New York Jets Controversy Continues With Kris Jenkins, Mark Sanchez, Bart Scott

The turbulence towards Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets is flying from every corner following a deeply disappointing 8-8 season.

From Bart Scott’s $10,000 fine for an obscene gesture aimed at a photographer to seventh-round rookie quarterback Greg McElroy painting a toxic image of the team’s self-centered locker room to ex-Jet quarterback Boomer Esiason turning his views on Sanchez to retired defensive tackle Kris Jenkins even questioning Sanchez’s manhood, things have’t exactly gotten off to a resounding start for the franchise in 2012.

Photo Credit: BallJunkie.com

Esiason’s Perception: Per ProSports.Daily.com: “If you watched Mark Sanchez the last month of the season, he was like a chihuahua standing on Madison Avenue and 36th Street entering the Midtown Tunnel, eyes bigger than you know what, and just so shaky,” the former Jets quarterback told Boston-based radio station WEEI.

McElroy Lets Loose:“It’s the first time I’ve ever been around extremely selfish individuals,” McElroy told WZNN-FM. “I think that’s maybe the nature of the NFL. But there were people within our locker room that didn’t care whether we won or lost as long as they got their … they really had a good game individually. And that’s the disappointing thing.”

“It’s going to take a lot to kind of come together next year,” McElroy said, per NFL.com. “I think the fact that we struggled at times this year really led to a really corrupt mindset within the locker room. But I think we’re going to regroup and I know that we’ll be a better team because of the trials and tribulations this year.”

The fact that a third-string rookie who spent the entire year on IR was the quarterback that spoke up is alarming in more ways than one, considering he doesn’t even have a secure future for next season.  However, you also have to admire his boldness, stepping up to the plate.  He’s a smart guy, so he could have a hidden agenda, hoping his statement creates further disorder, leading to a possible departure of Sanchez.  I think that’s highly unlikely, but it’s worth mentioning in the midst of all of this chaotic controversy.

Jenkins Adds His Two Cents: Regardless of his intentions, McElroy’s statements essentially shined a spotlight on Sanchez and struck a cord with former Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who had this to say in a Thursday interview on ESPN Radio:

“The No. 1 quarterback should have said that a long time ago,” Jenkins said. “It would have been all part of the process of him growing a pair and standing up and being a man. But the thing is, he lost his because he got caught up in the wash that is New York, in the spotlight, taking pictures in the magazines and doing all of that stuff. That’s just what everybody has seen with Mark Sanchez, they got tired of it.”

GridironGrit.com Analyst Jonathan Mathis suggests Rex Ryan needs to zip it up or beat it.

While Sanchez isn’t the only quarterback to pose for a fashion pictorial (nor will be the last), Tom Brady won a couple of rings, first.

Oh, and if that wasn’t enough Jets-related news, according to Helmet2Helmet, Jets fans also want to get rid of Fireman Ed.

Verse of This Piece: “Whoever gives to others will get richer; those who help others will themselves be helped.” —Proverbs 11:25

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