The Jets haven't said it yet, but they're going to go with Geno Smith as their starting quarterback in Week 1. There are reports as such, which is a strong hint, but Mark Sanchez' shoulder injury is the real kicker. Especially if it's "more significant" than expected.
That's the report from ESPN's Ed Werder, who said Tuesday on SportsCenter that Sanchez' injury is believed to be worse than the Jets are admitting and that the quarterback "could miss several weeks."
I've been told that first of all Mark Sanchez shoulder injury is more significant than the team has allowed at this point, at least publicly," Werder said. "He's not only going to miss Sunday's game but he could miss several weeks. Brady Quinn obviously performed well in Seattle in training camp. Their GM, John Schneider, recommended him to John Idzik. They've worked together in Seattle."
New York signed Quinn on Monday shortly after releasing Graham Harrell. They're one of two teams (along with the Redskins) currently carrying four quarterbacks into the season, which is largely predicated on having a total nightmare at the positions.
Smith's the presumptive future of the franchise, Sanchez is the injured ghost of quarterbacking past and Matt Simms/Quinn are just there because, well, they'll probably have to play at some point. So why not just dump Sanchez then?
Apparently owner Woody Johnson wants to make Sanchez "earn every cent" of the $8.25 million he's slated to make in 2013.
"What's going to happen to Sanchez? Would they release him? I think it's possible -- not inconceivable -- that Idzik could encourage Woody Johnson to just take the cap hit, $8.25 million, and get it over with now," Werder said. "But I've also been told by people who are close to the organization that Woody Johnson is tired of being criticized for all the dead money the Jets have accumulated and he's going to make Sanchez earn every cent of this $8.25 million, even if he doesn't play this year."
Basically that means Woody's figured out the Jets are the NFL's punching bag, he's sick and tired of it and he's ready to take it out on someone else. That someone else appears to be Sanchez, who's apparently going to spend a lot of time either on the Jets sideline or in front of media members explaining why he's on the sideline during 2013.
Can't wait.
