Darrelle Revis says Jets had ‘no quarterback’ with Mark Sanchez

Aug. 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Jets win 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
Aug. 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Jets win 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

After spending two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots, All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis returned to the New York Jets on a five-year deal. Revis was part of the glory days in Gotham, when Rex Ryan was the bombastic head coach and quarterback Mark Sanchez was affectionately called the “Sanchize.”

Next: Best QB/Head Coach Combos in NFL History

Fast forward to 2015, and Revis is re-joining a team that looks completely different with Ryan now coaching the Buffalo Bills and Sanchez working as a backup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Perhaps this changing of the guard is why Revis felt comfortable enough to blast his former teammate in Sports Illustrated.

Revis was referring to the consecutive seasons that New York went to the AFC Championship game, where it lost to the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.

"“We almost made it [in 2009 and ’10], and we didn’t have a quarterback,” Revis said. “Mark was solid. He wasn’t elite.”"

It is refreshing to hear a player speak so honestly and openly about something that appears so obvious to fans on the outside. Revis tried to backtrack a bit with the ending of that quote, but the fact is Revis clearly felt the team didn’t have much in Sanchez. New York has one of the best rosters in the league those two years but were held back by a quarterback who could not complete short and intermediate passes.

In his rookie season, Sanchez threw for 2,444 yards with 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Yet, he was able to guide the Jets to a pair of road playoff victories before falling short. In 2010, Sanchez improved and had arguably his best year to this point in his career, throwing for 3,291 yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 picks.

Revis might have been harsh on Sanchez in the interview, but facts are facts. Sanchez has proven to be a massive bust after being taken fifth-overall in the 2009 NFL Draft.