Mark Sanchez: Calls for Tim Tebow to Start as Jets QB Are Ridiculous

After the New York Jets were crushed by the San Francisco 49ers, 34-0, and Mark Sanchez played very poorly in the game, I knew the calls for Tim Tebow were coming. It was only a matter of time before the debate began.

Frankly, it's a really dumb debate to have in the first place.

I'm not saying Mark Sanchez is a great quarterback, or even a franchise one. He was miserable against the 49ers, going 13-for-29 for 103 yards with no touchdowns and two turnovers. On the season, he's now turned the ball over more times (six) than he's thrown touchdown passes (five), and three of those came in Week 1.

But it's not all his fault. The fact remains that the Jets simply have no offensive talent to surround Sanchez with.

Santonio Holmes is a head case and is dealing with a foot injury which could potentially sideline him for some time (and caused this bizarre moment in Sunday's game).

Stephen Hill is just a rookie. Dustin Keller has played just one game. I've seen slugs with more burst than Shonn Greene. Before this season, most people outside of hardcore Jets fans had no idea who Bilal Powell or Jeremy Kurley were.

Even Tebow and the Wildcat have been toothless. 

If Sanchez is replaced, you might as well replace every single player at all of the skill positions as well, because the Jets have very little talent on that side of the ball.

But it goes deeper than that. The Jets just signed Sanchez to a three-year, $40.5 million contract extension last year. Two of those years—this one and next—are fully guaranteed. The Jets would have the most expensive backup quarterback in the league if they benched him.

And they would have a quarterback who would probably have his confidence shot, too, all in the hopes that Tebow can save the season. 

And what makes you think he can? The Wildcat hasn't worked thus far. Tebow's not an improvement as a passer over Sanchez. And frankly, the Denver Broncos had better weapons for Tebow to work with a year ago. 

Anyway I slice this, I can't envision a scenario in which starting Tebow makes sense, is better for the team in either the short-term or long-term or will make them better. It makes for a few fun debates to fill the time, but in all honesty it's ridiculous.

Sanchez should be the guy, for better or (more likely) worse. He can't bear all the blame for the Jets' sorry offense. And he can't just be ditched given the financial commitment the Jets already made in him.

It's a rock and a hard place for Gang Green. And more than likely, an 8-8 season at best.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are on point like Geno Smith.