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NEW YORK -- Mark Sanchez is no longer the New York Jets franchise quarterback. He might not even be the backup. Rex Ryan decided to bench Sanchez on Tuesday in favour of Greg McElroy after the fourth-year quarterback had another miserable performance in a 14-10 loss at Tennessee on Monday night that eliminated New York from playoff contention. "I think its best for our team, and for this game," Ryan said during a conference call. So, itll be McElroy under centre for his first NFL start when the Jets (6-8) play the San Diego Chargers at home Sunday. Ryan hasnt decided whether Sanchez or Tim Tebow -- listed as the No. 2 quarterback -- will be the backup. While Sanchez blew the second chance Ryan gave him a few weeks ago, Tebow was leapfrogged by a third-stringer, fueling speculation that the team has little confidence in him as a quarterback. "I have to look at what I think is the best for the team and not necessarily the individual," Ryan said. "Ill say this about Tim and Ive always said it: I know he wants to help this team be successful in the worst way and theres no doubt about that." Sanchez threw four interceptions Monday night and wasnt able to handle a low snap with the game on the line, ending the Jets hopes to get back into the post-season. Things got worse after the game for Sanchez, who received a series of death threats from one disgruntled fan on Twitter. League spokesman Greg Aiello said the NFLs security staff was aware of the mans threats and was working with the Jets to assist on the matter. The team declined comment through a spokesman. Ryan said after the loss that he wasnt ready to decide who would start against the Chargers, but told Sanchez he would be making a change at quarterback by going with either McElroy or Tebow. "He respected my decision," Ryan said. "Thats not easy, thats for sure." After talking to his staff and members of the organization Tuesday, Ryan chose McElroy. "This is my opinion, and I do believe that its best for our team that Greg is our quarterback," Ryan insisted. "Im the guy thats making this decision. Every decision I make is based on what I believe is the best decision for the team." But Ryan was vague in his answers to why he selected McElroy above Tebow, choosing after being asked several times to not go into detail about what specifically factored into the decision. "I can answer this question a million ways, frontward, backward, sideways, anything else," Ryan said. "Its my decision and I based it on a gut feeling or whatever." McElroy, a seventh-round pick last year out of Alabama, helped lead the Jets to a 7-6 win over Arizona on Dec. 2 when Ryan pulled Sanchez from that game late in the third quarter. McElroy had modest numbers -- 5 of 7 for 29 yards -- but threw for the only touchdown of the game, and nearly led another scoring drive as the Jets ran out the clock. Ryan decided to stick with Sanchez after that game, saying that the one-time face of the franchise gave the Jets their best chance at winning as they remained in the playoff hunt. But Sanchez struggled in a 17-10 win over Jacksonville and again even more in the loss to Tennessee. McElroy, who gave the Jets a huge spark in his first NFL action, was inactive for both games. That hurt New York on Monday night when Ryan was unable to turn to McElroy since he was not in uniform for the game. Instead, Ryan went to Tebow for one series -- which had been part of the game plan -- but it was unproductive and Sanchez came back in for the next offensive possession. Sanchez leads the league with 24 turnovers, including 17 interceptions, and has turned the ball over 50 times since the start of last season. His future with the team is uncertain because he signed a contract extension with New York in March that included $8.25 million in guaranteed money for next season. Ryan would not commit to Sanchez beyond this season, and wouldnt discuss what the depth chart will look like. "We have two games left and thats where my focus is going to be," he said. "Whats past that will be determined later." Sanchez was regularly booed during home games this season, falling out of favour with the fans who were excited when the Jets traded up to take him with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft. "Has he had better days than (Monday night)? Absolutely," Ryan said. There certainly were some good moments for the former Southern California star, particularly in helping lead New York to the AFC championship game in each of his first two seasons, but he failed to take the next step in his development. While his frequent mistakes in reading defences and miscalculating throws are a huge reason for his struggles, Sanchez also wasnt helped by a constantly changing cast around him. Several of the teams top offensive players -- Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Jerricho Cotchery, Brad Smith, LaDainian Tomlinson, Plaxico Burress, Alan Faneca and Damien Woody -- have all been released, traded or allowed to become free agents since Sanchezs rookie season. He is also working with his second offensive co-ordinator in Tony Sparano after an up-and-down three seasons with Brian Schottenheimer. Tebow, acquired from Denver in March, has had a minor role in the offence after being expected to play a major part. He is recovering from two broken ribs that sidelined him for three games, but returned Monday night and had little impact. It would seem unlikely that Tebow, who helped lead the Broncos to the playoffs last season, will be back next season. When Tebow arrived in New York, he often said he was "excited to be a Jet," but theres little doubt that he no longer feels that way. He has done his best to hide his frustration throughout the season, especially when the wildcat-style offence was talked up by Ryan and Sparano as a highlight of the offence. Tebow has instead just been a spare part on an offence that ranks 30th in the NFL. He is 6 of 8 passing for 39 yards, and has run 32 times for 102 yards -- playing a more significant role as the personal punt protector on special teams. "People can speculate anything they want," Ryan said. Obviously, as a football team, were 6-8 and nobodys happy about that and ultimately, Im the one accountable." Cheap Jerseys Wholesale . In reality, he might be having the biggest season of them all. Rios hit his second homer of the game, connecting for a two-run shot in the 10th inning Friday night that lifted the White Sox over the Los Angeles Angels 8-6. Cheap Jerseys Direct . The Lachenaie, Que., skater fell during the preliminary round of the 1,000-metre race last Friday at a World Cup in Nagoya, Japan. There is no firm timeline in place for his return. http://facialhairstyleshq.info/cheapjerseys.html . The Canadian entry faces Willemstad, Curacao on TSN beginning at 2pm et/11am pt. Canada opened the double-elimination tournament with a 13-9 win over Mexico on Friday. COQUITLAM, B.C. -- Yani Tseng and Na Yeon Choi were feeling right at home in Vancouver during Thursdays opening round of the Canadian Womens Open. Tseng, the worlds No. 1, held the first-round lead after she fired a 6-under-par 66 in a successful return to the golf course where she won her first pro tournament in 2007. Choi was just one shot back, with a five-under 67, after leading for much of the day. Lydia Ko, the 15-year-old South Korean-born New Zealander who won the U.S. Womens Amateur two weeks ago, was two strokes back at 68 along with South Koreas Inbee Park. Tseng, who won a CN Canadian Womens Tour event in her first visit to the Vancouver Golf Club, birdied five of her final six holes. She confirmed her notice of two days earlier that she is "back" after struggling the past two months. "I wish I didnt finish today," said Tseng. "I wish I could keep going -- keep playing. But 18 holes are finished. (Friday) is a new day, but Ill try to keep that momentum going and try to do the best I can." The Taiwanese star won three of the first five tournaments this year, but has struggled since then. Starting her round on the 10th tee, she made a number of long putts on soft greens that resulted from a morning rain that turned into afternoon sunshine. Noting she also drove the ball straight, Tseng said the return to the links where she first won enabled her to rediscover her lost confidence. "If I miss a couple shots, I dont worry about it, not like I did before, so I feel that this is the way I used to play," said Tseng. Meanwhile, Choi excelled with help from a Vancouverite who was thousands of miles away. The 24-year-old South Korean praised her English tutor Greg Morrison, a Vancouver native who is now based in South Korea, for giving her considerable insight on his hometown. "This is my first trip in Vancouver, but I feel very comfortable, because I heard a lot of things (about the city) from my English tutor," said Choi. Morrison travelled with Choi last season on the LPGA Tour but chose to remain in his adopted home this year in order to spend more time with his four-year-old daughter. Choi, a Seoul native, said she decided to take English lessons to be able to connect better with fans. The move has also had a positive effect on her golf game. "Two years ago, I couldnt talk much with the media, with the fans, but right now, I can talk with them," she said. "So I feel Im really comfortable." Choi also felt "good vibes" from members of Vancouvers Korean community who came out to cheer her on. She also enjoyed a traditional Korean meal the night before. "I go to a Korean restaurant (for) every meal if I can, and (Wednesday) night, I found a great restaurant," shhe said.dddddddddddd "(The food) was just like my mom cooked." Lorie Kane of Charlottetown was the top Canadian after shooting an even-par 72. Fourteen-year-old Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., the youngest golfer to ever play in the tournament, shot a 77. No Canadian has won the tournament since Jocelyne Bourassa prevailed in a tiebreaker in 1973. Choi is looking for her second victory of the season after posting a four-shot win at the U.S. Womens Open. The five-year LPGA veteran got off to a strong start with a birdie on the par-4 second hole and also recorded three straight birdies on Nos. 5 through 7. She extended her lead quickly after making the turn, making birdies on 11 and 13. But she shot back-to-back bogeys on the next two holes before rallying for a birdie on 17. "I was losing my focus at that moment," said Choi. "Thats why I got two bogeys. But after two bogeys, I realized I had to focus my game and I (had) to go back and get back on track. When I had (the) birdie on 17, that gave me a great feeling. I feel like I have a lot of confidence about my game." Meanwhile, Kane earned top Canadian honours a day after saying she was not ready to relinquish her role as the nations torchbearer for womens golf. "I played a good round for most of the round," she said. " I played some pretty good golf. A couple of things kind of got away on me." She retained her torchbearer status by rolling in a birdie putt from about eight feet on the final hole. As a result, Jessica Shipley of Oakville, Ont., was the second-best Canadian with a 1-over 73. Shipley was one shot better than American star Michelle Wie. After three-putting on the final hole, Wie cursed and threw her putter. She found herself in a tie for 100th after finishing second in this tournament last year in Mirabel, Que., and winning it in 2010 in Winnipeg. "I tapped in and I missed and, on that last one, I didnt feel too good ... But other than that I had a really solid round," said Wie. Her show of frustration generated considerable buzz. Kane called for people to be fair with Wie, predicting the former teen phenom will fare better on the tour now that she has graduated from Stanford with a communications degree and can devote herself to a regular golf routine. "The LPGA needs Michelle to be playing well, because she moves the needle," said Kane. "If Tiger (Woods) moves the needle on the mens side, Michelle moves it on this side." Notes: Choi also excelled with help from world No. 1 Yani Tsengs former caddy. Jason Hamilton carried Tsengs bag when she won three of the first five tournaments this year, but he was fired in July after she struggled. Choi said Hamilton will work for her full-time. ' ' '