Debate: Is Mark Sanchez a Starter or a Backup?

It's been a tough year for Mission Viejo hometown football hero Mark Sanchez.

The New York Jets have six wins, seven losses. Two weeks ago, Sanchez was benched in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals. Last Sunday the team beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Sanchez completed only 111 passing yards and lost one fumble.

Sanchez has been plagued by mistakes, former NFL wide receiver J.J. Stokes told Fox Sports.

“Mark Sanchez seems not to want to throw the deep ball," Stokes said. "He seems to not have confidence in himself sometimes. He makes simple mistakes quarterbacks should not make, especially with the years he has in the league."

Former NFL wide receiver Curtis Conway, a USC alum like Sanchez, said Mission Viejo's best-paid athlete is improving.

"If you look at Mark Sanchez’s numbers over the last three years, his numbers have improved in some major categories," Conway said.

But the Jets' decision to bring on Tim Tebow as a backup quarterback has hurt Sanchez's confidence, he said:

"That confidence has been taken away from Mark Sanchez. Bringing Tebow in puts your job on the line everytime you go out to play."

What do you think? Should Mark Sanchez be a starting quarterback in the NFL? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.