Rex Ryan Stands By Mark Sanchez As Starting Quarterback, Again

Despite their recent 29-14 loss to their cross-town rival, the New York Giants, Jets head coach Rex Ryan affirmed again that he will stick by starting quarterback Mark Sanchez.

"I've said from Day One I thought he was the best quarterback in the National Football League, I even put him over Tom Brady, so of course I recognize Peyton Manning is an unbelievable quarterback," Ryan said on ESPN 1050 Radio Monday, as transcribed by The Star-Ledger. "But do I think it’s even a consideration for us? No, I don’t."

"I'm going to say this, I’m going to tell you there is no way we are looking to replace Mark Sanchez, there's no doubt," Ryan said.

Sanchez completed just 30 of 59 attempts in Saturday’s loss to the Giants. The third-year quarterback threw for one touchdown and two interceptions. He also lost a fumble and was tackled for a safety. Through 15 games this season the 25-year-old has completed 56.2 percent of his passes, and has thrown for 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

This is hardly he first time Ryan has spoken out in defense of the quarterback whom he drafted out of USC in the first round in 2009. Earlier this season, Ryan told the press that as long as he was the head coach with New York, Sanchez would be his quarterback.

The Jets, 8-7, will be playing the Miami Dolphins this weekend in an attempt to claim the final Wild Card spot in the NFC. The game will be played at Miami which may pose a problem for New York, who are just 2-5 this season on the road.