What Mark Sanchez Must Do to Make Sure Tebow Remains Backup QB

If Mark Sanchez wants to remain the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, there is one thing he has to focus on: improving his accuracy. It's that simple. If Sanchez wants to put to rest any talk of the newly-acquired Tim Tebow taking his spot in the starting lineup, all he has to do is get on the same page as his receivers and deliver the ball accurately. 

While that may be easier said than done, Sanchez's career completion percentage of 56.7 is far below that of an elite starting quarterback. He has improved in each of his three NFL seasons—53.8 in 2009, 54.8 in 2010 and 56.7 in 2011—his numbers still have a long way to go.

If the USC product wants to distance himself from Tebow and show that he is a much better option under center, improving his accuracy will certainly be the way to do it. We all know Tebow has difficulty throwing the ball, and his completion percentage of 46.5 ranked dead last in the NFL in 2011. But he is a versatile playmaker who can do things with his legs Sanchez can't.

I believe Sanchez has all the tools to be an elite starting quarterback in the NFL. I think the Jets stand a better chance of winning games with him under center than with Tebow. That said, unless he starts to show some development and can turn into a leader who runs the team's locker room, he will continue to be questioned.

Sanchez's first job will be to mend his relationship with perennially disgruntled receiver Santonio Holmes. The two reportedly have gotten past whatever issues existed between them, but knowing Holmes, as soon as things go wrong, those past problems could pop up again. 

The way for Sanchez to ensure the team is behind him and isn't split between he and Holmes, or he and Tebow is to perform on the field. Performance between the lines tends to make everyone fall in line behind you.

If Sanchez wants to keep Tebow on the bench, he needs to step up his game on the field.