Lost in the layers of drama currently enveloping the Jets in 2012 is the decision of a backup quarterback (non-punt-protector variety) to pop off about the layers of drama surrounding the Jets in 2011.
Quarterback Greg McElroy, a seventh-round pick last year from Alabama, made waves in January by talking about the dynamics in the team’s locker room. Arriving at camp on Thursday, McElroy’s roommate joked about ensuring that Greg zips it.
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t pop off,” quarterback Mark Sanchez told reporters. “I think I’m the only one who could put a muzzle on McElroy. So, he had to stay with me.”
Sanchez was joking. But McElroy wasn’t when he opened up about the problems with last year’s team.
“It’s definitely not a fun place to be, I can assure you,” McElroy said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever been around extremely selfish individuals. And 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 theirs, they had a good game individually. And that’s the disappointing thing.”
Though McElroy didn’t name names, his comments came in the immediate aftermath of a shameful display by former captain Santonio Holmes in Week 17, which resulted in Holmes being called out by former Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
“It’s going to take a lot to kind of come together next year,” McElroy added at the time. “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.”
That presumes McElroy will have a job once the roster is cut from 90 to 53. Though some thought the Jets would respond to McElroy’s comments by getting rid of him (and it would have been hard to blame them), he ultimately could be getting a cold plate of scram, coming at a time when it’s far too late to become ensconced with a new team for the coming season.