Tony Sparano: 'Wildcat offense not a failure'

Tony Sparano has defended his use of the Wildcat formation in the New York Jets' offense.

Backup quarterback Tim Tebow has been used in the Wildcat throughout the season.

The Jets' offensive coordinator told ESPN: "The way that I think the perception is of the Wildcat is that we had a bunch of these 30-yard gains.

"That wasn't the case [at the Miami Dolphins, where Sparano was previously head coach], either. In Miami, it wasn't the case at all. We just did it a lot more, so the two-yard gains and the five-yard gains [didn't stand out], but then the 15-yard gain, I guess that jumped out more than the two or the five.

"It's a combination of things but I wouldn't use the words 'didn't work' at all."

Third-string quarterback Greg McElroy has been promoted above Tebow and regular starter Mark Sanchez following Monday's loss to the Tennessee Titans.