who helped lead the Broncos to the playoffs last season, will be back with New York next season.
When Tebow arrived in New York, he often said he was "excited to be a Jet," but there's little doubt that he feels that way now. He has done his best to hide his frustration throughout the season, especially when the wildcat-style offense was played up to be a highlight of the offense.
Tebow has instead just been a spare part on an offense that ranks 30th in the NFL. He is 6 of 8 passing for 39 yards, and has run 32 times for 102 yards ? playing a more significant role as the personal punt protector on special teams.
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