Titans vs. Jets: 6 Questions with The Jets Press Editor Alan Schechter

Joshua: Let’s revisit the 2012 matchup. Mark Sanchez threw four interceptions and lost a fumble during a 14-10 Titans win that eliminated the Jets from playoff consideration. Greg McElroy received the Week 16 start. Sanchez has never gotten a permanent grip on the starting gig. Now that Geno Smith has evolved as the starter, do you see that 2012 meeting as the Titans doing the Jets a long-term favor, proving to the organization that Sanchez wasn’t the “Sanchize?”

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) and Jets coach Rex Ryan react during the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Alan: It didn’t take the game against the Titans for the Jets’ organization to realize this.  All throughout last season, the Jets learned this fact in spades.  Don’t get me wrong, they never helped him or put him in a real situation to succeed.  They changed his receiver group, changed coordinators, brought in Tim Tebow.  They never gave him a chance to grow in the offense, and this was the result, a guy that lost total confidence in himself and his decision making.  By the end of the year, Rex was even sick of him, which is hard to believe since he was Rex’s guy.  The only real reason Mark is even still on the team is all of the money he was owed for 2013.  The Titans game was a part of the decision, but far from the only part.