Tony Eason Reluctantly Assumes Role as Jets’ Starting Quarterback

Tony Eason, the former New England Patriots quarterback who at first refused to sign with the New York Jets six weeks ago because of his close friendship with Ken O’Brien, the Jets’ No. 1 quarterback, reacted with reluctance Friday when it became obvious that he would start against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday.

“We’re leaning to Eason right now,” a seemingly dispirited Coach Joe Walton said as he walked toward the practice field. “They (O’Brien and backup Pat Ryan) will probably both be ready Sunday, but they haven’t had a lot of work and they’re banged up a little bit.”

Eason didn’t come right out and say he didn’t want to start, but he wasn’t exactly thrilled by the prospect of his first start as a Jet. He acted like someone who had more to lose than gain. He refused to say it might affect his future, but it appears he doesn’t want to look bad in case the Jets make a coaching change.

“I have mixed feelings,” Eason said. “Our best chance of winning is if Kenny plays, or Pat. Everybody realizes that it’s just a tough situation. It’s different in this league. It’s not like baseball; you don’t come in and take your at-bats, and that’s it. People just take it for granted, but you got to know your plays, and if you have to think about your offense, it takes away from what you have to do.”

In other words, Eason feels he should be so familiar with the Jets’ offense and the defense they’re facing, that he doesn’t have to think twice about things that come naturally to seasoned quarterbacks. But it appears he’ll be thrown into the fray.

Walton uncharacteristically brushed by the media as they waited for him. When told that Eason appeared reluctant to play, he said, “He knows enough of the offense. He hasn’t had a lot of work and a lot of repetitions, but he’s concentrating on a specific game plan.”

“As for my playing,” Eason said, “my main goal is to get the play called in the huddle. That’s not a good way to start things off.”

Eason last played against the Rams during the Patriots’ 1985 Super Bowl season. He threw a “Hail Mary” pass that was caught by Irving Fryar for the winning touchdown. “I can still see Stanley Morgan jumping eight feet in the air, at least it seems like that, and tipping that ball to Fryar,” Eason said.

Meanwhile, Ryan, who left practice Thursday after experiencing headaches related to his sixth concussion in 12 seasons as a Jet, was upgraded to probable. He said he felt fine and could play if needed.

Notes

Jets owner Leon Hess and team president Steve Gutman were expected to meet with Patriots director of player development Dick Steinberg this weekend regarding the Jets’ general manager position.

Asked what it’s like to play when changes appear inevitable, Pat Ryan said, “Nobody knows what’s going to happen. I have the same idea that everybody else has: wait and see.”

Wide receiver Al Toon, according to Walton, should start Sunday. Toon practiced at full speed Friday after being upgraded from questionable to probable.

Guard Mike Haight (neck) was downgraded from questionable to doubtful, and will be replaced by Dave Cadigan or Adam Schreiber.