Rex Ryan on the mark with critical QB choice

Rex Ryan doesn't make the calls on offense - perhaps wisely so. But his decision Wednesday to stick with Mark Sanchez at quarterback this week against the Jaguars was the only move.

Before Sunday's three interception-outing against the Arizona Cardinals, the entire organization publicly supported Sanchez even as he owns the lowest QB rating in the league among current starters who qualify. It's the same support he's received since being handed the keys to he Jets on draft night in 2009.

That unyielding support came to a halt with 4:48 left in the third quarter on Sunday. Now Sanchez must earn it back, and the only way he can do that is by playing.

It's not that Ryan or the Jets owe Sanchez anything - besides the $8.25 million he's guaranteed in 2013. Rather, they owe it to themselves to see if a former top draft choice they've poured nearly four years into is capable of bouncing back from the greatest adversity of his career.

If it works and Sanchez goes on to beat Jacksonville this week, and then possibly the Titans, Chargers and Bills, the Jets could be 9-7 with a quarterback they can still trust next year.

If it fails, they stick in Tim Tebow or Greg McElroy and see what they have. But that's a problem for another week.